Automatic Tranny a Crutch? By Go By Truck News+ Updated: July 28, 2013 Automatic Tranny a Crutch? The debate continues with the scales tipping as driver demographics change, and technology boasts safety and production. Manual transmission die-hards argue it takes a special skill set to drive a stick, and kids these days just can’t hack it. A good majority of new drivers have never even driven a car with a manual transmission, much less an 18 wheeler. “I’m a truck driver, not a steering wheel holder,” says Carl Ciprian, a driver with Fayette, Ala.-based N&N Transport. Ciprian believes changing gears and having additional control over the truck keeps the driver engaged and aware. He feels that fleets would prefer to turn new drivers loose with an automatic transmission rather than truly teaching them how to drive. Another argument for manual transmissions is that mechanical engines and transmissions have not been able to communicate with one another without a driver to interpret the many factors of the road and the load. Issues with early AMTs included frequent and uneven shifts, gear searching in hilly terrain, and similar issues at low speeds such as when in heavy traffic or docking. However, the newer models are getting better at sharing data, and when both the engine and transmission are designed by the same vendor you have an optimal package. The main selling point of automatics in the trucking industry is fuel economy. With complete powertrain integration, this can be achieved consistently. Volvo, Mack, Daimler and Eaton have just announced a partnership with Cummins which will take integrated powertrains to a new level of efficiency that even a seasoned driver cannot produce. It is difficult to skip gears in a manual transmission, and with each interruption acceleration is slowed. With the Volvo I-shift, 12th gear can be reached while only hitting 6 of the gears along the way. Therefore, fuel efficiency is improved. An automatic transmission can provide the same fuel efficiency to an inexperienced driver because it is in the right gear at the right time – all of the time. For fleets, in addition to fuel economy topping, the list of advantages of automatic transmissions, safety, driver recruitment and retention rank right up there as well. Steve Spurlin, executive director of international application engineering and vehicle integration says, “Automatics allow less-skilled drivers to be very productive. They are also a large help with safety because the drivers can stay focused on the road or the task at hand instead of shifting gears.” Also, drivers do not get as fatigued with an automatic since they do not have to shift gears constantly.” On the other hand, Shane Groner, Eaton’s manager of NAFTA product development, says “There are still a lot of highly experienced drivers out there who can get the most out of a manual transmission. Those gearboxes are essentially bullet-proof. If you are a fleet and you are blessed with an abundance of experienced drivers, and upfront costs are still your primary expense driver, then it’s hard to argue with manual transmissions.” Be prepared to see more AMTs on the road with Volvo reporting that more than 50% of new Volvos sold this year have the I-Shift AMT. Mack Truck reports almost 40% take rate of mDrive in Pinnacle tractors. Eaton reports 25% of heavy-duty trucks taking the company’s UltraShift Plus AMT. The reliability of the manual transmission is hard to beat, but the developments being made in full powertrain integration may justify the switch. (Photo Source: overdriveonline) - See more at: gobytrucknews/automatic-tranny-a-crutch/#sthash.gQ6yePGQ.dpuf
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 23:35:42 +0000
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