Automated Transmissions

Eaton Fuller AutoShift transmissions have ten or eighteen forward speeds and two reverse speeds. The driver must use the clutch to start and stop the vehicle. However, the driver does not need to use the clutch to shift gears. The transmission signals the engine controller when to break torque and the engine controller automatically increases or decreases engine speed. When engine speed is correct, the transmission engages the next gear and signals the engine controller to resume operation.

Reverse ®) is at the upper end of the four-position selector switch located at the end of the SmartShift control. To select R, press in the neutral lock button and move the selector switch to the position above neutral. The default Reverse gear is engaged.

In automatic drive mode (AUTO), upshifts and downshifts are made by the UltraShift PLUS without driver intervention. Press in the neutral lock button, move the selector switch to Drive (D), and depress the accelerator pedal. The transmission will shift automatically.

In Drive, the start gear is automatically selected. The selected start gear can vary depending on several vehicle inputs such as load, grade, and axle/transmission ratio. The start gear can be changed using the SmartShift control, provided the selected gear would allow the vehicle to launch without damaging the transmission. If the start gear is changed using the SmartShift control, it will be the default until the vehicle is powered down or the selection is changed again manually.

In Drive, the transmission automatically performs upshifts and downshifts. However, when the transmission is near the shift point, the shift can be forced using the upshift or downshift function of the SmartShift control.

In manual mode (MAN), the driver selects upshifts and downshifts instead of letting the UltraShift PLUS select them automatically. Manual shifting may be helpful when traversing a work site, railroad tracks, or steep grades, for example. To drive forward, press in the neutral lock button, move the selector switch to Drive (D), and depress the accelerator pedal. To upshift, pull the lever up (towards you); to downshift, push the lever down (away from you). The system holds the current gear unless a shift is requested or if the system initiates a manual mode override.

Low (L) is at the lower end of the four-position selector switch located at the end of the SmartShift control. Use Low when wanting to maximize engine braking and minimize the use of the brake pedal—for example, when driving down long grades or when coming to a stop. To select Low, press in the neutral lock button and move the selector switch to the L position. The lowest available start gear will be selected (the starting gear cannot be changed in Low).

If Low is selected while moving, the transmission will not upshift (unless the system initiates a Low override). The system will downshift at the earliest opportunity to provide maximum engine braking.

Although a vehicle equipped with an UltraShift PLUS uses an automated clutch, the clutch can still overheat and slip with improper use. The clutch abuse protection feature helps protect the clutch if the automated clutch starts to overheat. When the clutch abuse protection feature initiates and sounds a warning tone, full clutch actuation must be completed quickly. If it is not completed quickly enough, the system will either open the clutch (if the accelerator pedal is not being pressed) or close the clutch (if the accelerator pedal is being pressed). If the abuse continues, the system will open the clutch and take away throttle control briefly to allow the clutch to cool down.

To protect the clutch:

The Creep Mode function allows the vehicle to maintain a constant speed at engine idle without the driver holding the accelerator pedal position. This mode is useful for very low-speed maneuvering and applications where steady vehicle speed is required. The vehicle speed is determined by the selected gear ratio operating at governed low engine idle speed. Any available gear may be selected, though the transmission will downshift or exit Creep Mode to prevent stalling if the engine lugs due to load conditions.

By default, Creep Mode can be activated while in Manual Mode or Low. Eaton's ServiceRanger diagnostic software can be used to enable Creep Mode in Automatic Mode and/or Reverse.

UltraShift PLUS transmissions are equipped with a Hill Start Aid (HSA) feature to prevent the vehicle from rolling while on grades steeper than 3% and allow for a controlled launch. A grade sensor is used to determine when to engage the feature.

HSA is "on" by default. It can be turned off by pressing and releasing the override switch on the dash (see Chapter 5 ). HSA will turn back on after the first successful launch.

When the vehicle is stopped on a grade greater than 3% and in a forward mode or reverse, depress the service brakes then release them. The vehicle will begin to move after 3 seconds, and the clutch will perform partial engagements to slow the vehicle motion. Either step on the brake or apply the throttle to continue negotiating the grade.

The system will upshift if necessary to prevent engine overspeed in Drive, Manual, and Low.

Shuttle shifting from reverse to any forward mode is only allowed if the vehicle speed is approximately zero.

The UltraShift PLUS system uses various inputs to automatically select the best start gear in Drive and Manual. This selection can be changed using the SmartShift control; however, if the selection requested could cause damage or engine lugging, the request will be denied and a tone will sound.

When appropriate, the UltraShift PLUS system may skip shift in Drive. When prevailing conditions like load and grade allow, skip shifts can be performed in Manual mode using the SmartShift control.

The UltraShift PLUS system will automatically shift to neutral if the vehicle is left in Drive and the parking brake is set. "AN" will show on the gear display. To re-engage the transmission, select Neutral and then either Drive or Reverse on the shift control (it will re-engage regardless of whether the parking brake is released).

The UltraShift PLUS system requires the Automatic Traction Control (ATC) option to be enabled when driving in soft soil/sand to prevent wheel slippage and shifting issues. The ATC system has two modes: "normal" (for sand and loose road surface) and a mud/snow setting.

The UltraShift PLUS system is adaptive and will change the shift points based on grade, engine RPM, throttle position, and vehicle load. After changing loads or powering up, the system needs to relearn these inputs for the first few shifts to make the proper adjustments.

When coasting to a stop on level terrain, the UltraShift PLUS system may not downshift into the lower gears. It will select a gear after the throttle is applied.

Eaton Fuller AutoShift transmissions have ten or eighteen forward speeds and two reverse speeds. The driver must use the clutch to start and stop the vehicle. However, the driver does not need to use the clutch to shift gears. The transmission signals the engine controller when to break torque and the engine controller automatically increases or decreases engine speed. When engine speed is correct, the transmission engages the next gear and signals the engine controller to resume operation.