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IF reckons 12 is all you need
Page 17
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ZF's gearing up to handle more power: Brian Weatheriey torques up a storm.
DRIVERS OFHIGHpowertnicks won't have to change gear so often in the future, judging by the latest offering from gearbox supplier ZF.
The 12-speed version of its long serving Ecosplit synchro-box is aimed at 500hp-plus tractors pumping out up to 2.800Nm of torque. ZF won't reveal its first customer, but the most likely can didate is Daf with its new Euro-4 XF95 tractor which is due in 2005.
Having recently launched the 510hp MX 13-litre engine at Hanover. Daf starts production of MX-powered XF95 4x2 tractors next October. when the Euro-4 emission regs kick in. Sources within the Dutch truck maker confirm "with an engine of that power and especially its flat torque curve you really don't need 16 speeds".
The MX-powered XF95 is also expected to sport a reworked cab: some of those tweaks are expected to filter down onto the CF range.
The 12-speed Ecosplit will take over from the 16-speed as ZF's manual transmission of choice for high-power/torque applications; it will eventually handle 3,000Nm of torque. A 3,000Nm capacity ASTronic box will be developed in parallel with the manual Ecosplit.
• For details of ZF's plans for Euro-4 and beyond see page 28.