Foden follows on SAMT
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• Following the formal launch of Eaton's SAMT transmission at the Frankfurt Motor Show (CM 17 September) Foden says it will offer the electronically-controlled gearbox on its 4000 Series before the end of the year, while ERF already offers it on the E Series powered by the Cummins LTA10-290.
Foden's sales and service manager Roger Smith describes the SAMT as "one of the most exciting developments in recent years. Engineers have been trying to automate conventional gear boxes for the past 30 years. This system gives better response times than any driver can achieve".
Through its experience with military vehicles, Foden was able to advise on the specification of the environmentallysealed conduit used for the transmission's electronic interconnection systems.
Within the next few weeks Foden will begin to take orders for vehicles equipped with SAMT. It will be available with all Caterpillar, Cummins, Gardner and Perkins/Rolls Royce engine options at about 22,200 above the cost of a conventional Eaton Twin Splitter gearbox.
Current Twin Splitter gearboxes incorporate a modified top plate to provide for retrospective conversion to SAMT.