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AUTO FIVI
Page 53
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Volvo's FM tipper is the latest recipient of the I-Shift automated manual transmission. Andy
Salter tried it out.
Atipper with an auto transmission would, for many drivers and operators, have been considered a technology step too far only a couple of years ago. But as auto boxes have become faster, more efficient and more reliable the reluctance to use them is diminishing. Volvo is the latest manufacturer to offer an auto-equipped tipper, employing its I-Shift, automated manual transmission, in the FM multi-wheeler.
Volvo is equipping more than 50% of its FH tractors with I-Shift in the UK and, as the current, much-improved generation of auto gearboxes continue to grow in popularity, manufacturers are introducing them across their ranges in a bid to extract as much volume as possible from the new technology and, says Volvo, meet a growing demand.
In the past, many tipper operators would have shied away from automated manual transmissions of any variety, mainly due to concerns regarding their ability off-road.To address that issue Volvo sells the auto FM only with electronic disc brakes and ASR traction control. As a result, I-Shift-equipped FM tippers are really only suitable for aggregate operations.
Before we get stuck into the driving, a quick recap of I-Shift.The fully automated 12-speed I-Shift transmission is Volvo's latest incamation. G one are the synchronisers on the main gears in favour of electronic communications between engine and gearbox.The driver's involvement is pretty straightforward. Press the button at the front of the gear lever and move it to A (auto); M (manual) can be engaged in case drivers get bored.There is also a side thumb-button on the gear lever; one press means one gear. The 12 ratios are provided by three main gears. a splitter and a range change, with no crawler. It also comes in at a full 70kg lighter than a corresponding manual gearbox, the saving coming from the aluminium used for the housing and from removing the synchromesh cones.
On the road The first thing that struck us as we set off on our short test drive was how swift the shift is The changes go through very fast and smoothly. Coupled to the 380hp 9.0-litre engine we skipped up through the gears with ease and were soon at cruising speed.
We left the stick in auto for most of the route. Driving consisted of sticking the right boot down and keeping the truck between the verges. Combine the simple gearshift with the superb suspension and chassis and we were left with an extremely comfortable driving set-up. We'd usually reckon this was a positive characteristic but, such is the driving comfort, the driver is left slightly removed from the dynamics of the truck. Pulling away it felt slow, but we had an all-up weight of 32 tonnes. Had we been working a gearstick we'd soon have picked up the laden character of the vehicle. Likewise, out on the road the driving is so simple you have to remind yourself the vehicle is laden. Inexperienced drivers may get caught out by this fact. It's a strange irony, but in making the vehicle so easy to drive,Volvo may have created other potential hazards. Clearly there's still a need for driver training. •