Volvo goes Geartronic
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• Swedish truck maker Volvo has developed a fully automated gearbox called Geartronic for its F12 38-tonne tractor. It is based on the existing Volvo SR1400 and SR1700 14-speed mechanical synchromesh gearboxes, but sophisticated electronic control and electro-pneumatic gear selection replaces a conventional mechanical link between the gear lever and gearbox.
Geartronic transmissions will be available in left-hand-drive Fl 2s with Bosch Electronic Die sel Control (EDC) next spring, Other models could follow later, but as yet, no date has been set for a UK launch.
In a Geartronic system the conventional SR gear lever is replaced by a small selector lever derived from the Volvo 240 car. The lever activates electronic signals to the pneumatic selectors which engage the chosen gear. This is similar to the electro-pneumatic Easy based Gear Shift (EGS) developed for the 1310M coach. The driver has an option of six lever positions: reverse, crawler, first, second, third and full automatic. The splitter can also be used manually in low range. Power or economy operating modes are available; they regulate the engine speed at which each change is made. Under normal circumstances in fully automatic the system selects 2L for starting off.
According to Volvo the Geartronic system is similar in operation to Eaton's fully-automated AMT version of its Twin Splitter gearbox "but with more to offer'. It can be linked to the exhaust brake so that when the driver selects the secondary retarder the system ensures adequate engine back pressure by selecting the most suitable ratio, normally by down-shifting.
Geartronic has been developed to operate with the Bosch EDC fuel management and drive-by-wire throttle system, EDC-equipped F10, F12 and F16 tractors will be available sometime next year, says Volvo. For the moment it will offer Geartronic as an option to mechanical transmissions. It will be interesting to see whether Volvo will make the system a standard fitting, as Daimler-Benz has with EPS. By leaving a number of driver options open Volvo has ensured that the driver retains some say in gear selection.