ERF buys a semi
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• ERF says it will be the first truck manufacturer to offer Eaton's SAMT (Semi Automated Mechanical Transmission) as a production option. Both Foden and MAN are expected to announce its introduction before the end of the year.
ERF's E10/E14 4x2, 6x2 and 6x4 tractive units, including the new models powered by Cummins LTA10290 and E320/350 engines, will become available with the SAMT in September.
Eaton's Twin-Splitter 12speed gearbox — the heart of the SAMT system — is already standard equipment on all ERF tractive units with engines rated at 216kW (290hp) and above.
Unlike the SAMT installation in the MAN, which has a steering column-mounted selector, the ERF SAMT has a gear lever switch mounted in the conventional gear lever position, along with an LED display to advise the driver of the gears immediately available above and below the selected ratio.
With SAMT the clutch pedal is used only during pulling away or returning to rest. All subsequent gear changes are relayed via the SAMT micro computer to electro-pneumatic cylinders mounted on top of the gearbox, which effect both gear shifting and clutch operation.
ERF says its installation gives very fast gear changes which can result in faster journey times. Skip shifting is implemented by flicking the shift switch up to three times in rapid succession: one for each ratio.
The electronics also block any command that would result in engine overspeeding.
Eaton claims its SAMT will reduce engine and driveline wear through smooth shockfree shifts and near-ideal clutch operation.
Using spare capacity in the system's computer, cruise control or a road speed governor can be offered as a low-cost addition.