Allison's auto box a boon for multi-drops and rental
Page 15
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The first UK vehicle to use Allison's new automatic transmission for light trucks has begun to earn its keep but, before it did, Colin Barnett took it for an exclusive drive.
• By the time the Allison 1000 Series fully automatic transmission was revealed to the UK market at Telford's IATE Show, the manufacturer's engineers were completing the first vehicle installation. The recipient was a 150hp Leyland Daf 45 operated by Ryder Truck Rental from the pool of daily renters at its Heathrow depot.
Although the installation was to full production standard, its operation by real-world drivers is being monitored closely, with hirers asked to complete appraisal forms. The adaptive, electronically controlled 1000 Series suits applications of up to 9,000kg GVW. It can handle englne outputs up to 254kW (340hp) with 705Nm of barque. There are fve forward gears, the fifth an overdrive.
Although a traditional torque converter-driven epicychc unit, it overcomes the efficiency-reducing slip problem by having positive converter lookup on the top four gears. Gears are helically cut to reduce noise. A pawltype parking lack is an industry first for truck transmissions. The electronic control module, the transmission's brain, is available in 12V or 24V versions.
Ryden s truck has a large oil cooler mounted on the left-hand side of the chassis, but it is expected that series-production installations will manage with a smaller unit.
The selector cable is operated by a quadrant between the seats, with a lift-up collar preventing accidental lever movements.
The quadrant, a non-Allison component, needed rather more effort than expected but works well enough. Although it has the usual P(ark), R(everse), N(eutral) and D(rive) positions, as well as holds for the first three gears, on this truck the P position is towards the rear, with the others going forward. This is the opposite to the usual European layout, but future customers will be offered a choice. While it is good practice to apply the footbrake when selecting gears at standstill, the Allison has no inhibitor link to force this.
Beyond its standard specification, the 1000 Series's casing incorporates provision for power take-off and for fourwheel drive.
Other options include fourspeed, direct top ratios and a dual-mode—performance or economy—shift programme.