IC's Clutchmate offers cut-price 'automatic'
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• Arnhem-based IC Systems has developed a bolt-on declutching system for commercial vehicles that takes over from the driver's left foot.
Clutchmate is designed to be a cut-price alternative to a fully fledged automatic transmission; it can be transferred to a replacement vehicle.
Clutch operation is via a button on the gearlever which activates a pneumatic slave cylinder beneath the cab.
Electronics sense when engine revs have dropped to a pre-set minimum before a gear can be dis-engaged and the next one selected.
Letting in or disengaging the clutch is by stepping on the accelerator pedal or throttling back.
A pneumatic version costs around £2,300 while the electric model is £800. Fitting takes 3-4 hours.
IC Systems already has 500 Clutchmates in use in Holland; now it is looking for a UK agent. For more details contact RH Lid t on 0031 26 4422343.