Volvo I-Shift with Crawler Gears offers slow speed maneuverability, extreme startability

Volvo Trucks North America has introduced the Volvo I-Shift with Crawler Gears, a new option designed for applications where very slow speeds and maneuverability are needed. Appropriate for both vocational and on-highway applications, Volvo I-Shift with Crawler Gears provides crawler functionality for concrete mixers with curb-pouring capability, asphalt paving and other low-speed tasks, as well as improved startability for heavy haul. It also offers up to 220,000 pounds or more GCW based on application approval.

“With its unique blend of the best attributes of manual and automated manual transmissions, the Volvo I-Shift with Crawler Gears demonstrates our innovative approach to meeting our customers’ needs,” said Göran Nyberg, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “The added capabilities of the new transmission will give our customers a tremendous advantage in driver productivity, whether at the jobsite or on the highway.”

The I-Shift with Crawler Gears will be available in two versions:

• 14 forward gears, including one low crawler (19.38 ratio) and one ultra-low crawler (32.04 ratio) with an overall ratio of 41.08
• 13 forward gears, including one low crawler (17.54 ratio) with an overall ratio of 22.35

The 13-speed and 14-speed version will be available as an overdrive configurations.

The gears and other hardware used in the I-Shift with Crawler Gears have been hardened to withstand frequent shifting in a rugged operating environment. The transmission received additional updates to improve shift performance and overall durability, including improved split synchronizer components, an updated engaging sleeve and main box parts fashioned from reinforced material. The transmission’s software has also been optimized for shifting in high-weight applications.

The I-Shift with Crawler Gears will be available on all models equipped with Volvo engines.

All Volvo I-Shift transmissions will be upgraded with revised hardware components for improved performance and increased durability. A revised countershaft design helps enable faster shifting between gears, while new software enhancements – Volvo’s I-See predictive cruise control feature – can help improve fuel efficiency by learning and adapting to the road.

“Volvo I-Shift penetration reached a record 83 percent in 2015, demonstrating incredible progress from 2007 when Volvo was the first OEM to bring an integrated automated manual transmission to the North American market,” said Allison Athey, Volvo product marketing manager – transmissions. “Today, with hardware and software updates, as well as the introduction of the new version with crawler gears that have effectively doubled the overall ratio, Volvo is continuing its leadership in transmission technology.”