POWERTRAIN
» The DPF incorporated into this Cummins
aftertreatment system is now about half the size
of the DPFs offered on previous Cummins systems.
Despite this smaller size, ash capacity has improved,
requiring fewer regeneration and cleaning events.
Photo courtesy of Cummins Inc.
» When designing the X12 engine platform,
Cummins made easy access to parts
within the system a top priority.
Photo courtesy of Cummins Inc.
To deliver the best uptime to fleets, it is
critical to consider maintenance requirements
34 Fleet Maintenance | June 2018
when designing a new product or
selecting key technologies to off er as part of
an engine system.
An element of maintenance that could be
easy to overlook by an engine manufacturer is
access to parts. Th e harder parts are to access,
the longer and more costly maintenance events
can be for the fl eet.
During maintenance or repair, speeding up
the entire process gets vehicles back on the
road more quickly. Cummins took this into
consideration when creating the X12 engine
platform, designed to be more compact than
engines that deliver similar horsepower. Th is
allows technicians the ability to more easily
access parts on the engine. Th e X12 platform
shares many maintenance components with
the company’s X15 platform, using the same
oil and fuel fi lters, and single module aft ertreatment
system, thus reducing inventory for
multi-powered fl eets.
Think beyond the engine
When integrating across the powertrain,
it’s important to consider the maintenance
requirements of
components beyond
the engine, such as the
aft ertreatment system
and transmission, and
how these components
impact vehicle service.
With legislation
that continues to
demand more stringent
emissions levels,
it’s clear that aft ertreatment
technology
needs to advance.
That doesn’t mean,
though, that the
system has to be more
diffi cult to manage.
The Single Module
from Cummins is one
example of an aftertreatment
system
that can meet these
stringent emissions
requirements without requiring extensive
operator intervention. For instance, the
diesel particulate filter (DPF) incorporated
into this aftertreatment system is now about
half the size of the DPFs offered on previous
Cummins systems, yet its ash capacity
has improved, requiring fewer regeneration
and cleaning events. Many first owners
may not even have to touch the filter for a
cleaning, meaning that the filter is nearly
maintenance-free.
Th e transmission is another critical powertrain
component that sees demand for greater
performance.
For example, the recently introduced
Endurant transmission, from the Eaton
Cummins Automated Transmission
Technologies joint venture, features built-in
diagnostics capabilities, like the fl uid pressure
sensor, to notify fl eets when they are
running low on oil. Th is alerts the fl eet with
enough time to take action, avoiding potentially
damaging conditions, such as gear
burn-up, that would require a lengthy and
costly maintenance event.
Other technology advancements in the
Endurant transmission include a clutch
adjustment algorithm that checks and adjusts
the clutch to maximize low speed and maneuverability
and extend clutch life.
Easing maintenance
requirements across
the powertrain
Advancements in powertrain
technologies can help create more
effi cient maintenance practices.
By Jason Owens
POWERTRAIN RELATIONSHIP MANAGER, CUMMINS INC.
A global power leader, Cummins Inc. is a corporation of complementary business
segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio
of power solutions. The company’s products range from diesel and natural gas
engines to hybrid and electric platforms, as well as related technologies, including
battery systems, fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions
and electrical power generation systems. Owens has spent over 30 years
in the transportation industry, which includes 20 years of customer-facing roles
at Cummins Inc. This work with both original equipment manufacturers and end
users has given him great insight into the integration opportunities that exist within
the powertrain category.
The harder parts
are to access, the
longer and more costly
maintenance events
can be for the fleet.