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Volvo Trucks Launches I-Shift + Crawler Gears

Mar 22, 2016 VolvoTrucks, CrawlerGears, I-Shift, HeavyDuty, ConstructionVehicles


Volvo Trucks has announced the introduction of its I-Shift with crawler gears, which provides specialised start capability for trucks carrying heavy loads in demanding situations.

The heavy duty vehicle maker explains that the gears are added to the vehicle’s automated transmission, and that the system is entirely unique for series-produced extra heavy trucks. The new version of I-Shift makes it possible to add up to two new crawler gears, which means things, the ability start-off from standstill and transport a gross combination weight (GCW) of up to 325 tonnes.

Malcolm Gush, Sales Director at Volvo Trucks South Africa explains: “I-Shift with crawler gears offers entirely new scope for extra heavy trucks with automated transmission to regulate their speed when crawling slowly and even reversing. The driver can haul a heavy load without worrying about getting into situations that may lead to costly standstills. This new technology will also be available in South Africa where extreme road and weather conditions often have a big impact on a fleet’s productivity, safety and profitability.”

According to Volvo Trucks, the new crawler gears allow the truck to drive at speeds as low as 0.5 to 2 km/h, which allows for precision manoeuvres such as in construction and maintenance tasks. “The vastly improved driveability and starting capability with the new crawler gears makes the driver’s job far easier when operating in difficult terrain on slippery surfaces with heavy loads, such as at construction sites, in mines or in forests. The heavier the transport operation and the poorer the surface or the terrain, the more the driver gains from a truck with crawler gears,” adds Gush.  

For haulage firms carrying out heavy transport operations on demanding surfaces as well as regular highway driving, crawler gears also offer considerable flexibility and the possibility of improved fuel economy. 
“I-Shift with crawler gears makes it possible to start-off from standstill in extreme situations. Combining them with a suitable rear axle ratio that optimises engine revs at high speeds results in lower fuel consumption on the highway. This is a significant benefit to haulage firms operating in these scenarios,” said Gush.

Depending on application area, I-Shift is available with one or two forward crawler gears, and with or without two reverse crawler gears. Reverse crawler gears make it possible to reverse extremely slowly, which is a major advantage when reversing manoeuvres require immense precision.

For more information, you can watch the info video here or here .




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