Sandman, a bulk cement hauler in San Jose, California, reports “significant” improvements in fuel efficiency and performance after 50,000 miles of field testing an Allison Transmission 4000 Series fully automatic transmission paired with a new Cummins X15N 15-liter natural gas engine in a Peterbilt tractor.
“More than 20 years ago, we integrated Allison fully automatic transmissions, which changed the world for our drivers who haul 80,000-lb. loads in stop-and-go traffic between San Jose and San Francisco multiple times a day,” Victor Landaverde, Sandman fleet manager, said in a news release. “We are thrilled with the performance of the Cummins X15N engine paired with the Allison 4000 Series transmission and the potential impact it could bring to our fleet of over 100 Allison-equipped natural gas trucks.
“The field testing has been flawless over the course of 50,000 miles, and in addition to achieving excellent fuel efficiency, the enhanced engine braking and consistently stronger power during shifting have significantly improved our operations.”
Sandman’s test vehicle pulled a double set of dry bulk trailers in the validation trial, the company reported.
The 4000 Series transmission features Allison’s torque converter, which multiplies engine torque to improve startability, drivability, and overall productivity, Allison said. Pairing the 4000 Series with the X15N, which is 500 lbs. lighter than the diesel version of the 15-liter engine, delivers additional fuel savings and emissions reductions, reducing total cost of vehicle ownership while supporting corporate sustainability objectives. The transmission used in Sandman’s trial also was calibrated with FuelSense 2.0, a unique set of software and electronic controls that provide quantifiable fuel savings of up to 6%.
Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks with the X15N and an Allison 400 Series transmission now are available to order.
“Allison fully automatic transmissions are fuel agnostic, meaning they can pair with multiple energy sources, including diesel, natural gas, electric hybrid, fuel cell, and battery electric,” said Rohan Barua, Allison vice president of North America sales for global channel and aftermarket. “As the industry continues to evaluate electric vehicle technology and works to overcome the hurdles facing this technology adoption, more customers are expected to adopt alternative fuel engines as a solution to meet increasing emissions stringencies.
“We look forward to partnering with Cummins and leading OEMs to help fleets reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing fleet productivity and efficiency.”