The new column-mounted shifter puts gear selection and engine brake controls at drivers’ fingertips on the steering column.The Kenworth T680 in January will come standard with the 12-speed Paccar Automated Transmission with right-hand column-mounted shifter on linehaul and regional haul applications, the company announced this week.
The new column-mounted shifter, Kenworth says, puts gear selection and engine brake controls at drivers’ fingertips on the steering column. This also frees up dash space by eliminating engine brake controls, the company adds.
The transmission is ideal for applications up to 110,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. The Paccar MX-13 engine is available with up to 510 horsepower and 1,850 lb.-ft. of torque.
“In 2017, approximately 70 percent of our linehaul customers purchased automated transmissions, up from about 30 percent in 2013,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. “We’ve received a very positive response from fleets involved in the Paccar transmission’s testing and validation program.”
