Caterpillar to offer on-highway transmissions for vocational market

Caterpillar is developing a line of fully automatic, planetary transmissions specifically for vocational applications, the company announced March 10. Caterpillar plans to begin production of the transmissions later this year, and they will be available in 2006. The on-highway transmissions are based on existing transmissions in Caterpillar articulated trucks. “Customers and original equipment manufacturers have been asking Caterpillar to provide automatic transmissions that can be matched with the Cat on-highway engines they are already buying,” said Caterpillar Vice President Chris Schena. The six-speed CX31 transmission will be compatible with Caterpillar C11, C13 and C15 engines, and the eight-speed super-heavy-duty CX35 transmission will be compatible with higher horsepower C15 ratings. Caterpillar will match warranty and extended service coverage for the transmissions to the engine.