Volvo Trucks North America has added new safety and performance features for the Volvo I-Shift for Severe Duty and I-Shift with Crawler gears automated manual transmissions. A new Auto Neutral feature was added to improve jobsite safety while a Paver Assist feature bolsters the Volvo VHD’s performance in paving applications.

Auto Neutral reduces the possibility of a truck moving as a result of inadvertent throttle application by placing the I-Shift transmission into neutral when the parking brake is set. When the parking brake is released, the transmission can be shifted back into drive to go back into gear.

The feature is aimed at trucks in many applications, including concrete mixers, where remote throttle is often used. Auto Neutral will be available for order in the second quarter of 2017 for trucks equipped with Volvo GHG 2017 engines and the latest generation Volvo I-Shift. For trucks already in service, it can be activated with the Volvo Premium Tech Tool.

Paver Assist for the I-Shift on Volvo VHD model dump trucks helps eliminate bumps and disturbances in the pavement laying process that can occur when shifting from neutral to drive. Truck operators can shift into drive without first applying the brakes when shifting from neutral and being pushed by a paver to driving operations and pulling away from the paver equipment.  To use the feature, a driver shifts from neutral to drive while rolling very slowly and depressing the “+” button on the I-Shift shifter.

Paver Assist is also useful for other low-speed applications when a vehicle needs to drive away without applying brakes. The feature is currently available on Volvo VHD models equipped with Volvo GHG 2017 engines and the latest generation I-Shift transmission. Paver Assist can be activated using the Volvo Premium Tech Tool.

The Volvo VHD comes standard with a 12-speed I-Shift for Severe Duty, featuring hardened gears and other hardware to help withstand frequent shifting in rugged operating environments. The I-Shift with Crawler Gears is available in 13- and 14-speed versions. The 13-speed I-Shift with Crawler Gears helps provide improved startability on steep grades, soft terrain, or when the truck is under heavy load. The 14-speed variant is made for applications such as concrete pouring that require low-speed maneuverability.