Automated transmissions for Actros and Axor

Mercedes PowerShift

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Mercedes PowerShift: more, for everyoneMercedes PowerShift sets the standard for the latest generation of heavy truck transmissions. By combining fully automatic operation with a host of practical, easy to use and driver-friendlyfeatures, getting the best possible performance from your Actros and Axor has never been easier.

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Whether driving 800 miles to the Highlands and backor reversing onto a supermarket loading bay, MercedesPowerShift delivers real, everyday advantages. Boosting performance, increasing safety and furtherimproving fuel economy. Best of all, MercedesPowerShift has been designed and engineered from theoutset to be the perfect complement to the latest rangeof Mercedes-Benz 12 and 16 litre engines.

Bringing particular benefits to fleet users, MercedesPowerShift is now offered as an option on all Axortractor units available in the UK. For the latestgeneration Actros, on-highway 4x2 and 6x2 tractorsand rigids are fitted as standard with the latestMercedes PowerShift 2. So whether you are a small,specialist long distance haulier or a major distributionfleet with hundreds of trucks, Mercedes PowerShiftbrings advantages for everyone.

The heart of Mercedes PowerShift is a fully automatedconstant mesh transmission comprising threeunsynchronised forward gears and one reverse. With automatic operation of both a range-change and a splitter, the resulting 12 forward gears provide anideal match for the latest range of high torque enginesfrom 360 to 600bhp.

Equally significant, Mercedes PowerShift is alsoperfectly matched to UK road transport conditions,where considerable variations in geography and amaximum 44 tonnes gcw combine to demand the very highest levels of truck performance.

Mercedes PowerShift’s advanced design also gives it a weight advantage of up to 50kgs over the previous 9 or 16 speed synchromesh models.

For the driver, using Mercedes PowerShift couldn’t besimpler. With no clutch pedal, progress is automaticallyswift, smooth and safe. That said, a quick flick of the T-bar allows an immediate manual over-ride (idealwhen approaching an incline). Similarly, moving thesingle rocker switch on the control arm from A to Malso allows fully manual gearchanging.

With such a full range of options, Mercedes PowerShiftoffers everything today’s truck drivers could ever want.

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Advantage driver, benefit operatorWith a whole range of additional features, Mercedes PowerShift goes much further than automatedgearchanging alone. Operated by dashboard mounted pushbuttons, Mercedes PowerShift includes a wide number of further control features that together make Actros and Axor some of the most versatile trucks ever built.

The features of Mercedes PowerShift are:

Manoeuvring Mode (Actros and Axor)Ideal for vehicles frequently swapping trailers andreversing onto loading bays, Manoeuvring Modedramatically reduces the customary accelerator pedal’sover-sensitivity when reversing trucks with automaticgearboxes. Combining a 1,000rpm maximum enginespeed with precise throttle control, slow speedoperation is made significantly easier and safer.

Rapid Reverse (Actros and Axor)Additional reverse gears are valuable when reversingdistances vary. An artic tipper, for example, can benefitfrom a much higher reversing gear ratio when required to tip stone or tarmac a fewhundred metres behind where the truck is standing.Conversely, when distances are much shorter, a lower gear ratio will be more useful.

Power Mode (Actros)Engaging Power Mode gives an Actros driver maximumengine performance by temporarily raising the rpmthreshold for up-shifts. Operated on and off by thedashboard mounted button, Power Mode nonethelessdisengages automatically after 10 minutes to preventunnecessary fuel consumption.

Rocking Mode (Actros)Valuable for trucks working on poor surfaces, RockingMode creates a forward and reverse rocking action thatcan help the vehicle regain its grip. The driver needsonly to press and release the accelerator pedal.

EcoRoll (Actros)EcoRoll is a highly sophisticated operating mode thatlets the truck coast in neutral where conditions permit.However, when the driver touches either theaccelerator or brake pedal, EcoRoll instantly re-engagesthe driveline in the most suitable gear. Almostunnoticeable in normal driving, EcoRoll can still reducefuel consumption by around 1%.

Enhanced Cruise Control (Actros)Unlike a normal system, Enhanced Cruise Controlallows the driver to set his speed with an adjustableplus or minus tolerance setting. On undulating roads, for example, a 40mph settingwith a + or - 5mph variation offers much more relaxedprogress, with particular relevance not only tomaintaining high average journey times, but optimalfuel economy as well.

Kick-down (Axor)Just as with a car, fully depressing the acceleratorpedal activates a kick-down function, delivering a burstof extra power and torque. Kick-down adds to Axor’sversatility and safety, especially when overtaking orjoining fast-flowing traffic.

As well as benefiting the driver, Mercedes PowerShiftdelivers for operators too. Journey and turn-aroundtimes can be quickened, boosting productivity.Additionally, the whole driveline is almost completelyprotected against driver error, accidental abuse, orcostly unforeseen downtime.

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EcoRoll ModeEcoRoll offers an aid to fuel economy by allowing thevehicle to coast in neutral when either the accelerator orbrake pedal have not been touched for a least one second.Activated at speeds exceeding 55 km/h, EcoRoll hasparticular relevance to high mileage motorway operation.Touching either the accelerator or brake pedal instantly re-engages the driveline.

Rocking ModeRocking Mode is there to help if the vehicle gets stuck on a soft or slippery surface. Working with both forward andreverse gears at up to 5 km/h, pressing the acceleratorpedal engages the clutch, whilst coming off the pedaldisengages the clutch - quickly setting up a rocking motion to help free the truck from its situation.

Extended Cruise ControlThis feature allows an extended tolerance around around a given cruise control setting of between 2 and 15 km/h. The driver can then extract maximum performance fromthe vehicle, raising average speed whilst reducing fuelconsumption. Extended Cruise Control is also the perfectcomplement to EcoRoll, which together extract the greatestpossible performance and economy from the truck.

Power ModePressing the Power Mode button enables the driver to callupon maximum engine performance. Power Mode alsomakes overtaking easier - and safer. To preventunnecessary use of fuel, Power Mode automaticallydeactivates after 10 minutes to return the vehicle to itsnormal, economy-optimised engine settings.

Manoeuvring ModeBy limiting the engine to 1,000rpm, Manoeuvring Modeensures that slow speed forward and reverse movementsare controlled, steady and safe. Ideal for coupling up totrailers and positioning the vehicle in tight situations,Manoeuvring Mode makes Mercedes PowerShift the mostdriver-friendly gearbox of all.

Direct Shift, from 1st to ReverseAnother convenient feature is the ability to switch directlyfrom first gear into reverse, without engaging neutral.Hold down the function button, and it’s done. Direct Shiftcan save the driver considerable time and effort.

Rapid ReverseWith a choice of four reverse gears, Mercedes PowerShiftprovides the right speed for reversing, however far thetruck needs to go.

Actros with Mercedes PowerShift 2Actros is the premium Mercedes-Benz truck, so it receives the highest specification Mercedes PowerShift 2 transmission with faster, smoother gearshifting, a direct drivetop gear and small but significant advances in software.

With all controls mounted in a dedicated, easy to reachdashboard panel, operating Mercedes PowerShift 2couldn’t be easier. Providing relaxed, stress-free drivingand a whole host of additional benefits, the combination of Actros and Mercedes PowerShift makes light work ofeven the toughest journeys.

For Actros customers engaged in particularly demandingoperations, an optional 16 speed Mercedes PowerShift isalso available.

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Axor with Mercedes PowerShiftExactly what fleet operators and drivers have been asking for, Mercedes PowerShift is the perfectcomplement to Axor tractors. Taking Manoeuvring Mode, Kick-down and four reverse gears as the coreof the system, Mercedes PowerShift is particularly appreciated by distribution drivers on long and shorthaul operations, especially when tight reversing and exchanging trailers are commonplace.

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Drivers and operators give their verdictThat Mercedes PowerShift delivers on all its promises in the real world of everyday truck operations,UK truck operators from Scotland to the South Coast are in complete agreement - MercedesPowerShift takes gearchanging into the future. As John Haygreen, a driver for Massey Wilcox says:“My last truck was also an auto, but this Mercedes PowerShift is much more impressive. On anyjourney it makes a real difference.”

“Mercedes PowerShift is an important development,and one that we’re happy to embrace. Just as airsuspension and disc brakes once were, we believe thatauto transmissions are the future. This gearbox will notonly help us to cut wear and tear and reduce downtime,but also improve fuel economy by keeping the enginein the most economical operating band. And it’s greatfor the drivers, too. In five years time, trucks withautomatic gearboxes will command a healthy pricepremium over manual vehicles. Taking all the benefitstogether, Mercedes PowerShift really pays for itselfright from day one.”Robert Wilcox, Managing Director, Massey Wilcox Transport Ltd, Somerset

“We are running ten Actros with 16-speed MercedesPowerShifts, and I can honestly say we’ve not had asingle problem with any of them. The fuel returns aregood and the drivers like them because the MercedesPowerShift is so easy to use. As an engineer I also likethe EcoRoll function, which is a very good idea.”David Reid, Fleet Engineer, Bartrums Haulage & Storage, Suffolk

“Mercedes PowerShift is a big improvement onAutotrans. I often use the Manoeuvring Mode inloading bays and it’s very effective. I’ve not hadoccasion to use the Rocking function yet but it’s nice toknow it’s there, especially given that we get somepretty snowy conditions up here.”Francie Gilbert, Owner-Driver, Grampian

“Mercedes PowerShift is proving very popular with ourdrivers, because it makes their lives so easy. I havebeen driving one of the Actros myself this week, and Ican tell you - this gearbox is the future of roadtransport. On hilly and twisty A and B roads, the drivercan concentrate fully on steering the truck, because thetransmission looks after everything else. It changesgear smoothly, which safeguards the clutch, andchanges down at the right time which reduces wearand tear on the brakes. Mercedes PowerShift gets itright every time!”John Burns-Salmond, Director, BSB Transport, Lincolnshire

“I’m on a night trunk from Bournemouth Airport toLeicester - a 580kms round trip. Mercedes PowerShiftis very smooth, easy and forgiving, and certainly less tiring than a manual. ManoeuvringMode provides excellent throttle control at slow speed,whilst Power Mode is terrific in situations when youneed to pick up speed that bit more quickly.”Graham Smith, Driver, Shears Bros (Transport), Bournemouth

“We have some good, professional drivers who’ve beenwith us for quite a while, and they’ve taken to theMercedes PowerShift transmissions like ducks to water.Within a couple of days, they had all been won overfrom their manual gearboxes. Given today’s trafficconditions, I’d also say Mercedes PowerShift is a bigsafety aid too, as it also promotes smoother, morerelaxed, stress-free driving.”Frank Harkness, Transport Director, Thomas Armstrong Ltd, Cumbria

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Issued by Mercedes-Benz Truck Marketing, Tongwell, Milton Keynes, MK15 8BA. Telephone 0800 090 090 www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/trucks

The contents of this brochure are not binding and the right is reserved to make modifications without notice. This brochure may contain models,

accessories and services which are not available in the UK. Please consult your local Mercedes-Benz dealer for further information.

CV312 April 2008