Emulsa once again chooses Allison fully automatic transmissions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) September 15, 2011 -- Gijón, Spain –The launch of the Renault Access range in Gijon featured advanced refuse trucks, and here, Renault Trucks introduced, for the first time in the Spanish market, the new Access low-entry trucks exclusively equipped with an Allison fully automatic transmission.

Renault Trucks held the launch of the Access range at Emulsa’s facilities, coinciding with the firm becoming the first Spanish company to use the new Renault model. Key players in the sector in attendance witnessed first-hand the features of the Access, a rear-loader designed in cooperation with Dennis Eagle and specifically aimed at the waste collection sector. The low-entry cab with panoramic visibility, the elimination of the traditional rear footboard, and a comfortable low-entry step are among the innovative features provided by Renault Trucks to achieve greater safety and enhanced ergonomics.

Thoughtful design goes beyond the ergonomic aspects for those loading the truck, too. The harsh stop-start duty cycle has led Renault to exclusively fit the Access with Allison’s 3000 Series fully automatic transmission. Thanks to its cushioning effect on the whole driveline, the transmission is engineered to enhance reliability during the severe stop and go operations on domestic collection routes. The Allison torque converter and powershifting technology are designed to deliver superior productivity and help maximise fuel efficiency. Allison’s electronic controls feature several functions specific to the refuse collection mission. These include Auto Neutral, which automatically selects neutral when the truck is at rest and the handbrake is active, thereby relieving the driver from having to do this manually at each pick-up. For greater flexibility along the route, the driver can also choose between two shift schedules: ECO, which prioritises fuel economy, or PERFORMANCE for situations requiring maximum power.

Renault and Allison, the perfect combination for Spanish municipal services

For Emulsa, the purchase of these new vehicles represents a further development of its refuse collection service, particularly in rural areas. It also means an improvement in the operator’s working conditions, with greater efficiency and productivity possible. The choice was a simple one for Emulsa and was influenced by the positive experiences the firm has had with Renault trucks and Allison’s fully automatic transmission. Most of Emulsa’s 60 vehicles are Renault trucks, and 17 of these are now fitted with an Allison. The fleet consists of 33 refuse collection trucks (22 side loaders and 11 rear loaders) and six container cleaning vehicles (four side-loading and two rear-loading). The remaining trucks include street cleaning vehicles, cranes, open trucks and other support vehicles.

“When we first ordered vehicles equipped with fully automatics, we sensed that they would be better for our drivers and the mechanics. Those feelings have been confirmed by facts, and now we always specify an automatic transmission in our tender,” says Fernando Zapico, Head of MSW Services at EMULSA and directly involved in purchasing decisions. “The area around Gijón is very flat, and historically drivers were starting off in third gear. This and other abuse possible with a manual leads to very high clutch temperatures and ultimately breakdowns and vehicle downtime. In contrast, the trucks on our fleet fitted with an Allison have experienced less downtime. As they don’t have a dry clutch, the cost associated to clutch repair has been completely eliminated.”

Subjected to intensive use, the trucks do almost 40,000Km per year with constant stops and starts in an urban environment with a high concentration of traffic lights. José Antonio Crego, Workshop Manager of Emulsa, also expresses great satisfaction with the Access and its transmission, acknowledging that maintenance with an Allison is minimal: “In the last three years, we have not had a single repair associated with the Allison transmissions. After 20,000Km, the oil is changed. We use TransSynd synthetic fluid, and the vehicles are running perfectly.”

Technical Specification of the Renault Access
 Type: Low-entry cab vehicle with rear loading for municipal refuse collection.
 Width: 2 configurations: 2.29m and 2.50 m.
 Turning radius: 6.60 m
 Engine: DXi 7 Euro V available in 270 hp or 310 hp
 Transmission: Allison Transmission 3000 Series
 Traction: 4x2 rigid (18 T) or rigid 6x2x4 (26 T) with rear steer axle.
 Cabin: ergonomic, 2 m high, up to three seats, entry step 435 mm from ground

 Other: Safety equipment: ABS brake system and ASR Anti-Slip Regulation as standard, windscreen of 1.564m², two wide-angle rear-view mirrors, a forward-view mirror and a curb rear-view mirror, two rotating warning lights on the cabin roof.

About Allison Transmission, Inc.

Allison Transmission, Inc. (Allison) is the premier global provider of commercial duty automatic transmissions and hybrid propulsion systems. Allison products are specified by over 250 of the world's leading vehicle manufacturers and are used in many market sectors including bus, refuse, fire, construction, distribution, military and specialty applications. Founded in 1915, the Allison business is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A. and employs approximately 2,750 people. Regional headquarters with dedicated support staff are located in China, The Netherlands, Brazil, India and Japan. With a global presence in 80 countries, Allison has over 1,500 independent distributor and dealer locations. More information about Allison is available at www.allisontransmission.com.

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Press Contacts
Claire Dumbreck, Propel Technology, Bloxham Mill, Barford Road, Bloxham, Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK, OX15 4FF. +44 (0)1295 724130 / +44 (0) 7768 773857. claire@propel-technology.com

Miranda Jansen, Allison Transmission Europe B.V. Marketing Communications, Baanhoek 188, 3361GN Sliedrecht - The Netherlands , Tel: +31 78-6422 174. miranda.jansen@allisontransmission.com