The Electro CommandTM transmissions on New Holland's TS-A Series tractors have been given a series of software-driven enhancements to further extend their position as the most advanced Semi-Powershift on the market today.
The improvements resulted from customer feedback during the latter stages of TS-A's development, when it became clear that users wanted Engine Power Management for use on the road as well as with PTO operation.
Following successful intensive testing, TS110A, 125A and 135A models with Active Electro CommandTM transmissions now benefit from increased horse power for road haulage applications. The additional power is available when the automatic Road Mode is selected and the tractor is operating in gears 13 to 16. Engine Power Management automatically provides an additional 7.3kW (10hp) at rated speed (if the tractor is fitted with the 50kph direct drive transmission, a further 3.7kW (5hp) is available giving an 11kW (15hp) power increase while in 17th gear). As a result of this, the TS110A can now be specified with a 17 x 16 high-speed transmission, previously only available on TS125A and 135A models. The combination of Active Road Mode's auto shifting feature, which shifts up to nine gears without the need for driver intervention, new Engine Power Management and standard Comfort Ride TM cab suspension means that the TS-A is the new benchmark for high speed road haulage.
The result of this enhancement is a range of tractors with the power and performance of much larger models. The fuel efficiency of the TS-A's range of engines remains impressive, not just at rated speed, but across the whole working range.
Active Field Mode changes
Customer comments have also resulted in changes to the way the TS-A's Active Field Mode operates on Active Electro CommandTM transmissions.
Previously, Active Field Mode's auto shift facility allowed the transmission to automatically move up and down a range of four gears to suit operating conditions. With the enhanced transmission, it is now possible to programme the function to shift up or down three or even two gears for applications where fewer ratio changes are preferred.
Improved 16x16 transmission shifting
New to both Electro CommandTM and Active Electro CommandTM transmissions is the IntellishiftTM system, which ensures that clutch engagement is optimised for the smoothest imaginable take up of power, irrespective of speed or load.
The IntellishiftTM system adapts to suit the TS-A's operating conditions by constantly monitoring output speed and engine speed and adjusting clutch pressures accordingly, even for changes in load during the gear shift. Under heavy loads, the clutches engage quickly at high pressure to maintain high torque through the transmission. With a lighter load, or no load, the clutches engage more slowly at lower pressure to provide a smoother shift.
While these three major improvements are all now available as standard from the production line, customers who bought new tractors prior to the introduction of the new software can also benefit. The TS-A's advanced Can Bus electronics system means that an upgrade to the tractor's software can be scheduled with any
New Holland dealer the next time the tractor requires a service.
