2009-11-11 15:15:40 - New features include VaryT, the continuous variable transmission module, and DueT, the transaxle dual clutch

Hannover, November 2009 – Carraro DriveTech, the Carraro Group division focussed on the design and development of integrated drive systems, returns to its starring role in the 2009 edition of Agritechnica, the most important event in the world of agricultural mechanisation.

Within a general macro-economic context that today sees many companies slowing their development path, Carraro targets Research and Innovation

as the keys to the future. And the Hannover show proves the perfect opportunity for presenting a renewed, wide range of transmissions for agricultural use, with an offer that has been extended both in terms of power and technology.

For many years now, Carraro has been developing a deep-seated knowledge on axles and transmissions integration, and today Carraro DriveTech moves the spotlight to the very ‘heart' of the driveline, putting itself forward as centre of excellence for state of the art transaxles that can cover applications with powers greater than 150 HP.

T 10.0 transaxle
The new ‘T.10.0’ series, presented here along with a front independent suspension axle, is the first transmission of this new range. It is offered as the logical continuation of the existing transmissions in the Carraro range, and comes prepared straightaway to welcome the latest technological applications. The T 10.0 represents the consolidation and evolution of concepts and designs that are well known to Carraro engineering.

Alongside this, perhaps the most interesting news comes in the form of the VaryT module and the DueT transmission.

VaryT
The concept represented by VaryT, introduced by Carraro engineering at the 67th International Conference on Agricultural Engineering to be held the day before the fair opens, is one of the most important technological evolutions applied to the existing range of transmissions. It develops amidst a wide-ranging programme addressing both the agricultural and construction equipment applications, over the next 5 years.

The continuous torque and/or speed adjustment takes place by means of a ‘full-toroidal’ variator – technology famous for being used in cars and, specifically, in the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) by some of the major Formula 1 teams.

The VaryT configuration allows for the constant use of the engine at optimal number of revolutions, thereby guaranteeing important reductions in emissions, whilst increasing productivity and drive comfort, but above all guaranteeing a substantial reduction in tractor fuel consumption. Furthermore, thanks to its mechanical nature, the VaryT is today proposed as the most efficient continuous variation drive system the market has to offer.

VaryT can be used with a great many management systems: from the most traditional to the most modern, such as, for example, a user-friendly command console where manoeuvres are made by means of a joystick guaranteeing excellent sensitivity in relations with the vehicle.

Finally, the compact design of the VaryT module adapts particularly well to lighter tractors and special uses, such as for vines or fruit orchards. VaryT has been designed as a black box and therefore with zero maintenance.

DueT 15.0
Carraro’s DueT transmission takes a typically automotive concept to agricultural transmissions, developing a highly innovative project involving dual clutch type architecture: the even gears are connected to one of the two clutches, and the odd gears to the other. When changing gear the electronic control pre-selects the required gear by means of the synchroniser, and then inverts the clutch transmitting the power.

Thanks to this particular set-up, the DueT transmission offers the option of smoothly changing through 8 different gears in Powershift mode, with 4 robotised ranges, thereby allowing for the development of all working activities without ever having to change range and without ever having to use the clutch.

Standard speeds range from 1.6 to 40 km/h. Maximum speed can be taken to 50 or 60 km/h simply by acting on the electronic control. Minimum speed can settle at around 0.4 km/h with the Creeper option that increases the total number of speeds to 40, or 0.2 km/h with the Supercreeper option, making for a total of 48 different speeds.

By mean of an electronically controlled clutch the constant full traction is always ensured engaging the 4wd when braking and /or whenever the working conditions require it.