Ford Introduces 18x9 Powershift Transmission

Ford Introduces 18x9 Powershift Transmission TRACTORS Accessories FARM SHOW S vote for the most exicting new development in tractors at the 1989 Smithfield Show held last month in London England goes to Ford New Holland for its revolutionary 18 x 9 Powershift transmission We think it s the best in the industry a giant step ahead of what Deere Case-IH and all other tractor manufacturers currently offer a Ford spokesman told FARM SHOW The engineering breakthrough slated for introduction to U S Ford New Holland dealers in early February will be on the market in Europe next March as standard equipment on three new 30 series modelsùthe 8630 @ 132 hp 8730 @ 154 hp and the 8830 @ 186 hp Ford engineers estimate that the new Powershift transmission ù which provides clutchless gear shifting full power reversing and the ability to pre-select gears ù can increase overall farm productivity by up to 15% on jobs ranging from plowing to baling Here as described by Ford engineers are the key features: Microprocessor control: Gears are selected by a single lever and since there is no mechanical linkage lever movement is free and easy Moving it forward selects for-ward speed; moving it backward puts the tractor into reverse The lever is moved to the right to shift up through the gears and left to shift down again There is a Liquid Crystal Display LCD next to the shift lever to show which gear has been selected Ford s new Powershift is controlled by a microprocessor mounted inside the cab It constantly monitors gear selection and in certain circumstances prevents gears being selected that might result in the transmission and engine being overloaded Clutchless operation: Instead of a conventional clutch the Powershift can be disengaged with an inching foot pedal It gives precise transmission control when inching forward or back to attach implements or to maneuver in tight places The operator has two choices for taking off from standstillùeither by moving the shift lever in the desired direction or for smooth starts with heavy loads by pre-selecting a gear while the lever is still in neutral Full-power reversing: Shuttling between forward and reverseùeven under full power is as simple as moving the shift lever This can be done at any speed and without using the inching pedal Automatic feathering provides smooth directional changes even under full power and transmission load Pre-selected gears: Gears are pre-selected by moving the shift lever to the right or left while it is still in the neutral position until the desired speed between one and 12 is displayed on the LCD If a gear is not preselected and the lever moved straight ahead into the forward position the transmission will automatically shift into 5th gear Similarly if the lever is moved directly into reverse without first pre-selecting ; gear the slowest reverse speed 4th gear will automatically be selected Smooth operation: Once on the move changing gears through all 18 forward and 9 reverse speeds is easy The operator simply moves the shift lever right or left as the occasion demands Since there is no need to use the inching pedal there is no loss of momentum even under heavy load allowing the operator to maintain optimum ground speed at all times to suit soil type and conditions Foward ground speeds increase by 17% with each gear change The operator can make multiple changes by holding the shift lever either to the right or left as required The transmission then quickly shifts up or down sequentially through the gears Safe engine braking: To slow down when traveling at high speed on the road gears 17 or 18 the operator simply moves the shift lever left until the required lower gear has been selected Alternatively when traveling in gears 12 to 18 if the operator momentarily hits the inching pedal and decelerates the transmission will automatically match ground speed to engine speed Improved weight distribution: Weight of the new Powershift transmission adds an additional 880 lbs to the tractor This extra weight is well forward of the rear axle and is distributed evenly between it and the front axle reducing the need fro real wheel weights Also new for Ford tractors from 5610 through 8210 is a shiftable two-speed pto It operates at a shaft speed of 540 or 1 000 rpm Speed is selected from within the cab simply by moving a lever Available with 6 or 21 spline shaft For more information see your nearest Ford New Holland dealer

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