Allison Transmission and Cummins Team Up for X15N Engine Field Test

In an innovative partnership, Allison Transmission and Cummins are jointly validating the new Cummins X15N 15-liter natural gas engine alongside the Allison 4000 Series fully automatic transmission.

Sandman, a leading bulk cement hauling operation in San Jose, California, has been pivotal in these trials. Over 50,000 miles of testing, the fleet reported significant improvements in fuel efficiency and overall performance. Allison’s press release highlighted that the Peterbilt tractor used, which was pulling double trailers loaded with bulk cement, demonstrated “impressive performance and productivity of the X15N engine and Allison transmission combination.”

Enhancing Driver Experience

Victor Landaverde, Sandman’s fleet manager, noted the transformational impact of Allison’s transmissions, stating it “changed the world for our drivers” over two decades ago. These drivers haul 80,000-pound loads through heavy traffic between San Jose and San Francisco several times a day.

Expressing his excitement about the new engine-transmission pair, Landaverde said, “We are thrilled with the performance of the Cummins X15N engine paired with the Allison 4000 Series transmission and the potential impact it could bring to our fleet of over 100 Allison-equipped natural gas trucks. The field testing has been flawless over the course of 50,000 miles, and in addition to achieving excellent fuel efficiency, the enhanced engine braking and consistently stronger power during shifting have significantly improved our operations.”

Advantages of the Allison 4000 Series

Allison’s 4000 Series transmission is designed to boost both performance and fuel economy. It features a torque converter that amplifies engine torque, improving stability, drivability, and overall productivity. When matched with the X15N engine—which is 500 pounds lighter than its diesel variant—the combination offers additional fuel savings and lower emissions. This contributes to reduced overall ownership cost and supports corporate social responsibility initiatives. The transmission tested by Sandman was equipped with FuelSense 2.0, an advanced software package that can deliver up to 6% fuel savings.

Flexibility and Future Outlook

Rohan Barua, Allison’s vice president for North America sales, global channel, and aftermarket, explained, “Allison fully automatic transmissions are fuel agnostic, meaning they can pair with multiple energy sources, including diesel, natural gas, electric hybrid, fuel cell, and battery electric.”

Commenting on industry trends, Barua added, “As the industry continues to evaluate electric vehicle technology and works to overcome the hurdles facing this technology adoption, more customers are expected to adopt alternative fuel engines as a solution to meet increasing emissions stringencies. We look forward to partnering with Cummins and leading OEMs to help fleets reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing fleet productivity and efficiency. We’re confident the Cummins X15N and Allison transmission pairing is an optimal solution.”

Now Available for Orders

Trucks from Peterbilt and Kenworth featuring the X15N and Allison automatic transmissions are now open for orders.

Source: The Trucker