In a move that surprised many in the industry, Caterpillar announced it would build a complete line of fully automatic transmissions, designed to match up with Caterpillar engines used in vocational on-highway trucks. The new on-highway transmissions are based on the design of transmissions used in Caterpillar's articulated trucks, but have been modified, says the company, to ensure acceptance in the on-highway marketplace. The new transmissions feature a high output drive at the rear of the case, which can be fitted with a live output yoke, a direct-drive pump or a clutched adapter. This arrangement, says Cat, will eliminate the need for front-mounted PTOs.
