Marine Transmission has automatic gearbox design.
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Press Release Summary:
Dual-speed PRM Transmission, StepDrive, is suited for boats equipped with Volvo Penta Duoprop 290 drive legs and is installed entirely within center section of Duoprop unit. Change from low to high gear occurs automatically at pre-determined engine speed, optimized to individual boat and engine combination. During deceleration, low ratio is engaged as engine speed falls below 1,500 rpm. Smooth changes between ratios helps reduce cone clutch wear.
Original Press Release:
Scandinavian Launch for Stepdrive Marine Gearboxes
Novel PRM Transmission to be Showcased at Stockholm and Oslo International Boat Shows during March
Newage Transmissions is aiming to build on the high levels of interest generated by its StepDrive marine transmission in the UK, by launching the novel 2-speed unit into the Scandinavian market at two International Boat Shows during March.
The new automatic gearbox, which dramatically improves the performance of boats equipped with Volvo Penta Duoprop 290 drive legs, will form the centrepiece of Newage distributors' presentations at the Stockholm and Oslo Boat Shows, which both take place between 4th and 14th March.
Installed entirely within the centre section of the Duoprop unit, StepDrive is ideal for use with turbocharged engines such as Volvo Penta AD31 and 41 series; as well as supercharged units up to the KAD44.
In sea trials using a Sunseeker Portofino 31, the automatic gearbox consistently exceeded the company's claimed 25% increase in boat acceleration and ability to get onto the plane 20% faster than before. Furthermore, by providing a reduction ratio of around 25% in addition to its direct drive top gear, StepDrive not only significantly improves boat performance, but also reduces creep speed, emissions and noise when manoeuvring in busy marinas or restricted waterways.
The change from low to high gear occurs automatically at a pre-determined engine speed, which is optimised to the individual boat and engine combination. During deceleration, low ratio is engaged again as the engine speed falls below 1500 rev/min.
When operating in top gear, StepDrive does not affect the leg's overall reduction ratio and the unit's ability to closely match engine torque and power curves frequently allows boats to be re-propped to achieve higher top speeds.
The gearbox provides extremely smooth changes between ratios, as well as noticeable improvements to both low and high speed running. It also substantially reduces the characteristic 'clunk' as drive is engaged at low speed, with a corresponding reduction in wear to the drive's cone clutch. As a result, the engine operates more smoothly, under less stress and will return improved fuel economy.
All StepDrive units carry a two-year warranty and can normally be installed in less than a day, with further in-water commissioning required to set the optimum gear change point.
About Newage Transmissions Ltd
With a precision engineering pedigree spanning more than 70 years, Coventry-based Newage Transmissions Ltd is one of the UK's leading designers and manufacturers of high efficiency mechanical drive-line equipment. The company's products - which are backed by certification to ISO 9001 standards - encompass heavy duty gearboxes, axles and transfer boxes for off-highway vehicles, as well as its world-renowned PRM marine gearbox range. Newage also supplies finished products for a wide variety of new generation, special purpose vehicles, as well as sub-contract services for leading manufacturing organisations including: Case, Twin Disc and Lansing Linde.
For further information, please call Jamie Pratt at Newage Transmissions Ltd on: 024 7661 7141, or visit: www.newage-prm.co.uk.
