Kenworth Adds Allison Transmission Load-Based Shift Scheduling Feature

KIRKLAND, Wash. – Kenworth Truck Company now offers Allison Transmission’s Load-Based Shift Scheduling (LBSS) as a standard feature on select Allison transmissions with Kenworth Class 8 and medium duty trucks for enhanced fuel economy and performance.


Allison LBSS is included on the company’s fully automatic Highway Series (HS) and Rugged Duty Series (RDS) transmissions when configured with a 2007 and later emission model engine. LBSS automatically selects between economy and performance shift schedules based on the vehicle’s actual payload and its operating grade. The economy mode is used when the truck travels on level terrain with an empty or diminishing load. The performance mode is used when the vehicle is heavily loaded or on a grade. According to Allison, the system can help enhance fuel economy, while also maintaining high productivity, even during heavily loaded situations.

“Kenworth continues to add cost-effective products that help customers achieve even greater fuel efficiency in their operations,” said Jason Skoog, Kenworth director of marketing planning and research.


The addition of LBSS to Allison 3000 and 4000 series models can allow the mode button on the transmission’s shift selector to be programmed for controlling other vehicle functions, such as body builder functions or power takeoff (PTO) operation.
On trucks with Allison 1000 and 2000 series transmissions without a shift schedule dash switch, LBSS automatically performs the shift schedule selection for the driver, eliminating the need to manually select the transmission shift schedule for economy operation.

For more information, contact your Kenworth dealer or your local Allison representative, or visit the Allison Transmission home page at www.allisontransmission.com. Allison Transmission was recognized by PACCAR for achieving 50 parts per million (PPM) or better quality on supplied transmissions, components and support equipment parts in 2008.