The collaboration pairs Allison’s Extended Transmission Coverage with the Scania chassis and Whale’s specialized tanker body to serve the UK municipal sector.
Allison Transmission, a leading designer and manufacturer of conventional and electrified vehicle propulsion solutions and the global leader in fully automatic transmissions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial and defense vehicles, has added a 5-year Extended Transmission Coverage (ETC) to Whale Tankers’ premium municipal tanker package for the UK market.
The collaboration between Whale Tankers and Allison Transmission delivers added value to the municipal sector. This partnership combines the 5-year Extended Transmission Coverage (ETC) for Allison’s 3000 and 3200 Series™ fully automatic transmissions with Scania’s chassis platform and Whale Tankers’ industry-leading liquid waste vacuum tankers and high-pressure washing equipment.
Established in 1969 and currently one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of liquid waste vacuum tankers, Whale Tankers holds an 85% market share in the UK for gully emptying and sewer cleaning applications. Whale supplies specialized vehicles that offer maximum uptime and reliability for local governments and municipalities, which often operate with just one sewer cleaner in their fleet without spare vehicles in their depots.
Allison fully automatic transmissions are the ideal solution for intensive and demanding sewer cleaning operations, which involve approximately 100 stop-start cycles per day. Unlike manual or automated manual transmissions (AMTs), Allison’s clutch-less design eliminates wear and tear while delivering superior fuel efficiency and productivity. Allison transmissions also enable dual Power Take-Off (PTO) capability, allowing operators more driveline options for auxiliary equipment to run pumps independently.
Nathan Wilson, Market and Area Sales Manager for the UK and Republic of Ireland at Allison Transmission, explained: “The municipal sector demands exceptional reliability and durability for its specialized vehicles. Our Extended Transmission Warranty demonstrates our confidence in the superior performance and longevity of Allison automatic transmissions, supporting operators who aim to minimize vehicle downtime.”
Chris Anderson, Commercial Director at Whale Tankers, commented: “Initial feedback from our customers has been overwhelmingly positive. Operators using the new system for the first time have praised the increased operational efficiency and reduced maintenance requirements compared to traditional transmission solutions. We are especially pleased to be able to offer our customers Allison Transmission’s factory-integrated PTO (Power Take-Off) package, which is fully compatible and controllable with the vehicle’s Electronic Control Unit (ECU). This simplified structure makes production easier for us and offers a much more robust and reliable solution than a PTO integrated afterward.”
Anderson added: “Compared to AMTs, the elimination of clutch replacement provides significant savings for fleets over the vehicle’s lifetime. Furthermore, vehicles using Allison transmissions do not require a transmission replacement every 7-8 years. The Allison unit continues to operate smoothly for the vehicle’s approximate 10-year lifespan.”
Allison’s comprehensive five-year Extended Transmission Coverage (ETC) package extends beyond the standard warranty period, providing municipal operators with confidence regarding the total cost of ownership. This program offers 100% coverage for parts, labor, and vehicle recovery services, demonstrating Allison‘s commitment to the durability and reliability of its transmissions in demanding municipal applications.
