The company first announced its proprietary automatic transmission unit in December of 2024. The company presented the first in Russia pilot PowerShift automatic transmission for heavy tractors with capacity of 440–620 hp. This project is a priority, as such design studies have never been conducted in Russia before.
"Development of transmission manufacturing processes and facilities is inextricably connected to the company's strategic goal of becoming independent from the Western technology when it comes to equipment parts. Full-fledged production of automatic transmission units is not a project anymore, it is our near future", says Valery Maltsev, Rostselmash CEO.
The company first announced its proprietary automatic transmission unit in December of 2024. The company presented the first in Russia pilot PowerShift automatic transmission for heavy tractors with capacity of 440–620 hp. This project is a priority, as such design studies have never been conducted in Russia before.
The PowerShift type was selected for designing of the automatic transmission unit as it has good performance and ergonomic characteristics, allows for optimal utilization of tractor's traction potential, and has low cost of production compared to transmissions based on different control principles.
Currently, the project of development of automatic transmissions for Series 3000 tractors has entered the stage of assembly and testing. Two pilot units were installed in tractors and are currently being broken in in accordance with the set algorithms, and the software is being debugged. The next stage is track and field testing for reliability and functionality scheduled for the fall.
The second area is the development of an automatic transmission for classic Series 1000 tractors with the capacity of 270–370 hp. The first prototype of the proprietary PowerShift automatic transmission unit has already been assembled by Rostselmash. The design engineers of the Research Centre has been working on the project since 2021. The specialists were tasked with the development of a localized product which does not rely on the Western components, but at the same time has performance characteristics comparable with those of its equivalents currently offered on the market.
The developed classic tractor AT can operate both in manual and automated modes. It has 16 forward speeds and 9 reverse speeds, as well as power take-off for the tractor's hydraulics. For the future, installation of a reduction gear on the rear axle is planned, as it is very beneficial for certain field operations where tractor is moving at extra-low speeds of 0.3 to 2.5 km/h.
The design of the classic tractor AT unit provides for its assembly into an integrated unit with the rear axle to serve as the machine's undercarriage element. The common oil bath provides for simultaneous lubrication of both units without additional hydraulic motors and pumps. The AT unit underwent bench testing at the production plant. Currently, the Don State Technical University-based Rostselmash Institute of Advanced Machine Engineering carries out the system's software adjustment. At the same time, the pilot workshop is preparing for assembly of two more prototypes which resource and functions are to be tested this fall after installation in tractors. The company plans to release a pilot batch of transmission units at the company's transmission plant. The production facility has been prepared and fitted with the required equipment.
The Rostselmash's AT unit projects are being implemented with the support of Russia's Industry Development Foundation (FRP).
