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Allison Transmissions

Call me crazy ... because I can't imagine why I even want to know this stuff ... but I am now curious about the difference between the Allison 3060, 3066 & 4060 transmissions.  Is there an explanation for someone like me?  I don't pretend to be a mechanically educated person, but if someone is kind enough to give me a simple overview, I can usually get the gist of why one or another might be more desirable in different applications.  for instance, I see coaches with the smaller engines, (300 or 325 HP)might more often have the 3060 unit,  the 450 HP have a 3066, and now I see a Cummins 450HP M11 with an Allison 4060R.  What is that??  This is on a 1998 U320.
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Allison Transmissions

Reply #1 –
the 3000 series allsion Transmissions (3060, 3066 mh 3000)are medium duty designed to handle torque capabilities of engines used in the 295 and smaller foretravels, mainly the 8.3 and 8.9 cummins. The 4000 series allsions(4060, mh4000) are heavy duty 6 speeds that are able to handle the torque developed by the 11 litre cummins and larger motors used in 320's, Phenix etc.

Re: Allison Transmissions

Reply #2 –
Earlier M11 400 and 450 came with the HD4060 or HD4060R (R=retarder).
C8.3 came with the HD3060/3060R
Same basic trans, 4060 built for the bigger engines. They were replaced with the 'World Series' MH4000 and MH3000, respectively. M11/ISM never came with a 3 series trans.
 
Quote
On 8/24/2010 5:00 PM, dqcarol wrote: 
Call me crazy ... because I can't imagine why I even want to know this stuff ... but I am now curious about the difference between the Allison 3060, 3066 & 4060 transmissions. Is there an explanation for someone like me? I don't pretend to be a mechanically educated person, but if someone is kind enough to give me a simple overview, I can usually get the gist of why one or another might be more desirable in different applications. for instance, I see coaches with the smaller engines, (300 or 325 HP)might more often have the 3060 unit, the 450 HP have a 3066, and now I see a Cummins 450HP M11 with an Allison 4060R. What is that??
This is on a 1998 U320.
 
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Allison Transmissions

Reply #3 –
Thank you!!  Little things are clicking into place in my brain. 
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Allison Transmissions

Reply #4 –
Allow me to piggy back  ;D 

Had a little problem today with the transmission (3000 series I assume, Cummins 8.3)  After stopping, putting in neutral, then in drive, it wouldn't move and the 6 flashed in the display.  Shut off engine and restarted and it was okay.  Happened to me twice today, right at the start, but then no problems the rest of the day with numerous starts and stops.  Should I be worried?
1996 U270
Build #4846

Re: Allison Transmissions

Reply #5 –
Gayland,

Query the Allison for stored diagnostic codes.

Ignition on, engine off.
Press transmission up and down arrows at the same time.
If you have fluid level sensor, press the up and down arrows again.
The display will then flash d-1 followed by two two number codes.
If d-1 is followed by two - -, you have no stored codes.

If there is a d-1, after recording it, press the mode button. That will take you to d-2, etc.

When finished, press up and down arrows at the same time to exit.

Brett Wolfe
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Allison Transmissions

Reply #6 –
Quote
Query the Allison for stored diagnostic codes.

Ignition on, engine off.
Press transmission up and down arrows at the same time.
If you have fluid level sensor, press the up and down arrows again.
The display will then flash d-1 followed by two two number codes.
If d-1 is followed by two - -, you have no stored codes.

If there is a d-1, after recording it, press the mode button. That will take you to d-2, etc.

When finished, press up and down arrows at the same time to exit.
Can this procedure be performed with the engine running and the transmission in Neutral, coach level?
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Allison Transmissions

Reply #7 –
Peter,

I don't know.  I have never done it with the engine running-- no point in burning diesel even if you could check it with engine running.

As long as the Allison shift pad is "active" (i.e. ignition on) this works on all 3000 and 4000 series transmissions.

Brett Wolfe
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Allison Transmissions

Reply #8 –
I believe when the engine is running (coach level) & trans is in neutral, depressing the Up-Down arrows performs a diagnostic test of the transmission.  When this is performed, and the test cycle is complete, codes will be displayed or "ok" will be displayed on the trans monitor.  If fluid is low the display will show Lo, I think, but it's been a long time since I've performed this check.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Allison Transmissions

Reply #9 –
Peter,

Yes, on more recent Allisons, the fluid level check precedes the diagnostic code check-- both using the shift pad.  And the transmission must be up to operating temperature for the fluid level check to proceed.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Allison Transmissions

Reply #10 –
how about the older coach's. My book says I have the HT746. I was told that the jake brake works after to converter locks up (after shift tp second)
1993 U300, 6v92
build 4366
USAF retired, Flight Engineer, C124, C130
 ATP, A & E.  & ex AI

Re: Allison Transmissions

Reply #11 –
Played with the HT740 series Allison many years ago. Recall there is a port on outside of case where the converter lockup gives signal to a Jake Brake pressure switch that is screwed in.
This provided the Jake to operate in other gears.  I do not recall if the top 2 or 3 gears, never lockup in low.
The HT is the heavy duty Allison for the time,

Useless Tidbit;
Greyhound used them and never looked at it until it had worn out 3 Detroit Diesels, then they got into it and freshened it up for next go around.  A real tuff transmission used on a bus.
FWIW
Dave

Re: Allison Transmissions

Reply #12 –
So to bring closure to my incident.  Checking the codes per Brett's instructions (thank you very much) after the D-1 I got the two dashes, so no codes.  Prior to the D-1 I got a 7  0, O  L and then two dashes.  Apparently that has to do with fluid level so I'm ignoring them since I know the fluid level is okay.
1996 U270
Build #4846

Re: Allison Transmissions

Reply #13 –
Gayland,

It sounds like you did an oil level check, but perhaps the tranny was not up to temperature.  Once you push the up and down buttons simultaneously, a countdown timer starts, with numbers going down to 0.  Then you see O and L representing oil level, the O and K, or the number of quarts over or under the full mark.

Once again, the coach must be level and the tranny must be up to operating temperature.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Allison Transmissions

Reply #14 –
Yes, on all Allisons with the "check oil level from the shift pad" feature (all newer 3000 and 4000 series transmissions), the first push of the up and down arrows at the same time brings up the oil level check feature.

Hitting the up and down arrows a second time goes to diagnostic codes.

And as "the other Brett" said, you will only get a default reading from the oil level check feature if the transmission fluid is not up to temperature.

Brett Wolfe
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Allison Transmissions

Reply #15 –
  
Quote from: Gayland Baasch –
Allow me to piggy back  ;D 

Had a little problem today with the transmission (3000 series I assume, Cummins 8.3)  After stopping, putting in neutral, then in drive, it wouldn't move and the 6 flashed in the display.  Shut off engine and restarted and it was okay.  Happened to me twice today, right at the start, but then no problems the rest of the day with numerous starts and stops.  Should I be worried?

I had this happen and it was the good ole allison transmission protecting me from doing something stupid, which was trying to shift into gear with the engine running faster than normal idle speed.  When the engine is shut off it will drop back to normal idle at restart if that was the problem.  I don't think you should worry.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt
 

Re: Allison Transmissions

Reply #16 –
Okay Carol, look what a simple little question can learn you  :))  Thanks everyone.  I did not have the transmission up to operating temp so that all makes sense.  I am officially now not worried  :P
1996 U270
Build #4846