INDUSTRY NEWS
Kohler recently introduced the KDW1003 CVT integrated pro- pulsion system to the North American market. The system combines a diesel engine rated 26. 1 hp, continuously variable transmis- sion (CVT) and gearbox into a packaged powertrain targeted toward utility vehi- cles and other lighter wheeled or tracked off-highway machines.
APACKAGE FOR OFF-ROAD PROPULSION Kohler launches engine-CV transmission combination targeting utility vehicles, light equipment applications
BY MIKE BREZONICK One of the most significant trends in the engine-powered equipment industry over the last decade has involved the evolution of the relationship between equipment manufacturers and their suppliers. In bygone days, equipment manufactur- ers typically bought discrete compo- nents from a long list of vendors and assembled them in-house. More recently, OEMs have sought to streamline their manufacturing proc- esses by reducing the number of sup- pliers they work with, instead relying on the suppliers to provide not just compo- nents, but complete subsystems or engineered component packages. One of the latest manufacturers to take advantage of that trend is Kohler Co. The Wisconsin-based engine manufacturer recently unveiled the KDW1003 CVT integrated propulsion system that combines a diesel en- gine, continuously variable transmis- sion (CVT) and gearbox into a pack- aged powertrain targeted toward utili- ty vehicles and other wheeled or tracked off-highway machines. “This combination engine and transmission is relatively new to the North American small engine market,” said Cam Litt, marketing manager for Kohler Engines. “We’re excited to offer our North American OEM cus- tomers with this added value — a complete engine/transmission solu- tion in one diesel package that pow- ers vehicles easily and comfortably.” The advantage of a CVT, the com- pany said, is the ability to keep the engine speed in its optimum power output range for all operating condi-
