Turner Powertrain Systems Shaped British Transmission Engineering for Over a Century

[MikePhua]

From Steam Cars to Heavy-Duty Transmissions
The story of Turner Powertrain Systems begins in the industrial heart of Wolverhampton, England, where the Turner Manufacturing Company emerged in the mid-19th century. Originally focused on security devices and metalwork, the company evolved rapidly, entering the automotive sector in the early 1900s with licensed production of Belgian steam cars. By 1908, Turner was building petrol-powered vehicles and later expanded into aircraft components, winches, and machine tools.
Turner’s engineering versatility laid the groundwork for its future dominance in transmission systems. By the 1960s, the company had secured licenses to produce truck gearboxes from Clark Equipment Company, which led to the development of its own T-series transmissions. These gearboxes became widely used in agricultural tractors, construction machinery, and military vehicles across Europe.
Terminology Notes

• Powershift transmission: A gearbox that allows gear changes under load without disengaging the clutch, using hydraulic actuators.
  
• Powershuttle transmission: A system enabling rapid directional changes, ideal for loader and backhoe operations.
  
• Planetary final drive: A gear arrangement that multiplies torque and reduces speed at the wheel or track.
  
• OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): A company that manufactures components used in another company’s end products.
  

The Caterpillar Acquisition and Global Expansion
In 1996, Caterpillar Inc. acquired Turner’s transmission division from Dana Corporation, rebranding it as Turner Powertrain Systems. This move integrated Turner’s expertise into Caterpillar’s global supply chain, allowing the brand to serve OEMs across North America, Europe, India, and Brazil. Production of Turner-branded transmissions in Wolverhampton continued until 2014, after which manufacturing was relocated to India.
Turner Powertrain Systems became a leader in designing and producing transmissions for:

• Backhoe loaders
  
• Wheel loaders
  
• Telehandlers
  
• Site dumpers
  
• Agricultural sprayers
  
• Mining support vehicles
  
• Rail maintenance equipment
  
• Airport service vehicles
  

Their product range included manual gear select systems, semi-automatic powershift units, and hydrostatic transmissions tailored for off-highway applications.
A Story from the Midlands
In 2005, a fleet manager in Derbyshire retrofitted a series of aging backhoe loaders with Turner T5-400 transmissions. The upgrade improved fuel efficiency and reduced gear wear, extending the service life of the machines by over five years. The manager noted that Turner’s engineering support was instrumental in adapting the units to legacy frames. “It wasn’t just a gearbox—it was a second wind for our fleet,” he said.
Engineering Philosophy and Product Support
Turner’s design philosophy emphasized:

• Durability under extreme load conditions
  
• Modular architecture for easy servicing
  
• Compatibility with diverse powertrains
  
• Responsive support throughout the product lifecycle
  

Their engineers worked closely with OEMs during development, ensuring that each transmission matched the torque curve, duty cycle, and operational environment of the host machine.
Legacy Products and Historical Innovations
Turner’s historical product catalog includes:

• The “Yeoman of England” farm tractor powered by the 4V95 diesel engine
  
• Recovery winches used on military vehicles from 1927 to 1982
  
• Aircraft landing gear and helicopter rotor heads for Westland
  
• Pneumatic cargo systems for supertankers
  
• Light delivery vehicles like the Byvan and Tryvan
  
• Diesel engines in both two-stroke and four-stroke configurations
  
• Machine tools such as lathes and grinders
  

These innovations reflect Turner’s ability to pivot across industries while maintaining engineering rigor.
Modern Relevance and Aftermarket Considerations
Although Turner-branded transmissions are no longer manufactured in the UK, many units remain in service. For operators and rebuilders:

• Use OEM part numbers when sourcing replacements
  
• Confirm compatibility with newer Caterpillar or Dana components
  
• Inspect planetary gear sets for wear and backlash
  
• Replace seals and bearings with high-temperature rated variants
  
• Maintain proper fluid viscosity and change intervals
  

Some aftermarket suppliers offer rebuild kits for T-series gearboxes, while others specialize in remanufactured units for legacy equipment.
Final Thoughts
Turner Powertrain Systems represents a century of British engineering excellence, from steam cars to precision transmissions. Its legacy lives on in machines that still dig, lift, and haul across continents. Though the Wolverhampton factory may be silent, the gears it produced continue to turn in fields, quarries, and rail yards. In the world of powertrain design, Turner didn’t just build components—it built confidence.