A new family of stepless transmissions for ag tractors and other off-highway vehicles will be produced by a planned joint venture between Dana and Bosch Rexroth.

The proposed 50/50 venture, which will likely be based in Italy, and will engineer, manufacture and market hydro-mechanical variable power-split transmissions. They will compete with existing lines from ZF, Carraro DriveTech, Oerlikon Graziano and a number of OEMs who produce their own continuously variable transmissions — including AGCO, CNH and Same Deutz-Fahr Group.

“Our two companies offer a broad range of complementary skill sets, which will enable the joint venture to deliver a unique array of advanced transmissions to the off-highway market,” says George Constand, Dana chief technical officer. 

“The venture will benefit from Dana’s expertise in off-highway transmission engineering and manufacturing, and Bosch Rexroth’s deep experience in hydraulics and control systems.”

Dana and Bosch Rexroth will contribute staff, intellectual property and capital, according to a memorandum of understanding agreed between the two companies.

Dana reported 2009 sales revenues of $5.2 billion from the axles, driveshafts, off-highway transmissions, sealing and thermal management products it makes. Bosch Rexroth, part of the Bosch Group of Germany, reported 2008 revenues of $7.7 billion from sales of hydraulic drives and electronic control systems used in fixed and mobile machinery