The ZF Ecomat is a group of heavy duty hydro-planetary automatic transmissions built mainly for buses and trucks from 1980 to 2013. The ZF Ecomat was no longer available for purchase in new buses from 2013, and ceased being produced (whole new units as replacements) in 2025. There are scattered examples of new buses with Ecomats, such as N280UBs in 2016 and OH1830LEs in 2020, but these are believed to be old chassis built before 2013. The only known uses outside of buses are some Varley Commander pump/fire trucks in NSW, Military Vehicles, Liebherr LTM 1060 Crane Trucks, and UK Class 172, ČD Class 842, CAF C4K in Ireland, and ABB IC3/DSB Class MF trains.
Type Codes
When written, the codes follow this format: 5HP-602C N (3.43)
5 = Amount of gears. 4, 5 or 6.
HP = Hydro-Planetary (Gearbox Type)
60 = Model code. 50 (Standard, up to 1,100Nm), 55 (Volvo version), 59 (Special version, up to 1,250Nm), 60 (High torque version, up to 1,600Nm)
2 = Ecomat Version. 0 = Ecomat 1st gen and Ecomat 1. 2= Ecomat 2. 4 = Ecomat 4
C = CAN link (Controller Area Network, meaning the gear shifting can be influenced by data from the CAN)
N = NBS (“Neutralbeistanstillung” (German). Automatic neutral at Bus Stop. An additional plate at the front of the gearbox that allows the 1st gear to turn freely with the engine RPM when stopped or when certain criteria are met)
ZF Ecomat 1st Generation (1980-1985)
4HP-500 and 5HP-500
Usage: MAN SL200, Volvo B58, Volvo B10M Mk1
| Gear | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R |
| Ratio | 2.82 | 1.84 | 1.36 | 1.00 | 0.80 | 4.84 |
Ecomat 1 (1985-2002)
Standard Version (i = 3.43 – 1.00/0.83)
Max Torque 1100nm: 4HP-500, 5HP-500
Usage: Very widespread in buses, and in NSW Varley Commander Pump/Fire Trucks
Max Torque 1250nm: 4HP-590, 5HP-590
Usage: Some O405G
Max Torque 1400nm: 4HP-600, 5HP-600
Usage: L113TRBL, STA L113CRL
| Gear | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R |
| Ratio | 3.43 | 2.01 | 1.42 | 1.00 | 0.83 | 4.84 |
Short Version (i = 2.81 – 1.00/0.8)
Max Torque 850nm: 4HP-500, 5HP-500
Usage: MAN midis, Volvo midis, some Volvo B10M Mk.2, some Van Hool
| Gear | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R |
| Ratio | 2.81 | ? | ? | 1.00 | 0.80 | 4.84? |
Long Version (i = 5.6 – 1.00/0.83)
5HP-500, 6HP-500, 5HP-590, 6HP-590, 5HP-600, 6HP-600
Usage: TPz Fuchs German Military Vehicle, C1 Ariete Italian Military Vehicle, Liebherr LTM 1060 Crane Truck, Volvo A25C Articulated Dump Truck
| Gear | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R |
| Ratio | 5.60 | 3.43 | 2.01 | 1.42 | 1.00 | 0.83 | ? |
Ecomat II (1997-2008)
| Gear | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R |
| Ratio | 3.43 | 2.01 | 1.42 | 1.00 | 0.83 | 0.59 | 4.84 |
Max Torque 1,100nm: 4HP-502, 5HP-502, 6HP-502
Usage: Very widespread
Volvo Version: 5HP-552
Usage: Euro 3 B7, Euro 3 & 4 B12
Max Torque 1,250nm: 4HP-592, 5HP-592, 6HP-592
Usage: OH1830LE Euro 3
Max Torque 1,600nm: 4HP-602, 5HP-602, 6HP-602
Usage: L94UB 14.5m, L94UA
Ecomat II Long Version (i = 5.6 – 0.83/0.59)
| Gear | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R |
| Ratio | 5.6 | 3.43 | 2.01 | 1.42 | 1.00 | 0.83 | 0.59 | 4.84 |
Max Torque 1,750nm: 6HP-602, 7HP-602
Usage: CM-32 Yunpao (Wheeled armoured personnel carrier), Piranha III 8×8 (Wheeled armoured personnel carrier),Piranha IIIC (Command vehicle), VBCI (Wheeled armoured personnel carrier)
Ecomat IV (2006-2011*)
| Gear | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R |
| Ratio | 3.43 | 2.01 | 1.42 | 1.00 | 0.83 | 0.59 | 4.84 |
Max Torque 1,100nm: 5HP-504, 6HP-504
Usage: MAN 16.240 Designline Bubble, Euro 5 Scania K230UB
Volvo Version: 5HP-554/6HP-554
Usage: Euro 5 B7RLE
Max Torque 1,250nm: 5HP-594, 6HP-594
Usage: Unknown
Max Torque 1,750nm: 5HP-604, 6HP-604
Usage: Very widespread