ZF and CMD announce joint supply agreement for Zeus® Pod Drive System and a new Smaller Pod Drive Series
ZF Marine Group (ZF) and Cummins MerCruiser Diesel (CMD) have reached a joint supply and development agreement for the Zeus® Pod Drive System.
Currently ZF supplies custom-built transmissions that CMD integrates into Zeus® Pod Drive Systems. The agreement expands this cooperation to include ZF sales of the completed Zeus® Pod Drive Systems and controls for integration with other manufacturers’ engines, as well as cooperative development of a smaller pod propulsion system.
Under the terms of the agreement CMD will continue to service propulsion systems sold by CMD while Zeus® Pod Drive Systems sold by ZF to other marine engine makers will be serviced by ZF and those engine manufacturers.
As part of this agreement, ZF Marine Group and Cummins Mercruiser Diesel have also announced the introduction of a new Pod system especially designed for diesel engines up to 450 hp.
This pod series was co-developed by ZF and Mercury Marine, and components will be manufactured by both companies for use in the final assembly.
The new system will benefit from most of the technologies already implemented into the Zeus® 3500 and 3800 Pod, such as joystick control and safety-minded rear-facing propellers, and also includes some unique features such as:
Very light weight
Electrical steering
Proportional-controlled shifting and trolling
Very low profile
