Master’s in Hydrostatic and Power-Split Transmissions Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in hydrostatic and power-split transmission engineering. 12 modules covering continuously variable drives, closed-circuit hydrostatic units, power-split theory and design, engine-transmission management, simulation, testing and the OECD tractor test codes, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the principle of hydrostatic and power-split transmissions.
Select hydrostatic units and their control.
Calculate circulating power in power-split configurations.
Design a multi-range hydromechanical transmission.
Develop engine-transmission management strategies.
Validate transmissions on the bench and in the field.
Compare hydromechanical solutions with electric alternatives.
Who it's for
- Continuously variable transmission engineers.
- Traction hydraulics engineers.
- Powertrain control engineers.
- 1D simulation engineers modelling drivelines.
- Transmission test engineers.
- Agricultural product engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the agricultural machinery sector.
What you'll work with
- OECD Standard Codes (official testing of tractors)
- ISO 4413 (hydraulic fluid power)
- ISO 4409 (test methods for hydraulic pumps and motors)
- ISO 6336 (load capacity of gears)
- ISO 25119 (functional safety in agricultural machinery)
- UNE-EN ISO 13849-1 (safety of control systems)
- Simcenter Amesim
- MATLAB/Simulink
- KISSsoft
- Romax
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Continuously variable transmission in mobile machinery1.2Constant power hyperbola and tractive field1.3Classification of continuously variable transmissions1.4Pure hydrostatic versus hydromechanical transmissions1.5Efficiency of piston units1.6Speed and pressure limits1.7Evolution of agricultural continuously variable transmissions1.8Comparison with power-shift transmissions1.9Customer requirements by application1.10Case study: tractive field of a tractor
2.1Swashplate axial piston pumps2.2Bent-axis piston motors2.3Charge pump and relief valves2.4Circuit flushing valves2.5Displacement servo control2.6Dual-displacement motors2.7Volumetric and friction losses2.8Efficiency maps of units2.9Cooling of the closed circuit2.10Laboratory: efficiency map of a pump
3.1Automotive control by engine speed3.2Electronic pedal control3.3Engine anti-stall protection3.4Acceleration and deceleration ramps3.5Cruise speed control3.6Traction slip control3.7Controller calibration3.8Control software development3.9Functional safety of the control3.10Practical exercise: calibration of automotive control
4.1The planetary gear set as a speed summator4.2Willis equations4.3Input-coupled and output-coupled configurations4.4Circulating power and recirculation4.5Purely mechanical transmission points4.6Multiple ranges and synchronous shifting4.7Overall transmission efficiency4.8Comparative analysis of configurations4.9Commercial architectures and patents4.10Laboratory: calculation of circulating power
5.1Selection of planetary ratios5.2Sizing of the hydrostatic units5.3Range-change clutches5.4Gears and bearings of the assembly5.5Lubrication and cooling circuit5.6Housing and structural stiffness5.7Packaging in the tractor5.8Design for manufacture5.9Cost estimation5.10Practical exercise: preliminary design of a two-range power-split
6.1Tractors with continuously variable transmission6.2Combined engine and transmission management6.3Minimum consumption strategies6.4PTO with continuously variable transmission6.5Behaviour in heavy field work6.6High-speed road transport6.7Operator interface and modes6.8Comparisons between manufacturers6.9Tractor testing to OECD codes6.10Case study: consumption strategy in ploughing
7.1Loaders with hydromechanical transmission7.2Bulldozers with hydrostatic drive7.3Forwarders and forestry harvesters7.4Compact site dumpers7.5Telehandlers with hydrostatic drive7.6Requirements by application7.7Measured productivity benefits7.8Relevant commercial examples7.9Field maintenance7.10Case study: transmission for a forestry forwarder
8.1Engine specific consumption maps8.2Optimum operating point8.3Coordinated powertrain management8.4Predictive load control8.5Selectable driving modes8.6Engine speed reduction8.7Compatibility with aftertreatment8.8Field validation of consumption8.9Fleet data analysis8.10Laboratory: optimum operating point strategy in Simulink
9.1Loss models of hydrostatic units9.2Model of the complete transmission9.3Duty cycle simulation9.41D simulation tools9.5Validation with bench data9.6Sensitivity analysis9.7Optimisation of transmission ratios9.8Hardware-in-the-loop testing of the controller9.9Correlation between model and field9.10Practical exercise: power-split model in Amesim
10.1Transmission test benches10.2Efficiency tests across the full range10.3Accelerated durability tests10.4Transmission noise measurement10.5Thermal and lubrication tests10.6Field tests with a tractor10.7Fault diagnosis during development10.8Failure mode analysis10.9Validation reports10.10Laboratory: bench efficiency test
11.1Electric continuously variable transmissions11.2Electric power split11.3e-CVT transmissions in tractors11.4Hybrid traction architectures11.5Comparison with hydrostatic drive11.6Active lines of research11.7Market trends11.8Costs and technological maturity11.9Sustainability and efficiency11.10Case study: hydromechanical versus electric
12.1Definition of machine and requirements12.2Duty cycle analysis12.3Architecture selection12.4Component sizing12.5Control strategy12.6Simulation of the assembly12.7Validation plan12.8Economic evaluation of the solution12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Simcenter Amesim, MATLAB/Simulink, KISSsoft and Romax, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: bench efficiency tests of transmissions, calibration of automotive control and simulation of agricultural cycles. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: OECD Standard Codes for tractor testing, ISO 4413, ISO 4409, ISO 6336, ISO 25119, UNE-EN ISO 13849-1.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Simcenter Amesim, MATLAB/Simulink, KISSsoft and Romax, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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