Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of a multiple speed axle connected to an automated transmission system is disclosed. The system includes an actuation device that cooperates with a processing unit to prevent the transmission from shifting gears while the axle shift is being performed. In one embodiment, once transmission shifting is prevented, the axle shift operation is performed manually by the vehicle operator, such that the vehicle operator manipulates the vehicle throttle to interrupt torque and synchronize the axle for engagement. The automated transmission then notifies the operator that the transmission is in a hold mode until the operator determines that the axle shift has been completed. The operator then manually returns the transmission to the drive mode to resume normal automatic transmission shifting. In a second embodiment, the axle shift operation is automatically performed by the processing unit.