A rotary input apparatus is disclosed. The intermediate shaft includes a power input gear disposed in the same vertical plane as the transmission output gear, and a first drive belt couples the two together. The shank periphery is axially displaced away from the clamping face relative to the outer periphery of the clamping face to define a ramped surface. The unloading event detection circuit is arranged to detect an unloading event, and to assert an unloading event signal if such an event is detected.