For decades, spool-type flow dividers have proven themselves well in the differential locks of hydraulic traction drives. In recent years, however, the demands of mobile machine operators have risen to a new level. For example, market requirements now include: • More intuitive operation. • Better vehicle control, particularly when driving under difficult conditions. • Optimization […]
The promise and pitfalls of electric construction machines
For the last eight years engineers at Suncar AG, Zurich, Switzerland have been developing electric construction machines, and they offered some insights at the recent Future of Electrification 2024 conference, hosted by the Zapi Group. In a presentation titled “The all-electric construction machine,” Stefan Schneider, Suncar’s managing director, discussed progress on the road to electrification […]
Raising mobile machine efficiency via advanced electrohydraulics
There is heightened interest in optimizing the performance of mobile machines with electrohydraulic solutions, in particular with the coming need to transition from conventional machines to electrified zero-emission machinery. That’s according to Dr. Steffen Mutschler, Director Sales & Product Management Electrification of Mobile Machines at Bosch Rexroth. In a presentation, Empowering Optimal Performance with Electro-Hydraulic […]
The growing wave of software-defined machines
Data-driven off-road equipment will improve uptime and performance and reduce operating costs. Mobile machine owners, fleet operators and rental companies increasingly want equipment that offers more-exacting control, higher productivity and efficiency, and is more environmentally friendly. Add to that is the growing interest in electrification, automation, and autonomy. In response, mobile OEMs and their suppliers are […]
Smart management, smart control blocks
By Michael Pyper Bucher Hydraulics High hydraulic performance is crucial in mobile machinery. Especially in this era of increasing electrification, hydraulics remains vital. This is particularly true for agricultural and forestry machines where compact installation and weight optimization are essential. Fluid power plays a significant role in energy efficiency and, when intelligently combined, electric and […]
Electrification conference set for February
ZAPI Group, a leading proponent of vehicle electrification, will hold its Future of Electrification virtual conference on February 7-8, 2024. The third annual conference will bring together industry leaders and experts in industrial and commercial vehicle electrification to discuss practical steps to achieve an all-electric reality. According to ZAPI officials, the conference will provide insights […]
GM and Komatsu collaborate on hydrogen-powered mining truck
General Motors and Komatsu will co-develop a hydrogen fuel cell power module for Komatsu’s 930E mining truck, said to be the world’s best-selling ultra-class haul truck. The surface-mining electric drive truck has an operating weight of 1,150,000 lbs and a nominal payload capacity of 320 tons. The companies will jointly design and validate the technology. […]
Holiday toys for big girls and boys
If shelling out a hundred grand for a new hydraulic excavator is a bit beyond your holiday shopping budget, numerous mobile OEMs offer fun and more-economical alternatives. The offerings are great for fans of favorite machines and brands, collectors, and kids of any age. Here’s a quick overview of some of the company merchandise shops…
Komatsu to acquire U.S. battery manufacturer
The construction, mining, forestry, and industrial heavy equipment markets are experiencing rapid and massive growth in electrification driven by CO2 reduction efforts, regulatory demands, ESG and operational improvement needs. That’s the motivation behind the announcement that Komatsu, through its wholly owned subsidiary in the U.S., Komatsu America Corp., has agreed to acquire American Battery Solutions, […]
Caterpillar to develop hydrogen-powered hydraulic hybrids
Caterpillar has announced the launch of a three-year program to demonstrate an advanced hydrogen-hybrid power solution built on its new Cat C13D engine platform. Starting in the first quarter of 2024, Caterpillar will develop a transient-capable system for off-highway applications. The project will demonstrate how state-of-the-art control systems and electric-hybrid components can help hydrogen-fueled engines […]
Compact check valves fit tight installation spaces
Check valves are proven components that allow media to flow in only one direction and prevent backflow in the opposite direction — similar to diodes in electrical applications. For years, the engineers at Bucher Hydraulics based in Dachau, Germany, have continuously optimized this unobtrusive component, which is often concealed inside hydraulic blocks. For instance, the […]
Teleo launches autonomous capabilities for heavy construction
Teleo, a Palo Alto, Calif. based company building autonomous technology for heavy construction equipment, today announced that Florida-based Tomahawk Construction will become the first customer to deploy its autonomous capabilities on an active job site. Tomahawk Construction’s articulated dump trucks will use autonomous functions to move material to build a residential community in Naples, Fl. […]
Hybrid mobile machines offer a bridge to the future
Diesel-electric mobile machines provide many of the benefits of electrification without the shortcomings. The push for electrification of mobiles equipment is in full swing, with dozens of OEMs showcasing battery-electric models that promise zero emissions, low noise, and minimal maintenance headaches. But the current generation of electric machines also has serious drawbacks. They struggle to […]
The future of mobile hydraulics and sustainable off-road machines
Volvo Construction Equipment is at the forefront of global efforts toward electrification and non-diesel alternatives for mobile machines, and the company aims to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. It has offered battery-electric wheel loaders and mini excavators for several years and will soon launch an electric road asphalt compactor and an electric version […]
Multi-chamber cylinders increase excavator efficiency
Norrhydro, based in Tampere, Finland, and Volvo Construction Equipment are moving ahead with field trials of a new excavator concept that engineers say could revolutionize machine hydraulic performance. If proven successful and widely adopted, the system could improve overall productivity of various types of off-road equipment and help meet the mobile industry’s sustainability targets and […]
Buyer beware when replacing hydraulics with electric actuators
Given heightened interest in battery powered mobile equipment, engineers are starting to weigh the benefits of hydraulic versus electric drives to power various machine functions. During the recent Future of Electrification conference, hosted by the Zapi Group, Kirk Martin, Global Director of Sales for Mobile Machinery at Ewellix explored this topic in his presentation, “The […]
Hydraulics key to energy efficient mobile machines
Engineers at Sennebogen, Straubing, Germany, are embracing advanced diesel, hydraulic, electric and control technologies to design machines that generate significantly fewer emissions, compared to traditional equipment, and cut energy consumption in half. They’re building on proven and, in some cases, simple concepts that greatly benefit equipment users. Here’s a look at some of the innovations […]
A glimpse at the future of unmanned machines
When engineers consider next-generation construction equipment, much of the attention today centers on electrification, alternative-fuel engines, automated functions that increase precision and reduce waste, and “smart” control networks that wirelessly tie together all the machines on a worksite for greater efficiency and productivity. Perhaps a bit under the radar, but potentially game-changing, is the possibility […]
Electric machines complement diesel-hydraulics
Last year Bobcat introduced the T7X, the world’s first all-electric compact track loader. The company is now expanding its electrification portfolio with the recent introduction of the first all-electric skid-steer loader, the Bobcat S7X, and its new concept track loader, the Bobcat RogueX. “At Bobcat, we are always pushing the boundaries to explore the next […]
Volvo Construction forms new Compact Business Unit
To maximize the opportunities in the growing compact equipment segment, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced the launch of a new Compact Business Unit. The new Compact Business Unit will: Take advantage of the shift to electrification in the compact equipment segment to secure a fully electric line up of productive and sustainable products […]
Dump truck features on-demand hydraulics
The DT6 articulated dump truck from Hydrema, based in Støvring, Denmark, marks the company’s first foray into the electric vehicle segment. The completely new design, showcased at Conexpo 2023, combines an electric direct drive with on-demand hydraulics. Among the key features: quiet operation and zero emissions. The machine has an articulated chassis with a center […]
Telehandlers rely on battery powered hydraulics
The Manitou Group, with North American headquarters in West Bend, Wisc., is a long-time manufacturer of equipment like telehandlers, lift trucks, loaders and work platforms. Recent R&D and commercialization efforts have included electrification of numerous models. This includes the introduction of new electric rotative telehanders that are offered in six versions. The MRT 2660e, for […]
Volvo Penta & Gradall partner on electric excavator concept
Gradall has unveiled an electrified concept model of its multipurpose, highway speed wheeled excavator, powered by Volvo Penta’s electric driveline. In a nearly decade-long partnership, Volvo Penta has been an exclusive supplier of 5- and 8-liter Tier 4f engines for Gradall’s diesel-powered telescopic boom excavators. The companies are now taking the first step into electromobility. […]
John Deere to expand E-Power options
Customer interest in more-productive and sustainably focused construction equipment is certainly on the rise. To help address the growing market for alternatively powered machines, John Deere showcased new E-Drive (hybrid-electric) and E-Power (battery-electric) machines at Conexpo 2023. “As a leader in the construction industry, John Deere is committed to helping decrease contributions to climate change […]
Drilling “unplugged”
Liebherr has expanded its portfolio of piling and drilling machines for deep foundation applications with the LB 30 “unplugged” drilling rig. The battery-powered drive concept offers the same performance as the conventional diesel version and with the advantage of zero emissions. While the diesel LB 30 is powered by a Liebherr D936 StageV/Tier4f engine rated […]