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 […]

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 […]

FluiDyne Fluid Power announced the newest addition to its motor product line: the FM4 series motor, which is now available in stock alongside the FM1, FM3, and FM50/51 models. The FM series geroter gear set and spool valve flow distribution make these hydraulic motors compact, highly efficient, and perfect for low-speed high-torque applications. Whether you’re […]

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 […]

It’s no secret that the construction industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. As such, engineers and researchers constantly explore new technologies that align with sustainability goals while increasing productivity and reducing manual labor. Take dry stone wall construction, for example. This manually intensive task dates back thousands of years and was historically […]

Duplomatic MS Spa, a company within the Daikin Group, is pleased to announce a significant development in Germany. Günther Till GmbH & Co. KG, a well-known German cylinder manufacturer and already a part of Duplomatic MS since December 2021, has successfully signed an agreement to transfer the assets of Phillip Acon Hydraulik GmbH, a branch […]

Concentric AB has appointed Dr Roger Ingemey as Senior Vice President Hydraulics Division. The appointment, from February 1, will be pivotal in executing the Group strategic plan, to deliver profitable growth in the hydraulics division aligned to the company’s electrification strategy, and driving productivity improvements through the Concentric Business Excellence program. Ingemey holds a PhD […]

Collaboration and innovation drive the transition to electric vehicles in industrial vehicles as two transportation industry leaders advance the state of the art together.  As part of its industry-leading efforts to electrify critical off-highway machinery, Bosch Rexroth announced a partnership with thermal management manufacturer Modine. The two organizations are collaborating to bring Modine EVantage thermal […]

As I noted in our mobile trends feature last month, the discussion around transitioning machinery to more efficient alternatives, particularly in embracing electric solutions, has gained significant traction. This paradigm shift is not merely about the evolution of technology; it’s about redefining the very core of how construction machinery operates. Digital hydraulics, especially when combined […]

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 […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor You may not know this, but I’m a straight-up car fanatic. There are as many car guy tribes as cars, and there are more ways to be into cars without bumper-sticker-level dedication to one brand. Me? I’m a Mazda guy who does the occasional track day, although I lust after […]

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 […]

All trends in mobile machinery development point toward creating more compact, fuel-efficient machines that reduce emissions. It seems like every day, news is released from key fluid power manufacturers, mobile OEMs themselves, and others about a transformation in off-highway machinery. These innovations are driving a wave of change that promises efficiency, sustainability, and enhanced performance. […]

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. […]

Waste and recycling applications are dominated by hydraulic technologies, where the power density, ruggedness, speed and precision they provide are crucial to uptime. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulics have proven to be a versatile and efficient technology in various industries, offering precise control, reliability, and extraordinary power density. Some industries are lightly equipped with […]

Efficient farming is top of mind for the agricultural industry, but not at the environment’s expense. Though net-zero targets tend to push OEMs toward fully electric and even autonomous machines, there are ways to partially electrify without overhauling a design. HAWE Hydraulik provides examples of how to increase efficiency by electrifying functions strategically. Electrify work […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Oversizing your hydraulic pump is a relatively common error by beginner fluid power professionals or, more likely, entirely untrained individuals tasked with maintaining machinery. Everyone wears many hats these days, so don’t take it personally if you’ve inherited a role that requires skills above your pay grade. More than once […]

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, […]

Danfoss Power Solutions has enhanced its tractor valve platform with additional electrohydraulic module sizes as well as new mechanical modules, enabling the valve to be used on a wider range of tractor models. Proven in farm fields for more than 20 years, Danfoss’ tractor valve provides rear implement, front implement, and front loader control. Built […]

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 […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Moore’s Law states that the number of transistors in a microchip doubles every two years, increasing computing power exponentially over time. It seems no other technology experiences such a rapid progression, especially considering how relatively young the semiconductor industry is. Fluid power provides us with no such rate of performance […]

Danfoss Power Solutions has launched its H1F fixed displacement bent axis hydraulic motor at Agritechnica this week. Designed for open- and closed-circuit applications, the H1F motor offers best-in-class efficiency, proven reliability, and a compact design. The latest development in Danfoss’ high-power H1 series of pumps and motors, the H1F fixed bent axis motor offers overall […]

Purdue’s Maha Fluid Power Research Center has started planning for the 2024 International Maha Fluid Power Conference. The conference will be held at Purdue University from September 3 to 5, 2024. The goal of the conference is to network, exchange ideas, and present the recent research trends in fluid power and motion control technologies. The […]

Danfoss Power Solutions’ Editron division has launched two new electrification products at this year’s Agritechnica trade fair. Its’ ED3 onboard charger will enable heavy-duty electric vehicles to be charged overnight using readily available AC power outlets. The Editron division has also launched the LCL1200/1700 electric filter for off-highway applications, offering easy installation and design flexibility […]

By Anton Zhukov, Electrical Engineer, an expert in uninterrupted power solutions To curb the limited supply and high price of battery-grade lithium, alternative sodium-ion batteries are one of the most developed technologies that can potentially become a viable option in many applications. However, new battery technology requires years of engineering for successful commercialization — and […]