AUXILIARY HYDRAULICS DEMYSTIFIED

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN SELECTING A HYDRAULIC FLOW OPTION FOR YOUR SKID-STEER OR COMPACT TRACK LOADER

Skid-steer and compact track loaders are go-to machines for getting a range of tasks done on job sites large and small, and one of their biggest advantages is maneuver ability combined with countless attachment options. When se lecting a skid-steer or compact track loader, choosing the right hydraulic option is essential for maximizing the utilization of your investment. CASE Construction Equipment explains what those options are and what you should consider when selecting a hydraulic flow option for your SSL or CTL.

WHAT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF HYDRAULICS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SKIDSTEER AND COMPACT TRACK LOADERS?

There are three hydraulic options for skid-steer and compact track loaders: standard flow, high flow, and enhanced high flow.

Standard-flow hydraulics

Standard-flow hydraulics is the most popular option for SSL and CTL owners; flow rates will differ by manufacturer and model. Standard flow typically runs between 17 and 24 gpm and is included on all machines from the factory. Standard flow operates on the same pressure that the carrier’s main hydraulics operate on – 3,000 to 3,500 psi. Standard flow hydraulics can power four-in-one buckets, hydraulic hammers, breakers, trenchers, and grapples.

High-flow hydraulics

High-flow hydraulics further increases the carrier’s productivity and versatility. High flow also operates on the same pressure as the main hydraulic circuits, but the flow rate ranges from 30 to 42 gpm. High-flow hydraulics can be installed at the factory or added later in the field. Attachments that benefit from high-flow hydraulics include cold planers, snow blowers, rock saws, small mulchers, and chippers/shredders.

Enhanced high-flow hydraulics

Enhanced high-flow hydraulics have flow rates similar to a skid steer with a high-flow package, but operate at 4,100 psi. Attachments that are suited to enhanced high flow include large cold planers, rock saws, and mulchers.

WHAT IS THE SECONDARY CIRCUIT FOR?

The secondary circuit provides additional function for an attachment, such as a side-shift function on a cold planer or stump grinder, changing the direction of a snow blower chute, or for downriggers.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PSI AND FLOW?

Flow will determine the speed of the attachment under no restrictions, so if the maximum gpm on an attachment is 30, that will be the maximum flow delivered to the attachment under perfect conditions with no pressure or resistance to that flow. As soon as flow starts to resist, pressure (psi) builds. It’s important to understand what the maximum constraints are for your attachment on the flow and that pressure. At some point the two cross to create the most productive conditions for the attachment. For example, if you have a cold planer that’s running at a maximum of 3,000 psi, you’ll generate too much heat and not help machine productivity. But, if you back off a bit and reduce some of the resistance to flow, your attachment will run more consistently in speed and won’t be fighting against that additional heat generation in the system.

It is helpful for the operator to watch the pressure gauge on the attachment to ensure that the attachment is working at the most productive pressure.

WHY IS HYDRAULIC HORSEPOWER IMPORTANT AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFECTIVENESS?

Hydraulic horsepower indicates what the machine is hydraulically capable of doing, and many attachments are also rated by hydraulic horsepower. This helps to judge the match of the attachment to the machine. For example, it doesn’t make sense to put an attachment that can only take 40 hydraulic horsepower on a 90 hydraulic horsepower machine. The reverse is also true – an attachment might be rated with higher hydraulic horsepower than the carrier, which a buyer might think makes it more versatile for more machines, but the drive motor inside the attachment might not be suited to the carrier and can hamper productivity.

Maximize Your Efficiency With Creep Control

Carrier features such as creep control are ideal for easy control of the skid steer when using attachments like mulchers and cold planers, enabling the operator to dial in the machine to a precise speed suited to the application. This eliminates any jerking motion that might cause the attachment to stall.

FLOW CONFUSION?

A lot of new machines have adjustable flow settings in the cab. To help your operators know what flow is ideal for each attachment, place a quick reference laminated card in the cab with a list of your attachments and flow requirements for each.

Take The Long View When Choosing Between Hydraulics Options

Consider high-flow attachments that you may want to run in the future and select a machine from the factory that can handle those applications. This will avoid the expense and time of retrofitting your machine after the fact. If you rent a lot of attachments, then your machine will be ready with that added flexibility. It is important to select OEM-approved attachments for your carrier to make sure that your tools will work with the specs on your machine.

1. YANMAR COMPACT EQUIPMENT NORTH AMERICA

For the first time, Yanmar Compact Equipment and ASV will be together under the same banner, Yanmar Compact Equipment North America, and both will bring new machines to display.

Yanmar is back at CONEXPO for the first time since 2014 and is introducing a new product line that will strengthen its compact offerings. It will have a total of 12 mini excavators, compact wheel loaders, and more on hand. ASV plans to debut a new machine and will share information about recent additions as well as its expanding attachment line. At the booth will be four Posi-Track loaders for a range of applications.

2. SNORKEL AND XTREME MANUFACTURING

Snorkel and Xtreme

Manufacturing are going big in Vegas with displays of brand-new equipment alongside existing machinery.

The lineup will include a range of scissor lifts including the S9070RTHC, which it states is the largest ultra-capacity rough-terrain scissor lift in North America. The “mega boom” 2100SJ will be one of several articulating and telescopic rough-terrain boom lifts at the show, and the compact Snorkel SR5719 telehandler will also be on display. Xtreme will showcase the XR619-A compact roller boom telehandler as part of its telehandler lineup. High-capacity and ultra-high-capacity telehandlers will also be at CONEXPO as well.

Snorkel and Xtreme will introduce several new machines – Snorkel intends to launch new scissor lifts, articulating boom lifts, and a mast lift, while Xtreme will unveil its newest telehandler.

3. GENCOR INDUSTRIES

At its large outdoor exhibit, Gencor Industries plans to show an array of new optimized asphalt production equipment that improve energy efficiency while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Gencor’s Ultradrum

A.R.E. (Advanced RAP Entry) will be on site, along with the GreenMachine, designed to produce warm mix asphalt using water to lower overall process temperatures for reduced energy use. The SH series of electric thermal fluid heaters will be on display as well. New innovations in control automation, the GenV burner control and new Gen-Konnect dashboard system, will also be part of the Gencor display.

4. HTC DOUBLE COIN

At CONEXPO HTC Double Coin will introduce a

3 4 5 6 brand-new tire for snow applications. The REM2S 20.5R25 E2/L2/G2 tire, a hard surface tire designed for graders and loaders, will be on display along with other tire products for a range of uses and equipment.

5. AUSA

Site dumpers are AUSA’s flagship product, and this CONEXPO they will include a brand-new electric version. The new D151AEG electric dumper is one of several AUSA dumpers that will be on display.

AUSA says its dumpers improve efficiency when moving earth around job sites. Along with the electric dumper, AUSA will show DR601AHG reversible drive dumper, the D350AHG dumper, two rough-terrain forklifts, and the T235H telehandler.

6. BOMAG

Building better roads will need a combination of sustainable machine design, innovation, and advanced technology, according to BOMAG –and that will be on display

1. MACK TRUCKS

Mack has given the Granite vocational truck a makeover and will show off its new look at CONEXPO. Outfitted with a concrete mixer body, the Granite on display will feature new heated LED headlights and a new grille, as well as Command Steer and other features.

Mack will also highlight a TerraPro fitted with a concrete pump. An MD6 4x2 model medium-duty truck (fitted out as a fuel and lube truck) will demonstrate the potential of a lighter unit.

2. WEIR ESCO

Weir ESCO plans to show attachments and technology products. Central to the display will be the new ESCO PosiGrab II hydrau- lic coupler for excavators. Also on display will be an SXDP excavator rock bucket with Ultralok U60 tooth system with adapter wear caps, along with an HD wheel loader bucket fitted with ESCO’s Nemisys N65 tooth system.

The Ultralok construction tooth system, with extensions to the product line, will be on hand, and Weir ESCO will also show its Motion Metrics products that create detailed views of quarry productivity and efficiency.

3. TOPCON POSITIONING SYSTEMS

The growing use of precision measurement technology and workflow solutions in the construction industry is a focus for Topcon. The company will show a variety of its preci- sion tools, demonstrating how it blends precision measurement, software, and data collection to improve productivity. It will display the latest product developments, share some corporate news, and feature in CONEXPO education sessions focused on compact machines, asphalt paving, and more.

4 Trail King Industries

Trail King Industries will show off a hydraulic detachable trailer that is designed for heavy haul in multiple load configurations – just one of its several new construction-related products at CONEXPO this year.

The company says it has been focused on improving its materials hauling products and will display those in the booth. The lineup includes live bottom trailers, steel side dumps, and a lighter bottom dump trailer.

5. MONTABERT

This is the first CONEXPO since Montabert acquired Tramac in 2022, and the companies intend to share plenty of news about their products during the show. Tramac has long distributed Montabert-branded breakers under its name while also manufacturing rock breaker booms; two booms will be on display in the co-branded booth as part of the two companies’ full line of rock breaking and demolition tools. Montabert will also show the SD Compact Breaker for compact carriers and its new line of Silent Demolition Tools.

4 Montabert Tramac Sd Series

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The Astec Industries BX series hydraulic breaker excavator attachments are built for productivity in concrete and rock applications. Used for demolition, construction, or aggregate purposes, these breakers withstand continuous breaking in harsh environments. High flow rates and low operating pressures minimize heat generation and hydraulic shock loading, enabling smooth operation and maximum service life for both the carrier and breaker. A boxed housing keeps the noise levels down, and a hydraulic rock-breaker-mounted manual stroke selector valve optimizes power and speed. Servicing is easier as BX series attachments have fewer parts integrated into the design.

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The Okada TOP Series hydraulic breakers are custom made for easy mounting on a variety of carriers for many applications.

The TOP Series ranges in size from 150 to 17,000 ft.-lbs. There is no need for complete assembly replacements: customized upper mounting brackets and quick-coupler systems are available for all Okada breakers. Included as standard equipment on the TOP 205J and larger breakers is a Y-style accumulator that utilizes a diaphragm design and easy-to-service body. Medium and heavy class TOP breakers are compatible with auto lube systems.

Rated in the 8,000 ft.-lb. impact energy class and suited for carriers ranging from 30 to 45 metric tons, NPK’s GH-15 Hammer is capable of high production rates in concrete as well as medium to hard material. A unique gas-charged piston maximizes hammer efficiency. Its fully sleeved design allows for easy rebuild and extended service life, which makes for better total cost of ownership.

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The new Tramac SD Hydraulic Breaker series, designed and built by Montabert for use on carriers up to 12 tons, are versatile and can accomplish multiple tasks. With fewer wear parts and no tie rods, the SD offers quick, easy maintenance in the field or shop. Bushings, pins, and tools can be replaced in the field without removing the breaker from the carrier. The fully enclosed, soundproof cradle reduces vibrations and limits noise. Lightweight, heavy-duty housing protects working parts and hoses. A unique energy chamber acts as a hydraulic shock absorber, reducing pressure variations in the hydraulic circuits to provide consistent breaking energy.