NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
COMPACT EQUIPMENT CABS BOOST PRODUCTIVITY
Multifunctional control and simplified cab designs are improving machine operation. PAGE 24
2020 PRODUCTS
PAGE 30
FLUID POWER SYSTEM
oemoffhighway.com
Intelligent Hydraulic Systems Enhance Machine Connectivity and Performance PAGE 14
exceptional support, Enhanced productivity. You’re only as productive as your equipment. With a world-class support network and available 1,000-hour service intervals, you’ll experience optimal uptime. Our aim is to keep you running at full capacity. Learn More: volvopenta.us
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CONTENTS
VOLUME 38, NO. 7 | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
FEATURES
News Briefs
The new Infantry Squad Vehicle was designed specifically
12 G M Defense Delivers Infantry Squad Vehicle to U.S. Army
for military applications and features 90% commercialoff-the-shelf parts to ensure reliability. Search: 21200322
Fluid Power System
Integration of electronics and software into hydraulics
14 I ntelligent Hydraulic Systems Enhance Machine Connectivity and Performance
systems is creating smarter solutions and aiding the push toward further automation and connectivity. Search: 21200293
Engine System: Alternative Fuels
Advancements in various fuel types are providing
18 Fuel Options Continue to Evolve
more opportunities for emissions reductions and new application uses. Search: 21196931
ON THE COVER
Cover Story: Operator Cab
24 C omfort and Ease of Use are Key Factors for Compact Equipment Cab Designs
As equipment becomes more complex, multifunctional control and more simplified cab designs are improving comfort and machine operation.
Top New Products
The Top New Products list features the most viewed new
30 Top New Products of 2020
products on OEMOffHighway.com in 2020. Search: 21138191
Market Trends
Equipment-as-a-Service can provide OEMs with a
32 H ow Subscription Models Make Businesses More Resilient
Search: 21139250
36
14
sustainable business model to increase resiliency. Search: 21174088
Fuel System: Hydrogen
Hydrogen has emerged as a promising alternative fuel
36 I dentifying Unique Hydrogen Fuel Cell System Demands and How to Meet Them
option but careful consideration must be made in the design and materials selection of critical fuel system components. Search: 21199105
18 4
12 OEM Off-Highway | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
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IN EVERY ISSUE 6
8
Editor’s Note
Despite Challenges, Industry Continues to Innovate
Equipment Market Outlook
New Lockdowns Pose Possible Threat to Market Gains
oemoffhighway.com/economics
40 Events Calendar
oemoffhighway.com/events
41 Advertisers’ Index Off-Highway Heroes
42 The First Scrapers
The scraper was invented as a manuallyassisted self-loading and self-dumping device for increased earthmoving efficiency. Search: 21199478
Online Exclusives www.oemoffhighway.com Efficiency: How Can a Hydraulic Fluid Help?
Operating temperature can impact the efficiency of hydraulic fluids, making it critical to select the right one for a given application.
Published by AC Business Media
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Craig Callewaert, PE Chief Project Manager Volvo Construction Equipment Roy Chidgey Business Segment Head, Minerals Projects and Global Mobile Mining Siemens Large Drives US Andrew Halonen President Mayflower Consulting, LLC
VIDEO: elobau Adaptive Multifunctional Armrest to Improve Operator Comfort and Productivity
Senior Production Manager Cindy Rusch crusch@ACBusinessMedia.com Art Director Dave Haglund Audience Development Manager Angela Franks ADVERTISING SALES 800 5385544 Al Bower ...........................abower@ACBusinessMedia.com Greg Schulz ....................gschulz@ACBusinessMedia.com Nikki Lawson ................nlawson@ACBusinessMedia.com Sean Dunphy ................sdunphy@ACBusinessMedia.com Kris Flitcroft ...................kflitcroft@ACBusinessMedia.com
Doug Meyer Global Director of Construction Engineering John Deere
Change of Address & Subscriptions — PO Box 3605 Northbrook, IL 60065-3605, Phone: (877) 201-3915 Fax: (847)-291-4816 • circ.OEMOff-Highway@omeda.com
Andy Noble Head of Heavy Duty Engines Ricardo
List Rental — Bart Piccirillo, Sr. Account Manager, Infogroup Media Solutions Phone: 402-836-2768 | bart.piccirillo@infogroup.com
Matt Rushing Vice President, Product Line, Global Crop Care AGCO Corp.
Reprints — For reprints and licensing please contact Greg Schulz at 920-542-1239 ............. gschulz@ACBusinessMedia.com
Allen Schaeffer Executive Director Diesel Technology Forum
Alexandra Nolde Senior Communication & Media Specialist Liebherr-Components AG
Search: 21195298
Contributing Writer Thomas Berry
John Madsen Director Engineering & Product Management GKN Wheels & Structures
New Products Ensure Safety in Time of COVID
PRINT AND DIGITAL STAFF Publisher Sean Dunphy sdunphy@ACBusinessMedia.com
Senior Field Editor Curt Bennink cbennink@ACBusinessMedia.com
Steven Nendick Marketing Communications Director Cummins Inc.
Search: 21195415
www.OEMOffHighway.com
Editor Sara Jensen sjensen@ACBusinessMedia.com
Terry Hershberger Director, Sales Product Management, Mobile Hydraulics Bosch Rexroth Corp.
Keith T. Simons President – Controls Products OEM Controls, Inc.
Manufacturers in the heavy equipment industry are developing new products to keep people safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
201 N. Main Street, 5th Fl., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 (800) 538-5544 • www.ACBusinessMedia.com
AC BUSINESS MEDIA Chief Executive Officer........................................Barry Lovette Chief Financial Officer .........................................JoAnn Breuchel Chief Digital Officer ..............................................Kris Heineman Chief Revenue Officer..........................................Amy Schwandt VP Audience Development .............................. Ronda Huges Director of Digital Operations & IT ...............Nick Raether Director of Digital Strategy ...............................Joel Franke Group Content Director......................................Jon Minnick
Bob Straka General Manager, Transportation SBU Southco, Inc.
Published and copyrighted 2020 by AC Business Media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication shall be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. SUBSCRIPTION POLICY: Individual print subscriptions are available without charge in the United States to original equipment manufacturers. Digital subscriptions are available without charge to all geographic locations. Publisher reserves the right to reject nonqualified subscribers. Subscription Prices: U.S. $35 One Year, $70 Two Years; Canada and Mexico $60 One Year, $105 Two Years; all other countries, payable in U.S. funds, drawn on U.S. bank, $85 One Year, $160 Two Years. OEM Off-Highway (USPS 752-770, ISSN 1048-3039 (print); ISSN 2158-7094 (online) is published seven times a year: January/February, March, April/ May, June/July, August/September, October, November/December by AC Business Media, 201 N. Main Street, 5th Fl., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Periodicals Postage paid at Fort Atkinson, WI and additional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: OEM Off-Highway, PO Box 3605 Northbrook, IL 60065-3605. Printed in the U.S.A. Volume 38, No. 7, November/December 2020
Luka Korzeniowski Global Market Segment Leader, Mobile Hydraulics MTS Sensors Chris Williamson, PhD Senior Systems Engineer Global Research & Development Danfoss Power Solutions Company
Search: 21201431
Market Forecast: Fluid Power The NFPA reports the latest shipments data of fluid power products. Search: 20846516
OEM Off-Highway | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
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EDITOR’S NOTE
N
Despite Challenges, Industry Continues to INNOVATE
A
IN THE NEXT ISSUE
s we approach the end of 2020, it’s hard not to reflect on what a unique year it’s been for the world. However, despite the many challenges, our industry continued to innovate and evolve this year to meet the needs of customers. Manufacturers adapted to new ways of doing business, and many OEMs and component suppliers enhanced their R&D efforts to ensure they could continue bringing new technologies to market. On pg. 12 you’ll find our article about the new GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle which was developed—and the first vehicles delivered—in 120 days, demonstrating the ability of the OEM to meet the U.S. Army’s needs in a quick timeframe. Innovation can be seen in all parts of a machine these days as evidenced on pg. 14 in our look at the methods being used by the fluid power industry to create smarter systems through the integration of sensors and software. In addition, on pg. 24 we examine how equipment cab designs are continuing to evolve to enhance the comfort and productivity of machine operators. In this issue you’ll also find the winners of our annual Top New Products award which honors technologies released withPUTILOV_DENIS STOCK.ADOBE.COM in the past year in each of the six main topic categories on which we focus our content. Winners of this year’s award can be found on pg. 30. Much like the industries we cover, OEM Off-Highway also continues to innovate so we can bring you the information you want in a way that is most beneficial. As such, this year we have started a new video interview series called Design & Engineering Insights as well as a weekly podcast series, both of which can be found on our website and cover the latest technologies and trends in the heavy equipment industries. Have a topic you think we should cover in either series? Let us know!
B C M S O
JAN/FEB ISSUE • Design Software Trends • New Drivetrain Components for Electric Vehicles • Sensors to Meet New ANSI Standard • On-Highway Truck & Bus Design Trends
C O editor@oemoffhighway.com @OEMEditor
6
OEM Off-Highway | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
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EQUIPMENT MARKET OUTLOOK
CLIFF STOCK.ADOBE.COM
oemoffhighway.com/economics
NEW LOCKDOWNS POSE POSSIBLE THREAT TO MARKET GAINS
• U.S in t per of-
• The nes pan Pro
0
-3
-6
-9
-12
-15
L
eading Indicators in the U.S. and Europe are showing signs for potential rise in the early half of 2021. However, new shelter-at-home restrictions in parts of Europe and elsewhere could hinder the rising trend.
Construction and agricultural machinery markets continue to be down from 2019, but some positive trends were seen in the third quarter, indicating possible market strength in the coming months. Recovering commodities are helping the markets, though new lockdown measures could pose a downside risk.
• Rec nat ma int
Go to oemoffhighway.com to sign up for our monthly ECONOMIC NEWSLETTER!
U.S. Leading Indicator: • The Leading Indicator rose further in September.
ITR Economics is an independent economic research and consulting firm with 60+ years of experience.
• Rise in the Leading Indicator signals recovery for the U.S. industrial sector during at least the first half of 2021.
QUESTIONS? economics@oemoffhighway.com
8
• U.S du tot 1y
112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 100 99 98 97 96 95 0
111.8%
Actual index (2004=100)
0
106.5%
107.2%
103.5%
-6
102.9%
-7.3
98.8%
-9
96.9%
-12
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep ’20 Editor’s Note: Please note that this chart has been modified on the Y-axis to show the trend more easily.
OEM Off-Highway | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
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-3
105.0%
11/16/20 11:37 AM
-15
Jan ’20
CLIFF – STOCK.ADOBE.COM
U.S. Private Nonresidential New Construction:
U.S. Industrial Production: • U .S. Industrial Production was down 7.4% in the third quarter; this is an increase of 7.2 percentage points from the June 2020 rateof-change low.
• U .S. Private Nonresidential Construction during the 3 months through August totaled $121.7 billion, down 3.3% from the same 3 months 1 year ago.
• T he most recent data suggests that businesses are adjusting to operations under pandemic conditions; further rise in Production is likely in the near term.
• P rofitability challenges due to COVID-19 and increasing remote work will likely hinder demand for new buildings in the coming quarters.
0
6
5.7%
-0.6% -2.0%
-3
5
5.8%
Annual % change in 12 month moving totals
-7.4%
4.8%
8.2%
8.4%
8.6% 7.8%
7.5%
7.7%
7.4%
7.5%
Jul
Aug
3.9%
6 3.0%
3
4
-11.2%
Apr
May
2
1
-12.6%
Mar
Annual % change in 12 month moving totals
2
-12
Feb ’20
10
8
-8.3% Annual % change in 3 month moving totals
-15
• C yclical decline in the U.S. economy commenced prior to COVID-19 but was made worse by the pandemic and related shutdowns. We expect the downturn in U.S. Gross Domestic Product to result in slowing growth in Public Construction in the coming quarters.
5.2%
5.0%
4
-9
• U .S. Total Public Construction during the 12 months through August totaled $347.7 billion, up 7.5% year over year.
5.6%
-6 -7.3%
U.S. Total Public New Construction:
-14.6%
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
0
Jan ’20
Feb
Mar
U.S. Construction Machinery, New Orders: • U.S. Construction Machinery New Orders during the 12 months through August totaled $31.3 billion, down 9.4% from 1 year ago. • Recovering commodities, including oil and natural gas, will help strengthen end-use markets for construction machinery moving into 2021. Annual % change in 12 month moving totals
0
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
0
Jan ’20
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
U.S. Defense Industry, New Orders:
North American Rotary Rig Count: • T he annual average North American Rotary Rig Count declined to 683 in September, down 41.8% year over year.
• U .S. Defense Capital Goods New Orders during the 12 months through August totaled $162.3 billion, up 7.9% from 1 year ago.
• T entative recovery in U.S. Crude Oil Futures Prices signals rise for the Rig Count in the next one to two quarters.
• T he U.S. Defense Communications Equipment New Orders 3MMT in August was 18.0% above the year-ago level. Look for near-term opportunities in this sector.
Annual % change in 12 month moving totals
0
8
Annual % change in 12 month moving totals
7.6%
8.0%
7.9%
Jul
Aug
7 -3
-10
-6
-20
-14.6%
5
-16.3% -19.4%
-9.2%
-12.3%
Jan ’20
Feb
Mar
-9.4%
-10.8%
-11.4%
-12
-15
-9.4%
Apr
1
-37.8%
-40
-41.8%
Jun
Jul
Aug
-50
Feb ’20
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
2.1%
2
-33.3%
-12.5%
May
3.0%
3
-28.6%
-30
4.5%
4
-23.7%
-7.3%
-9
6.0%
6
Aug
Sep
0 -1
-0.1%
Jan ’20
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
OEM Off-Highway | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
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EQUIPMENT MARKET OUTLOOK oemoffhighway.com/economics
Europe Ag & Forestry Machinery Production:
U.S. Farm Machinery Production: • U.S. Farm Machinery and Equipment Supplies Shipments during the 12 months through August were down 6.0% from 1 year ago. • Quarterly U.S. Imports and Exports of Farm Machinery and Equipment ticked up in recent months, boding well for Shipments in the near term.
5
• Europe Agricultural and Forestry Machinery Production during the 12 months through August was down 8.3% from 1 year ago. • The annual Production rate-of-change rose for the third consecutive month. New lockdown restrictions pose a downside risk to this rising trend.
Annual % change in 12 month moving totals
4
-2
2.8%
3 2
-4
1
-3.5% -4.2%
0.1%
0
-4.6%
-6
-1
-6.5%
-2
-8
-3
-3.2%
-4
-6
-9.4%
-10 -10.4%
-5 Jan ’20
Feb
Mar
Apr
-5.3%
-5.9%
May
Jun
-5.7%
Jul
-6.0%
Aug
-12
• The Europe Leading Indicator rose for the fifth consecutive month in September. • The Leading Indicator suggests cyclical rise in Europe Industrial Production will begin in early 2021. However, renewed shelterat-home restrictions in several European countries pose a downside risk.
Annual % change
0
4.8%
Europe Leading Indicator:
-11.2%
Dec '19
Jan ’20
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
-10.8%
Jun
Jul
100 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91 90 89 88 87 86 0
Monthly index
99.4
98.5
98.1 97.1
98.7
97.0
93.3
90.7
Feb ’20
Mar
Apr May
Jun
Jul
Aug Sep
Editor’s Note: Please note that this chart has been modified on the Y-axis to show the trend more easily.
U.S. HeavyDuty Truck Production:
China Diesel Bus Production:
• U.S. Heavy-Duty Truck Production during the 12 months through September was down 36.5% from 1 year ago.
• China Large Diesel Bus Production during the 12 months through August was down 25.0%.
• Leading indicators, such as the U.S. ISM PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) and the U.S. Total Industry Capacity Utilization Rate, suggest that Production will transition to a business cycle rising trend in the first half of 2021.
• The ITR Checking Points™ system signals further decline in Production during at least the near term.
5 0
Annual % change in 12 month moving totals
10
0.7%
7.3%
8.6%
5
-5
-35
10
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
-20
-17.8%
-20 -25
-16.0%
Annual % change in 3 month moving totals
-32.5% -36.5%
-13.9%
-15
-15 -35.4%
-5.9%
-10.9%
-11.4% -30.2%
-4.3%
-10
-25.3%
-30
-5.4%
-7.5%
-10
-25
Mar
0
-5
-5
-16.3%
-20
Feb ’20
• The German chancellor has introduced “lockdown light” to address rising COVID-19 cases. This will likely place downside pressure on Production during at least the near term.
0
-10
-40
• Germany Industrial Production during the 3 months through August was down 10.9%.
3.8% 0.6%
-6.6%
-15
Annual % change
Germany Industrial Production:
-25.0%
Jan ’20
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
-25
Jan ’20
Feb
Mar
Apr
-22.0%
-22.0%
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
OEM Off-Highway | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
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Aug
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NEWS BRIEFS oemoffhighway.com/21200322
GM Defense Delivers Infantry Squad Vehicle to
U.S. ARMY
by Sara Jensen
STEVE FECHT AND GENERAL MOTORS DEFENSE, LLC
G
M Defense LL, which is a subsidiary of General Motors (GM), recently made its first delivery of the company’s Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) to the U.S. Army. The ISV is a light and agile all-terrain troop carrier designed to transport up to nine infantry personnel and their equipment. This is the first major award and delivery for GM Defense since it was re-established in 2017. The vehicles were delivered as part of a $214.3 million contract awarded to GM Defense by the U.S. Army in June. GM Defense will manufacture a total of 649 ISVs as part of the contract, as well as support production of up to 2,065
12
vehicles with additional authorization over 8 years. “One hundred and twenty days from contract award to delivery is a significant milestone, and I am very proud of the team for this accomplishment,” said David Albritton, President of GM Defense, in the press release announcing the delivery of the ISVs. “We’re leveraging General Motors’ engineering prowess and immense manufacturing capabilities to bring transformative solutions to the military vehicle market. Our initial success with the ISV shows our commitment to our customer and highlights our unique right to win in the military mobility market.”
Developing the right design for the mission The ISV is based on the design of GM’s Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 truck architecture. Ninety percent of the components used are proven, commercialoff-the-shelf (COTS) parts which helps ensure their reliability. Weighing 5,000 lbs. (2,268 kg), GM Defense says the ISV was specifically engineered to meet military requirements and provide rapid ground mobility. Doing so ensures the safety of military personnel in the various environments in which they may be operating. GM Defense says the vehicle is light enough to be sling loaded from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and to
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STEVE FECHT AND GENERAL MOTORS DEFENSE, LLC
fit inside a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, making air transport from one destination to another easier for the U.S. Army. A rollover protection system (ROPS) on the ISV further helps to ensure the safety of military troops by keeping them securely in the vehicle should there be a rollover incident. In addition, the use of COTS parts makes it easy to get spare parts if necessary and minimize downtime which is especially critical for military personnel who are often working in dangerous locations. “During Soldier testing, the feedback we received was paramount in delivering a vehicle that met Soldiers’ needs, while maximizing safety and performance and taking their comfort into consideration,” said Mark Dickens, GM Defense Chief Engineer, in the press release announcing delivery of the ISV. “The production ISV we’re delivering today is an evolution from our original prototype design, and it’s certainly a vehicle that is a source of pride for the team.” GM Defense partnered with Ricardo on the development of the ISV. Ricardo lead the Integrated Product Support (IPS) portion of the project which included technical manual development, new equipment training, provisioning, total package fielding, and field service support. The company also collaborated on technical areas such as safety, reliability and cybersecurity. “The ISV will showcase the speed at which the Army can rapidly produce, field, and sustain new equipment by
leveraging a proven commercially available vehicle and the global supply chain infrastructure of General Motors, supported by Ricardo,” said Chet Gryczan, President of Ricardo Defense, in Ricardo’s press release announcing the partnership with GM Defense. “Ultimately, our combined goal is to provide best-in-class product and
sustainability to help ensure our warfighters have confidence with the ISV throughout its lifecycle on and off the battlefield,” said Albritton. According to GM Defense, the ISV will provide the U.S. Army with manufacturing efficiencies, ease of maintenance and a well-established global supply chain. |
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FLUID POWER SYSTEM oemoffhighway.com/21200293
Intelligent Hydraulic Systems Enhance Machine Connectivity and Performance Integration of electronics and software into hydraulics systems is creating smarter solutions and aiding the push toward further automation and connectivity. by Sara Jensen Integration of electronics and software enables improved hydraulic and overall machine performace.
BOSCH REXROTH
The BODAS electronic architecture is comprised of more than just components; it is a complete electronic ecosystem for the electronic control of mobile equipment.
T
hese days, almost every component and system in a piece of heavy equipment is becoming more intelligent through the incorporation of sensors and IoT (the Internet of Things). “The core vision of IoT for mobile machines is about implementing digital technology to capture actionable data about the performance of mobile
14
BODAS Connect provides a modular end-to-end connectivity solution to transfer data from and to the mobile machine. Unbundled and freely selectable services consist of device management, data management and ready-to-use apps for fleet management, vehicle health, remote R&D services and vehicle operation workflows.
machine systems autonomously, do it in real time and deliver it to machine end-users and OEM suppliers so they can maximize the uptime and flexibility of their machines,” says Terry Hershberger, Director, Sales Product Management & eSystems, Bosch Rexroth. In hydraulic systems specifically, there are two major trends driving increased intelligence says Ben Hoxie,
Director of Engineering, Power and Motion Controls at Eaton. The first is distributed intelligence enabled by low-cost computing and sensing which gives rise to all types of new machine functions. He says Eaton refers to this intelligent machine movement as Dynamic Machine Control. The second key driver is “a step change in connectivity through mobile and industrial
OEM Off-Highway | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
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h
The TFX remote monitoring system provides fleet and equipment managers with a comprehensive view into machine location and performance.
EATON
communication protocols that can cost effectively transmit significantly more data than before. This improved connectivity is enabling big data innovations that will yield new insights into how machines operate and the behavior of machine operators,” he says. Automation is also driving the push toward increased intelligence. “Digitalization of the machine, by incorporating robust controllers, sensors/feedback devices and the connectivity unit, provides for additional workflows or other apps that could allow for remote controlled worksites to be managed more safely,” says Hershberger. “A fleet manager could control an area that the vehicle is allowed to operate, and of course provide for diagnostics of the system, however, it is not without challenges.” Overall, creating more intelligent systems helps improve safety, productivity and cost of operation through better machine control, says Hoxie. “One example of how an intelligent hydraulic system has delivered such benefits is our Boom Stability Control solution. By reducing boom oscillation up to 75%, the system delivers both safety and productivity benefits to end users,” he explains. “Another example is autoguidance steering solutions. Eaton’s system combines our GFX GPS receiver, SFX safety-rated controller and SBX advanced steering valve to enable automated and semi-autonomous vehicle steering operation.”
Methods for adding more intelligence There are a variety of ways manufacturers are creating smarter hydraulic systems, including incorporation of more sensors and software. Hershberger says Bosch Rexroth’s BODAS (Bosch Rexroth Digital Application Solutions) portfolio of IoT solutions, software and electronic hardware exemplify the digital enhancements the company is making for off-highway equipment. “Together with Bosch, we also offer the suitable IoT infrastructure and cloud-based analytical apps,” he says. “It combines competence and application experience in the decisive fields of mobile hydraulics and electronics, edge analytics and IoT.” In general, he says the company has enhanced the integration of sensors where necessary in order to provide real-time data on hydraulic performance metrics. Additionally, Bosch Rexroth is engineering its digital technology offerings—including hardware, software, and connectivity and analytical systems—to work together as complete solutions. Hardware options include an open, scalable and freely accessible mobile electronics platform which consists
of control units, connectivity devices, sensors and human machine interface (HMI) components such as joysticks and displays. Bosch Rexroth’s software is modular and includes tools for programming, parameterization and diagnostics, and is based on deep insight into hydrostatic and electrohydraulic functions, says Hershberger. “The fundamental building blocks of IoT are the ‘things’,” says Hoxie. As such, Eaton is developing a suite of intelligent devices such as its CMA valve with deeply integrated sensing and control. Its AxisPro valves feature onboard white space which allows users to build application-specific solutions and thus tailor the valves to the needs of the machine design. “We’re also continuing to build upon our Pro-FX suite of controls and software solutions,” he says. “This library of machine control function blocks enables quick and easy system development and tuning to match machine builders’ needs. Finally, on the connectivity and cloud storage side, our TFX telematics solution enables machine builders and fleet managers to monitor, upgrade and diagnose their machines, all remotely.”
Watch online Watch our full video interview with Eaton to learn more about its Dynamic Machine Control technology at oemoffhighway.com/21132051.
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FLUID POWER SYSTEM oemoffhighway.com/21200293
For its Filter Minder technology, Donaldson Co. Inc. has developed brand new sensing and analytics solutions to enable accurate sensing and monitoring of filter and fluid life. The biggest advancements to date for its air filter monitoring solution have been around enhancing analytics capabilities to help users make better sense of the data that is aggregated says Nate Zambon, Director of Filter Minder at Donaldson. Now the company is focusing its efforts on liquid filter and fluid monitoring, such as for hydraulic filter and hydraulic oil condition monitoring. “Coming up with the intelligence and algorithms [for] fluid condition monitoring is more complex than air filtration monitoring,” says Zambon. Determining end of life for an air filter is a bit simpler because it is basically based off when there is a pressure drop which can be measured by pressure sensors. However, there are a variety of different things that can indicate when oil is at the end of its life or if there are contaminants within it. This requires different combinations of experiments and tests which are needed to validate and characterize oil life cycle, making the development of sensors for doing so more complex, says Zambon. “We’ve really been making a very strong push leveraging Donaldson technology teams, and have some external partnerships that we put in place to support our development of those capabilities within Donaldson, as well as scaling out field testing, because ultimately, in the field is where you prove the viability of the technology,” he says.
EATON
Eaton’s SBX advanced steering valve enables machine designers to tailor steering performance to the operator’s preferences and operating conditions.
challenging for machine builders to acquire. “It is no longer enough to know how to integrate hydraulic components; machine builders need to excel at bringing together mechanical, electrical, electronic and software domains to deliver top performance,” he says. Because of this, Eaton is developing technologies like its Pro-FX portfolio consisting of smart components, controllers and software designed to enable easy integration into machine designs. “By leveraging an open architecture platform, Eaton simplifies the machine control challenge while ensuring the machine builder has the control
Security and other challenges remain According to Hoxie, the expansion of intelligent machines requires skills in systems engineering, mechatronics, embedded controls, software engineering and data science which can be
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DONALDSON CO. INC.
Donaldson’s Filter Minder wirelessly transmits data on filter life to aid with maintenance planning.
and flexibility to differentiate their machines,” he says. Offering a suite of technologies as Eaton and Bosch Rexroth do allows OEMs to get the majority, if not all, necessary components from a single source. This helps ensure components will all work together as needed. It also simplifies and reduces design time. Hershberger notes that as the demand for more intelligence and automation progresses, device reliability and security, as well as machine safety monitoring and software management are challenges which also need to be addressed. “When we start to work in this connected world, no one envisions their machine could be hacked by someone in cyber space, but it is real and your controllers, sensors and connectivity devices need to be protected,” he says. “Imagine in the middle of a software update that the communication link is hacked and the wrong information is loaded on the controller. This could lead to unexpected movement or operation of the machine, or possibly the machine is inoperable and not usable. Additionally, unauthorized connection to the machine that allows for operational parameter changes (POTA) could also cause unexpected operation.” To help overcome these challenges, Hershberger says it is necessary to incorporate hardware security modules into controllers or certify components to certain performance levels. In addition, there must be cloud security and IT infrastructure in place, as well as methodologies to “push” software updates to machines when they are in a safe state. “It is not only the management and transmission of data, it is how that connectivity device and the background infrastructure is put together in what we call device management that is critical,” he says. Machine connectivity and the vast
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”
amount of data that can be collected and transmitted also poses challenges. “Intelligent, useful, big data is expensive and may be cumbersome to manage but ever so important when we talk intelligence,” explains Hershberger. “Therefore, a continuing challenge is one of data compression and filtering out and sending the relevant actionable data.” He says this is key with the connectivity device, and an area Bosch and Bosch Rexroth are working to overcome through the use of Edge Analytics. He adds that the end-user of a machine may be driving the adoption of connectivity and data, but may not be focused on the associated challenges, so it is up to the OEM and solution supplier to be prepared to provide a reliable, robust and state-of-the-art system.
A Pandora’s box of opportunity Hoxie says the recent acceleration of IoT and connectivity is the next step in the ongoing journey towards ever-smarter machines. “Starting from the first electrohydraulic machines decades ago, the industry has been on a continuous journey of ever-more capable machines,” he says. “Over the last decade, we have seen driver-augmented and semi-autonomous agriculture, construction and material handling machines move into the mainstream. Even now, our industry is on the verge of fully autonomous mobile machines.” As such, he says Eaton is ready to help OEMs and their customers embrace the opportunity for continued progress. Hershberger says the ability to connect to machines remotely opens a
Head to the Web Listen to our podcast interview with Nate Zambon, Director of Filter Minder at Donaldson, to learn more about the Filter Minder technology at oemoffhighway.com/21195329.
“Pandora’s box of opportunity.” This can be seen through fleet management functionalities such as geo-locating and viewing operational data or diagnostics. “With sensors, machine monitoring controller data or critical machine information, the ability to inform the owner of the machine about when a filter needs to be replaced or an indication of a problem on the machine is at their fingertips.” And as technologies continue to advance, so will the intelligence and capabilities built into components and systems. “Instances of upgrades to a machine with flash over the air (FOTA) or changing parameters on the machine to enhance operation for the environment the machine is working in will be commonplace. “The connected machine will become more and more normal,” he concludes. |
Head to the Web Learn more about some of the technologies mentioned in this article at oemoffhighway.com. Eaton TFX Remote Monitoring System Search: 21085840 Donaldson Filter Minder Wireless Engine Air Filter Monitoring System Search: 21068974 Rexroth BODAS RC 40 Controllers Search: 21103515 Eaton SBX Advanced Steering Valve Search: 21138371 White Paper: Boom Stability Control - A Dynamic Machine Control Solution Search: 21020497
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ENGINE SYSTEM: ALTERNATIVE FUELS oemoffhighway.com/21196931
Fuel Options Continue to
PSI’s 8.8-L ultra-low NOx propane engine recently received certification from the EPA and CARB (learn more, 21200370).
EVOLVE
Advancements in various fuel types are providing more opportunities for emissions reductions and new application uses. by Sara Jensen POWER SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL
I
nterest in alternative and renewable fuel options continues to increase in the heavy equipment industries as manufacturers and end users look to decrease their environmental footprint. “For years, petroleum-based fuels have been the industry standard, primarily due to the lack of acceptable, cost-effective and reliable alternatives,” says Michael Lefebvre, Manager, Global Marketing Support at John Deere Power Systems (JDPS). “However, with growing interest in sustainable energy, alternative
BOSCH
fuels are becoming more widely adopted and readily available.” While some fuels, like hydrogen, are still in the testing phases, others such as renewable diesel and propane have been used in various capacities for several years and are seeing increased use and application capabilities. The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), for instance, announced at The Work Truck Show 2020 the development of a Class 8 truck engine capable of running on propane. Propane is often thought of as a fuel for use in lawn mowers or other small equipment. But PERC and manufacturers in the heavy equipment space have been working to increase the applications in which this fuel can be used.
According to Bosch, renewable synthetic fuels can be produced in unlimited quantities unlike biofuels or electricity-based fuels whose supplies can be limited.
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Investigating all options Most agree that no one technology or fuel source will be the solution. As such, engine manufacturers and
OEMs are investigating a wide array of options—including hydrogen, propane and natural gas. Cummins Inc., for instance, has announced further partnerships and investments in hydrogen technology in recent months. It also received two U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awards in August to develop hydrogen fuel cell powertrains. This work is in addition to its development of electric-powered solutions, as well as natural gas and diesel engines. During CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020, DEUTZ highlighted its various power solutions which included diesel-, gas-, hybrid-, electric-, and hydrogen-based technologies. “From internal combustion engines running on various fuels to hybrids and electric drives, we see ourselves as a development partner and systems integrator,” said Michael Wellenzohn, member of the DEUTZ Board of Management with responsibility for sales, service and marketing in a press release about the company’s presence at the show (read more, 21111055). Alternative fuels play an important
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used without the need for expensive and time-consuming modifications. “Firstly, gas-based technologies are well developed and are used in millions of applications. Secondly, there is an extensive and high-capacity infrastructure of existing natural gas networks and storage facilities available, with which fluctuations in the supply of renewable energies can be compensated for, large amounts of energy stored and energy consumption peaks loads absorbed,” says Riegger. “Vehicles powered with gas from renewables, as a supplement to e-mobility, can make a major contribution to the energy transition.”
Synthetic fuels offer possibilities
says there are many benefits available including their ability to be used in today’s infrastructure and engines, as also pointed out by Rolls-Royce. And by making the fuels from renewable sources, they are a more climate-neutral option than some other fuel types. Synthetic fuels can also be used in various applications, including heavy-duty vehicles and equipment. Lefebvre says synthetic fuels could The level of change required to adapt a diesel engine platform to a ClearFlame-enabled engine is similar to those done today for propane or natural gas engines.
CLEARFLAME ENGINE TECHNOLOGIES
role in the wider context of Rolls-Royce Power Systems’ initiatives and its PS2030 – Pioneering Solutions corporate strategy. “The overarching goal of the strategy is to provide answers to the increasing challenges posed by climate change and the rapidly growing societal demands for energy and mobility by pushing decarbonized solutions,” explains Peter Riegger, Vice President Power Lab at RollsRoyce Power Systems. The PS2030 strategy is composed of three main pillars: • strengthening and expanding the core business and expanding Power Systems’ market position; • evolving into a complete solutions provider; • expanding life-cycle services. “The transformation from an engine manufacturer into a provider of integrated solutions has a strong focus on climate-neutral and sustainable solutions which is to be achieved by integrating different renewable energy sources: On the path to net zero emissions, Power Systems is open to all kinds of technologies,” says Riegger. This includes the development of hybrid and full-electric solutions, as well as research into fuel cells and synthetic fuels developed using a Power-to-X process which aims to create fuels from renewable sources (read more, 21082818). The company is currently involved with projects investigating the potential of hydrogen and methane produced from renewables to generate synthetic fuel. Riegger says methane from powerto-gas processes offer numerous benefits compared with other Power-to-X options because the production processes are less complex and deliver significantly higher levels of efficiency, which has a positive impact on production costs. A further benefit is the trouble-free, successive replacement of fossil-based natural gas by compressed or liquid methane from renewable energy sources. This enables existing gas networks and applications to still be
Sometimes referred to as gaseous fuel, synthetic fuel is made from syngas—a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen—created by the gasification of solid feedstocks such as biomass, coal or reformed natural gas. According to Riegger, synthetic fuels are a decisive factor in the energy transition and the use of renewable energies. “Power-to-X fuels may not only replace fossil fuels, they can also be easily stored and transported,” he explains. “With such fuels, we will be able to provide propulsion and power generation on a CO2 neutral basis. These fuels are also an essential element in the urgently needed sector coupling—the close interconnecting of the individual parts of the energy system, such as electricity and mobility, for example, in addition to heating and cooling. We will be electrifying the entire system for propulsion and energy purposes, including the fuel, by producing it with renewable energies in a climate neutral manner.” Bosch also believes synthetic fuels made from renewable sources will be a part of the future fuel mix for mobile applications (read more, 21088254). It JCB
x y om n
JCB’s 220X excavator is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and has been undergoing rigorous testing at the company’s quarry proving grounds (learn more, 21138025).
be an option for use in John Deere equipment as long they meet current fuel standards such as ASTM D975, EN 590 or EN15940. While it is already possible to make synthetic fuels, there is work yet needed to make them a more viable option for the market. As Bosch points out, making the fuel is still a costly process. It says these fuels will become more affordable
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ENGINE SYSTEM: ALTERNATIVE FUELS oemoffhighway.com/21196931 SCANIA AB
serving that same combustion style and process is what allows us to keep the torque and power that the industry has come to rely on from their diesel engines,” she says. Adjustments are A Scania V8 engine running on renewable diesel is being used in its power also made to generation configuration for a test program in Australia, which allows the air fuel assessment of exhaust emissions, performance and response, fuel efficiency, cost and engine lifetime (learn more, 21059837). ratio which enables the use of a simplified aftertreatment. when production capacities are expand“We can use three-way catalysis to ed and the cost of electricity generated handle the NOx emissions instead of from renewable sources comes down. the SCR systems that are used today,” says Blumreiter. “That allows not only Making use of existing drastically lower emissions but also engine technology lower costs to meet next-generation ClearFlame Engine Technologies is emissions standards.” currently developing technology ClearFlame will work with both which can be adapted to existing engine manufacturers and OEMs to diesel engine platforms to enable integrate the technology. Johnson says the use of decarbonized fuels such as the hardware changes needed are fairethanol or small-molecule synthetic ly simple, making it easy to integrate. fuels like methanol. It allows engines He says the level of change required to still operate the diesel engine cycle to adapt a diesel engine platform to a and preserve all the performance and ClearFlame-enabled engine is similar fuel economy benefits of that engine to those done today for propane or cycle, explains Dr. BJ Johnson, CEO natural gas engines. “You’re keeping and Co-founder, ClearFlame Engine 80-90% of the engine parts the same, Technologies. “You can keep the the engine block doesn’t change,” he performance without the emissions says. Using liquid fuels simplifies the challenges, or the long-term fuel cost changes that are needed to adapt the and carbon concerns associated with overall vehicle, as well. petroleum diesel fuel.” Dr. Julie Blumreiter, CTO and The company recently received a Co-Founder of ClearFlame Engine Phase II grant from the DOE’s Small BusiTechnologies, says a few modifications ness Innovation Research are made to the base diesel engine (SBIR) program architecture which adjust the thermal which will help management to create a high-temsupport further perature environment. This allows the research and clean burning fuels being utilized to development ignite as if they were diesel fuel in the efforts (read same mixing controlled manner. “Premore, 21172662). FP
T
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Diesel still has its place Although the amount of fuel options is increasing, “diesel still has a long life ahead,” says Lefebvre. “Even with the growing electrification market, diesel (and diesel engines) will still have a significant role to play,” he continues. “The demands of the off-highway market will continue to remain the same—which requires the energy density that comes from diesel and is not currently available from most alternative fuels.” He says the role of diesel use will likely evolve once smaller applications can meet the same performance requirements with alternative systems. “However, diesel will likely continue to be the main energy source in heavy-duty applications.” Biodiesel and renewable diesel offer customers the ability to still take advantage of the power benefits of diesel while also enabling opportunities to reduce emissions. Lefebvre says among the variety of alternative fuel options currently available, JDPS considers biodiesel and renewable diesel to be the alternative fuels which can be integrated into heavy equipment. “Currently, we believe biodiesel and renewable diesel fuel to be the most viable alternatives to diesel fuel for heavy-duty off-highway engines.” The biggest advantages of biodiesel and renewable diesel is their renewability, says Lefebvre, as they are made from materials such The Natural Gas configuration of the Cursor X concept can provide many of the same benefits as a traditional natural gas engine.
In
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st
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Johnson says ClearFlame is currently demonstrating the technology on a Cummins X15 engine and the DOE grant will help advance that demonstration work and move the technology more toward a final product (read more, 21198076). 21198076
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as plants and cooking oils. He notes that pure biodiesel (B100) is nontoxic, biodegradable and suitable for use in sensitive environments. Use of biodiesel and renewable diesel can also result in improved lubricity, zero aromatics and minimal sulfur. Lefebvre says biodiesel also has a favorable energy balance—the difference between the energy produced by 1 kg of fuel and the energy necessary to produce it—of 3.2 to 1. “This means a gallon of biodiesel provides users with 3.2 times the energy it takes to produce it, which is a higher ratio than most alternative fuels,” he explains. Lefebvre also notes that renewable diesel is a hydrocarbon fuel like petroleum diesel, so it can offer many of the same benefits. However, its advantage over petroleum diesel is that it has lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a well-to-wheels basis. “John Deere recognizes the importance of biofuels to
its customers and to the environment,” he says. “It’s the right thing to do from a long-term economic standpoint, as well as environmental, energy-security and rural-development standpoints.” Riegger says that in the near future, diesel and gas engines may no longer be the sole source of drive and power energy, but they will still play an important role as part of advanced systems technology. “The energy density of batteries is still no match to that of diesel fuel. It is thus unrealistic that the combustion engine will become obsolete in many applications at short notice,” Riegger says. “But as we’ve seen, that doesn’t
mean the combustion engine cannot become decarbonized: synthetic fuels made from captured CO2 with the use of electricity from renewable sources may play a salient role in that regard. “With environmental and climate friendly synthetic Power-to-X fuels, the combustion engine may have a brighter and longer lasting future than many currently expect. We see climate change and the ensuing trend towards decarbonization as [an opportunity] for our MTU technology and continue to offer customers the best solutions in terms of low emissions, fuel consumption, performance and resilience.” |
Head to the Web Listen to our podcast interview with the ClearFlame team to learn more about their technology at oemoffhighway.com/21196148.
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Your Electrification Partner For the electrification of construction equipment or mobile machinery, think Curtis. With over 60 years of electric vehicle expertise and a global record of innovation and product excellence, we are ready to partner with you in every stage of electrification with hybrid diesel-electric and fully electric solutions. Curtis will support your engineering team at every step in the product development, from initial prototype design through to production release. Our inverters/motor speed controllers and electric control systems set the standard for electric power at 48V and beyond. Highly reliable Curtis components are available in a range of models suitable for every type of application. Our sophisticated electric drive systems are packed with cutting edge features and functions that make vehicle design simple. We will work with you as needed, whether it is to assist with the design and development of electric traction systems, On-Engine Generator Control or to assist with the design of the complete control system for all mobile application types, including complex electro-hydraulic control systems. Curtis has partnered with leading manufacturers of batteries and electric motors to help OEMs design new electric powered dumpers, mini excavators and wheeled loaders. All benefit from proven Curtis 48V technology and the robust, reliable and sustained performance that was previously assumed to be confined to diesel engines.
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COVER STORY: OPERATOR CAB oemoffhighway.com/21139250
WACKER NEUSON
A more simplified cab design helps to ease operation and improve visibility.
COMFORT AND EASE OF USE ARE KEY FACTORS
for Compact Equipment Cab Designs As equipment becomes more complex, multifunctional control and more simplified cab designs are improving comfort and machine operation. by Curt Bennink and Sara Jensen
T
o experienced equipment operators, compact machines may drum up images of cramped operator environments, minimal comfort features and rudimentary controls. However, manufacturers have been rapidly evolving the operator environment to maximize every inch of available space, while providing features found in much larger machines, such as climate control, pressurized cabs and sophisticated touchpad controls. Compact equipment in particular offers very little space for designers to utilize. “As we design cabs for our compact machines, it’s vital that we utilize every inch of space for maximum
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operator comfort and configure operator controls in a way that maximizes functionality in an ergonomic way,” says John Dotto, Wacker Neuson Product Application and Training Specialist. “Wacker Neuson employs engineers with specialties in ergonomic design and it leads us to do things like maximize floor space in our skid steers and compact track loaders (CTL) in order to keep an operator’s feet and legs in an optimal position throughout the work day. Operator comfort has a direct impact on productivity, and the more we utilize the basic principles of ergonomics specific to the type of equipment we build, the greater productivity we can provide our customers.”
As costs have come down for certain HMI products, they are now finding their way into compact equipment. The new generation of equipment operators is also driving operator cab and human machine interface (HMI) designs. Many of them have grown up with video games and smart phones, so they are used to operating multifunctional devices and having everything available at their fingertips. “They are looking for the bells and whistles, the comfort, the ability to be able to easily operate a vehicle,” explains Peter D’Addario, VP of Sales at Carling Technologies. “And they do that based on the types of products they’ve grown up with. So that’s a very important con-
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The CA camer machin
APEM WACKER NEUSON
Joysticks are becoming more prominent in heavy equipment cabs to improve comfort and productivity for operators.
sideration when designing equipment.” He says keeping these factors in mind helps to keep the new generation of operators’ attention, enabling them to be more productive, while also helping with employee retention. Comfort is key to operator retention. “Many operators seek the same comfort features they enjoy in their automobile,” says Sarah Peckskamp, Marketing Manager – Loaders, Bobcat. “When we designed the R-Series loaders, we kept this in mind by offering a roomy, sealed and pressurized cab environment with an air-ride seat, heating and cooling options, and eye-level push button controls.” Other automotive-style features include standard keyless start and LED lighting. As manufacturers update their compact machines, the operator environment has become a major point of focus. CASE recently introduced a new lineup of skid steers and CTLs that feature many changes to the operator environment. “These new CASE B Series loaders feature a completely redesigned operator interface, including new left- and right-hand posts with simple ignition, push-button operation, easy throttle control and intuitive switches for all core machine functions,” says George MacIntyre, Product Manager for Compact Equipment, CASE Construction Equipment. Operator-focused designs place an emphasis on ergonomics. “CASE features one of the widest CTL cabs in the
industry, providing excellent space for more comfort and operator positioning,” says MacIntyre. “Joysticks on electrohydraulic models have been designed with a narrower, more comfortable grip, closer switch layout and a smaller head size for easier operation. The electrohydraulic pods on each joystick have also been made smaller to give the operator more legroom inside the machine.”
“This decade will probably be the most disruptive in history when it comes to vehicle architectures,” says D’Addario. This change is being driven by several factors, he says, most notably autonomous driving, connected vehicles, electrification of powertrains and shared mobility, or ACES. Construction equipment—and heavy equipment in general—is also getting smarter. Digitization and connectivity are driving development efforts for OEMs because of the ACES trends in the industry, says D’Addario, which is making its way into compact equipment as well as larger machines. The overall goal with changing vehicle architectures is to provide continuous improvement in uptime, productivity and efficiency. HMI devices are becoming more complex, says D’Addario. There are multiple functions being built into single devices and he says in some cases,
operators are gaining the ability to use them without looking at the device but instead keep their eyes on the task in front of them. Joysticks, keypads and multifunction displays are among the products enabling this which themselves are being enabled by the changing architectures of heavy equipment. “They’re eliminating point-to-point harnessing,” he explains. “If you reduce the points of contact, you’re reducing weight, the amount of wire and connections, and you’re improving the quality and reducing the number of potential failure points. “This is introducing a multiplex network, either CAN, LIN or other device,” he adds. With this multiplex network, it is now easier to connect the vehicle to the internet or the cloud which enables diagnostics capabilities for predictive maintenance. It also enables the introduction of systems like GPS and rearview cameras. Mark Petersen, Global Product Manager for Joysticks at APEM, says the use of joysticks is becoming more prominent in heavy equipment cabs. This is being driven by an increased emphasis on operator efficiency, comfort and safety. “The cab is almost being designed around the joystick,” he says. “As vehicles become more complex, the joysticks are integrating more and more functions to accommodate the
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EAO
Joysticks with various machine controls integrated into them provide an ergonomic option for cab designs.
The EAO Series 09 keypads are ruggedly designed for use in a variety of harsh operating environments.
The CASE B Series display includes a backup camera visible in a split screen along with machine data.
Evolving vehicle architectures
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COVER STORY: OPERATOR CAB
When Bobcat designed the R-Series loaders it offered a sealed and pressurized cab environment with an airride seat, heating and cooling options, and eye-level push-button controls.
oemoffhighway.com/21139250
compact machines are becoming easier to upgrade, as well. In many cases, increasing the performance of a machine or adding additional features may be possible with a simple software update. Software engineers continue to produce updates for existing machines, which means owners should
BOBCAT
complexity of the vehicles.” Improved ergonomics are also playing a large part in joystick designs to help promote prolonged use. “We’re also seeing an increase in demand for electronic joysticks that can provide haptic feedback to the user,” he says. The move toward software-driven features versus hardware means that
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SWITCH PANELS
check that they have access to the most current updates. “Wacker Neuson engineers are continuously looking for enhancement and improvement opportunities, which include software updates to machine controls and incab displays,” says Dotto. “Technicians should verify that the latest software is installed when a machine is going through its periodic maintenance to ensure that the machine is running at peak performance. Having the latest software updates allows operators to fine tune settings to suit their preference, level of experience and expectations from the machine.”
More control at an operator’s fingertips There is limited space in an equipment cab and operators need to stay focused on their work. Operators essentially need functionality in their hands, says D’Addario. They want access at their fingertips for the machine functions they need to do most frequently. “So, what we’re doing is applying multiple functions in one device,” he explains. “Before you used to see a single row of rocker switches or row of push button switches all throughout the cab. All these functions are now being combined into a single device, or one or two devices.” This puts everything at an operator’s fingertips and eliminates the need
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BOBCAT
The VM-Series Multiplexed Operator Control Module helps reduce complexity and cost of traditional wire harnesses.
to search for a button. The operator “knows where that function is and can access it without having to look. It’s much more ergonomic having everything combined in one or two devices,” says D’Addario. As such, he says Carling is continually developing HMI products which can be customized for or in conjunction with an OEM to achieve the goal of placing as many controls as possible at an operator’s fingertips. Listen to our podcast interview with D’Addario to learn more at oemoffhighway.com/ 21197216. Multifunction displays have become more commonplace in equipment as a means of providing functionality in a centralized location and simplifying machine customization. The displays and touchpad controls allow operators to tailor machine operations to match the application and operator preferences. Wacker Neuson provides a wide range of adjustment options on its loaders. “Adjustments that can be made from inside the cab include speed and sensitivity settings to the drive (propulsion), steering and work group (arms and bucket) controls,” says Dotto. “Profile settings can be saved for a specific operator when using a unique log-in code for machines equipped with our 5.7-in. (14.5 cm) color display.” The CASE B Series multifunction display allows operators to make and act on decisions right from the operator seat. “The new display puts all essential information right at the operator’s fingertips—from basic operational information such as engine hours and fluid levels to ‘trip meters’ and utilization data that provide fleet managers and operators greater insight into machine performance,” says MacIntyre. “Electrohydraulic models provide the additional simplicity of switching between ISO and H operating patterns with the simple push of a button.” Being able to adjust machine control settings from inside the cab can bolster operator confidence. “Operators can set total machine responsiveness
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COVER STORY: OPERATOR CAB oemoffhighway.com/21139250
WACKER NEUSON
needed allows operators to switch from one application or job site to another more easily. People want to get away from single use machines, says Pannone, which is driving design trends for equipment cabs. The company’s new Series 09 CAN Keypad and Rotary Cursor is an example of one such configurable component. It is CAN based (J1939 or CANopen) which allows the operator or the equipment manufacturer to easily configure the operator inputs of the keypad. Typically, it would be more cumbersome to do so, requiring more customized items, says Pannone. Since it is CAN based, there can be a lot of inputs and outputs, and there can be more feedback for the operator—such as illumination behind a button when it has correctly engaged a machine task. Though he notes it is important to not overdo the feedback otherwise it might become distracting. When designing a cab, Pannone says it is important to understand the environment and application in which a piece of equipment will be used, as well as the user. “It’s always a balance between function and intuitiveness,” he says because it is never certain what the skill level may be of the equipment operator.
Operator comfort is a priority Floor space in Wacker Neuson’s compact equipment has been maximized to keep an operator’s feet and legs in an optimal position throughout the work day.
to low, moderate or aggressive, or independently set tilt, lift and drive speed, as well as loader arm and drive control to best meet the demands of the job,” says MacIntyre. “A creep speed feature allows the operator to set machine speed at a consistent/slow ‘creep’ while independently setting attachment speed via the throttle for optimal use of high-capacity hydraulic attachments.” According to John Pannone, VP Sales, HMI Systems/Key Customer Management, North America at EAO, manufacturers’ desire to ensure the flexibility of their machines is driving
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the use of multifunction displays and components in operator cabs. This flexibility can be seen in the creation of control panel screens which are configurable, as well as increasing use of displays to provide information to operators. With the increased use of displays, Pannone says devices for cursor control—or navigation on the display screens—are also becoming more common in equipment cabs. All of this is being driven by the fact OEMs want to make their equipment easier to use in various types of applications and environments. Using display screens which can be configured as
Improving comfort is a big area of focus for manufacturers when developing a piece of heavy equipment. In some cases, this means the addition of an enclosed cab on a piece of compact equipment. Better quality seats, infotainment and HVAC systems are also being added. The ultimate goal, says D’Addario, is improving efficiency and uptime, and reducing operator fatigue which helps improve productivity, as well. “To optimize comfort, Wacker Neuson relies on direct customer feedback and input when we design operator stations,” says Dotto. “One of the outputs of this direct feedback loop is seen in the way we design our air conditioning systems. On our newest mini-excavators, the design
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of the air conditioning system was an engineering priority with a focus on maximum cold air output in most hot and humid environments. The same is true for all new product development, with a specific focus on cold air with maximum airflow.” HVAC controls have replicated the simplicity of automotive controls. “In addition to traditional climate controls on many of our machines, some newer models offer automotive-style climate control where the operator can set a desired cab temperature,” says Dotto. “The system then works to automatically maintain that temperature.” Designing better cab pressurization systems has also been a priority. Manufacturers are striving to increase the long-term integrity of these systems. “Wacker Neuson skid steer and compact track loader cabs are designed to maintain the best possible air seal over the lifetime of the loader by utilizing a single pod design,” says Dotto. “Essentially, the entire cab is a modular unit that tips for service, floor and all. Cab designs that tip an upper structure only while the cab floor remains integrated in the frame require a seal that can wear out over time, leading to a loss of pressurization that allows dust and pollutants into the operator space. Our ‘pod’-style design eliminates the need for such a seal.” Bobcat R-Series loaders have a new one-piece, sealed and pressurized cab design. “It provides a near-seamless interior for a new level of operator comfort and improved service access,” says Peckskamp. “The roomier design offers a sealed and pressurized environment that repels dust and dirt in the cab, isolates the operator from engine and hydraulic noise, and enhances the efficiency of heating and air conditioning. When it’s time for maintenance or repairs, the entire R-Series cab rotates out of the way to provide improved access, with hardware on the cab exterior for easy removal.” In many cases, operators spend hours in the cab of a compact machine
and it literally becomes their office. “Operators have an expectation of comfort and convenience in the cabs of their machines,” says Dotto. “The cab is essentially a mobile office, so features such as Bluetooth radios and plugs for charging cables are important. It’s also important to have room for storage, a place to secure a phone
and good-sized cup holders. It might sound simple, but sometimes it’s the little things like this that make a big difference to an operator working a long day in a machine.” This article was adapted from one which originally appeared on our sister site at forconstructionpros. com/21136410. |
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TOP NEW PRODUCTS oemoffhighway.com/21138191
TOP NEW PRODUCTS OF 2020
E
2020
very year, OEM Off-Highway compiles a list of the Top New Products in each of the six main categories on our website—Engines, Drivetrains, Fluid Power, Electrical & Electronics, Operator Cab and Engineering & Manufacturing. Winners are those products which have the most page views on our site over the past 12 months. Through this list our audience is better able to get a sense of the top trends in the industry, and possibly even inspire their own future designs. Visit oemoffhighway.com/21138191 to read more about the winning products in each of the categories, as well as see which products were runners up for this year’s award.
PRODUCTS
OPERATOR CAB Head-Up-Display System MTA is introducing a head-up-display (HUD) system with two different projection modes. • Features laser projectors, a multicolor one with Microlens Array screen and an ultraviolet one with luminescent screen • Images coming from the two projectors are focused on the windscreen, offering a wide viewing area to provide greater freedom of movement to the operator oemoffhighway.com/21102428
ENGINES 18.0L Engine Building on the 13.6L engine design, John Deere has introduced a new 18.0L engine. • Maximum power over 650 kW (870 hp) • Designed with flexibility, serviceability and durability in mind • Equipped with John Deere engine controls • High-pressure common-rail fuel system oemoffhighway.com/21121440
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DRIVETRAINS Airless Tire for Off-Road Equipment Galileo Wheel Ltd. introduces an airless tire for agricultural, forestry and construction machinery. • For equipment which currently uses solid rubber tires, rubber tracks and other solutions • Offers advantages of both solid rubber and pneumatic tires but functions completely without air • Can be used as an airless tire at all times • Immune to damage and maintenance free • Features many advantages of Galileo’s CupWheel technology, including longer contact patch, increased traction, better lateral stability, self-cleaning capabilities and improved driving comfort oemoffhighway.com/21097109
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were
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logy, r driving
ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING In-Vehicle Prototyping and Data Logging System dSPACE introduces the AUTERA product family, which will provide developers and test drivers with a complete product portfolio that supports the development of functions for automated driving. • Provides high computation power, high bandwidth, and abundant storage • Typical areas of application are the recording of vast volumes of data during test drives, for development or homologation, as well as the replay of recorded data in the laboratory, or prototyping of sensor fusion or perception algorithms • AUTERA Data Storage Unit provides multiple terabytes of storage space in combination with high-volume AUTERA solid-state disk and large storage bandwidth of up to 50 Gbit/s • Can be equipped with hardware accelerators, such as GPUs and FPGAs, to handle computation-intensive tasks such as the development, validation, and optimization of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms • Hardware accelerators can also be used during data logging of a test drive to perform intelligent data filtering and preprocessing to save time for data evaluation and implicitly increase storage capacity for data logging system oemoffhighway.com/21097314
ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS 3D Flash LIDAR
FLUID POWER Motor with Integrated Parking Brake Power management company Eaton announces the Delta series motor is now available with a spring-applied pressure release parking brake. • Designed without cables, increasing reliability over competitive cabled brake options • Patent-pending design • Features Geroler technology which provides dependable load holding and smooth operation • Suited for propel machines under 50 hp (37.3 kW), including turf mowers, stump grinders, aircraft tugs, trenchers and mini skid steer loaders • Compact to give machine designers more flexibility without sacrificing efficiency oemoffhighway.com/21106804
Continental has developed an advanced automotive grade solid-state LIDAR, the HFL110 3D Flash LIDAR. • Enhances Continental’s existing ADAS sensor suite or radar and 2D color sensors for automated driving • Creates precision 3D profile of vehicle’s surroundings • Delivers detailed and accurate 3D profile in 330 nanoseconds per frame, regardless of time of day or weather conditions • For use at close range (50 m/164.04 ft. or less) • Immune to vibration or speed distortion • Generates high-resolution 3D point cloud 25 times per second within its 120 degree field of view • Multiple precise distance measurements capture 4,096 contiguous pixels of depth data in real-time across the field of view, enabling and assisting with challenging maneuvers safely oemoffhighway.com/21103773
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MARKET TRENDS oemoffhighway.com/21174088
How Subscription Models Make Businesses More Resilient
RELAYR
Equipment-as-a-Service can provide OEMs with a sustainable business model to increase resiliency.
contributed by Guneet Bedi, Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Business Development, relayr
C
ovid-19 has been a wake-up call for OEMs to enhance their resiliency against unanticipated threats and disruptions. According to an executive report by relayr commissioned with the research firm forsa on the manufacturing industry’s mood, the majority (60%) of industrial companies report being affected by the crisis, and they’re looking for ways to adapt. While the pandemic is an extreme example, there are various ways of dealing with unforeseen crises or fluctuations that will help your business remain stable—or even grow—during times of change or uncertainty. Currently, many of the executives relayr surveyed are taking measures to reduce costs, whether internally or for their customers, ensuring their customer structures are balanced, and looking for opportunities to change business models. The latter is what we’ll focus on today: changing business models. More specifically, on subscription models or equipment-as-a-service (EaaS).
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What you should know about EaaS In the simplest of terms, EaaS allows you to offer machinery on a pay-peruse basis. It’s taking a business model pioneered by software companies and applying it to heavy-duty industrial machinery. In doing so, your finances become stable and predictable, and your operations become more efficient. In the OEM space, equipment is often costly, yet the price only represents a fraction of the total cost of ownership. The bulk of the cost then comes from support, repairs, maintenance, and value-added services. In fact, more than 75% of the cost of machinery comes from the cost of operations and maintenance of the asset. From an OEM perspective, that means you’re not participating in the most significant percentage of ownership cost. This is especially true if you haven’t invested in advanced technology, like the industrial internet of things (IIoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and predictive analytics, which give you the ability to connect machines and remotely diagnose issues.
On the flip side, your customers are paying a lot of money upfront. And they’re only likely to reach back out to you if something fails or there’s downtime—which is not a scenario conducive to relationship building. Instead, EaaS bridges that gap. The sum of the whole is better for everyone, making EaaS a win/win business model for OEMs and customers alike. As seen in the chart on pg. 33 from Bain & Company, EaaS models help reduce the total cost of ownership for customers, while almost doubling the revenue for OEM businesses. This arrangement also allows more touchpoints with your customers throughout the lifecycle, as opposed to only when things break down.
How subscription models provide a higher level of resiliency The graph from Zuora’s latest Subscription Economy Index™ on pg. 34 shows how resilient companies are those with recurring revenue streams. These subscription-based companies grew their revenues around five times faster than S&P 500 company revenues and U.S.
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BAIN & COMPANY
retail sales during the same period. Why are subscription-based companies so resilient? It’s by design. EaaS allows you to mitigate risks with subscription pricing, recurring revenues, and flexible contracts. Since traditional ownership methods involve
customers buying equipment outright as capital expenditures, it can be 10+ years before they need to purchase another machine. Alternatively, by offering the machinery on a per-use basis, you’ll know precisely the revenue you can expect
during the contract period. For your customers, purchasing usage as an operating expense also comes with beneficial tax implications. EaaS opens up new markets and revenue streams previously unavailable. And by having the ability to
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MARKET TRENDS oemoffhighway.com/21174088
ZUORA
predict revenue, you can better adapt to customer needs by offering more value-added services, aligning your interests, and building genuine partnerships. Take Indiana-based Flanders, for example. The company offers electric motor repair, power systems engineering, custom motor manufacturing, systems integration, and deploys advanced technologies for automation
and autonomous control. However, feedback from customers began showing a similar thread: they didn’t want to be forced into a box. Flanders’ customers wanted to have custom solutions and some flexibility in their contracts to fit their operations. This feedback prompted Flanders to explore digital solutions that could enable a shift toward a predictive service model that reduces downtime and makes maintenance more predictable, giving customers the flexibility they desire while ensuring business outcomes are delivered. For Flanders, this type of business transformation makes revenue more predictable than a traditional break-fix model. Instead of waiting for a machine to break down and a customer to request service—an unpredictable event at best without the right digital tools in place—Flanders can offer
predictive maintenance as a value-add to its pay-per-use model. By predicting machine failures, Flanders can perform maintenance proactively at a scheduled time that eliminates unwanted downtime and increases operational efficiency, a win/ win for both Flanders and its customers.
Overcoming common challenges Over the years of helping customers like Flanders, I’ve come across several common hurdles many face with their business transformations, including: • Waiting until the moment feels right. Industry 4.0 and servitization aren’t new terms in the industry. However, for many OEMs, the value and ROI need to be immediately apparent before they’ll take the leap. Delaying will hold your company back, and you might find compet-
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itors are quicker to shift and take your customers along with them. What to do instead: It’s critical that all stakeholders in your business, from IT to operations and sales, are educated in EaaS and how Industry 4.0 plays a role. Finding the right third-party vendor will help this process, ensuring you’re aligned and on the right path. • Only focusing on the end goal. Let’s say you’re planning a cross-country road trip. You’re not going to focus on the engine specs of the car you’re taking. You’ll be thinking more about how comfortable the ride will be and different landmarks you can visit. This is where many companies go wrong when planning for an EaaS business transformation. If you’re too focused on the big audacious goal, you’re likely to lose steam before making it there. What to do instead: I encourage you to think of your transformation like that road trip. What are your stops? What are the milestones and journey points you can celebrate along the way? Breaking your main desired business outcome into smaller goals makes the process more digestible and will keep your momentum going. • Putting the technology first. It’s easy to innovate for the sake of innovation. Focusing too much on the technology or innovation side of a business transformation without context or vision is a sure-fire way to waste time and resources. What to do instead: Incorporating EaaS opens up opportunities for innovation and disruption, but remember to always approach it with the concept of the commercial and business vision in mind.
As the heavy equipment industries currently grapple with an extreme example of the unpredictable, now’s the time to consider creating sustainable and service-based business models to increase resiliency. |
About the Author Guneet Bedi is the Senior Vice President Of Global Sales, Business Development at relayr, overseeing the company’s sales, business development and revenue generation efforts. relayr supplies enterprise middleware and IoT solutions for industrial organizations.
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Is EaaS right for your business? Unforeseeable situations and fluctuations are inevitable in business. However, the degree to which they impact your organization depends on the stability of your revenue flow and the depth of your customer relationships.
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FUEL SYSTEMS: HYDROGEN
©CHESKY – STOCK.ADOBE.COM
oemoffhighway.com/21199105
Selecting the right components and materials for hydrogen fuel systems is integral to ensuring performance.
Identifying Unique Hydrogen Fuel Cell System Demands and How to Meet Them Hydrogen has emerged as a promising alternative fuel option but careful consideration must be made in the design and materials selection of critical fuel system components. contributed by Chuck Hayes, Principle Engineer, Swagelock Co.
I
n recent years, hydrogen has emerged as one of the most attractive alternative fuel options for OEMs seeking to dramatically cut emissions from their engines. This is for good reason—hydrogen is a true zero-emissions fuel, emitting only air and water while generating the significant horsepower and torque required in a variety of heavy-duty applications. The technology is evolving rapidly, as governments and industry leaders continue to address some of the barriers to widespread adoption and provide
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support for OEMs to develop reliable infrastructure and high-performing fuel cell systems. Hydrogen as a fuel source comes with some special considerations that must be made in relation to material selection and specification of critical system components. The systems (see Figure 1) are responsible for on-vehicle hydrogen storage and for converting hydrogen and oxygen to electricity, typically involving a variety of valves, fittings, and tubing. Here, these components must deliver uncompro-
mising, leak-free performance—vehicle and driver safety depend on it. Likewise, the refueling infrastructure that will be necessary for wider adoption must be able to reliably contain and transfer large volumes of hydrogen from storage tanks to the vehicles needing to refuel. The fluid systems involved in performing these tasks are highly important, and they should not be overlooked by OEMs during the design phase of hydrogen vehicles or refueling stations. This article will explore a
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Figure 1: Material selection and specification of critical system components which store hydrogen on the vehicle must be taken into careful consideration to meet application needs.
few challenges inherent to hydrogen fuel systems in vehicle applications and how to overcome them by selecting high-performing componentry.
Hydrogen embrittlement and material concerns Corrosion is a problem that can plague any metallic system on an on-road vehicle, and it is often exacerbated by a variety of driving and operational considerations. A city bus operating in a snowy North American climate, for example, may have to contend with roads treated by salt or other form of de-icer, which can be harsh on equipment. Hydrogen containment under conditions like these can be especially challenging due to a phenomenon known as hydrogen embrittlement. Because hydrogen molecules are very small, they have the tendency to diffuse into metals, causing them to become brittle. This issue affects traditional 316 stainless steel, which is often used for valves, fittings, and tubing deployed in hydrogen vehicle architecture. This can become a significant problem impacting system performance. The dissolved hydrogen atoms can cause changes in the mechanical properties and behavior of the metal, including reducing its ductility, impact strength, fracture toughness, and resistance to fatigue (see Figure 2). In effect, hydrogen embrittlement may cause lesser grades of stainless steel to act similarly to cast iron—highly brittle and more susceptible to corrosion and cracking. Subjected to sufficient static or cyclic tensile stress, the embrittled stainless steel is at a greater risk of failure. Considering this issue, a hydrogen system that has been designed and constructed with higher-grade stainless steels that are more resistant to embrittlement can be more reliable over the long term. What differentiates a higher performing stainless steel? For example, 316/316L stainless steels that include nickel content between 14 and 30% will show relatively little embrittle-
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FUEL SYSTEMS: HYDROGEN
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Higher pressures for hydrogen storage
The pressure at which the gas is stored is another unique consideration for hydrogen transportation. As the technology has advanced, pressures have risen—the higher the pressure, the further the vehicle’s range. Many modern fuel cell vehicles store hydrogen at either 350 or 700 bar (5,000 or 10,200 psi), which is typically dictatFigure 2: Hydrogen embrittlement may cause lesser grades of ed by the needs of the stainless steel to act similarly to cast iron—highly brittle and more application. Vehicles that susceptible to corrosion and cracking. make up a short-range fleet, for instance, commonly have 350 ment. These higher percentages help bar storage. The range, and therefore promote greater ductility and corthe storage pressure, can be lower here rosion resistance. Conversely, ferritic because the vehicles will return to a alloys with lower nickel contents can centralized hub for refueling each night. become significantly embrittled when A long-haul trucking application, by hydrogen atoms diffuse into these contrast, will need 700 bar storage to materials. And while ASTM Internationobtain the ranges operators are seeking, al requires a minimum of 10% nickel typically greater than 400 mi. (643.7 km). in 316 stainless steel formulations, such formulations with a minimum of High pressures require high perfor12% nickel can be better suited for the mance, and traditional components unique operational challenges inherare not typically applicable. Stringent ent to hydrogen interaction. regulatory standards must often be
met for hydrogen fuel service. The (EC) No 79/2009 EU H2 Regulation in Europe, for example, must be met by any component that is intended to handle compressed hydrogen with a nominal working pressure above 30 bar (435 psi). This includes the 350-bar systems and the higher-pressure 700-bar systems that are becoming more prevalent to meet evolving market demands. For these reasons, it is important that OEMs seek out and specify tubing and tube fittings that meet (EC) No 79 certification for Europe, and HGV3.1 certification for North America.
Operational vibration In addition to their ability to handle high pressures, fittings and connections in hydrogen vehicle applications must be able to withstand constant and repetitive vibration while maintaining their leak tightness. Consider, for example, traditional cone and thread tube and tube fittings that are commonly used in a variety of industrial applications. Ongoing vibration can cause cone and thread fittings to loosen over time, especially since cone and thread connections are made manually. The quality of tube preparation and the finished connection can vary widely depending on the
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SWAGELOCK COMPANY
oemoffhighway.com/21199105
SWAGELOCK COMPANY
RELIABLE POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULES
Figure 3: Two-ferrule fitting systems can create a twin mechanical grip on system tubing, effectively reducing the likelihood of fittings backing off, even when subjected to continuous operational vibration.
from Littelfuse
skill and experience level of the installer. Hydrogen gas is not forgiving of these kinds of imperfections—tiny hydrogen molecules once again can cause potential issues if operational vibrations have caused even the slightest opening in a connection, allowing hydrogen gas to escape through even a miniscule space. Two-ferrule fitting systems can make for a better selection here. A double ferrule design (see Figure 3) can create a twin mechanical grip on system tubing, effectively reducing the likelihood of fittings backing off, even when subjected to continuous operational vibration. This style of tube fitting is additionally less prone to manual installation errors. A new style of two-ferrule fittings that are specifically designed for hydrogen are made by threading a preassembled cartridge (including a nut, two ferrules, and a plastic arbor) onto the fitting body. The tubing is then inserted and marked to establish alignment, and one full turn is applied to complete the connection. After checking with a gap inspection gauge, the fitting is complete and ready for use.
Littelfuse has the right power distribution module for every OEM market. • Available in a variety of circuit sizes and adaptable configurations • Designed to limit long runs of wire and to centralize accessory units • Rugged and sealed for use in high moisture/dirt environments
Making the right selections for hydrogen fuel systems In summary, hydrogen fuel systems have unique demands that must be met by each of the components that contribute to reliable, safe operation. Materials must combat hydrogen embrittlement and be able to withstand corrosion; they must be able to contain compressed hydrogen gas at increasingly high pressures to attain higher mileage ranges; and they must be able to withstand continuous operational vibration and maintain leak-tightness at all times. In addition to ensuring the specification of high-performance components that can meet these demands, designers and manufacturers should look to work with component suppliers with considerable, wide-ranging experience in the hydrogen space. Materials science knowledge, along with experience helping OEMs build reliable systems in a variety of gaseous applications, can be a major advantage for organizations seeking to seize new opportunities in the growing hydrogen transportation market. |
About the Author Chuck Hayes is Principal Engineer for Swagelok Company. He has been with Swagelok for nearly 30 years, and has extensive experience spearheading new product technology and development to help customers in a variety of industries.
OEM Off-Highway | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
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In Stock and Ready to Ship! Call 800-328-2724 or visit www.waytekwire.com/littelfuse
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CALENDAR oemoffhighway.com/events
EIMA INTERNATIONAL BolognaFiere Feb. 3-7, 2021 | Bologna, Italy www.eima.it
ASABE AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE Virtual Event Feb. 8-10, 2021 www.asabe.org/aetc2021
WORLD AG EXPO Virtual Event Feb. 9-11, 2021 www.worldagexpo.com
NATIONAL FARM MACHINERY SHOW Kentucky Exposition Center Feb. 10-13, 2021 | Louisville, KY farmmachineryshow.org
NFPA ANNUAL CONFERENCE Virtual Event Feb. 24-26, 2021 nfpaevents.com
www.enmco.com
Virtual Event March 2021 commodityclassic.com
NFPA/FPIC REGIONAL CONFERENCE Location TBD March 4, 2021 www.msoe.edu
MIDAMERICA TRUCKING SHOW Kentucky Exposition Center March 25-27, 2021 | Louisville, KY www.truckingshow.com
HANNOVER MESSE Hannover Exhibition Grounds April 12-16, 2021 | Hannover, Germany www.hannovermesse.de
NATIONAL HEAVY EQUIPMENT SHOW
GREAT LAKES LOGGING & HEAVY EQUIPMENT EXPO
Las Vegas Convention Center April 26-29, 2021 | Las Vegas, NV www.wasteexpo.com
ACT EXPO
ENM’s Series T39 LCD 6-DIGITS hour meter and up counter instrument is ideal for any application that requires recording both time measurement and event count for maintenance schedule. The two displays meter can operate independently or in parallel.This compact tamper-proof meter is protected from the environment to provide years of service.
MADE IN THE USA
Long Beach Convention Center May 3-6, 2021 | Long Beach, CA www.actexpo.com
NFPA/FPIC REGIONAL CONFERENCE Location TBD June 3, 2021 www.msoe.edu
WORLD OF CONCRETE Las Vegas Convention Center June 7-10, 2021 | Las Vegas, NV www.worldofconcrete.com
TIRE TECHNOLOGY EXPO
E-MAIL:
NFPA/FPIC REGIONAL CONFERENCE Location TBD Sept. 2, 2021 www.msoe.edu
DeVos Place Convention Center Sept. 7-10, 2021 | Grand Rapids, MI www.sae.org/attend/nvh
INTERMAT
UP State Fairgrounds Sept. 9-11, 2021 | Escanaba, MI www.gltpa.org/gltpa/Expo.asp
MINEXPO INTERNATIONAL Las Vegas Convention Center Sept. 13-15, 2021 | Las Vegas, NV www.minexpo.com
THE BATTERY SHOW Suburban Collection Showplace Sept. 14-16, 2021 | Novi, MI www.thebatteryshow.com
ELECTRIC & HYBRID VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY EXPO Suburban Collection Showplace Sept. 14-16, 2021 | Novi, MI www.evtechexpo.com
BICES China New International Exhibition Center Sept. 14-17, 2021 | Beijing, China www.e-bices.org
COMVEC Location TBD Sept. 14-16, 2021 | Rosemont, IL sae.org
Deutsche Messe June 8-10, 2021 | Hannover, Germany www.tiretechnology-expo.com
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FARM PROGRESS SHOW Farm Progress Show Grounds Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 2021 | Decatur, IL www.farmprogressshow.com
Location TBD April 13-15, 2021 | Detroit, MI www.sae.org/attend/wcx
WASTEEXPO
HOURMETER COUNTER T39
HILLHEAD
SAE NOISE AND VIBRATION CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
International Center April 15-16, 2021 | Mississauga, Canada www.nhes.ca
G S n
Hillhead Quarry June 22-24, 2021 | Buxton, United Kingdom www.hillhead.com
WCX WORLD CONGRESS EXPERIENCE
Parc des Expositions Paris-Nord Villepinte April 19-24, 2021 | Paris, France paris-en.intermatconstruction.com
ELECTRONICS LCD HOUR METER/COUNTER COMBO
BUSWORLD NORTH AMERICA Baltimore Convention Center June 19-21, 2021 | Baltimore, MD busworldnorthamerica.org
DAVE HAGLUND
2021
COMMODITY CLASSIC, AN AEM COLLABORATION
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AD INDEX
NORTH AMERICAN COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SHOW Georgia World Congress Center Sept. 28-30, 2021 | Atlanta, GA nacvshow.com
THE UTILITY EXPO
DAVE HAGLUND
Kentucky Exposition Center Sept. 28-30, 2021 | Louisville, KY www.theutilityexpo.com
GIE+EXPO
2022
Advertiser........................Page # Briggs & Stratton............................................................................... 44 Changsha International Construction Equipment Exhibition.............. 3
GREEN TRUCK SUMMIT
Cummins Engine Company Inc...........................................................11
Indiana Convention Center Mar. 3, 2022 | Indianapolis, IN www.ntea.com
Curtis Instruments, Inc................................................................. 22-23
THE WORK TRUCK SHOW
The Gorman-Rupp Company............................................................. 37
Indiana Convention Center Mar. 3-6, 2022 | Indianapolis, IN www.ntea.com
Isuzu Motors America........................................................................ 38
ENM Company................................................................................... 40 FPT Industrial.................................................................................... 34
Kawasaki Precision Machinery (U.S.A.), Inc....................................... 35 Master Bond Inc..................................................................................41
BAUMA
MP Filtri USA, Inc............................................................................... 27
New Munich Trade Fair Center April 4-10, 2022 | Munich, Germany www.bauma.de
NAF Axles........................................................................................... 21
SIMA
SPAL USA............................................................................................ 29
Parc des Expositions Paris-Nord Villepinte November 6-10, 2022 | Paris, France simaonline.com/
TLX Technologies............................................................................... 33
Ram Industries Inc..............................................................................17 SIKO Products Inc................................................................................13
Volvo Penta of the Americas................................................................ 2 Waytek.............................................................................................. 39
Kentucky Exposition Center Oct. 20-22, 2021 | Louisville, KY gie-expo.com
AGRITECHNICA
SUPER TOUGHENED EPOXY
Hannover Exhibition Grounds Nov. 14-20, 2021 | Hannover, Germany www.agritechnica.com
RESISTS High Temperatures & Chemicals
Two Part Epoxy Supreme 62-1
Global Health Impact Editor’s note: Due to the global health crisis, many events in 2021, particularly in the early half of the year, have already been postponed, canceled or gone virtual. Every attempt has been made to provide the most up to date information on those events listed; information is current as of the time of printing this issue. Be sure to montior our events page and individual events’ websites for updates. You can also read more about event changes at oemoffhighway. com/21123406 where we are tracking updates to industry events as they are announced.
Protection from many aggressive chemicals Acids, bases and many solvents
Service temperature range -60°F to +450°F [-51°C to +232°C]
Good flow properties Mixed viscosity, 75°F 15,000-25,000 cps
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OEM Off-Highway | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
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OFF-HIGHWAY HEROES oemoffhighway.com/21199478
The First SCRAPERS The scraper was invented as a manually-assisted self-loading and self-dumping device for increased earthmoving efficiency. by Thomas Berry, Archivist, Historical Construction Equipment Association
AMERICAN FARMER (BALTIMORE), VOL VI NO. 1, MARCH 6, 1824
Etching of a mouldebart, the earliest known scraper.
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SIDNEY STEEL SCRAPER CATALOG NO. 45, CA. 1940, HCEA ARCHIVES
I
n 1951, railroad contractor James L. Allhands (1879-1978) published Tools of the Earthmover Yesterday and Today Preserved in Pictures, likely the first major book written with the intent of educating the general public about construction machinery. One section of this groundbreaking, as it were, work discusses the origins of scrapers, and over the next three issues we’ll see a summary of his material. The scraper was invented as a manually-assisted self-loading and self-dumping device for increased earthmoving efficiency by eliminating shoveling. Allhands traces the scraper’s origin to the stone boat, a stock-drawn sled for transporting rocks dating back to very early Egypt circa 3000 B.C. and used as late as the 1910s. At some point it was surely tried on logs or rollers for friction reduction, then evolved into a cart by adding a wheeled axle. The earliest scraper known to Allhands was the mouldebaert (also rendered as “mollebart” and “mollebaert”), a Flemish horse-drawn agricultural implement resembling a large shovel. The March 26, 1824, issue of American Farmer (Baltimore) explains its operation. The operator manipulated the handle to load it, pressed down to keep the iron cutting edge
This Vulcan, one of at least five series offered by Sidney Steel Scraper Company, is a typical slip or drag scraper. Design differences among series included bowl strength and the design and mounting of the bail and handles.
clear of the ground for transport, and then dumped the load by releasing the handle, causing the cutting edge to dig in and flip the device over. The handle would end up on the double singletrees by which two horses or mules were hitched to it, and the operator would haul it back to loading position with the attached rope. American Farmer cited an advantage it had over shovels and wheeled carts—it left no ruts to impede the animals. Allhands’ next step in scraper evolution was the drag, or slip, scraper. He also nicknamed it a pig, for its resemblance to a rooting hog. He described this machine as “a sort of glorified stone boat with side-boards” that “extended into a pair of handles at the rear.” He calls it, along with the wagon and cart, “man’s
first practical mule- or horse-powered tool,” and dates its first use in the United States to the Erie Canal in 1825. The first major improvement on scraper design Allhands cites was developed in 1831 by Dudley Marvin of Canandaigua, NY. Marvin raised the scraper’s sides for added capacity, and added iron or steel teeth to the cutting edge and front ends of the sides. This reduced the need for plowing ahead of the scraper, which increased productivity by giving the animals pulling it a better footing. Hybrid designs with iron bottoms and sides and wood backs followed, and Allhands cites the circa 1880 design of S. F. Welch, plant superintendent of Western Wheeled Scraper Company, as the first all-steel scraper. |
The Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the construction, dredging and surface mining equipment industries. With over 3,800 members in over a dozen countries, activities include publication of a quarterly educational magazine, Equipment Echoes, from which this article is adapted; operation of National Construction Equipment Museum and archives in Bowling Green, OH; and hosting an annual working exhibition of restored construction equipment. The 2020 show has been postponed to August 27-29, 2021, in Concordia, KS (learn more, 10598970). Annual individual memberships are $35.00 US within the USA and Canada, and $55.00 US elsewhere. HCEA seeks to develop relationships in the equipment manufacturing industry, and offers a college scholarship for engineering and construction management students. Information is available at www.hcea.net, by calling 419-352-5616 or e-mailing info@hcea.net. Please reference Dept. OEM.
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