The IFPE show in Las Vegas from March 7-11 will be an ideal place to learn about the latest in hydraulic valves. Here’s a description of how and why you use them in mobile machinery, as well as a listing at bottom of what IFPE booths to stop by for more information on valves. Hydraulic […]
Featured
Our countdown to IFPE begins!
Arguably the most important event on the fluid power calendar is the triennial IFPE show, held in conjunction with CONEXPO/CON-AGG at the Las Vegas Convention Center. These sprawling shows attract well over 100,000 visitors with each iteration, with exhibitors and attendees coming from all over the world. This year’s IFPE will run from March 7-11, 2017. I’ve […]
New radial-piston motor is shorter, more powerful
To address the need among mobile-equipment builders for fluid-power drives that have higher power density, Bosch Rexroth is expanding its range of direct drives with the new MCR-T radial-piston motor in frame size 10. The motors are for use in compact tracked loaders and other tracked vehicles. The newly designed unit is approximately 20% shorter […]
Hydraulics tilts excavator buckets
PowerTilt, a hydraulically powered construction-equipment attachment from Helac Corp., Enumclaw, Wash., lets operators of backhoes and excavators tilt any bucket or attachment side-to-side up to 180°. According to the company, users can increase productivity and versatility by simply tilting the attachment instead of moving the entire machine. It is suited for tasks like cleaning ditches, […]
Is the sun rising or setting on the fluid power industry?
In his recent “state of the union” presentation on fluid-power research, the director of the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power (CCEFP), Professor Kim A. Stelson of the Univ. of Minnesota, posed that exact question regarding the future of the industry. And in answer, he hedged his bet a bit by stating, “I’m really […]
What is pressure compensation?
You’ve been around hydraulics a while, haven’t you? With that in mind, you probably take some things for granted. There is plenty of jargon in our industry, and it isn’t learned overnight. However, if you were like me, the term pressure compensation was difficult to grasp early in your hydraulic career. If you still don’t […]
The top 7 mobile hydraulic stories of the year
Mobile hydraulics is perhaps the most attention getting part of the fluid power industry, and with good reason. This corner of the technology is perhaps the most visible, as mobile machinery helps build our developments, mine our minerals, access our energy reserves, and farm our crops. Say “fluid power” to the average person, and they […]
The state of fluid-power research at CCEFP
The Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power is a network of academic researchers and industry experts advancing hydraulic and pneumatic technology and developing fluid-power systems that are more compact and better-performing than anything currently available. The Center’s director, Professor Kim A. Stelson of the Univ. of Minnesota, recently outlined research activities at the organization, […]
A look at Maradyne’s hydraulic starter systems
I had the opportunity to speak with Ed Zaleski, Project and Field Engineer, PowerQuick, a division of Maradyne, at the recent International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans, and we discussed his company’s alternative starting systems. Zaleski explained that these can be a hydraulic operated system or what is known as a blacklight system, where there’s […]
HYDAC raises the bar in portable hydraulic measurement
Mobile hydraulic measuring equipment requirements correlate with ongoing improvements in machine technology (providing for example, a greater number of functions, shorter production cycles, and higher process precision) and with higher expectations with regards to inspection, testing, fault finding and documentation (such as documentation for final machine acceptance). Furthermore, measurements now need to include events and […]