By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Counterbalance valves are an ingenious invention used to control runaway loads caused by mass or gravity attempting to push or pull outside of intentional movement. There are many ways to control a load or prevent it from moving, such as flow control valves or pilot-operated check valves. However, a counterbalance […]
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New open-center directional valve group for mobile machinery
Danfoss Power Solutions today announced the launch of its DVG family of hydraulic valves, a new line of open-center directional control valves for mobile machinery. Currently available in North, Central, and South America, the valve group brings a new level of quality and performance as well as rapid and reliable delivery to a competitive market. […]
How CAN makes mobile hydraulic control more reliable and precise
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor In the realm of mobile hydraulics, we must prioritize efficiency, reliability, and precision to remain competitive against other technologies. In many cases, hydraulic advancements come from partnerships with competing technologies, and one of the most important in recent years is Controller Area Network (can) networks. CAN networks revolutionize mobile hydraulics […]
NFPA announces winners of its annual Vehicle Challenge
Once again, the NFPA successfully completed its annual Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge to help university students gain real-world experience solving fluid power problems. The competition combines human-powered vehicles and fluid power — two technology platforms that are not generally associated with one another. Teams design and build their own fluid power vehicles and then compete […]
Why use OHLAs for electric mobile machines?
Hydraulic motors and pumps with outward-extending shafts can be connected to various driven components, such as pulleys and gears. Overhung loads created by these connections can exert significant radial and axial forces on the hydraulic unit’s shaft and bearings. Overhung load adapters (OHLAs) provide support for these shafts, reducing the load on the internal bearings […]
IvT Expo hones in on the future of off-highway machines
The third iteration of the U.S.-based IvT Expo returns August 21 and 22, to The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago. IvT Expo USA continues to grow, as more than 130 exhibitors will display the latest components, materials, systems and technologies in Chicago later this summer. The focus is on next generation off-highway vehicles, […]
Flowcopter’s hydraulic UAV is ready for production
Flowcopter has successfully demonstrated its heavy-lift utility uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV), the FC100, in outdoor flight trials at the UAS Denmark Test Center at Hans Christian Andersen Airport in Odense. The FC100 was born out of the need for robust, heavy payload uncrewed platforms with greater endurance in markets traditionally requiring helicopters, such as search […]
Innovation awards highlight mobile hydraulics
Intermat 2024, the major construction-equipment exhibition taking place this week in France, is hosting around 1,000 manufacturers of mobile machines, tools, accessories, controls and software. One highlight of the show is the Intermat Innovation Awards, which shines the spotlight on exhibitors’ equipment, products and services that contribute to progress in the construction and materials industries. […]
Intermat looks to the future
Intermat, the largest construction equipment show in the western hemisphere this year, opened today at Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition center. Held every three years, the event is being billed as the Sustainable Construction Solutions and Technology exhibition. “Focusing on the unavoidable issue of low carbon for the construction industry, the 2024 edition aims to constitute […]
Fossil-free worksite significantly cuts emissions
At the halfway point of Sweden’s largest fossil-free job site, productivity and emissions-reduction goals have exceeded expectations. The 100-year-old “Slakthusområdet” area of Stockholm city center, also known as the meat-packing district, is being transformed to provide 3,000 new homes as well as retail and office spaces. As a testbed for innovation and emission-free construction equipment, […]