2012 saw continued improvement in mobile hydraulic systems—with a huge focus on energy efficiency. With the TIER IV final regulations coming on board in 2014, equipment manufacturers have been busy redesigning their hydraulic systems to meet the stringent new requirements—which, of course, include increased overall efficiency. Here is a rundown of some of the more […]
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Ten reasons to hate metric units
Reader Jim Tahler, a Senior Engineer with Rolls-Royce Instrumentation & Controls in Chattanooga—and more importantly, a fellow Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech—was intrigued by my recent opinion piece on the Imperial vs. Metric System. He wasn’t alone, either. At last glance, there were more than 50 comments on the story, making it one of the […]
Manufacturer insight: Continental Hydraulics
In operation since 1962, Continental Hydraulics is a manufacturer of hydraulic pumps, valves and power units used in some of the most hostile environments imaginable—most recently 5000-ft. under the sea, to help the BP oil spill effort in the Gulf of Mexico. The company formerly operated as a division of Continental Machine Inc., whose parent […]
Preparing mobile equipment for 2014’s TIER 4 Final Regulations
In 2014, TIER 4 Final Regulations will be in effect, and diesel systems will be required to operate generating near-zero targeted emission levels. This significant reduction will force many mobile equipment manufacturers to fully redesign their systems. And those redesigns can have a large impact on the function of the machine through the drive and […]
Why we won’t kill the Imperial System
Back in grade school, we were told that the Imperial System was a thing of the past, that eventually we’d be living the Metric System life, with all it’s base-10 logic built right in. We’d be just like the rest of the world. But those predictions have proven about as accurate as the flying cars […]
Safety should be at the forefront of hydraulics
I had a nice chat with Greg Brown of RYCO Hydraulics at MINExpo last month, and it all revolved around safety. Greg was showing me their Crocbite product, an ingenious product for connecting large hoses that are frequently used in longwall mining applications. Instead of the traditional “staples” that connect large hoses, RYCO designed a […]
Obama vs Romney on manufacturing, trade
As a non-partisan service to readers, following are unedited position papers from the Obama and Romney campaign websites on each candidates’ views on manufacturing and trade issues. You may visit the campaign websites yourself at http://www.barackobama.com and http://www.mittromney.com to dig deeper. We welcome any feedback or opinions on this election and what it means to […]
Mobile hydraulic company focusing on U.S. manufacturing
Tennessee-based Bailey International LLC is well-known in the mobile hydraulics market, thanks to their wide variety of products, especially hydraulic cylinders. Over the past couple of years, the company has made capital investments in excess of $1 million to bolster production capacity. A robotic welder added in 2011 enables more consistent output and weld quality […]
Comatrol introduces SV10 solenoid valves
Comatrol introduced three new SV10 Solenoid Valves: SV10-34-14, SV10-24-06 and SV10-24-02. The updated family includes a new float feature on two of the valves
Manufacturer insight: HydraForce
Chicago-area manufacturer HydraForce was founded in 1985 on the principles of offering the highest quality products and what the company calls “unparalleled customer service.” Seeing a gap in the marketplace, founders Jim Brizzolara, Dick Fontecchio, and Ron Reuter sought out advice from industry insiders and took aim at the cartridge valve market with innovative designs.
