I’ve covered fluid power technology since the mid-1990s and one of my biggest complaints about the industry was that it lagged far behind Europe and Asia—at least in collaboration between fluid power manufacturers and technical universities. I was fortunate to travel to conferences in German, Finland and China where I was able to see firsthand how […]
Industry News
Hydraulic controls bring precision and flexibility to force testing
by Rick Meyerhoefer, Delta Computer Systems Dead-weight testing is finally replaced by something decidedly more 21st century. Traditionally, repair facilities test hoists in a pretty straightforward way—they lift heavy loads after the repairs have been completed, to make sure that they operate correctly and to their rated capacities. John Henry Foster Co. (JHF) of St. […]
Six take-aways from ICUEE 2015
The biennial International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE), held in Louisville, Ky., wrapped up October 1st. Here are six quick observations. 1. Positive reviews. Exhibitors and attendees across the board said the show was a successful endeavor. Record-breaking attendance topped 18,000 this year, up 13% from the 2013 gathering, and 950 exhibitors included more […]
CCEFP research aims to improve mobile hydraulic efficiency
Transportation is one of the largest segment users of energy in the U.S., consuming 30 quadrillion (quads) of BTUs a year. Making up this segment are light-duty and beyond-light-duty transportation vehicles. Light duty refers to the cars that Americans drive every day. Beyond-light duty refers to everything else, from mobile machinery to large trucks. Mobile […]
HAWE North America names first service distributor partners
HAWE Hydraulik is a global manufacturer and supplier of hydraulic components and controls for the mobile, industrial, and renewable energy markets. HAWE Hydraulik, North America is proud to announce its first ever service partner distributors. Fluid Concepts Inc. (OH) and Central Hydraulics (PA) have accepted responsibility to market, distribute, install and service HAWE’s full line […]
Milwaukee Cylinder announces safety integrity level (SIL 3) certification
Milwaukee Cylinder announces its new ability to offer the SIL 3 Capable Certification as an option for all non-rotational mounting styles of the company’s popular H and MH series products. SIL 3 Certification is by the third party organization, exida. As a leading authority in the field of functional safety, exida provides qualified customers with […]
We’re fair to middlin’
Muted. Modest. Mild. So-so. These are all words that were used frequently throughout this week’s Industry & Economic Outlook Conference (IEOC), presented by The National Fluid Power Association in Wheeling, Ill. Most economists echoed their thoughts from last year, saying the country, and the fluid power market in particular, is on track to round out […]
Next up: CCEFP’s & NFPA’s Fluid Power Innovation & Research Conference
The Fluid Power Innovation & Research Conference (FPIRC), grown out of a partnership between the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) and the the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power (CCEFP), is becoming one of best places in the world to learn about the latest fluid power R&D. For years, I’ve said that the U.S. needs […]
Linde Hydraulics increases footprint in North America
Linde Hydraulics GmbH & Co. KG (LHY) has announced the next step of their growth and globalization strategy by increasing its footprint in North America. The company’s wholly owned subsidiary Linde Hydraulics Corporation USA (LHC) will start serving the North American market directly. LHC will offer a wide range of capabilities in sales and services, […]
Adaptive suspension system keeps tractors comfortable and flexible
Farmers and other workers often spend hours at a time driving in their tractors, so physical comfort is a priority. Because the front axles of tractors are subject to highly variable loads, the hydropneumatic systems used in suspension systems are adjusted to fixed spring rate characteristics. Now, Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies (Freudenberg-NOK) is testing a new […]