Power
management company Eaton will supply JCB Inc. with Steering Control Units
(SCUs) with Q-Amp technology for the company’s 430 and 432 type wheel loaders.
Q-Amp will increase machine productivity through better control and operator
comfort, and reduce total manufacturing costs and overall maintenance.
“Eaton
understands the importance of improving controls to help manufacturer’s
maximize wheel loader productivity, safety and operator comfort,” said Jude Li,
global product manager and engineering director, Eaton – Asia Pacific. “By
incorporating Eaton Q-Amp steering solutions, JCB’s wheel loaders offer smooth,
vibration-free steering in a smaller, lighter package.”
According
to a company press release, Eaton steering technology gives operators the
ability to manually steer articulated vehicles, and use Q-Amp technology for
straight driving or making sharp turns. The steering solution provides for both
manual and power steering, helping keep agricultural and industrial vehicles
operating safely and efficiently. By eliminating mounted hose and fittings in
SCUs, integrated valve system design with SCU decreases size of the steering
unit and machine weight, while improving ease of assembly and lowering machine
costs.
To
update JCB’s existing 430 wheel loaders, Eaton’s Application and Commercial
Engineering (ACE) team helped modify wheel loaders to fit the new technology.
Once units were installed, the ACE team helped collect machine information and
calculate data, verifying displacement requirements for both the 430 and 432
wheel loaders.
Eaton
Q-Amp technology has replaced all competitive steering units in JCB’s 430 type
wheel loaders, and is now in regular production for the new 432 type machine.
Source: Eaton / Picture for representation
purpose only, a JCB wheel loader, picture courtesy JCB