Customers always demand more performance out of their backhoe-loaders, particularly on the back end. “In North America, the backhoe end of the machine is used about 70% of the time the machine is operating, so it’s always been an area of focus for our product teams,” says Kevin Hershberger, BHL marketing, Caterpillar.
Several criteria define backhoe performance. “Consider performance specs such as digging depth, forward reach and lift height for truck loading, lift capacity and breakout forces,” says George MacIntyre, global product marketing manager, Case Construction Equipment. “Other important characteristics include machine stability while roading, boom height for transport/working in confined spaces, overall machine dimensions and visibility.”
Other considerations include how much trench you can dig without repositioning the machine, and whether you can see past the boom in the trench or as it’s swinging up and over the side of a truck. “The biggest complaint from the field is the size of the boom, as operators have to look past them into the trench or over them when loading a truck,” says Jim Blower, JCB. The JCB boom is narrow in width and depth to address this issue.
Then there is the issue of strength vs. weight. “The boom has to be able to withstand all of the digging and lifting forces while being as light as possible to get the best performance,” says Blower.
“Strength is a very important attribute when designing the boom,” agrees Jamie Wright, product manager, Terex Construction Americas. “Terex uses an 8mm-thick steel tubular design with its booms, which adds considerable strength and durability to the product. Forged steel at each pivot point reduces wear on pins and bushings.”
A box-style boom design, such as found on Volvo backhoe-loaders, can combine both rigidity and light weight. “The boom is basically a box section with a forging on the bottom and the same forging on the top. It is enclosed,” explains Marcello Bargellini, backhoe product specialist, Volvo Construction Equipment.
Keeping hydraulic lines safe is another priority on any good backhoe design. For instance, many manufacturers route hydraulic lines inside the boom so they are protected, and pay special attention to areas where plumbing has to be exposed. “To the extent that is possible, we always try to use tubes (vs. hoses) for longer life,” says Bargellini.
“Neat routing of hydraulic hoses increases visibility and reduces hose damage,” says Wright. “Visibility to both the loader and backhoe is important for overall efficient operation. A well-dimensioned boom and boom placement give the operator an excellent view into the trench at any position.”
Visibility was one of the focal points in development of Case’s N Series backhoes. “Engineering put great emphasis on making sure that any modifications to the boom design to improve performance would not interfere with the operator’s line of sight to the backhoe’s work area,” says MacIntyre. “Case engineering mapped the line-of-site visibility with new boom design concepts to better understand the impact to visibility with any potential changes to the boom design.”
2011年12月20日星期二
2011年11月1日星期二
Newark flight makes emergency landing in Poland
A Boeing 767 on a flight from Newark, New Jersey, made a dramatic emergency landing at Warsaw, Poland's Frederic Chopin International airport Tuesday after problems with its landing gear, an airport spokeswoman said.
All the passengers on the flight, from Newark Liberty International Airport to Warsaw, are safe and uninjured, she told CNN. Newark Liberty serves the greater New York area.
The LOT Polish Airlines flight, which had been due to land at 1:35 p.m. local time, circled above the airport for an hour before coming down in a belly landing at 2:40, she said.
"After noticing a central hydraulic system failure the standard procedure for emergency landings at Warsaw airport were implemented," LOT said in a statement, saying emergency crews were in place on the ground to assist.
Video footage from the scene showed the plane coming in to land without its wheels down and skidding along the tarmac to a halt. Emergency vehicles raced toward the aircraft and appeared to hose it down as passengers disembarked.
There were 231 people aboard the flight, 220 of them passengers and 11 crew, the airline said.
The passengers "stayed calm" during the emergency landing, and after reaching the terminal were cared for by support staff and psychologists, the airline said.
They are being allowed to go home after a medical examination and a brief police interview, it added.
Other travelers face significant disruption.
The airport will remain closed until at least 8 a.m. local time Wednesday because the damaged aircraft is blocking the runways, an airport spokesman told reporters.
LOT said all its flights scheduled to leave later Tuesday have been canceled. Incoming flights have been redirected to other airports in Poland, it said, and passengers will be brought from there to Warsaw.
The airport is Poland's busiest, handling almost half its air passenger traffic with about 100 scheduled flights a day, the airport's website says.
LOT, the Polish flag carrier and one of the world's oldest airlines, is currently offering special deals on flights from the New York area to Warsaw.
In 2010, it carried more than 4.5 million passengers, nearly three-quarters of whom were on international flights, its website says. The airline said it aims to offer quality of service and value for money.
All the passengers on the flight, from Newark Liberty International Airport to Warsaw, are safe and uninjured, she told CNN. Newark Liberty serves the greater New York area.
The LOT Polish Airlines flight, which had been due to land at 1:35 p.m. local time, circled above the airport for an hour before coming down in a belly landing at 2:40, she said.
"After noticing a central hydraulic system failure the standard procedure for emergency landings at Warsaw airport were implemented," LOT said in a statement, saying emergency crews were in place on the ground to assist.
Video footage from the scene showed the plane coming in to land without its wheels down and skidding along the tarmac to a halt. Emergency vehicles raced toward the aircraft and appeared to hose it down as passengers disembarked.
There were 231 people aboard the flight, 220 of them passengers and 11 crew, the airline said.
The passengers "stayed calm" during the emergency landing, and after reaching the terminal were cared for by support staff and psychologists, the airline said.
They are being allowed to go home after a medical examination and a brief police interview, it added.
Other travelers face significant disruption.
The airport will remain closed until at least 8 a.m. local time Wednesday because the damaged aircraft is blocking the runways, an airport spokesman told reporters.
LOT said all its flights scheduled to leave later Tuesday have been canceled. Incoming flights have been redirected to other airports in Poland, it said, and passengers will be brought from there to Warsaw.
The airport is Poland's busiest, handling almost half its air passenger traffic with about 100 scheduled flights a day, the airport's website says.
LOT, the Polish flag carrier and one of the world's oldest airlines, is currently offering special deals on flights from the New York area to Warsaw.
In 2010, it carried more than 4.5 million passengers, nearly three-quarters of whom were on international flights, its website says. The airline said it aims to offer quality of service and value for money.
2011年9月15日星期四
Compressed Gas Equals a Bomb
Construction work often requires the use of tools powered by compressors. Both pneumatic tools and hydraulic machines use compressors as their source of energy.
By definition, a compressor is a mechanical device that is used to increase the pressure of a gas/liquid by reducing its volume in order to concentrate it under high pressure.
Compressors work in a similar way to pumps as they both increase the pressure on a fluid and both can transport the fluid through a high pressure pipe.
Compressors can also be used to transmit pressure from one point to another through oil fluids in high pressure pipes.
At construction sites, compressors are used to provide power for many of the tools and utilities used by workers, such as jack hammers, pneumatic hammers and some types of rock drills.
Air compressors and gas compressors are the most common type used in construction sites. Their use is accompanied by certain risks to workers. The major risks presented by compressors are:
Explosion of compressed fluids from weak high pressure pipes, which can cause burns, blindness and deafness to those in the vicinity.
Hose whip effect that results when a hose pipe is disconnected while still containing fluid under high pressure. This can hit a worker, damage equipment and even kill.
Fire from ignited fuel tanks that may result from the overheating of the compressor engine.
Debris flying at high speed when the compressor is used in cleaning works can cause grievous injuries.
Emissions of large amounts of dust during cleaning can cause breathing-related complications
The individual power tools each present their own kind of hazards, complicating the control measures that need to be put in place when operating a compressor.
Compressed air is a very dynamic and powerful source of energy. Most site compressors have the capacity to deliver enough pressure to send debris flying at speeds capable of penetrating human skin.
A simple activity such as cleaning oneself using a jet of compressed air can cause permanent injury and death. It is possible for compressed air to burst an eardrum, blow out an eyeball or penetrate the skin, injecting air into the bloodstream. Pointing compressed air at anyone for any reason can be extremely dangerous as the high pressure jet can cause blindness and even burst eardrums when applied directly.
Never adjust blow off or control valves without referring to the operation manuals as improper adjustments can cause air explosions from the safety valve, startling and even injuring experienced operators.
To control the risks associated with the operation of compressors and pneumatic power tools, the following measures should be put in place:
Read the operator's manual and be sure you understand it before using the equipment.
Never allow anyone to ride on top of the compressor machine when towing.
Make sure that all guards and shields are in place and in good working order.
Use the proper respirators for the job as most air tools create a lot of dust during operation.
Only use hose pipes that have been fully rated for the power output of the machine.
Protect the hose at all times as it presents a tripping hazard. It should also be kept out of the way so as not to be accidentally damaged by the tool being used.
Never use a hose that shows signs of damage.
Wear a helmet, hard toed boots, safety goggles and ear muffs during operations.
Wear protective gloves when using a rock drill, a paving breaker and a tamper but do not use gloves when using impact tools such as pneumatic hammers and impact wrenches to avoid the equipment from slipping out of your grip.
By definition, a compressor is a mechanical device that is used to increase the pressure of a gas/liquid by reducing its volume in order to concentrate it under high pressure.
Compressors work in a similar way to pumps as they both increase the pressure on a fluid and both can transport the fluid through a high pressure pipe.
Compressors can also be used to transmit pressure from one point to another through oil fluids in high pressure pipes.
At construction sites, compressors are used to provide power for many of the tools and utilities used by workers, such as jack hammers, pneumatic hammers and some types of rock drills.
Air compressors and gas compressors are the most common type used in construction sites. Their use is accompanied by certain risks to workers. The major risks presented by compressors are:
Explosion of compressed fluids from weak high pressure pipes, which can cause burns, blindness and deafness to those in the vicinity.
Hose whip effect that results when a hose pipe is disconnected while still containing fluid under high pressure. This can hit a worker, damage equipment and even kill.
Fire from ignited fuel tanks that may result from the overheating of the compressor engine.
Debris flying at high speed when the compressor is used in cleaning works can cause grievous injuries.
Emissions of large amounts of dust during cleaning can cause breathing-related complications
The individual power tools each present their own kind of hazards, complicating the control measures that need to be put in place when operating a compressor.
Compressed air is a very dynamic and powerful source of energy. Most site compressors have the capacity to deliver enough pressure to send debris flying at speeds capable of penetrating human skin.
A simple activity such as cleaning oneself using a jet of compressed air can cause permanent injury and death. It is possible for compressed air to burst an eardrum, blow out an eyeball or penetrate the skin, injecting air into the bloodstream. Pointing compressed air at anyone for any reason can be extremely dangerous as the high pressure jet can cause blindness and even burst eardrums when applied directly.
Never adjust blow off or control valves without referring to the operation manuals as improper adjustments can cause air explosions from the safety valve, startling and even injuring experienced operators.
To control the risks associated with the operation of compressors and pneumatic power tools, the following measures should be put in place:
Read the operator's manual and be sure you understand it before using the equipment.
Never allow anyone to ride on top of the compressor machine when towing.
Make sure that all guards and shields are in place and in good working order.
Use the proper respirators for the job as most air tools create a lot of dust during operation.
Only use hose pipes that have been fully rated for the power output of the machine.
Protect the hose at all times as it presents a tripping hazard. It should also be kept out of the way so as not to be accidentally damaged by the tool being used.
Never use a hose that shows signs of damage.
Wear a helmet, hard toed boots, safety goggles and ear muffs during operations.
Wear protective gloves when using a rock drill, a paving breaker and a tamper but do not use gloves when using impact tools such as pneumatic hammers and impact wrenches to avoid the equipment from slipping out of your grip.
2011年7月14日星期四
Australian Kiowa surpasses 60,000 fliying hours
As a key component supplier for the Bell 206B-1 Kiowa helicopter, diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation helped the Australian Army’s Kiowa fleet surpass 60,000 flying hours in April. The aircraft has been instrumental in providing support for a variety of missions, including relief efforts following massive flooding and cyclone damage in Queensland earlier this year.
“Eaton is proud to be a part of Bell’s supplier team and to contribute components that optimize reliability, efficiency and weight reduction,” said Mike Ruple, director of military accounts for Eaton’s Aerospace Group. “Operational readiness is the top priority in military aviation and is extremely critical during lifesaving relief and rescue efforts. Eaton’s components and support help keep Kiowa fleets in operation around the world, whenever and wherever they’re needed.”
Eaton supplies a large number of the Kiowa’s conveyance systems components, including hose tube fittings and couplings that distribute hydraulic power, fuel products, cooling fluids and air throughout the aircraft. Eaton’s remote-controlled circuit breakers are designed to reduce weight while providing the benefits of a switch and circuit breaker within the same device for aircraft electrical system circuit protection.
Additional content supplied by Eaton includes the Kiowa’s hydraulic pump and motor, the main engine fuel pump and refueling components, the power module, chip detectors, pneumatic assemblies, engine seals and check valves.
In the aerospace industry, Eaton is a leading supplier of hydraulic, electro-hydraulic pump and generator products and integrated systems; engine and airframe fuel pumps; electric motors; aircraft door actuation, flight and flow controls; fluid, fuel and air delivery products and systems; nose wheel steering systems; integrated control systems; cockpit controls and displays; power and load management systems; pressure sensors, seals, and fluid health monitoring products and systems. Eaton serves commercial and military aviation, aerospace, military weapons, marine and off-road markets worldwide.
“Eaton is proud to be a part of Bell’s supplier team and to contribute components that optimize reliability, efficiency and weight reduction,” said Mike Ruple, director of military accounts for Eaton’s Aerospace Group. “Operational readiness is the top priority in military aviation and is extremely critical during lifesaving relief and rescue efforts. Eaton’s components and support help keep Kiowa fleets in operation around the world, whenever and wherever they’re needed.”
Eaton supplies a large number of the Kiowa’s conveyance systems components, including hose tube fittings and couplings that distribute hydraulic power, fuel products, cooling fluids and air throughout the aircraft. Eaton’s remote-controlled circuit breakers are designed to reduce weight while providing the benefits of a switch and circuit breaker within the same device for aircraft electrical system circuit protection.
Additional content supplied by Eaton includes the Kiowa’s hydraulic pump and motor, the main engine fuel pump and refueling components, the power module, chip detectors, pneumatic assemblies, engine seals and check valves.
In the aerospace industry, Eaton is a leading supplier of hydraulic, electro-hydraulic pump and generator products and integrated systems; engine and airframe fuel pumps; electric motors; aircraft door actuation, flight and flow controls; fluid, fuel and air delivery products and systems; nose wheel steering systems; integrated control systems; cockpit controls and displays; power and load management systems; pressure sensors, seals, and fluid health monitoring products and systems. Eaton serves commercial and military aviation, aerospace, military weapons, marine and off-road markets worldwide.
2011年5月18日星期三
Gates hose sleeving protects to 10,000-psi bursts
Gates has re-engineered its LifeGuard sleeving system with an additional layer of nylon reinforcement that increases worker protection for 4000- and 5000-psi hydraulic hose applications.
LifeGuard sleeving is specifically designed to protect machine operators from the hazards of catastrophic hydraulic hose failure due to line-of-sight hose bursts and pinhole leaks. It is an effective, economical alternative to costly metal shielding or re-routing of hose lines.
LifeGuard sleeving system
The new 4000-psi sleeve contains bursts up to 8000-psi and controls 4000-psi pinhole leaks for up to five minutes. The 5,000-psi sleeve contains 10,000-psi bursts and controls 5000-psi pinhole leaks.
The new Lifeguard sleeve construction has two inner layers of tightly woven nylon that elongate to absorb the energy of a burst or pinhole leak. A third outer nylon layer restrains the fluid and redirects it safely to the clamped ends. Fluids then exit the system via specially designed “channel” clamps at each end.
A noticeable pool of leaking fluid serves as positive verification that a failure has occurred so corrective action can be taken immediately. Gates LifeGuard sleeving correlates to a variety of industry standards including ISO 3457 and MSHA’s Accident Prevention Program.
LifeGuard sleeving is specifically designed to protect machine operators from the hazards of catastrophic hydraulic hose failure due to line-of-sight hose bursts and pinhole leaks. It is an effective, economical alternative to costly metal shielding or re-routing of hose lines.
LifeGuard sleeving system
The new 4000-psi sleeve contains bursts up to 8000-psi and controls 4000-psi pinhole leaks for up to five minutes. The 5,000-psi sleeve contains 10,000-psi bursts and controls 5000-psi pinhole leaks.
The new Lifeguard sleeve construction has two inner layers of tightly woven nylon that elongate to absorb the energy of a burst or pinhole leak. A third outer nylon layer restrains the fluid and redirects it safely to the clamped ends. Fluids then exit the system via specially designed “channel” clamps at each end.
A noticeable pool of leaking fluid serves as positive verification that a failure has occurred so corrective action can be taken immediately. Gates LifeGuard sleeving correlates to a variety of industry standards including ISO 3457 and MSHA’s Accident Prevention Program.
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