For the last eight years engineers at Suncar AG, Zurich, Switzerland have been developing electric construction machines, and they offered some insights at the recent Future of Electrification 2024 conference, hosted by the Zapi Group. In a presentation titled “The all-electric construction machine,” Stefan Schneider, Suncar’s managing director, discussed progress on the road to electrification and the challenges of next-level electric machines. Construction machinery, in essence, exists to perform work, run reliably as long as possible, and earn money for equipment owners, said Schneider. To ..read more

Data-driven off-road equipment will improve uptime and performance and reduce operating costs. Mobile machine owners, fleet operators and rental companies increasingly want equipment that offers more-exacting control, higher productivity and efficiency, and is more environmentally friendly. Add to that is the growing interest in electrification, automation, and autonomy. In response, mobile OEMs and their suppliers are doubling down on efforts to embrace IoT and “intelligent” vehicle components that communicate with one another, make decisions, and pair with telematic systems to send data ..read more

Collaboration and innovation drive the transition to electric vehicles in industrial vehicles as two transportation industry leaders advance the state of the art together.  As part of its industry-leading efforts to electrify critical off-highway machinery, Bosch Rexroth announced a partnership with thermal management manufacturer Modine. The two organizations are collaborating to bring Modine EVantage thermal management systems to the Bosch Rexroth portfolio of eLION products for electrified off-highway machinery worldwide. Together, Rexroth eLION systems with Modine EVantage thermal man ..read more

As I noted in our mobile trends feature last month, the discussion around transitioning machinery to more efficient alternatives, particularly in embracing electric solutions has gained significant traction. This paradigm shift is not merely about the evolution of technology; it’s about redefining the very core of how construction machinery operates. Domenico Traverso, President, Editron and Incubation Division, Danfoss Digital hydraulics, especially when combined with electric systems, presents a unique opportunity to revolutionize efficiency. The transition toward electric machinery initiall ..read more

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor You may not know this, but I’m a straight-up car fanatic. There are as many car guy tribes as cars, and there are more ways to be into cars without bumper-sticker-level dedication to one brand. Me? I’m a Mazda guy who does the occasional track day, although I lust after Bugattis and Ferraris as much as the next guy. And I secretly hope Paul Heney, VP and Editorial Director of WTWH Media, will realize an automotive publication would perfectly complement the current umbrella brands under his charge (Paul, are you reading this?). I have a musty collection of c ..read more

All trends in mobile machinery development point toward creating more compact, fuel-efficient machines that reduce emissions. It seems like every day, news is released from key fluid power manufacturers, mobile OEMs themselves, and others about a transformation in off-highway machinery. These innovations are driving a wave of change that promises efficiency, sustainability, and enhanced performance. Key trends steering this evolution include improved hydraulic control, battery electrification, hydrogen power, and autonomy, among other emerging technologies. Fluid power working towards efficien ..read more

Waste and recycling applications are dominated by hydraulic technologies, where the power density, ruggedness, speed and precision they provide are crucial to uptime. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulics have proven to be a versatile and efficient technology in various industries, offering precise control, reliability, and extraordinary power density. Some industries are lightly equipped with hydraulic equipment, such as automation and food and beverage. Conversely, other fields are absolutely dominated by hydraulics, not the least of which is waste management and recycling. Waste m ..read more

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Moore’s Law states that the number of transistors in a microchip doubles every two years, increasing computing power exponentially over time. It seems no other technology experiences such a rapid progression, especially considering how relatively young the semiconductor industry is. Fluid power provides us with no such rate of performance increase; in fact, some may argue that the most recent hydraulic advancements are provided through electronic integration. In defense of hydraulics, our venerable industry is vastly older than electronics or consumer-harn ..read more

Learn how hydraulics are used in maritime vessels and why hydraulics is the technology of choice. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Numerous hydraulic cylinders and actuators power equipment on this offshore vessel. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock. Hydraulics have played a vital role in various industries, and the marine sector is no exception. From small pleasure boats to large ocean liners, hydraulics are extensively used in a wide range of marine applications because of their compact, robust nature. Let’s explore the applications of hydraulics in marine settings, delve into the common ..read more

Diesel-electric mobile machines provide many of the benefits of electrification without the shortcomings. The push for electrification of mobiles equipment is in full swing, with dozens of OEMs showcasing battery-electric models that promise zero emissions, low noise, and minimal maintenance headaches. But the current generation of electric machines also has serious drawbacks. They struggle to handle a full-day’s work without recharging, often requiring a “top-off” during lunch breaks. Current recharging infrastructure is lacking, especially in remote sites off the grid. Even the practicalitie ..read more