New agricultural telehandlers from Bobcat ship steady V-Drive transmission alongside sensible options for smoother operation and elevated productiveness
When Bobcat telehandler prospects demanded machines that had larger productiveness with a steady transmission, its engineers set to work. The mixed effort resulted within the launch of three new telehandlers, the TL34.65HF V-Drive (3.4t/6.3m), TL38.70HF V-Drive (3.8t/7.0m) and TL43.80HF V-Drive (4.3t/7.5m), designed for the evolving agricultural market utilizing its new V-Drive expertise.
V-Drive transmission
The sensible features on the brand new V-Drive fashions present a super resolution for patrons requiring a high-performance different for his or her purposes. “The Bobcat V-Drive telehandlers have been launched as an addition to the prevailing vary,” says Florian Hilbert, Bobcat telescopics product supervisor for EMEA. “This was to fulfill a request from a few of our prospects to supply extra consolation and productiveness. Our prospects now have the likelihood to decide on between the gearbox transmission or the brand new V-Drive steady transmission. We began the manufacturing of those new telehandlers in April, and we’ve got already delivered the primary items to prospects.”
Clients choosing the V-Drive transmission won’t lose any efficiency in comparison with the present gearbox transmission due to the usage of hydraulic motors in sequence. The hydraulic tank has additionally been redesigned leading to a better capability of 70 litres as an alternative of 59 litres within the present transmission.
Not like to the present transmission, the V-Drive permits the operator to drive from 0 to 40km/h with out the necessity to cease the machine or take into consideration altering gear earlier than beginning. In consequence, the simplicity and effectivity of the V-Drive transmission gives improved consolation and operation. It additionally removes any jolts which may occur when shifting from one velocity vary to a different. “A key facet of the brand new V-Drive telehandlers is the continual transmission itself in fact, however there are a number of different essential options to notice,” says Hilbert. “We considerably lowered the noise, and we’ve got developed some sensible features accessible as commonplace akin to Cruise Management, Eco-Journey, which is engine RPM optimisation, and Cease and Begin options.”
Within the new V-Drive fashions, the Turtle and Rabbit hydrostatic velocity ranges are nonetheless accessible and are at all times selectable by means of the joystick. Each hydraulic velocity ranges have been optimised with particular curves in line with the necessities of the applying. The Turtle velocity represents the machine in loader mode, with speeds from 0 to 20kph, and the Rabbit velocity is the driving mode, accelerating from 0 to 40kph.
“Now we have developed this new transmission to fulfill further necessities requested by a number of end-customers. This resolution is bringing extra consolation, extra security, extra peace of thoughts for patrons and reduces their complete value of possession,” says Hillbert.
One other good thing about the V-Drive transmission is its improved traction, offering a smoother, quieter and extra seamless experience, free from jerks even when hauling fully-loaded trailers. It may adapt to any terrain with good grip and stability even when the operator is tackling tough floor or slippery surfaces. When creating the brand new V-Drive telehandlers, Bobcat collaborated with a number of producers to make sure environment friendly operation, as Hillbert says. “The engine is manufactured by HDI (Hyundai) particularly for Bobcat. For the transmission, we intently cooperated with Linde for these V-Drive fashions. Shifting to the wheel hubs, these are provided by Dana, the cabin by Buisard and we’re working with Pilot & Grammer for the seat. Alliance is the producer of the usual tyres, however we additionally provide completely different choices akin to Michelin XMCL. We provide 460-24 as commonplace and might go to 500- 24 sizes. Due to this fact, all-in-all, we’re utilizing solely the highest, most dependable and highly regarded suppliers for the elements of the V-Drive machines.”
Operator consolation is essential
Following work with exterior acoustic consultants to cut back the noise inside and outdoors the cab, the brand new V-Drive fashions are considerably quieter when in use. To realize this, Bobcat made main modifications, for instance the hydraulic motor has been suspended with 4 rubber mounts leading to a lower of 60% in vibrations, and the whistle sound of the transmission has been absolutely eradicated. Coupled with sensible features like Cruise Management or Eco-Journey, operator consolation is perfect. Highlighting further in-cab options, Hillbert notes: “There are quite a few advantages, however we will point out the hand throttle, 7in touchscreen show with built-in radio and Bluetooth performance, and a normal/dynamic transmission mode amongst others. All are supplied as commonplace on the V-Drive fashions.”
Taking over the problem
Designing any new telehandler presents its personal set of challenges by way of giving prospects extra bang for his or her buck, however Hillbert says it has achieved this within the new V-Drive machines. “The principle purpose for the design was as a solution to voice of buyer (VOC) requests. Listening to farmers utilizing telehandlers is essential and a part of our DNA at Bobcat to make such developments a actuality. And this VOC clearly highlighted consolation and productiveness. Our major problem was to maintain the identical efficiency we’ve got with our gearbox transmission, and we’re happy with what we’ve got accomplished as a result of the efficiency of the V-Drive fashions is even higher. Operators are on the centre of our developments and so we designed these new V-Drive fashions to supply extra consolation and productiveness whereas considerably enhancing the operator’s peace of thoughts and decreasing the entire value of possession.”
This text first appeared within the June difficulty of iVT
