Engines, Components & Tyres

Komatsu Europe has invested in developing an efficient spare parts operation - Mike Woof writes. Komatsu Europe is reaping the benefit of its investments in the spares support facility in Belgium. During the financial crisis new machine sales plummeted across Europe for all manufacturers but Komatsu Europe was able to ensure steady income through its spares support service. With many European customers holding onto machines longer during the last few years due to the downturn, spares support has been pivota

The German construction equipment manufacturer's association, the VDMA, has said that the new EU-exhaust emission directive presents a major challenge for its members. According to the VDMA, the introduction of the EU-Exhaust Emission Regulation Stage IIIB has resulted in a great deal of investment at huge cost. For customers that has resulted in higher prices and the VDMA sees tighter regulation as being counter-productive.

New legislation has changed fuel specifications as well as engine emission requirements, writes Claire Symes. The latest Stage IIIB engines mean that on-site maintenance routines for newer equipment need to be changed. And at the same time, new fuel specifications also mean changes to management of fuel for all machines. The European standard for gas oil, EN590, changed at the start of the year in order to comply with the Renewable Energy and Fuel Quality Directives. This means fuels now must be low sulphur

The German construction equipment manufacturer's association, the VDMA, has stated that the new EU-exhaust emission directive presents a major challenge for its members.

The Michelin XHA2 Experience Day 2009, at the Michelin Technology Center in Almeria, Spain, enabled 140 earthmover dealers from some 20 European countries to visit the world's largest centre devoted exclusively to the development of earthmover tyres.

Hydraulic excavators move with a lot of power generated by a large engine and, like a truck, this will overheat if not properly cooled. To keep things running smoothly, several cooling components are built into the design, such as the radiator, oil cooler and intercooler, which all need wind to function properly.

Deutz, one of the world's largest independent engine manufacturers, will in future be bundling its exhaust gas technology expertise in the EAT (Exhaust After-Treatment) product line. The goal is to promote customer-oriented solutions for the system integration of engine/exhaust technology quickly and efficiently, opening up additional growth opportunities by marketing a variety of EAT modules and systems as well as EAT development and application services.

Axiomatic says that its versatile new valve controller can be used in an array of applications. This multi-purpose valve controller features one universal signal input to 2-3A outputs and is designed for use in harsh operating environments. The Dual Output CAN Valve Controller can be used to operate two proportional or on/off solenoid valves, with the ability to accept a voltage, current, resistive, digital, frequency or PWM input.