New agricultural telehandlers from Bobcat ship steady V-Drive transmission alongside good options for smoother operation and elevated productiveness
When Bobcat telehandler clients 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 know-how.
V-Drive transmission
The good features on the brand new V-Drive fashions present a super resolution for purchasers 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 satisfy a request from a few of our clients to offer extra consolation and productiveness. Our clients 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 now have already delivered the primary items to clients.”
Clients choosing the V-Drive transmission is not going to lose any efficiency in comparison with the present gearbox transmission due to the usage of hydraulic motors in collection. 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. Consequently, the simplicity and effectivity of the V-Drive transmission provides improved consolation and operation. It additionally removes any jolts which may occur when transferring from one pace vary to a different. “A key side of the brand new V-Drive telehandlers is the continual transmission itself after all, however there are a number of different essential options to notice,” says Hilbert. “We considerably decreased the noise, and we now have developed some good features out there as normal comparable to Cruise Management, Eco-Trip, which is engine RPM optimisation, and Cease and Begin options.”
Within the new V-Drive fashions, the Turtle and Rabbit hydrostatic pace ranges are nonetheless out there and are at all times selectable by the joystick. Each hydraulic pace ranges have been optimised with particular curves based on the necessities of the appliance. The Turtle pace represents the machine in loader mode, with speeds from 0 to 20kph, and the Rabbit pace is the driving mode, accelerating from 0 to 40kph.
“We now have developed this new transmission to satisfy extra necessities requested by a number of end-customers. This resolution is bringing extra consolation, extra security, extra peace of thoughts for purchasers and reduces their complete price of possession,” says Hillbert.
One other advantage of the V-Drive transmission is its improved traction, offering a smoother, quieter and extra seamless journey, free from jerks even when hauling fully-loaded trailers. It may possibly 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. Transferring 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 supply completely different choices comparable to Michelin XMCL. We provide 460-24 as normal and might go to 500- 24 sizes. Subsequently, all-in-all, we’re utilizing solely the highest, most dependable and very fashionable suppliers for the elements of the V-Drive machines.”
Operator consolation is vital
Following work with exterior acoustic specialists to cut back the noise inside and out of doors the cab, the brand new V-Drive fashions are considerably quieter when in use. To realize this, Bobcat made main adjustments, 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 totally eradicated. Coupled with good features like Cruise Management or Eco-Trip, operator consolation is perfect. Highlighting extra 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 typical/dynamic transmission mode amongst others. All are supplied as normal on the V-Drive fashions.”
Taking up the problem
Designing any new telehandler presents its personal set of challenges by way of giving clients extra bang for his or her buck, however Hillbert says it has completed this within the new V-Drive machines. “The principle motive for the design was as a solution to voice of buyer (VOC) requests. Listening to farmers utilizing telehandlers is vital and a part of our DNA at Bobcat to make such developments a actuality. And this VOC clearly highlighted consolation and productiveness. Our primary problem was to maintain the identical efficiency we now have with our gearbox transmission, and we’re pleased with what we now have finished 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 bettering the operator’s peace of thoughts and lowering the overall price of possession.”
This text first appeared within the June difficulty of iVT
