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[December 2006]
Compact is "Cutting it"
Mastenbroek, the UK manufacturer of Trenchers, has launched a new concept in trenching machines designated the HRT (Hard-Rock Trencher) series recently promoted as the Hard Rock Revolution because of the unique way in which the machine operates with the trenching done at the front rather than trailing behind the machine. The geometry of this new arrangement means that the weight of machine is no longer so important in relation to the size of trench and therefore trenching will become more efficient with smaller more economical machines and less fuel consumed.
Hagglunds Compact motor type CA140 was chosen to replace the crankshaft type hydraulic motors to drive the trencher's cutter. The cutting head, which is designed within a dynamic boom arrangement, consists of the front drive sprocket of an endless chain, fitted with picks, sandwiched between two side cutters also having picks. The boom, once the initial cut is made, cuts from bottom to the top with spoil carried like a conveyor by the endless chain up through the centre of the machine and deposited at the side of the trench.
During the original discussions with Mastenbroek, one of the main requirements identified was to have the ability to operate in extremes of climate both hot and cold. Hagglunds spent some time validating this in its large laboratory in Sweden. It also compared the results with tests on the competition which were the traditional crank case type motors often used in these applications on mobile equipment.
Hagglunds found that the Compact motors were very suitable for use in these applications, in extreme climates and also offered a number of other benefits. The size and weight of the Compact motors was far lower than the competition and this is always an important issue on mobile equipment. But even more satisfying was that when the first machines with Hagglunds Compact motors were trialled, it was found that due to the very high overall efficiency of the Compact motor there was much less heat build-up in the hydraulic system. Less heat build-up means lower system operating temperature resulting in higher fluid viscosity and therefore improved performance and life to the entire system. The 98% torque efficiency of the Compact also improves the actual force available at the picks, so improving basic cutting performance and bringing savings in fuel consumption of the machine.
ENDS