Capital Equipment News April-May 2020

COMPACT LOADERS

the loader. Rear weights, load on the boom, uphill and downhill, have therefore a smaller effect on the loader’s rear wheels and thus the loader stays more securely in place when the parking brake is engaged. The Optidrive also has an effect on the weight and balance of the engine and pump assembly on the loader. The altered weight distribution also leads to developing new engine mounts (vibration dampers) that are optimised to the new load and balance of the assembly. With reliability in mind, the Optidrive has the new Parker EO3 fitting system in all of the high pressure hoses and fittings. The new system has a dial on the fitting, which shows clearly the required torque to which the fitting shall be tightened. Less fittings and less hoses equal to less possibility of a hydraulic leak. Meanwhile, less hydraulic connections, the new fitting system and more space to work with in the engine bay and front hydraulic motors area all provide a better servicing experience. The Optidrive has a centralised valve system, which collects all drive circuit valving into one valve block located in the front frame of the machine. Smooth Drive system Another feature of note on the 800 series is the Smooth Drive – a shock absorber eliminates boom movements and makes driving considerably smoother and more stable when driving at high speed with a heavy load. Driver comfort is much better with this option, especially when working all day in rough terrain. The system also limits the amount of bounce to the load being transported. For instance, when transporting fruit bins the damage to fruit while driving over rough terrain is minimised. system for the boom. It comprises an accumulator which absorbs and

The model has a 3,5 m lift height.

“When it comes to performance, Optidrive reduces the power loss in the system by up to 1,5 kW, which is roughly 10 % of the total power used in the drive circuit. This means lower fuel consumption, less heat in the hydraulic system and more power for the actual job.”

Wally Loftie-Eaton, MD of AVANT SA

TALKING POINT

heat build-up. When travelling longer distances at high travel speed, the cooling is also essential. On Optidrive the amount of flushing oil in the drive motors is five times more compared with the old system, providing far better cooling of the drive circuit. Depending on the Avant model, the Optidrive eliminates at least three hoses from the system without losing any of the features on the loader. This is achieved through an intelligent new design with the valves (drive release valve, parking brake valve, and dual speed valve) mounted together on one hydraulic block. The amount of fittings is radically

reduced. The Optidrive features approximately 30 fittings less (-60%) compared with the old drive circuit.

Support matters

AVANT SA has been importing the Avant range of compact

There are also far less 90-degree angle fittings and T-junction fittings that are less optimal for hydraulic flow. In order to get the best possible grip on all load and terrain situations, the parking brake on the Optidrive is situated in the rear wheels of

articulated loaders since 2006. The company enjoyed early success with a significant number of sales into the mining industry where the machines quickly became popular among mining engineers, mainly due to their durability and the local distributor’s parts and service support capabilities.

Optidrive features 60% less hydraulic connections

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS APRIL-MAY 2020 18