Increasing safety and efficiency in mobile machinery
Danfoss is renowned for its pressure and temperature sensors and controls, whereas Sauer-Danfoss supplies a global customer base with hydraulic, electrohydraulic and electric solutions for off-highway machinery. They have been independent companies since 2000, but they still work together to combine the best of both worlds – mobile hydraulic systems with pressure and temperature sensors for a wide range of machinery. The Heavy Duty mobile equipment market was once driven by mechanical engineers; but today we see the electronic engineers delivering increasing value to the market. The trend towards automation is being driven by values like increased safety and higher engine efficiency.
Mounting pressure sensors on hydraulic cylinders and integrating them with electronic controls can prevent crane booms overextending. And the same technology can be applied to all kinds of equipment to improve safety. In Scandinavia we find early adopters of these technologies – manufacturing, innovative and complex forestry equipment, potentially dangerous movements of loads, or tree-cutting blades are monitored by various sensors and control electronics in hydraulic control systems.
But as yet, most heavy equipment has not employed this type of technology, often because it’s perceived as too expensive. However, stricter safety and environmental requirements may soon drive big changes. Hydraulic systems are power-hungry, and tighter engine emission standards may force engine redesign – with sensors used to control energy use, even in basic earth movers.
The PLUS+1™ range, developed by Sauer-Danfoss and Danfoss, already offers sensor controlled hydraulics. Designed as “building-block” components, they can be combined to customise mobile machinery to increase safety and control energy use. Danfoss’ pressure and temperature sensors are PLUS+1 compliant, bringing longer equipment life and lower costs to heavy machinery.
In the future, the Sauer-Danfoss/Danfoss team will be the first choice for cost-effective, compatible components or fully integrated systems for mobile hydraulic systems.
John Clough, Director of Sales, Danfoss North America