How is it different from a standard tractor tyre?
In some countries, it is required by legislation to have winter tyres on the tractors that drive on the roads during the winter season. This has caused some confusion among users, as there is no clear definition what the term “winter tyre” means. However, there are tractor tyres that are especially developed for winter service. This is already a given fact in passenger car and truck tyres – so why not in tractor tyres as well?
To make things simpler, Nokian Tyres has adopted the M+S marking on its tyres for winter service. This applies to tyres manufactured from the latter half of 2017 on.
The typical lug patterned traction tyres are not designed for winter service. The pattern is designed primarily for agricultural use such as field work and will not offer enough grip in varying winter conditions to ensure safest and most effective winter contracting. To be called an all-season tyre and carry the M+S marking, Nokian Tyres requires that the tyre features a special rubber compound designed to produce enough friction in different conditions. The other crucial factor is the tread pattern. The new generation block patterned tyres with siping have vastly better winter properties.
Besides much better winter grip, a well-designed block pattern tyre by Nokian Tyres has lower noise level and rolling resistance than a standard agricultural tyre. This means lower fuel consumption and better working comfort. What’s more, the rattling of chains becomes a thing of the past. They also meet the following demands:
- The materials used in the casing of the tyre withstand and remain performance in subzero degrees.
- Tread pattern material used in the tyres is developed for high friction on ice and snow also in subzero degrees.
- Tread pattern contact area to the driving surface is greater, up to 1,5-2 times greater than on Agricultural Standard (AS) type.
- Pattern consists of multiple pattern elements with edges to develop longitudal and lateral pattern grip for acceleration, braking and steering in snow.
There is a common belief that tyres for winter service don’t last very long in summer use. While this might have been the case with e.g. some studless winter tyres for cars in the past, nothing could be further from the truth when the tyres are designed well and made from quality rubber compound. A set of tyres by Nokian Tyres provides better working results every day and can also raise the resale value of the machine. All our tractor tyres are proudly made in Nokia, Finland – sustainably and to a highest standard. Source
Accelera provides a diverse portfolio of zero-emissions solutions
Accelera is a significant step forward in Cummins’ efforts to achieve its Destination Zero strategy, focused on evolving Cummins technologies to reach zero emissions across its product portfolio. Cummins’ Destination Zero strategy is rooted in the understanding that multiple solutions are required to achieve industry-wide decarbonization across the diverse applications the company powers. Over the past several years, Cummins has invested more than $1.5 billion in research and technology, capital and acquisitions to build Accelera’s leadership and technological capabilities. Accelera is now a global leader in zero-emissions technologies, providing battery electric and fuel cell electric solutions across commercial and industrial applications with hundreds of electrolyzers generating hydrogen around the world today.
Accelera is advancing a range of zero-emissions solutions, including hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, e-axles, traction systems and electrolyzers, to sustainably power a variety of industries from commercial transportation to chemical production. Both a components supplier and integrator, Accelera is decarbonizing applications like buses, trucks, trains, construction equipment, stationary power and carbon intense industrial processes.
Cummins’ breakthrough technologies have reduced the company’s product emissions by more than 90% over the past 25 years, and Accelera will continue to advance the company’s path toward a zero-emissions future. Source
To stay productive, these machines need proper and frequent maintenance.
Wheel loaders are powerful workhorses on any jobsite. Regular preventive maintenance is critical to keep the wheel loaders in your fleet operating productively and safely in mining and quarry environments, plus, it can alleviate machine downtime and reduce repair or replacement costs. Follow these tips for proper preventive maintenance in wheel loaders:
- Follow the owner’s manual. If you are going to perform most of your wheel loader’s maintenance yourself, follow the recommendations of your manufacturer’s owner manual. You’ll find maintenance intervals and checklists, information on your wheel loader and tips to effectively run the machine.
- Complete a walk-around, checking for wear. Loading and unloading material all day can create excessive wear on a wheel loader’s ground-engaging tools, such as buckets. To ensure that high-impact attachments stay in peak operating condition, perform daily visual inspections. Wheel loader attachments, such as severe- and heavy-duty buckets, are some of the most popular and hard-working tools in mining and quarry applications. They should receive the same attention as the equipment. Visual checks of these components should include hoses, as well as tilt and lift cylinders, to determine if wear is developing or damage occurred. There are other items on larger buckets that should be inspected. Examine the condition of wear plates and bolt-on cutting edges, as well as attachment pins. They should fit snugly and properly.
- Inspect the tyres. Tyres are essential to a wheel loader and should be inspected regularly. Undetected leaks or improper inflation can lead to premature wear, unexpected downtime and potentially tyre failure over time. Complete a thorough visual inspection to detect missing tread and ensure that the bead line and the rim are intact.
- Check the driving and parking brakes. Driving and parking brakes are used daily on wheel loaders and need to be in good condition.
- Stay on top of fluids, oils and filters. Fluids, such as engine oil and coolants, need to be closely monitored to prevent unnecessary downtime. Using dipsticks and sight gauges will help ensure the proper fluid level is maintained.
- Maintain the cooling system. Quarries can generate a lot of dust, so some manufacturers have incorporated advanced reliable cooling systems to minimize machine downtime.
- Check enhancements inside the cab. Newer wheel loaders have enhancements that make them not only more comfortable to operate, but easier to maintain.
Also, today’s wheel loaders come with telematics management systems that allow you to monitor the health, location and productivity of equipment. You can monitor your wheel loaders remotely and address alerts quickly. Telematics information can be viewed on a mobile app or a browser on your computer. Source
Seppi M gives us guidance as to what mulcher should be used in which application in forestry.
It was 1980 when Seppi M developed the first forestry rotor, representing a revolutionary innovation in the forestry industry. Today, forestry is Seppi M’s core business, and Seppi forestry machines are used in numerous applications:
Small and medium-sized forestry mulchers for 30 to 240 hp (22 to 177 kW) tractors are ideal for undergrowth maintenance, thinning, clearing debris after cutting, removing branches and bushes and cleaning paths. Specifically, the models are Microforst pto, Miniforst, Midiforst and Midiforst dt which are fitted with fixed tools. These carbide-tipped tools rapidly mulch wood up to 30 cm (12 in) in diameter, with minimal wear. An additional centrifugal clutch allows soft rotor start and stop, thus protecting the mulcher and tractor drives. Options such as the guard frame, “ADAM” alignment system, or rakes on the guard frame can be individually selected depending on the model and work conditions.
One of the most important challenges in recent years has been the bark beetle. It should be noted that mulchers neither combat nor eliminate bark beetles, but rather prevent or reduce their presence. The aim of a mulcher is to clean the area, make it accessible for additional work and possible mechanization, and to prepare the area for new seed. Mulchers enter the remains of felled and dried wood to finely mulch them, clear the land and prepare it for new plantations. Mulching helps the soil acquire more humus and acidity, thus preserving its moisture: All of this has a positive effect on forest crops and speeds up replanting.
Since bark beetles spread very rapidly, even mulching becomes a genuine battle over time. Residual wood should be cleared as soon as possible. That’s why these days, large and powerful forestry mulchers are used. These ensure the highest efficiency and performance in a short period of time to eliminate most of the wood in one pass.
Medium-power mulchers, but also high-performance forestry mulchers such as Starforst and Maxiforst, are also used for other activities such as felling trees, mulching stumps, removing rotten and fallen timber, as well as storm- and fire-damaged timber up to 60 cm (24 in) in diameter. This equipment is also suitable for improving forests with paths and vegetation-free firebreaks. With Maxiforst, the drive system can be equipped with additional protection: M-Turbo hydrodynamic turbo couplings. These couplings protect the drive components of both the mulcher and the tractor in case of sudden rotor stops, and also allow for a soft start.
It is now possible to select a new rotor featuring tools with an aggressive carbide tip - the Mono Tip V-Lock system. This rotor is even more effective on large stumps and thick trunks. The advantages of this are less wear, better balance, simpler tool changeover and an optimized tool-support connection (hammer holder). Alternatively, the exclusive Cut Control option provides a limitation of the cutting depth and is our latest generation of rotors with Mini Blade or Mini Duo hammers. As with a chainsaw, this ensures the rotor never stops and makes for much smoother mulching.
In addition to the new design and ADAM alignment system, these forestry mulchers are now even better equipped against wear. Inside their housing, they are equipped with wear-resistant steel plates that can be replaced. We are already familiar with this feature since it is used in Seppi’s stone crushers and forestry tillers. The V-belt housing with material deflector and sliding guides in low-wear, hardened steel also protect the machine against wear.
Seppi M. has a solution for all tractors, regardless of their power. The forestry machines range from 30 to 500 hp (22 to 368 kW). Most forestry mulchers are also available in a hydraulic version for connection to excavators, skid loaders or larger hydraulic tractors. Source
Electric Volvo trucks are now built in four factories – three in Europe and one in the US
Three different electric models will be built in Ghent – the Volvo FH, the Volvo FM and the Volvo FMX Electric. These trucks can operate at a total weight of 44 tonnes and can be adapted for a wide range of transport needs.
The Ghent factory is the largest Volvo Trucks production site with a yearly capacity of around 45 000 trucks. The electric trucks are assembled on the same platform and line as the diesel and gas-powered trucks, in a production set-up that gives the factory a high flexibility when it comes to handling different variants and demands. The battery packs come from the recently opened battery assembly plant in Ghent, located right next to the production line.
Ghent is the fourth Volvo Trucks factory to produce battery electric trucks. First out was Blainville in France, where Volvo started to build electric trucks for refuse handling and city distribution in 2019. One year later, the site in New River Valley, US, commenced serial production of the VNR Electric, designed for regional transport. Then, an important milestone was reached last year, when Volvo Trucks put their heaviest range into serial production at the Tuve plant in Sweden, as the first global manufacturer to do so.
So far Volvo Trucks has taken orders, including letters of intent to buy, for around 6 000 electric trucks in 42 countries on 6 continents. Source
All Doppstadt machines have now received HVO fuel approval
All Doppstadt machines can be filled up with the plant-based substitute fuel for conventional diesel. Some information about the sustainable fuel are that the high cetane number is at least 70 and ensures more efficient combustion; due to the pure composition, any germ formation is excluded - perfect for use in machines with longer service lives; HVO diesel impresses with cold resistance down to -32 degrees; there is less environmental pollution due to fewer pollutants; and it is a diesel fuel that grows back. Source
Bandit Announces new dealers in British Columbia and Texas
CC Equipment, ltd. has joined the Bandit dealer network as a full line dealer covering the province of British Columbia, Canada. CC Equipment is a locally owned Canadian company, serving metro Vancouver, the lower mainland, Vancouver Island, and southern British Columbia from Whistler to Hope. Source
Bell introduces middle-range BETA Parts
Identifying a need in the market for a middle-range parts offering, Bell Equipment has launched Bell Equipment Trusted Alternative (BETA) Parts to give its customers a convenient and competitive alternative, endorsed by the OEM, for their more mature Bell machines or when faced with budget constraints. Source
Read MoreTo see the full list of international logging, roading and trucking conferences and expo’s, please click the “Events” tab at the top of the page.
Read More