Fuel remains one of the largest expenses in the agricultural sector. Various attempts have been made to reduce the fuel consumption of machines. Using electrified hydraulic systems is a key strategy for reducing fuel consumption.
Hybrid helps
The use of this hybrid technology not only enables remarkable fuel savings but also makes it possible to work with much greater precision. Hydraulics have a clear advantage when it comes to power density and robustness. They withstand impact and vibration and also fit into tight installation spaces due to their compact design. Electromechanical systems are traditionally closely connected to control development and have sophisticated functions that deliver high levels of flexibility. The electrification of hydraulics preserves the physical advantages of fluid technology and uses software-based automation to maximise their effects. Put simply, the functionality and effectiveness of a machine is greatly improved thanks to this technology.
Hybrid technology is nothing new
It has been in use for many years in the car industry and heavier vehicles such as lorries are also now making use of the possibilities that it offers. The technology is primarily being used in combination with combustion engines to considerably reduce fuel consumption. This is also an advantage in the agricultural sector; however, the greatest benefit is that machines operating with hydraulics can be used much more effectively. The manufacturer Bosch Rexroth expects a sharp 15% increase in sales of hybrid systems by 2025. By way of comparison, the company anticipates growth of 5% for purely hydraulic systems.
Convinced your users yet?
Now that manufacturers are working on new systems, all that remains to be done is to convince users. Hydraulics are often seen purely as a means of generating great power in relatively small volumes and there is therefore a perception that precision work would not be possible. This view is unjustified. Electrics and hydraulics complement each other perfectly. Using servo hydraulics, for instance, where the valves are controlled with an electrical controller, positioning accuracies of a tenth of a millimetre can easily be achieved within a very short time. With electronically controlled hydraulics, you can position a mass of around twenty tonnes with extreme precision. Even machines that process different cylinders can be accurately adjusted to the nearest millimetre using electronic aids and synchronisation. The possibilities therefore abound. All we need to do now is make use of them.
Have we convinced you yet that electrics and hydraulics can work together in perfect harmony?
* This article previously appeared in Kramp Focus Edition 2 2017
