Renold has worked with JCB to design a chain drive that is resistant to abrasion and elevated temperatures.
The JCB Groundhog is the very latest in golfing, farm and ground-keeping utility vehicles. It is driven by chain after Renold was able to meet the challenge and supply a product with long wear life and endurance.
During the early stages of development it was discovered that the chain driving the prototype Groundhog's rear wheels was wearing too rapidly. Renold had to find a solution to this problem by supplying a chain that would operate in arduous off-road conditions and in an aggressive environment where temperatures could reach 100degC. The high temperature was caused by the drive chain's close proximity to the Groundhog's diesel engine and posed an additional problem for the engineers, who had to find a suitable lubricant.
The project ran for several months and involved Renold's engineers working closely with JCB. Neither Renold or JCB will give any secrets away, but the the sprockets were redesigned and Renold's ultra-tough Sovereign chain and a heat-resistant lubricant were specified. The result is an abrasion-resistant chain drive with a much longer wear life.
Sovereign surface treatment
Renold's Sovereign chain provides a greater resistance to wear in adverse conditions such as dirty, dusty and abrasive environments. The pins on Sovereign chain feature a special surface treatment, which, when combined with the strictly controlled geometry of the bush, result in high levels of endurance in harsh environments.
Speaking of the project's success, David Turner, Renold Chain's marketing communications manager, says: "It is projects like this that everyone at Renold is particularly proud of. It is an all-British achievement by two great British companies working together to produce a world-beating product."
The JCB Groundhog is said to redefine standards in utility vehicles, combining comfort, strength and performance with durability. It boasts the typically rugged construction of all JCB vehicles and is claimed to outclass and outmanoeuvre its competitors.
