Eaton valves used for steering control of four-way sideloaders

For its latest four-way sideloader, which offers customised height and width to help maximise storage capacity, Bulmor sought an electrohydraulic mobile valve capable of overcoming a number of challenges. A key functional requirement was for precise control of the four independently steered drive wheels under various load conditions.

As well as safe and smooth load control, the four-way sideloader features a mast shift function that can sometimes suffer from an overrunning condition where load inertia takes over control. Along with this challenge, Bulmor also wanted to reduce energy consumption of the overall machine.

The answer arrived in the form of an Eaton seven-bank variable-inlet CMA090 valve, which is configured with Eaton's Pro-FX Configure software plus a DPS2-12 differential pressure valve. Chosen for its product performance and flexibility, the advanced CMA mobile valve with independent metering offers a sophisticated technology platform that streamlines and simplifies everything from design and set-up to operation and optimisation.

Bulmor's Thomas Goesweiner explains: "All four wheels must follow a given steering algorithm without any delay or variance, regardless of load conditions. Here, the CMA valve's flow control is providing the best steering performance we've ever achieved."

The CMA's integral flow share feature with priority selection for the steering system also eliminates the need for a remote priority valve. In cases where the supply flow is less than that required by the sideloader, this feature ensures power on demand to the steering system. System architecture is further simplified as the single spool operation for the single-acting cylinder reduces the number of valve banks; two banks are effectively combined into one.

Load differential calculation

Eaton's CMA valve also addresses the challenge of overrunning conditions, whereby the direction of the desired velocity is in the same direction as external forces that can cause loss of load control and unsafe operation, typically during downhill operation or vehicle braking. While most applications use various conventional valves to create the opposing hydraulic force, the CMA valve system applies a load differential calculation to determine if the direction of load is the same or opposite direction as the desired velocity. Through port pressures and the areas on each side of the actuator, CMA valves can assign the load differential to be either passive or overrunning. For the latter, the control applies a meter-out strategy and will hold constant pressure on the upstream port.

Regarding efficiency, the CMA valve system continuously monitors the flow balance at the inlet port of the valve set, along with the pressure and temperature of the oil. The valve then controls and modulates the pressure governed by the DPS2 regulator valve with varying logic, thereby reducing the flow margin applied to the sideloader's variable-speed pump. Additionally, as the power loss of a priority valve has been eliminated by the integral flow-share feature, CMA valves effectively reduce any wasted energy. The reduction of power losses allows a longer operating time or more load cycles with a single battery charge; the sideloader rarely has to go to the charging station. Furthermore, the lower power requirement reduces the thermal load on the electric drive of the hydraulic pump. This leads to lower operating temperatures of the electrical components; interruption due to high temperatures can be avoided, resulting in higher efficiency and productivity.

During field tests, Bulmor measured energy consumption across the machine. The engineering team found that the current draw of the steering system, when compared with earlier systems, had dropped significantly from 300 to 150 amps. The company also calculated a 30 to 40 per cent improvement in efficiency - in essence, the less power loss, the longer the machine can remain operational between charges, which maximises productivity and uptime.

Using Eaton's Pro-FX technology platform, common application functions can be enabled right on the valve, reducing development time. With electronic tuning, performance parameters can be tested and optimised in seconds, not months, which is a genuine industry differentiator. The CMA valve is the only one of its kind, where it is possible to set system parameters from a laptop, vehicle app or other input device. What is more, advanced control algorithms mean these valves automatically optimise for conditions such as oscillation and vibration, improving control and reducing risk.

Aside from forklifts, common applications for CMA valves include concrete pump trucks, refuse trucks, telehandlers, all-terrain cranes, utility trucks, grapples, aerial lifts, drill rigs, excavators, roof bolters, snow groomers, paving machines, reach stackers and more.

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