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Recognising the importance of the driveline

to the overall efficiency of the wheel loader,

Volvo is one of the few OEMs that designs

and produces its driveline components in

house. Schmitt says the ideally-matched, all-

Volvo powertrain has been built to work with

minimal power loss, adding that the OEM's

design has been rigorously tested to deliver

optimised performance, high productivity,

low fuel consumption and reliability. “The

established and proven technology has been

built by Volvo for 40 years, including all in-

house components and parts,” he says.

Schmitt is of the view that apart from the

driveline, other machine components, such

as the hydraulics, have a significant impact

on fuel efficiency. “Volvo’s load-sensing

hydraulics, combined with the fuel-efficient

Volvo engine, supply power to the hydraulic

functions according to demand, to boost

efficiency and lower fuel consumption. The

system ensures fast response for shorter

cycle times while delivering smooth operation

through superior control of both the load and

the attachment,” says Schmitt.

Increasing operator knowledge and skills

is another way of increasing fuel efficiency.

“Operator training is not just an efficient way

to reduce fuel consumption but also the risk of

injuries and loss of production,” says Schmitt.

Torres is of the view that the driveline is

key, and there are many factors related to it

that affect the overall machine efficiency and

uptime. “Payload is the keymetric that dictates

the value of a wheel loader. CASE wheel

loaders have perfected the art of reducing

deadweight, optimising payload versus

weight. This translates into outstanding fuel

efficiency and reduced maintenance costs,”

says Torres.

CASE’s patented cooling system is

also said to deliver maximum cooling

effectiveness through its cube design.

The technology ensures long-life for the

driveline and brakes. “The heavy-duty axles

of our wheel loaders are big and tough.

Open differentials and multiple-disc brakes,

cooled in an oil bath, reduce tyre wear by

20-30% versus limited slip differentials

and decrease operating costs even

further. Moreover, 100% diff-locks provide

maximum traction in any condition,” says

Torres.

Bucket selection

Bucket selection also has a major impact

on overall loading efficiency. According

Volvo CE provides special application

packages as ready-to-select options,

making a Volvo machine perfectly ideal

for specific applications.