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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.