MHPS - Hydro-Pneumatic Suspension in an Articulated Dump Truck

The best way to demonstrate the advantages of the modular concept, is by using the example of a front axle suspension in an articulated dump truck with a production quantity of 15-20 machines per year:
Due to the ever-growing claim on comfort and safety, axle suspensions in articulated dump trucks have for quite some time belonged to the delivery spectrum of the major manufacturers.
In order to remain in business, a small manufacturer has to make large investigations in development times and costs as well as in building up relevant know-how, to come up with a suspension machine. By working together with our application specialists, and through the use of complete MHPS modules, expenditure for development times and for building up know-how can significantly be reduced.
Together with the customer, the application team of ARGO-HYTOS prepared an analysis of the current state. On this basis, it was discussed, how to attain improvments, both on economic and technical side.

The machine data such as weight of the machine, loading conditions, speed, etc. were the basis for the calculation of the new system.
The design of cylinder sizes, pre-charging of the diaphragm accumulators or cable diameters were made by ARGO-HYTOS, based on these parameters.
Based on the layout, the software has been configured and loaded into the control electronics, the control blocks and other accessories have been compiled. A first functional test was carried out at ARGO-HYTOS, at the load test rig belonging to the company.
Before the system was installed, all basic settings and functions had been tested and checked.
In the next step, the system was installed at the customer‘s premises and jointly taken into operation. Constantly present: the engineers of ARGO-HYTOS. Therefore fine tuning, such as changing of the valve settings or adapting the software to customer requests, constituted no problems and could quickly and easily be implemented. After final tests and measurements, the final set-up was established and the series production could begin. If special machines should be built over the series, additionalmodules can be flange-mounted to or omitted from the existing solution, guaranteeing the highest flexibility even in series production.

“Only as many valves as the function requires”
In articulated dump trucks, many movements and functions are implemented hydraulically. Some of the key operating functions in an open circuit are:

• Front axle and / or all-wheel suspension
• Tipping function
• Steering
• Pump control
• Fan drive

Components and control blocks for the implementation of functions can be found in the portfolio of ARGO-HYTOS. Different designs and nominal sizes can be combined to control blocks and multi-flanges in almost any shape. According to the motto ”only as many valves as the function requires”, ARGO-HYTOS combines in its control blocks valves of different valve kits for technically and economically optimized system blocks. Flanged valves (ISO 4401) and disk valves are used as well as screw-in valves.  All valves are designed and manufactured in-house.

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