Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/102855
innovations | continued Operators running a Volvo artic with the OBW will see a yellow light when the truck is at partial load, green at nominal load and red when overloaded. The light is also visible to the loader operator. The information is routed to Volvo's CareTrack telematics system enabling supervisors, fleet managers and others to remotely access production and performance data. This includes total transported load in tons, tons per gallon of fuel, number of cycles and machine overloads. When compiled over time, the information can monitor operator performance and provide daily, weekly or monthly productivity reports to help managers track progress and develop more accurate estimates for the next project. Why we like this product Telematics is a great technology that's having a hard time gaining a foothold in the construction industry. It's kind of like having a smart phone with limited apps. With the Volvo On Board Weighing system, contractors now have a powerful app with an immediate payback and benefit that goes beyond the locationhours-fuel data that ordinary telematics offers. Now you can measure work directly and instantaneously and that's going to prove to be a big benefit for those who use it. – Tom Jackson | TJackson@randallreilly.com A recalibration opens up the world to a Tier 4 Interim engine J CB says it had an advantage when it developed its first Ecomax engines launched in 2004: the expected Tier 4 Final emissions regulations were already understood. "We had the benefit of a clean sheet of paper design," says Alan Tolley, director, engine programs. "That allowed us to factor in lower particulate levels early." But when JCB started its Tier 4 Interim develop- ment in 2007, addressing concerns over the need to use ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) "was not a major part of the program, as the introduction of Tier 4 was predicated on the availability of ULSD," Tolley says. The question soon percolated up from the company's customers, however: How would they be able to sell a Tier 4 machine around the world, where many areas have high fuel sulfur levels? (See sidebar next page.) The design team responsible for the Ecomax Tier 4 Interim engine included from left Alan Tolley, director of engine programs; Nick Pease, homologation manager; Kevin Browne, principal design engineer; Alasdair Duncan, project manager; Paul McCarthy, manager, calibration and controls; Lee Stafford, Tier 4 champion; Matthew Niven, engine development manager; and Bob Womersley, chief engineer. 20 January 2013 | EquipmentWorld.com