Reducing Construction Equipment Cooling System Noise to Meet the French Noise Requirement

A major noise source on construction equipment is the cooling system when tested according to the French Noise Test Procedure.

This paper describes the procedure and methods used to reduce economically the Case 580B CK loader-backhoe cooling system noise to 75 dB(A), well below the French limit of 80 dB(A) for the whole vehicle, and remain within the desired physical and performance constraints. This was accomplished primarily by reducing fan speed and using a larger capacity radiator to maintain adequate cooling.