Browse Topic: Off-highway vehicles and equipment
Instructions on this chart are intended to be used as a ready reference by personnel responsible for servicing off-road self-propelled work machines described in SAE J1116, categories 1, 2, 3, and 4. Detailed maintenance and service guidelines are reserved for maintenance, operator, and lubrication manuals as defined in SAE J920.
This SAE Recommended Practice applies to off-road, self-propelled work machine categories of earthmoving, forestry, road building and maintenance, and specialized mining machinery as defined in SAE J1116.,
This SAE Standard applies to off-road self-propelled work machines as categorized in SAE J1116. Fast fill fueling typically applies to self-propelled machines with a fuel capacity over 380 L, although fast fill fueling can be used on machines with smaller fuel capacity.
Over the past few years, drastic steps have been taken to regularize emission norms for various segments in India. One of the major reforms done was separating construction equipment and agricultural vehicles to differentiate and define regulations effectively. Transition Emission Measure TREM IV emission norms have been implemented in India, and TREM V will also be launched soon. These changes to emission norms have increased the need for the implementation of after-treatment systems (ATS) in off-highway vehicle applications. Earlier, these systems were widely used for on highway vehicles. These emission norms target hydrocarbons, particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide. Due to which, the demand for diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) and diesel particulate filters (DPF) has increased in construction equipment and agricultural vehicles. Although ATS has been in use for a long time, there are certain challenges associated with its integration into vehicles. As the space
This SAE Recommended Practice applies to technical publications which present instructions for the proper unloading, set-up, installations, pre-delivery inspection, operation, and servicing of off-road self-propelled work machines as categorized in SAE J1116. Advertising/marketing and other pre-purchase publications are not included.
Electrification in off-highway vehicles faces several challenges due to the unique requirements and operational features of heavy-duty applications. Key challenges include power demand, limited range, weight, size, and the costs associated with electrification. Lithium-based batteries have limited capacity and range, and heavy-duty operations can rapidly drain the battery's power. Managing battery power for these operations requires careful planning and optimization of the vehicle's energy consumption to ensure efficient utilization of the battery's capacity. In electric off-highway vehicles, the remaining battery discharge run-time is closely related to the management of operational applications in the field. The utilization of battery power for heavy operations can be enhanced by estimating battery run-time and run distance during operation, which can then be displayed on the vehicle’s display unit. This facilitates the operator's understanding of how much longer the battery can
The off-highway industry witnesses a vast growth in integrating new technologies such as advance driver assistance systems (ADAS/ADS) and connectivity to the vehicles. This is primarily due to the need for providing a safe operational domain for the operators and other people. Having a full perception of the vehicle’s surrounding can be challenging due to the unstructured nature of the field of operation. This research proposes a novel collective perception system that utilizes a C-V2X Roadside Unit (RSU)-based object detection system as well as an onboard perception system. The vehicle uses the input from both systems to maneuver the operational field safely. This article also explored implementing a software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture on an off-highway vehicle aiming to consolidate the ADAS system hardware and enable over-the-air (OTA) software update capability. Test results showed that FEV’s collective perception system was able to provide the necessary nearby and non-line
Automotive electrical and electronics manufacturer MTA attended IAA Transportation for the first time, demonstrating its new range of wireless communication technologies for the truck industry. Earlier this year, the company acquired Calearo Antenne S.p.A, a company with a long history of producing antennas, amplifiers and cables. MTA global sales director Davide Bonelli explained to Truck & Off-Highway Engineering how that acquisition complements its business. “From a more strategic point of view, we see the world of antennas as complementary to what MTA does,” he said. “Often MTA products have an antenna as an interface, so this is one reason why we have done the deal. There are also a lot of synergies from an engineering standpoint. Historically, MTA is a company that uses many mechanical parts - plastics, metals - which we are very strong with so we can share them. And there are also some competences from Calearo Antenne that can be transferred to us.”
This SAE Standard describes alternator physical, performance, and application requirements for heavy-duty electrical charging systems for off-road work machines, including those defined in SAE J1116.
HD Hyundai recently announced several new additions to its portfolio of off-highway machines. The expansion includes the HD100 dozer, the HX355A excavator, and a quartet of new models for its HX-A series of compact excavators. The HD100 is Hyundai's first new crawler dozer model. “The new HD100 dozer will be a great addition to the equipment fleets of earthmoving contractors, forestry, waste handlers and other customers who already enjoy the benefits of using Hyundai wheel loaders and excavators,” said Mike Ross, senior VP, HD Hyundai Construction Equipment North America.
Every fall, SAE International's COMVEC symposium brings leaders from the on-highway, off-highway and defense sectors together to collaborate on solutions for the macro and micro challenges within the commercial vehicle industry. One of the executive panels at this year's conference tackled the intricacies of AI's effects both present and future on the industry and how various OEMs are approaching its implementation. “There's a lot of things going on in the industry that really aren't getting a lot of airtime but are actually really important,” said Alan Berger, managing partner at abcg and moderator for the panel. “One of those things is the hype around generative AI. Is this topic relevant in our industry? What about all the data that we're generating? How do we use that? Do these technologies have an impact on business models and how we go to market? And how do we get the right talent into the organization? We need to untangle all this.”
Increased performance and lower emissions explain why hybrid technology is an appealing option for certain off-highway vehicles. Just ask John Deere. Vocational off-highway vehicles are piling on the miles with power provided by an internal combustion engine (ICE) with additional hybrid technology. “We often get asked the question, especially by those outside the industry, ‘Why don't we just electrify everything?’ The reason is the current challenges we have with battery-electric vehicles,” Grant Van Tine, product manager for electric vehicles at John Deere, said during an August 22 webinar hosted by SAE Media Group. Van Tine and Mihai Dorobantu, PhD, Eaton Mobility Group's director of technology planning and government affairs, cited facts, figures and in-field and in-development examples of why hybrid innovations are especially relevant today in a session addressing “The Future Role of Hybrids in Off-Highway Vehicles” (www.sae.org/webcasts/sae-on-demand).
The next-gen 15-liter diesel engine meets all 2027 EPA emissions regulations while boosting fuel efficiency. Cummins provided extensive details of the design and engineering efforts involved in developing the new HELM version of its X15 diesel engine. The company says its new engine will offer up to a 7% improvement in fuel economy compared to the current EPA 2024-certified X15 while also meeting all 2027 emissions targets. Truck & Off-Highway Engineering was invited to tour the company's headquarters in Columbus, Indiana, where journalists were given a comprehensive update on the hardware powering the latest X15.
Vocational off-highway vehicles are piling on the miles with power provided by an internal combustion engine (ICE) with additional hybrid technology. “We often get asked the question, especially by those outside the industry, ‘Why don't we just electrify everything?’ The reason is the current challenges we have with battery-electric vehicles,” Grant Van Tine, product manager for electric vehicles at John Deere, said during a webinar hosted by SAE Media Group. Van Tine and Mihai Dorobantu, Eaton Mobility Group's director of technology planning and government affairs, cited facts, figures and infield and in-development examples of why hybrid innovations are especially relevant today in a session addressing “The Future Role of Hybrids in Off-Highway Vehicles.”
This SAE Standard establishes the procedures for the application of Tonne Kilometer Per Hour (TKPH) rating values for off-the-road tires; utilizing empirical data formula, it describes the procedure for evaluating and predicting off-the-road tire TKPH requirements as determined by a work cycle analysis.
This practice applies to guarding of engine cooling fans used on Off-Road Self-Propelled Work Machines defined in SAE J1116. It does not include guarding for belts, pulleys, or other rotating equipment used on these machines.
Electric trucks and off-highway vehicles weigh about 30% more than their gasoline- and diesel-powered counterparts. That's a challenge for OEMs who want to reduce vehicle weight to increase range but are bound by the limits of current battery technology. To reduce vehicle weight, OEMs can make design changes in other areas, such as by replacing steel with thermoformed plastics, aluminum alloys and composite materials. What manufacturers may overlook, however, is the weight savings that can be achieved with industrial rubber products. Rubber is already lightweight, but there are heavier-than-necessary elastomeric components used throughout vehicle interiors and exteriors, typically with metal or plastic fasteners.
Volvo made several key announcements at the 2024 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Las Vegas. The company also reaffirmed its goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions with a 100% fossil-free fleet of trucks and off-highway machines by 2040. “The sustainable future is not only about electric trucks, though they do play a very important role,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “It's about all the things that we transport. For a sustainable future, there is not one silver bullet. We will have different technologies that all enable zero-emissions trucks. This will include electric drivelines, hydrogen fuel cells, and internal combustion engines.”
Manufacturers at the forefront of sustainability efforts and intent on electrifying commercial trucks and off-highway machines still see the necessity to include internal combustion engines in their future product plans. Take Volvo, for example. At the 2024 ACT Expo in Las Vegas, the company reaffirmed its goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions with a 100% fossil-free fleet of vehicles by 2040 (see page 25). And ICE will remain a staple. “The internal combustion engine will continue to exist in the future - after 2040, after 2050. Then we can ask ourselves, what kind of fuel do we use, to what extent are we able to use fossil-free fuels like HVO,” Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America, said at ACT Expo during a CEO Roundtable on Scaling Vehicle Electrification. “The internal combustion engine will [celebrate] its 200th birthday in my opinion.”
This SAE Standard specifies requirements and design guidelines for electrical wiring systems of less than 50 V and cable diameters from 0.35 to 19 mm2 used on off-road, self-propelled earthmoving machines as defined in SAE J1116 and agricultural tractors as defined in ASAE S390.
The pace of innovations in battery development is revolutionizing the landscape and opportunities for energy storage applications leading to a stronger market segmentation enabling a better suitability to fulfill specific application requirements. For automotive applications, several approaches to increase energy densities, to improve fast charging performance, and to reduce cost on a pack level are considered. Among them, a promising example is the direct integration of battery cells into the battery pack (Cell-to-pack; CTP) or vehicle (Cell-to-chassis, CTC) to increase energy densities and to reduce costs, as already commercialized by Tesla, CATL and others. On cell level, a segmentation between high-performance and low-cost applications is realized in the technology developments. Hereby, a diversification of the cell manufacturer’s product portfolio can be observed. As a strong demand for NMC and LFP-based battery cells is leading to fluctuating raw material prices (especially for
Volvo Trucks is leading the charge to net-zero emissions by 2050, but will other OEMs follow? Volvo Trucks is betting on itself to reach the aggressive goal of being completely fossil-free by 2040, meaning its global population of trucks running on roads should be net-zero by 2050. The company is taking an almost fanatical approach to its emissions reduction targets in hopes that other OEMs will follow its lead. Volvo refers to this approach as “The Road to Net-Zero.” Truck & Off-Highway Engineering was invited to Gothenburg, Sweden, to tour many of Volvo's facilities and experience its latest truck offerings at its proving grounds. In addition to touring the newly christened World of Volvo, the company's new experience center located in the heart of Gothenburg, our group of North American journalists was provided unfettered access to company engineers and executives to glean how the company plans to achieve its ambitious targets.
Axiomatic AX141155, compact CAN-Bluetooth® Low Energy Converter, is IP67-rated, CE, FCC, and vibration compliant for off-highway. Operate in SAE J1939 interface or CAN (protocol independent) Bridge modes. Power from 12V, 24V or 48Vdc and temperature range from 30 to +85°C. Configure via the Axiomatic CAN2BT app on compatible Apple iOS or Android devices. axiomatic.com
Kodiak Robotics launched its first autonomous military prototype vehicle in December 2023 - a Ford F-150 upfitted with the Kodiak Driver autonomous system. Developed for the Department of Defense (DoD), the vehicle runs the same software as Kodiak's autonomous long-haul trucks but with more robust DefensePod enclosures for the sensors. Now the company is collaborating with Textron Systems to develop a purpose-built uncrewed military vehicle designed without space for a driver and intended for advanced terrain environments. The companies plan to demonstrate driverless operations later in 2024. “The initial integration work is largely being done at a Textron Systems facility in Maine, with testing planned at Kodiak facilities,” Kodiak's chief technology officer Andreas Wendel told Truck & Off-Highway Engineering. He shared his thoughts on the “immense” potential for autonomous technology in tactical vehicles.
North America's first electric, fully integrated custom cab and chassis refuse collection vehicle - slated for initial customer deliveries in mid-2024 - is equipped with a standard advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS). “A typical garbage truck uses commercial off-the-shelf active safety technologies, but the electrified McNeilus Volterra ZSL was purpose-built with active safety technologies to serve our refuse collection customer,” said Brendan Chan, chief engineer for autonomy and active safety at Oshkosh Corporation, McNeilus' parent company. “We wanted to make the safest and best refuse collection truck out there. And by using cloud-based simulation, we could accelerate the development of ADAS and other technologies,” Chan said in an interview with Truck & Off-Highway Engineering during the 2024 dSPACE User Conference in Plymouth, Michigan.
Deutronic is not alone in developing and integrating thermal-management solutions to meet the specific demands of off-highway EVs. Modine, for example, in 2023 launched a new edition of its EVantage battery thermal-management system with a liquid-cooled condenser (L-CON BTMS) that combines proprietary heat-exchanger technology with smart controls and electronics. The system is designed to withstand harsh environments found in mining, construction, agriculture, specialty and transportation applications, according to Mike Kis, Director of Advanced Thermal Systems at Modine.
Rooftop solar panels will soon power about 90% of PFG's Gilroy, California, operations, the starting point for cold food deliveries. The vehicles getting the various edibles and food-related products from the warehouse to restaurants, schools, hotels and other customers include new battery-electric Class 8 trucks that mate to trailers fitted with zero-emission transport refrigeration units (TRUs). “Our Gilroy, California, location is the pilot for how we intend to develop sustainable distribution centers,” said Jeff Williamson, senior vice president of operations for Richmond, Virginia-headquartered Performance Food Group (PFG). Williamson and others were recently interviewed by Truck & Off-Highway Engineering following an Earth Day open house at the Gilroy site.
REE Automotive is aiming to be a major disruptor in the medium-duty truck space with the rollout of its P7 EV chassis. The P7 frame is built around its “REEcorners” suspension, which are modular suspension units featuring REE's x-by-wire design. By packaging components into the area between the chassis and the wheel, REE claims that it was able to design the P7 with a completely flat chassis with up to 35% more interior volume for passengers, cargo and batteries. “The REEcorners suspension system is the core of the technology that we built this truck around,” Peter Dow, VP of engineering for REE Automotive, said during an interview with Truck & Off-Highway Engineering. “It also allows us to achieve the level of vehicle dynamics we were looking for. We were trying to make a truck that was very exciting and easy to drive.”
Modine exec says EV thermal management systems have evolved significantly from the technology used by ICE vehicles just five years ago. A rarity only a few years ago, electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming part of the daily lives of constantly increasing numbers of drivers. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, passenger EV sales soared by about 25% compared to the same period in 2023, according to the IEA's annual Global EV Outlook. While the passenger EV market charges ahead toward widespread adoption, the off-highway vehicle segment lags in electrification. The burly and rugged workhorses that do the heavy lifting in construction and agriculture have been slower in embracing electrification due to their heavier workloads and duty cycles. In addition to larger batteries, traction motors and countless other components, the electrification of this class of vehicles also requires a steep learning curve, all of which impact stakeholders up and down the value chain. For example, navigating
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