LIFTING & LOADING – TECHNOLOGY REVIEW
interpreted and transformed into digital form by the measuring unit mounted on the scale body. Data are transferred by radio to a monitor in the cabin or at the top seat of the crane. The wireless technology makes installation very easy and eliminates the risk of stand still due to cable rupture.
The Bobcat TL470 is faster and more powerful than previous models
direction is selected at the touch of a button, while the operator can continue to keep a grip on both the steering wheel and the joystick. This design allows for fast and easy changes between forward and reverse directions, giving the operator complete, confident control of all machine functions.
Maintenance and service The TL470HF telescopic handler is designed with minimal maintenance and service work in mind. A parallel side-mounted engine provides easy access to the main engine maintenance points. The battery is located at the front of the engine basket for easy access, while the filters are strategically placed for easy and quick replacement. Standard features include an
electronic battery switch and onboard diagnostics that contribute to the high reliability of the machine.
All critical areas are covered
and protected from the elements when the machine is in operation. Access holes with covers that can be quickly removed are strategically placed on the mainframe.
Swedish group, Intermercato, has developed a revolutionary crane scale, the so called XW-series – XW standing for ‘exact weight’. The scales are designed for truck- mounted cranes, forwarders and material handlers. The XW-series is the first approved crane scale for automatic-dynamic weighing, which means it can be certified as legal for trade.
Normally the scale is mounted
between the crane boom and rotator, but mounting between rotator and grab is also possible.
Technology
The scale is based on traditional strain gauge technology. The signals from the strain gauge are
Automatics The weighing is performed automatically, which means the driver has limited or no influence over the weighing process. The automatics are entirely software based so there are no external sensors involved. However, the software gives the operator the possibility of activating the scale before weighing, or he can choose to let the automatics take over completely. The weighing algorithm, though, remains the same.
Module-based construction The XW-scales always consist on a base unit with built-in load cell and radio housing with measuring unit and transmitter. The base unit allows mounting – by use of adapters – of any type of connection to grab/grapple and crane/material handlers. Intermercato swing dampers are available as an option.
Calibration Before delivery, all scales are calibrated in a special calibration stand. An error of max +/- 5 kg is allowed before delivery. However,
normally the error is less than +/- 3 kg during calibration. As the scales are supplied pre-calibrated, no on-site calibration is required during mounting. Mounting and commissioning is so simple that it is often done by the end user. Basically the monitor is connected to the 24 VDC and the scale is mounted in the crane nose (the hose connection to the rotator might need to be made a bit longer).
Type approval The automatic is a prerequisite for the type approval of a scale designed for dynamic weighing. This makes the XW-scale completely different from non- automatic scales, designed for static weighing. As weighing is done in motion, the scale must automatically compensate for the movement of the crane. This compensation is a sophisticated interaction between hardware and software.
Load cell and radio The load cell and the measuring unit are powered by a rechargeable Li-Ion battery. The power consumption is minimised to save battery. A safe working distance is 60 m. The scale is delivered complete with two rechargeable batteries and a battery charger. Changing batteries will only take a minute. Normally change of batteries takes place once a week. The load cell is temperature compensated, which means that
A forwarder fitted with Intermercato scales takes a full load
The onboard computer for Intermercato scales
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012 | International Forest Industries 43
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