Power management company Eaton announces it will supply JCB Inc. with Steering Control Units (SCUs) with Q-Amp technology for the company’s 430 and 432 type wheel loaders. Q-Amp will increase machine productivity through better control and operator comfort, and reduce total manufacturing costs and overall maintenance.
“Eaton understands the importance of improving controls to help manufacturers maximize wheel loader productivity, safety and operator comfort,” says Jude Li, Global Product Manager and Engineering Director, Eaton – Asia Pacific. “By incorporating Eaton Q-Amp steering solutions, JCB’s wheel loaders offer smooth, vibration-free steering in a smaller, lighter package.”
Eaton steering technology gives operators the ability to manually steer articulated vehicles, and use Q-Amp technology for straight driving or making sharp turns. The steering solution provides for both manual and power steering, helping keep agricultural and industrial vehicles operating safely and efficiently. By eliminating mounted hose and fittings in SCUs, integrated valve system design with SCU decreases size of the steering unit and machine weight, while improving ease of assembly and lowering machine costs.
To update JCB’s existing 430 wheel loaders, Eaton’s Application and Commercial Engineering (ACE) team helped modify wheel loaders to fit the new technology. Once units were installed, the ACE team helped collect machine information and calculate data, verifying displacement requirements for both the 430 and 432 wheel loaders.
Eaton Q-Amp technology has replaced all competitive steering units in JCB’s 430 type wheel loaders, and is now in regular production for the new 432 type machine.
