Crown introduces its first IC product
Created 11/16/2009, 12:45:22 pm
The engine
was jointly developed for the C-5 with John Deere Power Systems. It allows for
engine cooling and radiator clearing via an on-demand cooling system.
"Our
customers came to us with internal combustion forklift issues related to engine
performance, overheating, operator comfort and maintenance," says Crown
president Jim Dicke III. "We saw an opportunity to help our customers move
beyond the existing limitations of IC truck performance."
Crown’s
research and development included analysis of maintenance work performed on
thousands of IC trucks. Crown’s work with John Deere produced a 2.4-liter
industrial engine for the C-5 that features a cast iron head and larger, more
robust components designed to prevent overheating and warping. This will extend
the forklift’s lifespan to twice that of existing IC trucks, according to
Crown.
The C-5’s
horsepower and low-end torque contribute to performance during acceleration,
incline-loaded travel, and carrying or pushing heavy loads.
"People
generally don’t drive their cars for eight to 16 hours a day, six days a
week," says Crown product manager Andy Smith. "In fact, running an
automotive engine in a forklift for just 2,500 hours is the equivalent of
driving 100,000 miles (16,090Km) at 40 miles per hour (64.4Km/h) in a car. An automotive engine just isn’t
built to withstand the demands of many material handling environments."
That’s why Crown
decided not to go with an automotive engine, and instead opted for one that has
been tested in agricultural and construction settings noted for dirt, debris
and longer run times. Crown addressed the overheating challenge with a dual
open-core radiator with separate cooling systems for the engine and
transmission. This is a standard feature on the C-5.
An optional
On-Demand Cooling (ODC) system automatically clears itself of debris and
provides precise cooling to manage heat in intense and dirty environments. Each
time a user starts the C-5, the ODC system’s radiator-clearing feature reverses
the fan direction to dislodge any debris. This reduces the frequency of
radiator cleanings, which reduces maintenance costs and increases uptime,
according to Smith.
In
addition, the ODC system adjusts its fan speed based on engine temperature, and
the strategic placement of the fan improves cooling efficiency by pulling air
evenly through the radiator rather than pushing the air out.
Another
challenge facing IC lift truck users has been the high cost of frequent service
and maintenance issues. Crown projects that in its first 2,000 hours of
operation, the C-5 will average just 79 routine maintenance tasks. This is
expected to result in reduced downtime and lowered out-of-pocket maintenance
costs.
Source:
forkliftaction.com
