Hydrostatic and powershift in new JCB forklift transmission
The transmission is not always well suited to both the handling and transport work these machines do.
About 60% of the time, they are used for low-speed applications like handling livestock feed and forage, or loading materials.
For this, the hydrostatic transmission is the most suitable, because it is flexible and precise, and transfers lots of torque at low speed.
It also makes for gentle changes in direction, active hydrostatic braking, and independent engine speed and revs.
But when these machines go on the road, mechanical transmissions that feature full-throttle shifting, known as powershift, are ideal, because they provide optimal energy efficiency, along with great traction strength when shifting, during which time there is no interruption in the power being transferred to the wheels.
The JCB Dualtech VT transmission combines the best of these two worlds, with a hydrostatic module operating from zero to 19 km/hour, and a direct three-ratio powershift module from 19 to 40 km/h.
Shifting gears is fully automated from rest to 40 km/hour for ease of use, comfort, and optimal productivity.
In addition, with the hydrostatic module, the engine power and forward drive speed can be controlled independently in Flexi mode.
It also has two operating modes, Eco and Power, to adapt the transmission’s operation to the application.
JCB’s combination of a hydrostatic module for low-speed work and a direct three-ratio powershift module for high-speed use in one transmission has won them a a SIMA silver medal for innovation which will be presented at the SIMA Paris International Agribusiness Show, at the end of February.
