

“Plus, those OEMs need bigger engines to generate the same horsepower.

“Without a hybrid option, mobile OEM manufacturers can only say, ‘Yes, we’ve met Tier IV requirements,’ and then they have to live with the fact their machines are not only more expensive, but also less efficient,” said Mike Terzo, founder of Terzo Power Systems. For example, Tier 4 standards substantially reduce the allowable level of nitrogen oxide emissions for engines above 75 hp (56 kW), further limit particulate emissions on diesels with more than 25 hp (19 kW), and put more stringent limits on hydrocarbons. Designing and making engines that comply with the EPA rules have made those engines larger, heavier, and more costly. One set of factors pushing off-road OEMs and equipment manufacturers toward hybrids is the Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 4 emission mandates on reducing diesel engine emissions. Although these innovations could soon migrate over into consumer vehicles, right now they make sense for industrial vehicles and work equipment in terms of ROI and meeting (or avoiding) municipal and federal regulations. Hybrids using the pump can save money by letting vehicles and other off-road equipment power their hydraulic functions while the engine is off.Īutomotive engineers may be further ahead in applying hybrid technologies, but some of the most exciting hybrid innovations these days target off-road OEMs and makers of construction and farm equipment. The Hydrapulse 10-kW (14-hp) Smart Pump designed by engineers at Terzo Power Systems works with Parker Hannifinâs Global Vehicle Motor as a battery operated hydraulic power source for on- and off-road vehicles. This file type includes high resolution graphics and schematics when applicable.
