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bauma 2013 to see all-wheel-drive vehicles in the limelight at MAN Truck & Bus
MAN has been producing all-wheel-drive vehicles for over 75 years and its competence in this segment is unmatched. Technologies such as MAN HydroDrive®, MAN PriTarder® or the steering brake are efficient customer solutions for the construction industry.
What characterises an efficient construction vehicle? The speed of transport and reliable traction in difficult terrain also play big roles in the construction industry. Engines with plenty of pulling power and a large payload are similarly important factors. Where optimum traction is needed, all-wheel drive gets the vehicles in the MAN TGM and TGS ranges moving. In 2012, MAN was able to look back at 75 years of experience in designing and producing trucks with all-wheel drive. This includes not only the various drive configurations but also the production of planetary axles with high ground clearance and the type of axle suspension and axle guide with leaf or air suspension.
Few competitors offer the choice that MAN does between engageable and permanent all-wheel drive. The 4x4, 6x6 and 8x6 vehicles have engageable all-wheel drive as standard. Permanent all-wheel drive with length compensation and pneumatically engaged inter-axle differential is an option on these vehicles, on the MAN TGS 8x8 it comes as standard. Power is distributed by transfer cases developed and produced by MAN.
The great advantage of engageable all-wheel drive is that the vehicle's operational profile makes it equally suitable for on- and off-road use. The option of being able to run as a purely rear-wheel drive vehicle on paved roads makes itself positively felt in reduced fuel consumption, lower tyre wear and easier handling. A rotary switch makes it convenient for the driver to engage front-wheel drive when the vehicle is stationary. Here, the transfer case connects front and rear axles with each other by means of a dog clutch. The off-road ratio doubles the number of gears available when all-wheel drive is engaged. This eases the load on the driveline and enables the vehicle to be driven at low speeds when not on paved roads.
Permanent all-wheel drive provides maximum traction and a high level of driving stability during lengthy periods of driving on relatively level surfaces where the grip varies greatly. This is the ideal solution, particularly for coping with the exacerbated conditions of construction sites and in municipal operation, as well as for winter service and emergency organisations. Here too, an inter-axle differential lock can be manually engaged.
MAN HydroDrive® for a big extra helping of traction
MAN was the first truck manufacturer in the world to put an intelligent supplement to classic all-wheel drive on the market: the MAN HydroDrive® provides more traction and safety on demand when driving into or out of unpaved construction sites, on slopes and slippery roads. The engageable hydraulic front-wheel drive gives you the driving power to operate safely in these situations, forwards and in reverse. MAN HydroDrive® is a system of hydraulic motors installed in the hubs of the front wheels. A hydraulic pump flanged onto the gearbox output generates a drive torque of around 7000 Nm per wheel. Hydraulic lines transmit the maximum 420-bar pressure to the wheel-hub motors.
Representative of the outstanding transport efficiency attained by MAN HydroDrive® are the high-traction 4x4H semitrailer tractors, which operate with tipper or concrete-mixer semitrailers. MAN trucks are distinguished by their low unladen weight. As a roll-off and set-down skip loader, this version of the MAN TGS in conjunction with a steered trailing axle really makes its mark in terms of manoeuvrability, weight and traction. More than 8,000 customers have already been convinced by the advantages of the MAN HydroDrive® since its market launch in 2005.
When you're driving downhill with the HydroDrive® engaged, the sustained-action brake also acts on the front axle to stabilize the vehicle.The MAN HydroDrive® can be activated by merely turning a rotary switch, both while driving and under load – the driver can thus master gradients safely without having to stop.By comparison with conventional rear-wheel drive, MAN HydroDrive® scores top marks, weighing only slightly more. By contrast to a classic all-wheel drive, however, it saves several hundred kilograms. Neither fuel consumption nor turning circle is negatively affected relative to a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, while the design height similarly remains unchanged. That means easy access, low overall height, low center of gravity and optimum driving stability.
Manoeuvrable and safe off-road thanks to the steering brake from MAN
MAN offers a steering brake as special equipment for 6x4 versions in the TGS and TGX series. This enhances manoeuvrability and improves handling behaviour off-road. Selective braking of the rear wheels on the inside of the bend, depending on how far the steering wheel is turned, reduces the tendency to push over the front wheels when cornering. The system is available only from MAN and is activated by a button on the dashboard, preventing understeering at speeds of up to 30 km/h. Exclusively the Euro VI variant of the MAN TGS tipper chassis with 6x4 configuration and a 3,300-mm wheelbase is equipped with steering brake as standard.
Safe and efficient braking with the MAN PriTarder®
With the MAN PriTarder® the MAN TGS is equipped with a highly efficient primary braking system that is unique of its kind.On all-wheel and HydroDrive® vehicles in particular, the braking force provided by the MAN PriTarder® can be optimally used because it acts on all driven wheels – an advantage especially on slippery surfaces.
The sustained-action braking system is integrated into the coolant circuit and flanged directly onto the engine. MAN PriTarder® operates on the crankshaft. Its effect thus depends on the engine speed and even at low vehicle speeds it provides high braking power. In conjunction with the engine brake EVBec this water retarder delivers braking power of up to 600 kW. The MAN PriTarder® shows its strengths particularly in situations where heavily laden vehicles in construction-site operation have to be braked at low driving speeds. The maintenance-free system results in 64 kg more payload by comparison with an Intarder. Moreover, it doubles the service life of the service-brake linings. The MAN PriTarder® is integrated in the MAN BrakeMatic® electronic sustained-action brake management system. Its braking power can be conveniently applied at six levels by means of the steering-column stalk switch.
Compact and versatile – the MAN TGM all-wheel drive at bauma
At bauma 2013 MAN will be exhibiting a Euro-VI-compliant all-wheel drive TGM equipped with the new steel bumper. This MAN TGM combines the versatility of a classic equipment carrier with great manoeuvrability and optimal handling both on- and off-road. The exhibit represents greatest flexibility in everyday operation, because the tasks that have to done on construction sites and in municipal service are widely different and vary according to season: street and site cleaning, winter services, operation with cranes and general transport tasks. The MAN TGM 13.290 4x4 BL with single tyres on show meets all these requirements, in addition to having outstanding off-road operating characteristics.
The modern cab has a new interior design and is fitted with top quality equipment. It takes up to three people. With its short wheelbase of 3,250 mm it shows its agility on narrow construction sites and in winter service on streets in residential areas parked full of cars. Different types of equipment such as road sweepers or snowploughs can be attached to the front mounting plate. A remote-controlled loading crane is located behind the cab. The fittings and tanks required for the exhaust-gas treatment system as well as the tanks for diesel fuel and hydraulic fluid have been positioned by MAN's engineers so that the loading crane's hydraulic supports can be suitably located on the frame.
The 2.35-m wide three-way tipper body contributes to the compactness of the vehicle. Narrow access roads on construction sites or residential areas do not constitute a bottleneck. Depending on the task and the time of year, the loading platform can be fitted with a salt spreader plus tank for a de-icing agent or a compact spray unit with a tank for up to 4,000 litres of fluid. An MAN TGM equipped like this can be operated all the year round: in winter, at temperatures below -5°C, de-icing agent can be applied by means of a rear spray bar, while at other times of the year, water for cleaning purposes flows from the tank on the loading platform to the front road sweeper.
Air suspension as standard on the all-wheel drive TGM with its gross weight of 14.1 tonnes means that the loading platform remains at a constant height, irrespective of how much is in the spreader hopper. The spreading pattern thus stays exactly as it was set for the entire winter-service shift. All the hydraulic consumers are operated via a single hydraulic pump in a so-called load-sensing system that occupies only a single power take-off. Low consumption, low noise, low wear - these three merits suffice to describe the hydraulic system, which achieves the required level of performance at low engine speeds. This new technology also enables the continuous operation of implements requiring high power inputs, such as front road sweepers.
The Transport Efficiency Program from MAN Truck & Bus
The amount of transport and traffic on Europe's roads continues to rise. At the same time, the long-term dwindling of energy resources is making transport increasingly more expensive.As one of the world's leading manufacturers of buses and trucks, MAN Truck & Bus makes an important contribution to the continued improvement of transport efficiency. MAN offers a comprehensive efficiency program to reduce total cost of ownership. Transport efficiency, consolidated in the fields of technology, service, the driver and future expertise protects the environment and is added value for our customers.
The MAN Group is one of Europe’s leading industrial players in transport-related engineering, with revenue of approximately €16.5 billion in 2011. MAN produces trucks, buses, diesel engines, turbo machines and special gear systems with its global workforce of around 52,500 employees. Its business areas hold leading positions in their respective markets.
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