Hydraulic hybrid retrofit programme launched by Eaton22 January 2010

Retrofit versions of Eaton's hydraulic launch assist (HLA) hybrid power system for refuse trucks are to be offered by the company later this year.

Eaton is currently seeking partners for the programme, and Seth Deutsch, manager for hybrid market planning, recons that retrofitting existing trucks is a best-of-both-worlds scenario.

"Until now, our refuse market customers in North America have been frustrated in their efforts to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions in fleets of newer trucks with many years of service left in them.

"They have been asking for a hybrid solution that does not require the purchase of a new truck – and we're pleased to deliver the retrofit option."

Eaton's HLA is a parallel hybrid system, in which the conventional powertrain is supplemented by a hydraulic system that propels the truck forward and also helps slow it down.

Deutsch explains that the system is best suited to vehicles that operate in stop and go duty cycles, such as refuse trucks. Benefits, he says, include 20% to 30% improvement in fuel economy, longer brake life, and increased productivity, due to the extra power from the HLA system.

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Eaton Ltd

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