When looking for a new control valve for its MAC25 mobile articulated crane, original equipment manufacturer Franna turned to Danfoss Power Solutions' PVG 48 pre-compensated proportional control valve.
Franna, a brand of Terex, wanted a valve that provided precise and reliable performance while also having the ability to work with the increasing amount of electronic controls being incorporated into its machines. The PVG 48 can easily integrate with electric actuators, sensors and digital controls while meeting the hydraulic flow rates required of crane and other heavy equipment applications which made it a good fit for Franna.
The Danfoss valve is designed for applications requiring flow rates of up to 180 lpm (47.6 gpm). In Franna's MAC25 mobile articulated crane, it is a key part of the machine's work and steering subsystems by turning operator joystick inputs into boom movements including lifting, lowering, extending and turning of the boom.
READ MORE: Understanding Proportional Control Valve Circuits
By moving to the PVG 48, Franna also switched to use of Danfoss' counterbalance valves to ensure smooth and safe activation of the crane's boom. Hours of testing by Franna's team confirmed the capabilities of the valve in the crane. “Controllability is smooth and even – very refined,” said Quentin Bourke, product support technician, Franna. “The initial tiny bounce on the front tires, which you sometimes see when operators raise or lower the boom, is completely gone. Extension or subtraction of the boom is impressively smooth, too.”
Feedback from customers using the crane equipped with the PVG 48 valve has been positive as well.
Franna sees the valve as a future-proof solution because of its ability to integrate with electronic systems which are increasing in use to provide improved machine performance. In addition, these system will aid with implementation of automated machine functions to ease crane operation. Adam Murchie, project engineer at Franna, sees the valve benefitting other crane designs beyond the MAC25 as well.
Flip through the media gallery above to learn more about the PVG 48 and its use in Franna's MAC25 mobile articulated crane.
