Off Highway News

Caterpillar Marine announced Tuesday it its expanding its delivery of hybrid and electric propulsion and power solutions amid an industry push to reduce its environmental impact.The company said it will leverage hybrid and electric expertise from across its enterprise to selectively incorporate technology from machine and off-highway products."Regardless of where the vessel is constructed or delivered, whether operating in fixed locations or transiting through territories around the world…

Ben Reed is a mechanical engineer from the U.K. now leading New Zealand-based waterjet manufacturer HamiltonJet as managing director.Raised in Shropshire, Reed graduated from Loughborough University of Technology in 1995 and later became a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering. He’s worked for a U.K. gas utility company developing natural-gas-powered engines; Ford Motor Company as a Systems Analyst, and 17 years for Caterpillar UK in diesel engine and transmission development for off-highway machinery and military products…

Brazil’s waterways have enormous potential for commercial transport, but are still underused and inefficient in the country’s 12 river basins, according to Brazil’s National Transport Confederation (CNT). Of the 63,000 kilometers (km) that could potentially be used for inland navigation, only 19,500 km (30.9%) of the existing network is currently used commercially for cargo and passenger transport, leaving more than two-thirds unused.However, despite wasted opportunities, Brazilian rivers have registered an increase in transported volume in recent years…

How have major events such as the U.S./China trade war, oil price fall and COVID-19 impacted Twin Disc’s commercial marine business to date, and what adjustments have you made in response?These are the three things that I’ve been highlighting in employee communications and with investors over the last few months. For us, COVID was just the third punch after the other two. China is typically our second largest market after the U.S., and we lost lots of orders to our competitors as the trade war started to affect us. It’s rebounding a little, but it definitely impacted our sales into China.

To start, can you give an overview of the Thermamax offering to the maritime industry?Thermamax is a specialist in the design and manufacture of thermal and acoustic insulation solutions for diesel engines, spark ignited engines, exhaust aftertreatment systems and electric storage systems. Our markets include automotive, on- and off-highway sectors, power sports vehicles, stationary power generation, ships, and oil platforms, both on land and at sea. For the marine industry, Thermamax is a solution provider for SOLAS-compliant insulation solutions for engine rooms.

Danfoss Editron, a company specializes in hybrid and electric powertrain systems for off-highway and marine markets, said that it has provided the hybrid electric drivetrain system powering a new ferry connecting the communities of Thyborøn and Agger in north west Denmark.The ferry, which was delivered by the country’s Søby Værft shipyard, was ordered to replace the previous one that had been running for over 40 years and reached the end of its operational lifetime.Like most ferries in Denmark, the Thyborøn-Agger service operates over a relatively short distance, with an approximate crossing time of just 12 minutes. Because of this short journey time…

Danfoss said it has acquired Visedo Oy, expert in electric solutions for the off-highway and marine markets headquartered in Lappeenranta in Finland. “Acquiring new innovative technology is an important part of our investment in growth,” said Kim Fausing, Danfoss president and CEO. Visedo will be integrated into the Danfoss Power Solutions business segment. The acquisition includes all Visedo subsidiaries globally and a design and manufacturing site located at its headquarters in Lappeenranta.

Rolls-Royce said it has acquired from G+L innotec the exclusive rights of use for a new technology for the electrically-assisted charging of off-highway combustion engines in the power range above 450 kW. The new invention from the development and engineering services provider based in Laupheim in southern Germany is protected by patents and has thus not been available on the market to date. Rolls-Royce plans to offer engines of its MTU brand with this technology as of 2021. “Electrically-assisted charging is a milestone on the way to the hybridizing of the engine. Using this technology, it will be possible for us to develop agile, low-consumption engines,” said Dr. Johannes Kech, Director of Development Turbocharging & Fluid Systems at MTU.

Without having to enter a service bay or wait for a technician to come on site, Cummins customers are now able to read prioritized engine fault codes and other key engine information within minutes wherever they are operating with the new Cummins Guidanz mobile app. Available as a free download now on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, the Guidanz mobile app arms customers with critical information about their Cummins engines (2007 and later on-highway engines and Tier 3 and later off-highway engines) that they can email to their operations managers…

Durability field-test results of ABB’s variable valve train system, Valve Control Management (VCM), have shown unprecedented success of the technology on an MTU high speed gas engine. The successful running of each VCM actuator for 7,000 hours on an engine is an important milestone for the forthcoming serialization of this technology. Typically, a durability test for serialization lasts around 5,000 hours for large engines. VCM is an electro-hydraulic valve train system for four-stroke gas and diesel engines…

John Deere Power Systems manufactures and markets industrial, marine and generator drive diesel engines, as well as drivetrain components for use in a variety of off-highway applications. The full line of propulsion and gen-drive PowerTech marine engines – 4.5L, 6.8L, 9.0L, 13.5L – that range in power from  60 kW to 559 kW (80 –750 hp), meet IMO Tier II, EPA Tier 3, and EU Recreational Craft Directive emissions requirements, while offering low noise, low vibration and excellent fuel economy.

Valley Power Systems has entered into a distributor agreement with Yanmar America Corporation for the sale and service of Yanmar’s commercial marine diesel engine line throughout the states of California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska, as well as the Canadian province of British Columbia. In business for over 65 years, Valley Power Systems provides power and propulsion products for the commercial and pleasure craft marine industries from manufacturers such as MTU, Electro-Motive (EMD), Scania, Northern Lights, Technicold and now Yanmar Commercial Marine.

Rolls-Royce is to supply 12 MTU diesel gensets to prime contractor BAE Systems for the first three Type 26 Global Combat Ships due to go into service with the U.K Royal Navy. The deal means that the core components of the frigate’s combined propulsion system will come from Rolls-Royce: four MTU diesel gensets with 20V 4000 M53B engines, each delivering 3,015 kW of mechanical power, and one Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine. The MTU brand is part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems. The Type 26 Global Combat Ship is the first newly-designed Royal Navy surface vessel to be equipped with MTU engines.

Today’s workboat operators must navigate increasingly stringent IMO and EPA environmental and emissions regulations in and around ports and rivers. As the drama unfolds, selective catalytic reduction or SCR is emerging as a viable vehicle to do just that. At the same time, fears about space constraints for smaller vessels and the hassle of carrying and handing urea for these systems are rapidly evaporating, as well. Two different firms – both familiar names in propulsion markets – have embraced SCR as the way forward. Both, Tenneco and Volvo Penta, rely on deep roots in these markets and significant experience in the effort to reduce emissions from engines.

As the world moves increasingly toward cleaner, efficient and more environmentally benign power sources, news from Germany today sees the high-profile MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH forming a development partnership with Darmstadt-based AKASOL GmbH, a subsidiary of Schulz Group (Tettnang) and one of the leading manufacturers of Li-ion battery systems for high performance applications. The partnership is aimed to develop and deliver battery systems for MTU’s hybrid and e-drive propulsion systems for marine, rail and industrial applications.

MTU America Inc., a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG, will implement an auditing program to ensure proper emissions testing and compliance with federal emission standards for its heavy-duty diesel non-road engines as part of a settlement to resolve alleged Clean Air Act violations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice and announced today. The complaint filed with the settlement alleges that MTU violated the Clean Air Act by selling 895 non-road, heavy-duty diesel engines, which are used in mining, marine and power generation vehicles and equipment, without valid certificates of conformity. EPA voided the certificates of conformity purporting to cover the engines based on improper emissions testing by MTU employees.

Hatz Diesel, a manufacturer of industrial diesel engines, presents the concept study of the new 4H50TIC as a marine version at the SMM exhibition in Hamburg. Hatz will also showcase other available GL certified engines. Hatz Diesel, a manufacturer of industrial diesel engines in the power range from 1.5 to 56 kW, presents its products for maritime applications at SMM in Hamburg from September 9-12, 2014. For 20 years, the Hatz Marine Center of Excellence in Hamburg, a branch of the German based engine manufacturer…

ABB announced that it has signed a five-year maintenance agreement with Prestige Cruise Holdings (PCH) to provide services, parts and support for all turbochargers installed on its fleet of eight cruise ships. The contract provides global access to maintenance services for the turbochargers to ensure their continued safe and reliable operation. Prestige Cruise Holdings is the parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which serve the upper-premium and luxury segments of the cruise industry with over 6,400 berths.

Rolls-Royce today announced the completion of its acquisition of Rolls-Royce Power Systems (RRPS). The move follows an announcement made on March 7, 2014 that the Board of Management of Daimler AG had decided to exercise the put option relating to its 50% equity interest in RRPS and the announcement on April 16, 2014 that Rolls-Royce and Daimler had agreed on a fair market valuation for the shareholding of €2.43 billion. John Rishton, CEO of Rolls-Royce said, “We are pleased to welcome Rolls-Royce Power Systems fully into Rolls-Royce.

Mill Log Equipment Company DBA Twin Disc Mid-Atlantic informs it has hired Ricky White as the Territory Manager for the southern Mid-Atlantic States to include the state of North Carolina (less the Outer Banks), and South Carolina. Ricky will operate out of the full service Rock Hill, SC location and will report directly to Mill Log Equipment Group of Companies’ Director of Sales & Marketing, Don Lindsey. “As we continue to bring our customers the highest quality industrial and marine transmission components in the industry, I am extremely pleased to add an industry professional of Ricky’s caliber to our team. Ricky has spent the better part of the last decade as a field service technician where he gained tremendous experience working on an array of diesel powered industrial equipment.

The Industrial Technology division of the ZF Group said that Martin Meissner has assumed the position of Marketing and Communications Manager for North America. Meissner, currently the Marketing and Communications Manager for ZF’s Marine business in North America, will now be responsible for all facets of marketing related activities in North America for the Industrial Technology division. The Industrial Technology division encapsulates all of the non-automotive business activities of the ZF Group.

Geoff Conrad – Marine Director at Cummins Northwest informs that Mike Fourtner has joined as the newest member of the sales team with focus on developing the commercial marine markets in Oregon and Washington. Mike has an extensive marine fisheries and vessel operations background that should serve customers well in selling engines, repowers, service, and parts. We are fortunate to have Mike onboard. His years of experience will bring the “voice of the fisherman into our business” reported Geoff Conrad – Marine Director at Cummins Northwest.

As San Jacinto College prepares to break ground to build the region's newest maritime training facility, some of the industry's most sought after training technology has arrived and is awaiting its new home. The college recently received three interactive, full-mission, ship bridge simulators, thanks to a collaborative agreement with the Houston Pilots. They will be moved to the College's 45,000-square-foot Maritime Technology and Training Center once it opens, projected for mid 2015.