Volvo SfinX and Volvo Gryphin

[Holger]

How do you like the concepts?
Are they a way of thinking in the right way?

[Ross]

Looks radical. :)

Thanks for the pictures :drinkup

Ross

[Steve Frazier]

I'm guessing the first picture is a wheel loader? The only advantage I see on this machine is better ground clearance and perhaps a higher reach. I would guess it would make the machine more unstable having a higher center of gravity, plus with the extensive drivetrain components, add considerable expense to the machine. I'd think it would serve a specific type of operation over general loading operations.

I have the same feelings about the excavator. The boom would certainly be lighter, and if this could hold up under severe service, it would mean a better load capacity for the machine. Again we have a sophisticated drivetrain which would be more expensive to produce and maintain for what I see as limited advantages. It would provide better traction and stability in extremely rough terrain, but how often does one have to work in these conditions for any length of time? The first thing an operator does is cut himself a work pad, then the advantages of the machine pictured go away. This suspension and drive train might be better suited for forestry equipment.

[alco]

I have similar feelings to Steve's comments on these. The loader I see as having a higher centre of gravity when in the up position. That being said, I suppose if it is variable like it seems to be, you could lower the profile of the machine for areas with restricted overhead clearance. I think this looks more like a specialty machine than one for general use, but I would love to hear other's thoughts on this.

The excavator I think is a bit different. I think if they could make the boom strong enough, it would have some great advantages over a solid plate boom. Like Steve mentioned, the savings in weight would definitely add to machine capacity. Swinging les weight when empty would require less energy and would therefore lower fuel comsumption. As for the undercarriage, this is where I see the real advantage. While general construction operators may have the option to build a level pad to work from, that doesn't always prove true when pioneering road. When you are stripping and grubbing, you have to work with the terrain since you don't have the time to build a level spot to work from. You try to get as much done as fast as you can when moving through on the way in, then build your pad on the way back out. Another situation would be when working rock for the drill crew to follow. Since you don't want to build pads and you can't dig the rock till it's blasted, you can end up sitting at some strange angles.

Like Steve mentioned, this is mostly forestry work that I am speaking of, so maybe it would be best suited to forestry work. I do see definite advantages though.

Brian

[komatsukid]

The loader almost looks like it could have a tortion-type suspension in the rear. Being a loader operator all comfort innovations are a welcome site.
komatsukid.

[John C.]

The loader suspension is about the same thing that is used on specialized logging machinery. It looks like someone morphed two machines into one. As mentioned before, lots more complexity, higher center of gravity. I would guess this machine could only be a hydrostatic drive.

The excavator look neat but I don't see how it could ever overcome repeated stresses that would be incurred through continuous operation. The reason for the current box section booms is that they take stresses put on the component for thousands of cycles without cracking. We still see them crack anyway.

They are very artistic concept drawings. What is the purpose for them?

[Wulf]

They are very artistic concept drawings. What is the purpose for them?

There are some details here: http://www.volvo.com/constructionequipment/na/en-us/products/crawlerexcavators/SfinX%20concept/

I think all manufacturers come up with concepts to explore new ideas and inspire innovation in their designers. Most of the machinery we use started out in this way some of it quite recently... articulated trucks, rubber tyred excavators, skid steers (now someone will no doubt come along and tell me that Best n' Holt invented all that stuff years ago LOL)

[Squizzy246B]

I'm pretty sure a number of manufacturer's are, or have, worked on an excavator stick design like that. Thats not the first concept drawing I have seen with that type of design.

[Steve Frazier]

If you look back at some of the earliest backhoes, the booms were built out of steel pipe and resembled what we see here.

I didn't mean for my post to imply that these machines would serve no purpose, I can see how they would have advantages in certain environments. But the added cost that must go with the sophisticated drivetrain I believe will restrict these machines to those special applications. I don't feel they will replace conventional machines in their respective categories.

[DirtySouthTruck]

Before I started my trucking company, I worked at a Volvo dealership as a mechanic.

There is a 5 min. long video on the Volvo site of that concept ex. It is crazy. If they ever really came out it with, and one came in the shop, I would quit.

[Holger]

You mean that bad video with the bad quality animations?
Well, the real machine would look a lot different.
Its like the concept cars. On the motorshows they look awesome, when they arrive at the dealer you wonder where all the cool design has gone.

[DirtySouthTruck]

We were not too keen on the hoses inside the boom and stick, cab coming off, amount and travel in the tracks and the entire track system.

But we are mechanics, what do we know?

[Ross]

I think all manufacturers come up with concepts to explore new ideas and inspire innovation in their designers. Most of the machinery we use started out in this way some of it quite recently... articulated trucks, rubber tyred excavators, skid steers (now someone will no doubt come along and tell me that Best n' Holt invented all that stuff years ago LOL)

I can agree with that. I like the look of the excavators running gear. Probably level the machine up great on un-even surfaces. Also the way things are going now i wouldnt be suprised if the boom was made of a Super tough Plastic or other materials non-metal products.
I think its forward thinking and no body on here can say for sure this design is bad and this type of machine wont be reality in a few years.

I bet the good old boys would have laughed and mocked the new Track type ADT we see popping up on forum sites and shows.

[Bellboy]

It looks good, but I don't think it would work. Publicly, it would flop.