Construction Mirror Article detail

Gates Corporation Introduces New Line of Premium Hydraulic Hoses to Meet the Challenging Needs of the Construction Industry

Hydraulics are a critical component in a diverse mix of construction equipment. From excavators and pavers to backhoe loaders and skid steers, both small and large construction equipment leverage hydraulic systems to power to their equipment. The construction industry has continued to see increased power output in compact engine designs, driven largely by emissions requirements and efficiency goals. Gates designed the MXT™ line of hoses specifically to meet a number of these industry challenges.

This innovative, patent-pending product line meets the challenging requirements of the construction industry, both original equipment and replacement market needs. MXT is a lighter weight and more flexible solution that meets or exceeds a wide range of industry standards, covering approximately 90% of the hydraulic wire braid product applications. As part of Gates premium MegaSys® portfolio, MXT is compatible with Gates extensive line of hydraulic couplings and exceeds 600,000 impulse cycles at smaller minimum bend radii (MBR) compared to SAE 100R2 products.

Innovation in MXT, realized through applied materials science and process technologies, allows users to realize a variety of benefits from features including a compact design, hose flexibility, a lightweight construction, and tight bend radii.

MXT’s compact construction allows equipment designers to still fit the hydraulic hoses into systems where space is becoming increasingly scarce. Even though engine compartments are getting smaller, the same numbers of hydraulic hose assemblies are still required to power the system. When these compartments have 20 or more hose routings, even a few millimeters smaller outer diameter can make the difference between an infeasible design and a successful hydraulics system. Furthermore, MXT’s compact construction allows a designer to use one hose size larger in some systems, meaning they can get increased fluid flow and thus increased power output from the system.

The MXT construction is not only compact, but also incredibly flexible with an average of 15% to 20% decreased force to bend (compared to similar Gates products), allowing faster and more ergonomic installation or replacing during equipment servicing.

MXT is up to 30 percent lighter weight than traditional hoses. For the construction industry, this means the hydraulic systems can be made lighter weight. Even though many equipment types include counter-weights, by light weighting the hydraulics the designer can put the weight in more ideal locations. Lower weight equipment can also mean lower transportation costs when shipping, not to mention lightweight equipment can help meet fuel efficiency targets.

Finally, MXT’s tight minimum-bend radii offers more options for equipment designers when routing hoses. It is even possible for designers to use shorter hose lengths. Shorter hoses result in less pressure drop which directly translates to more efficient hydraulic systems. Furthermore, short hoses mean less fluid in the system and less hose weight for added weight savings. With and improved flexibility, limits downtime or speeds up assembly time. For example in case of Bulldozers have 30-60mtr of 2-wire braid, saving: Up to 10kg weight savings per piece of equipment.

Gates is bringing innovation back into hydraulic hose assemblies with MXT hydraulic hoses. Let MXT help your business, because your operations demand efficiency. MXT is there for you because your people matter. Whether you are a service provider or an original equipment manufacturer, MXT can help your business, because performance wins.