Innovation for cement mixer trucks from Bonfiglioli: the drum rotation gearbox goes hybrid

Stefano Baldi, Worldwide Sales Manager at Bonfiglioli Trasmital explains: “The cement mixer truck market has always been an important one for us, and we have always done our best to offer key account customers superbly reliable, high performance solutions. As the result of a co-engineering project with one of our major customers, CIFA-ZOOMLION, a world leader in cement mixer trucks, Bonfiglioli is now launching a hybrid system that will change the future of cement mixer drum rotation. We are extremely proud of this new product because we are convinced that electromobility solutions will play a major role in the future of construction site and quarry machines.

 

We are also delighted that CIFA-ZOOMLION chose us as their partner in this project. It shows that we have the professionalism and competence they need.”  

 

The solution designed by Bonfiglioli in conjunction with CIFA-ZOOMLION comprises a gearbox of Bonfiglioli’s historical 500 Series coupled to an AC electric motor that provides normal power and a DC electric motor for emergency use.

 

This new solution not only guarantees greater energy efficiency and reduced fuel consumption, but also helps cut cement mixer truck operating costs (for example by extending service intervals and making servicing simpler than on hydraulic drive solutions). 

Performance is improved too: rotation speed control is more accurate, operating noise levels are significantly lower (thanks to the electric motor and the helical tooth profile of the high speed gearbox stage). 

 

Finally, functionality remains higher in the event of a failure: the presence of a second, backup DC motor gives reassuring redundancy and eliminates the risks and potentially hazardous situations caused by failures of the drum emptying system (if the drum cannot rotate, the cement can solidify and put the mixer truck out of action).

 

The new Bonfiglioli solution is designed for use with medium/large mixer trucks that have medium/long delivery distances to travel. Drum rotation speed is between 15 and 22 rpm and capacity between 6 and 14 m3. 

 

To give some basic technical details, the gearbox of the new solution has a reduction ratio of 1:220 (1:2200 in emergency mode) and can transmit a maximum torque of 35,000 Nm (rated torque of 21,500 Nm). The main motor has a power rating of 40 kW, is liquid cooled and has an index of protection of IP66.

 

This new Bonfiglioli solution will be on display at the Bauma exhibition, at the Bonfiglioli stand and on a mixer truck displayed directly by CIFA-ZOOMLION.