Umea, Sweden – As a technical pioneer, and the leading front loader manufacturer in the world, Ålö has a track record of innovations that maximize the use of farm tractors. With the Loader Control System (LCS), the company is now taking a giant leap forward in this regard.

The LCS consolidates several major technical achievements into one system that gives the user a new level of control, usability, effectiveness and safety when operating the loader. The system also saves time, money and the environment by enabling quick and easy handling of the couplings, by eliminating unnecessary oil spillage when attaching and detaching the hydraulics, and by assisting with lower fuel consumption.

The core technical components are:

• A dedicated hydraulic valve program, specifically designed to enhance the performance and functionality of today’s modern front loaders.

• A uniquely designed and integrated flat face multi-coupling.

• A new, thumb-steered electronic joystick for easier, more precise operation.

• Systems designed for both mechanical and electronic control.

“Our focus has been on the user. We asked ourselves: What changes are needed to not merely improve the driver’s work experience, but bring it to a whole new level? Now, after several years of research and development, we have a distinct answer: The LCS,” says Urban Hadarsson, Sales & Marketing Director at Ålö.

With the LCS we are also raising the bar for the front loader industry. The new LCS hydraulic valve program is an industry first: No other manufacturer offers a hydraulic valve program tailor made for the specific needs and functions of the front loader. The new valve is just one component of this new system that drives the loader and provides the operator with all the features he requires to maximize loader operation.

The new system will become standard on all new front loaders manufactured by Ålö during the second quarter of 2010.

The LCS technical advantages in brief:

• Ålö LCS Open Centre valve has the same driving properties as the Ålö LCS Load Sensing valve. Both valves are based on the load sensing principle.

• A number of different settings and presettings are available in order to control the loader — for example, live 3rd function; preset flow control for all hydraulic functions; float position setting for all hydraulic functions; and implement rattling function with preset frequency.

• Full control when handling heavy loads. The oil flow is load independent; that is, the lower/raise speed stays virtually the same whether the loader is fully loaded or unloaded. The operator will not “sense” the weight and will not have to change driving technique for different operations (the oil flow is always directly proportional to the joystick input). This also brings vastly improved double action functionality, for instance when lowering and crowding (bucket roll-back) simultaneously.

• Both the implement and lift circuit uses low pressure regeneration. It’s an energy-saving system that reuses oil flow when dumping and lowering. It will always keep the cylinders filled with oil, even on tractors with low hydraulic flow. No more cavitation in the cylinders and no more waiting, even when the engine is running at low RPM.

• Both open centre and load sensing valves will limit the pressure reaching the loader to 190 Bar and will not affect the tractor system pressure. For example, if an open centre tractor has 210 Bar system pressure, it will maintain that pressure even when an LCS is fitted.

• The load sensing valve has a pre-heating function that is active only at low pressure and closes automatically once the loader or other hydraulic functions start working. This ensures smooth positioning and control at all times, regardless of ambient and hydraulic fluid temperatures.

• All quick couplers are “spill free” flat face design and are easy to keep clean. • Both lift and implement circuits feature float position. In addition to improved driving benefits, this also enables easy connection/disconnection of loaders and implements.

• New “play free” connection between the cable and valve for the mechanical system for improved control and “feel” in operator’s hand.

• Ergonomically designed electronic joystick incorporating a backlit display. The operator can control it using only the thumb or thumb and index finger combined. The display shows chosen function as well as helps when setting it up.

• The electronic joystick and the valve communicate using the CAN-bus protocol. The system can be adapted to communicate with CAN-bus tractors.

• New compact multi-coupler with integrated electric connector. Includes swiveling couplers between hoses and multi-coupler making it much easier to handle. The lower part of the multi-coupler is integrated into the LCS valve design.

For more information, contact Scott Marshall, Product Manager, Alo North America Inc at 800 361 7563, or visit www.alo.se