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JCB has stolen a march
over some other
notable telehandler
makers by being able
to demonstrate exactly
how it has addressed
the requirements of
the new European
Standard EN15000.
Nick Johnson discovers
Adaptive Load Control.
Reaching out to
improve telehandler
safety
Whilst some other telescopic handler makers have been reticent to state
how they are reacting to the implementation of the new European Standard
EN15000, JCB has been busy marketing its new safety system called
Adaptive Load Control. The company has clearly given a high priority to
addressing this new piece of European safety legislation that applies to all
telescopic handlers produced for sale into Europe from the 1st October
2010.
EN15000 seeks to reduce the likelihood of forward overturning of a
telescopic handler performing stationary loading or placing operations on
consolidated, stable and level ground, by the use of an automated
Longitudinal Load Moment Control (LLMC) system. Up until now many
machines have purely provided a visual indication of increasing forward
load movement without any automatic cut-out of potentially dangerous
machine motions when the maximum safe load moment is reached.
To satisfy the requirements of EN15000, JCB has developed two
versions of its new Adaptive Load Control system. The company states
that the system will improve safety for all operations with minimal
interruption to standard working practices.
There are two versions of Adaptive Load Control – a simpler two-step
hydraulic cut-out for the company’s Teletruks, Telemasters and the smaller
Loadall models 515-40, 520-50, 524-50 and 527-55 and a proportional
‘soft stop’ system on the higher lift (over 6.0m) machines.
Progressive boom slow down
JCB has developed an Adaptive Load Control system
for its telehandlers so that they comply with EN15000 in
Europe
– a standard devised to reduce the likelihood of
The display panel in the larger
Loadalls includes an arc of coloured
lights to indicate approach to maximum
forward load moment as well new
Active Load Control status symbols.
By using a proportional ‘soft stop’ system on the higher lift machines,
Adaptive Load Control ensures that the boom movements are slowed progressively before coming to a complete
stop. Sudden stops cause discomfort to the operator and create inertia that can increase the risk of machine forward
overturn.
The system collects information from sensors and switches that monitor boom angle, boom extension, control
lever position and transmission speed. An electronic control unit (ECU) then compares this information with the rear
axle load to determine the maximum allowed flow from the control value. As the load moves further away from the
machine and the overturning moment is increased, the flow from the control valve is gradually reduced. At a
predetermined threshold, the flow is completely stopped.
If the machine is placed in a situation where the safe working load is exceeded, the system automatically allows
the operator to lift and retract the load to a safe condition. Where recovery is less than straightforward, a momentary
system over-ride button is provided to assist the operator to safely reduce the load moment.
In accordance with the requirements of EN15000, the Adaptive Load Control system is only active when the
machine is stationary. The system is automatically disabled when driving or when the boom is fully retracted thus
allowing the machine to be still used effectively with a loader bucket. This feature is very important as many
telehandlers are used for rehandling and loading applications such as in waster transfer stations. CP&E
JCB
Page 22 CP&E Contractors Plant & Equipment Vol 1 No 8