Maintenance-free linear rails in driver seats for construction machinery

igus linear technology prevents dirt and dust from sticking to Gessmann's shifting system

Construction sites can be daunting, given all the machines, material and people. Keeping track of everything is difficult. A flexible new operating concept for driver's cabs from Gessmann helps to ensure that operators always have the best possible overview of their surroundings. The driver's seat can be adjusted linearly to the right and left. The movement enables a drylin linear rail system that works reliably and flawlessly over a long period of time thanks to lubrication-free and maintenance-free tribo-plastics.

Profile

What was needed: drylin W guide rails, drylin hybrid double roller bearings
Requirements: The driver's seat should be able to be moved reliably, even in harsh construction site conditions. The rails should therefore be robust, lubrication-free, insensitive to dirt and extremely low-maintenance.
Industry: Construction machinery
Success for the customer: The lightweight and corrosion-free linear systems do not need to be externally lubricated. This increases the service life in moving applications, especially on construction sites. In addition, the system is more cost-effective than recirculating ball bushings with a stainless steel guide shaft.

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Seat adjustment for construction machinery

In the Gessmann displacement system, lubrication-free igus linear technology prevents dust and dirt from sticking.

Problem

The fact that there are no road traffic regulations on construction sites makes it all the more important for construction machine drivers to have good all-round visibility. That's not always easy. The field of vision is very limited, especially in very wide excavators or wheel loaders. To achieve a full view of his surroundings, the driver must stop the vehicle and leave his seat. The operating concept from Gessmann is based on offering the driver the highest possible flexibility by moving his control position
W. Gessmann GmbH's development objectives were clear: the driver's seat should be rotated around its own axis and also moved transversely to the direction of travel. The operator should be able to change position within seconds in order to regain an overview of the entire machine environment as quickly as possible. In addition to the high level of flexibility, the operating concept must also withstand the harsh construction site conditions and be extremely low-maintenance.
Originally, the design was to be guided using recirculating ball bushings and a stainless steel guide shaft. However, due to the hardened steel balls rolling over the polished stainless steel guidance, this system was not ideal for the planned application. Because construction machines vibrate strongly, which can cause the steel balls to damage the stainless steel shaft, thereby increasing the displacement force and greatly reducing the service life.

Solution

Instead of recirculating ball bushings, Gessmann uses drylin W guide rails for seat adjustment, on which drylin hybrid double roller bearings run. These prove to be a long-lasting solution, especially when it comes to use on construction sites. The tribologically optimised high-performance plastics are light and corrosion-free and, above all, do not require external lubrication. This increases the service life in moving applications because no adhering dirt affects the bearing point. The Gessmann developers also came to this conclusion after the first tests with the bearings. But advantages in construction were also achieved. The small installation space of the drylin W series allows the guide system to be attached below the machine base. This means the system is better protected from the weather and heavy contamination. Overall, the drylin bearings are also cheaper compared to recirculating ball bushings with stainless steel guide shafts. Both in terms of the purchase price and ongoing maintenance costs.

Find out more about drylin W guide rails

Find out more about hybrid double roller bearings

The advantages of motion plastics in all types of construction machinery

Due to their advantages, especially in harsh environments, motion plastics are already being used successfully in the construction machinery sector by over 20,000 customers worldwide. Wear-resistant plain bearings for heavy-duty applications can be found in excavators, wheel loaders, and telescopic handlers. Available directly from stock or as a custom-made product. We have developed the igutex TX2 plain bushings for use in very heavily loaded bearing points. The high-strength wound structure with incorporated solid lubricants ensures low-friction and a maintenance-free operation. And by eliminating external lubrication, no grease is released into the environment.In addition to bearing technology, energy chains such as the E4.1 ensure cable protection and guidance in the construction machinery sector, in such applications as handling excavators, telescopic handlers, and drills. We also offer UV and temperature-resistant cables for dynamic continuous movements. The service life of all components can be calculated. Our online tools, which can be used free of charge, are available to you on our website. They are freely accessible.

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User report

Low-maintenance linear adjustment of driver seats in construction site vehicles