Linkage Actuation for Heavy Equipment with Simscape

Simscape helps you design heavy equipment. In this video, we're going to look at linkage actuation systems. In our wheel loader model, the linkage has two lift actuators and a tilt actuator. These are all on the same hydraulic circuit.

The pump is connected to the power takeoff shaft, which is driven by the engine. Pressure control valves divert flow back to the tank to prevent pressure-induced damage. A flow divider maintains consistent velocity for tilt and lift cylinders, whether one or both systems are active. Open center 6 3 directional control valves control the flow to the actuators.

You can include faulty component behavior to test the robustness of your design. This hydraulic network is connected to a 3D multi-body model of the linkage so we can simulate entire dig cycles. You can download the model we have provided and test the responsiveness and efficiency of your design.