Horton Inc., in conjunction with Hub City Inc., has introduced a mechanically driven variable-speed fan drive system with gearbox for more efficient cooling of rear-engine buses, motor coaches and other vehicles with side-mounted cooling modules. The system includes the Horton VMaster or Stratis viscous fan drive, WindMaster or WindShift fan, Di Controller and Hub City right-angle gearbox.
The system can be easily retrofitted to replace hydraulic and other mechanical systems, the companies said. They added that this variable-speed fan drive system offers advantages over hydraulic systems that include increased safety (no risk of hydraulic-fluid leaks), increased overall system efficiency, lower operating costs and reduced system complexity.
The fan drive system is said to reduce noise, save fuel and increase available horsepower for auxiliary components. The 12-/24-volt fan drive and controller feature integral diagnostics and customized algorithms for specific requirements and are J1939 compatible for plug-and-play operation, the makers added. The fan drive and controller have a 105 degrees C temperature rating and are compatible with a wide range of fan sizes.
WindMaster and WindShift Fans feature computer-optimized blade design; fan diameters ranging from 16 to 48 in.; configurations with 6, 7, 8, 9 11, 12 and 13 blades; and standard pilots ranging from less than 1 in. to 7 in.
Hub City said its gear drives feature high-alloy gray iron housings and closures for rigid gear and bearing support, high-capacity spiral bevel gears, precision-tapered roller or ball bearings, alloy steel nitrided shafting for improved wear, lubrication level monitoring devices, magnetic drain plug and extended pinion housings to replace sheave bearing block and drive shaft systems for cost savings.
