New Optidrive™ developed by Avant to improve engine performance

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Avant has developed a new, innovative solution for improving the performance of the drive circuit in Avant loaders.

The drive system in Avant loaders consists of a variable displacement hydraulic pump, four hydraulic drive motors and some valves which are connected together with hydraulic hoses and fittings. This system where the drive power is conveyed from engine (electric motor on Avant e-series) to the wheels using hydraulic oil is often referred to as drive circuit. Instead of mechanical axles Avant uses a design where there are four separate hydraulic drive motors, one on each wheel of the loader.

Avant was the first manufacturer to design and utilize such a system in a compact loader. This system has proven to be very effective, offering lots of pushing power and yet enabling a very compact design to the loader while maintaining an extremely low center of gravity, which is an important part of the great stability of Avant loaders.

Through research and development Avant has now improved this system with an innovative way of rethinking. When hydraulic oil flows at high flow rate in the drive circuit – in hydraulic hoses, fittings, motors and valves – the resistance in these components heats up the hydraulic oil. The more there are hoses and fittings, the quicker the oil heats up, which means that all that unnecessary heat generated in the system uses a part of the engine output in vain. This also results in higher fuel consumption and less engine power is available for the actual job.

In the new system the amount of hydraulic hoses and fittings has been radically reduced and optimized, where the name Optidrive™ derives from as well. The new Optidrive™ is a standard feature first in Avant 700 series, later also in the 500 and 600 series.

Another Two GreenFields Pitches for Top Club Charlton Athletic

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After the successful installation of their stadium and training pitches, top English football club Charlton Athletic F.C. has once again selected GreenFields for two more 3G pitches, both at their training ground.

Work is now underway on the new pitches which form part of Phase II of the multi-million pound development at Charlton’s Academy. The four-phased development of the training facilities began in 2015 and once completed will provide facilities to benefit Charlton Athletic, Charlton Athletic Community Trust, Charlton Athletic Women’s Team, Footscray Rugby Club and the local community.

The redevelopment which is being fully funded by the football club will also include new changing rooms, classrooms, a consultation area, increased parking and an access road.

Charlton Athletic CEO Katrien Meire commented on the ongoing developments: “The improvements to the training ground will benefit the club and the local community for many decades to come.”

GreenFields attended the official launch of Phase II of the development at the beginning of March along with Eltham MP Clive Efford, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich Cllr Denise Hyland along with Charlton Athletic and Footscray Rugby Club representatives.

GreenFields UK Sales Manager, Colin Lyons said: “We are extremely proud that Charlton have once again selected us for the next stage of their redevelopments. To be part of such an impactful project for both the community and professional sport fits in with the very ethos of GreenFields as a company.”

During Phase I where GreenFields installed two 3G state-of-the-art woven MX pitches, the club used Footscray Rugby Clubs facilities. As part of Phase II of the project, GreenFields are installing a new 3G pitch for the rugby club. Club Chairman, Andy De Lord said: “At a time when rugby clubs are struggling to develop and get players in, the facilities will help us to attract the people who want to get involved in rugby.”

The new 3G pitches and access road (also being developed by GreenFields) are expected to be complete by September of this year.