EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. … Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation has announced availability of the company’s popular two-speed steering option on Series 10 Steering Control Units (SCU) intended for heavy-duty construction and agricultural equipment. Eaton’s Char-Lynn® two-speed technology provides two metered modes, which are operator-selectable at any time with the touch of a button or the flip of a switch.

One mode is for normal high-speed roading and can also provide a fail-safe emergency steering mode in case of power loss. The second or Quick steering mode lets the operator perform fast turns repeatedly with minimum effort during the work portion of the duty cycle. The Quick steering mode can be customized to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications to achieve as much as a four-to-one quick steer ratio.

“Two-speed technology is applicable to all vehicles using Ackerman steering,” explained Eaton’s Steering Control Units Product Manager Mark Reitz. “That includes tractors, telehandlers, sweepers, forestry equipment, backhoes, loaders, sprayers, combines, motor graders, and the whole range of similar construction and agricultural equipment.

“The technology provides reduced steering effort and less operator fatigue, while increasing efficiency during the work cycle,” said Reitz. “Both steering modes are extremely intuitive, requiring virtually no special operator training.”

Eaton’s two-speed technology uses a load sensing configuration, and can incorporate integral valves and Eaton’s patented features like Wide Angle™ and Cylinder Damping. The Series 10 SCU is widely used on heavy-duty mobile equipment, where its robust design, 4,000 PSI pressure rating, balanced architecture, and wide range of optional features have made it the steering unit of choice for many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) around the world.

Eaton’s Hydraulics Operations is a business segment of Eaton’s Fluid Power Group. The business is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of a comprehensive line of reliable, high-efficiency hydraulic systems and components for use in mobile and industrial applications. Mobile and industrial markets include agriculture, construction, mining, forestry, utility, material handling, earthmoving, truck and bus, machine tools, molding, primary metals, automotive, power generation, port machinery and entertainment. Eaton’s Hydraulics Operations provides customer-driven solutions under brand names such as Aeroquip®, Boston®, Char-Lynn®, Eaton®, Hydro-Line®, Vickers® and Weatherhead®. For more information, visit www.hydraulics.eaton.com.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified industrial manufacturer with 2007 sales of $13.0 billion. Eaton is a global leader in electrical systems and components for power quality, distribution and control; fluid power systems and services for industrial, mobile and aircraft equipment; intelligent truck drivetrain systems for safety and fuel economy; and automotive engine air management systems, powertrain solutions and specialty controls for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has 70,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.

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