Industrial Buzz - Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH), the global leader in motion and control technologies, today announced commercial commitment for its new hydraulic hybrid technology system, which dramatically increases fuel efficiency for Class 8 refuse trucks even as it improves drivability and performance.

 

The RunWise Hydrostatic technology performed so well in South Florida field trials last summer that the communities of Hialeah, Miami-Dade County, and the City of Miami chose to upgrade their refuse collection fleets and purchase a total of 11 Autocar E3 trucks with the new RunWise technology. Delivery is expected in mid-year 2010.

 

These orders build on our ongoing development and commercialization of our unique hydraulic hybrid technology platform and demonstrates the adaptability of our technologies to different vehicle classes, said Jeff Cullman, Group President, Hydraulics for Parker Hannifin. A variation of this technology platform has already received commercial scale orders for use on walk-in delivery vehicles.  We are particularly pleased to see our public agency partners lead the way in recognizing the benefits that this technology can bring in terms of lower operating costs and reduced environmental impact.

 

Vance Zanardelli, Manager of Parker's Energy Recovery Business Unit, added, "This is a technology that holds great promise as a contributor to reduced environmental impact and increased fuel efficiency.  We are on the cutting edge of advancements in hydraulic hybrid technology, which has application not only in refuse trucks and delivery vehicles but also for yard hostlers and city buses.

 

RunWise features proprietary software that allows for seamless shifting and smoother braking, improving drivability.  During a full month of testing in South Florida, the RunWise system registered a 72 percent improvement in fuel efficiency. On an annual basis, the green technology reduces each truck's carbon footprint by an estimated 28 tons along routes with frequent stops. In addition, the technology extends the brake maintenance period for each truck from every 6 months to once every 24 months to even 30 months depending on duty cycle. The system is in pre-production. Full production is expected in 2011.

 

Public officials foresee ongoing benefits for their communities.

 

Hialeah purchased four trucks. Mayor Julio Robaina said, "The City of Hialeah will continue to reduce our carbon footprint across the board. The purchase of these hybrid recycle trucks is part of our commitment to reduce emissions, save fuel costs and improve the quality of life for our citizens."

 

These hybrid truck waste collection vehicles will allow us to use less fuel and reduce our repair and maintenance costs, said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez, whose solid waste department purchased six trucks.  Miami-Dade County was the first municipal agency in the United States to test the hybrid vehicles in its waste collection operations.  It's the latest example of the County's commitment to be more environmentally friendly and reduce our carbon footprint.

 

In Miami, which purchased one truck, Jose E. Davila Sr., Superintendent of the Fleet Management Division for the Department of General Services Administration, said, After thorough testing, the City of Miami is proud to purchase for the first time in its history a true hydraulic hybrid automated garbage truck that features the latest in sustainable technology. The Autocar E3 featuring Parker Hannifin�s innovative RunWise� system allows the city to reduce its carbon emissions dramatically, while saving on fuel and maintenance expenses.

 

With annual sales exceeding $10 billion in fiscal year 2009, Parker Hannifin is the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The company employs approximately 52,000 people in 48 countries around the world. Parker has increased its annual dividends paid to shareholders for 53 consecutive years, among the top five longest-running dividend-increase records in the S&P 500 index.