Global power transmission leader announces the release of its new heavy duty AM080 Rear Engine Power Takeoff drive

RACINE, Wis. – Twin Disc, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWIN), a global leader in power transmission technology for marine and land-based applications, has announced the release of their new AM080 Rear Engine Power Take-Off (REPTO) drive with enhanced horsepower.

This REPTO drive has a maximum power rating of 1,533 horsepower at 2,300 RPM.  It’s built for severe applications, including driving hydraulic pumps, grinders, crushers, dredgers, chippers, shredders and drills. It compliments a full system of Twin Disc products that work in conjunction with each other including power takeoffs, marine gears, and transmissions.

A key enhancement of the AM080 is its high-power capabilities. Each pump tower has a 400-horsepower maximum capacity and a combined 450 horsepower capacity for both towers.

The drive is rotatable by 0°, 45°, 90°, either clockwise or counter-clockwise and 180° which makes it adaptable for clearance in any installation. The pads and splines are easily interchangeable in the field to accommodate varying pump sizes.

The AM080 REPTO Drive is available in both single and dual tower models.

Features of the AM080 REPTO drive include:

• Compact design
• Single and dual tower options
• Pump tower ratios of 1.00:1, 0.87:1, and 0.77:1
• Up to four pump pads available
• SAE #3 through SAE #0 input and output housings
• SAE 11.5” through 18” input and output flywheel connection
• SAE A through E pump pads and splines

“For generations, companies have relied on Twin Disc’s tough and reliable heavy-duty industrial equipment,” said Andy Conaty, Global Product Manager & NA Sales Manager – Industrial Products. “Like all our products, the AM080 is backed by our unmatched worldwide sales and service support.”

About Twin Disc, Inc.

Twin Disc, Inc. designs, manufactures and sells marine and heavy-duty off-highway power transmission equipment. Products offered include marine transmissions, azimuth drives, surface drives, propellers, and boat management systems, as well as power-shift transmissions, hydraulic torque converters, power take-offs, industrial clutches, and control systems. The Company sells its products to customers primarily in the pleasure craft, commercial and military marine markets, as well as in the energy and natural resources, government, and industrial markets. The Company’s worldwide sales to both domestic and foreign customers are transacted through a direct sales force and a distributor network. For more information, please visit www.twindisc.com.

Twin Disc, Inc. designs, manufactures and sells marine and heavy-duty off-highway power transmission equipment. Products offered include marine transmissions, azimuth drives, surface drives, propellers, and boat management systems, as well as power-shift transmissions, hydraulic torque converters, power take-offs, industrial clutches, and control systems. The Company sells its products to customers primarily in the pleasure craft, commercial and military marine markets, as well as in the energy and natural resources, government, and industrial markets. The Company’s worldwide sales to both domestic and foreign customers are transacted through a direct sales force and a distributor network. For more information, please visit www.twindisc.com.

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When China’s CNPC West Drilling, one of the region’s top oil and gas businesses, needed a more reliable fracturing rig, they turned to Twin Disc. Our TA90-7600 transmission systems are designed specifically for pressure-pumping rigs for oil and gas well stimulation.

The unique Twin Disc system eliminates the torque converter, uniting a deceptively simple countershaft design with heavy-duty clutch assemblies for durability—delivering performance that matches pressure-pumping rig engine life.

The TA90-7600 still allows full range-to-range power shifts with no throttle dipping. And the compact size lets it fit between the frame rails of mobile equipment.

CNPC came to prefer the simple, robust design when initial use showed the system delivers long hours of high performance in challenging conditions.

“This model has been in field fracturing operation for more than 500 hours,” says CNPC’s Yan Zhiyong, leader of the field fracturing team. “It shows consistently good, smooth performance.”

Additional advantages include gear ratios that create a better flow rate, maintaining pressure and thereby increasing production. Closely spaced gear ratios maintain more consistent pump flow rate, optimizing engine performance. Smooth shifting minimizes shock to the whole drive train, extending time between overhauls — and living up to CNPC’s expectations that the firm can count on Twin Disc.

The world’s leading producer of internationally certified fire safety solutions, NAFFCO, sought a foothold in a new segment: airport rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicles. And one of the first components they chose was our TD61-1179 transmission for ARFF vehicles.

Increasing firefighting efficiency

The TD61-1179 ARFF transmission and remote mounted torque converter enable ARFF vehicles to arrive on scene faster and start pumping sooner. Our advanced electronic controls enable faster shifts, rapid acceleration and precise speed control to handle varying ground conditions and tractive requirements.

“Twin Disc is the only transmission/torque converter pair in the world that maintains constant pump performance regardless of vehicle speed,” says Yasin Kassab, manager, NAFFCO chassis assembly. This pump-and-roll functionality lets the vehicle drive slowly while directing full power to the firefighting pump. Seamlessly integrated control of drive and pump-and-roll modes frees emergency responders to focus on their primary mission.

Ease increased with technical support

Twin Disc modified PTOs and flanges to meet NAFFCO needs, simplifying vehicle configuration. “Twin Disc also provided good technical support for the complete unit’s shift development and performance testing,” Yasin says.

Our global service network is also key. The vehicles NAFFCO assembles at its Dubai, UAE headquarters are shipped all over the world, from Iceland to Mozambique. Teaming with Twin Disc, NAFFCO can advance its mission–the “Passion to Protect.”

Do you want to build a snowman?

If you work for a major metropolitan airport, probably not. Dealing with snow is a major operational expense for airports. Winter weather is often the culprit in several of the 10 most weather-delayed major airports. It can take massive efforts to keep snow from disrupting operations, according to Wired Magazine:

Everything at an airport slows down when it snows. Runways where planes are normally taking off every 45 seconds now can only handle one every 90 seconds. Baggage handlers must move slower because of slippery conditions; planes must be actively deiced before taking off; and runways need to be shut down periodically so armies of trucks with giant plows and brushes can get them down to bare pavement.

Snow Solutions

Over in Minnesota, the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport relies on snow removal technology powered by Twin Disc pump drives to keep things running smoothly. To help keep the runways clear, the airport relies on a tractor-mounted runway sweeper broom manufactured by Wisconsin-based M-B Companies.

The average amount of snowfall in the Twin Cities area is 45.3 inches per year. Because of this, the airport required a sweeper capable of removing even the heaviest snowfall quickly and efficiently to keep air traffic moving. The airport uses M-B Companies’ 3600-TRT Bidirectional Tractor-Mounted Runway Broom, which operates at 347 rpm with 1,655 foot-pounds of torque at 5,075 psi maximum working pressure.

Pump Driver Power

The power of the sweeper requires a pump drive with plenty of performance, able to use the rig’s full horsepower. M-B Companies chose to utilize the state-of-the-art AM110 Pump Drive from Twin Disc in the 3600-TRT. The drive had the quality build, compact design and power to let the new snow sweeper do more with less, even in harsh, wintery conditions. The hydraulic machinery of the sweeper makes it five times more powerful than other brooms of its kind.

To learn more about pump drives and other industrial products, visit www.twindisc.com.

Twin Disc HP 1200 Keeps Morbark Wood Hog Hungry for Work

Mighty machines need mighty transmissions, and Twin Disc’s HP1200 wet clutch helps power the Morbark 6600 Wood Hog.

The 6600 Wood Hog is a real monster of a machine — a powerful, aggressive grinder that can quickly turn fallen trees, yard waste, and debris into mulch. The HP1200, a hydraulically-actuated PTO, helps put the Wood Hog’s 1,200 HP to good use.

Jason Wilcox, heavy equipment operator for Nebraska-based Hughes Mulch Product, spends his days running a Morbark 6600 Wood Hog to tear through even the largest and toughest materials. He gives the HP1200 rave reviews.

“This is the smoothest clutch I have ever run in my life,” he said. “I’m not even kidding. We have four Wood Hogs, and I wish they all had this clutch to be honest. It handles all the horsepower. We’ve put 2,564 hours on it. It takes it in stride and does not skip a beat.”

Extreme Conditions? No Problem.

With the extreme weather that the Great Plains and Midwest have been experiencing, Wilcox has kept busy clearing out storm damage. The HP1200 has held up no matter the job.  “(In 2017), we had tornadoes come through our area” he said. “We were in the middle of Springfield, Nebraska, with that grinder, grinding away with it, and it whipped the work. I can shred 60-foot-tall trees with the Morbark, and it doesn’t miss a thing.”

The HP1200 keeps the Wood Hog working under even the most challenging circumstances, Wilson said. “I was on a 7-acre clearing job, and, unfortunately, I had to run a lot of dirt and foreign material through it. It helps that this clutch is able to withstand the stress of operating the Morbark under those conditions.”

Built for Reliability

Designed for performance and reliability under the harshest of circumstances, the Twin Disc HP1200 requires minimal maintenance.

HP 1200 features include:

• Hydraulically actuated and self-adjusting wet clutch
• Suitable for in-line and side-load applications
• Advanced control system for smooth engagement
• Remote actuation via J1939 or switch input
• High side load capability
• Maximum power rating 1,243 HP at 1,800 RPM
• Two towers with two pump pads each
• 400 HP maximum capacity per tower
• 550 HP maximum capacity for both towers

“In our industry, it seems like you’re always working on something,” Wilcox said. “With this clutch, it’s been one less thing to worry about. Twin Disc is a very, very great company to work with. Those guys are awesome.”

If you are looking for an industrial transmission that can stand up to rough use and extreme conditions, Twin Disc has options for you. Contact us today to learn more about our industrial transmission products and solutions.

Twin Disc is proud that its products have helped propel the ongoing transformation of domestic energy production in the United States in recent decades. Our transmissions play an important role in the hydraulic fracking operations that have helped turn the U.S. into the world’s top producer of oil and gas.

Covering All the Bases

Universal Well Services, Inc., a leading provider of hydraulic fracturing services, wanted to upgrade its fracking fleet with longer-life replacement transmission for pressure pumping applications, so it reached out to Great Lakes Power Service Co. for help.

The recommended solution: Twin Disc’s purpose-built TA90-7500, a compact fracking transmission that could be used as a drop-in replacement for the units.

“Twin Disc builds durable transmissions for difficult applications,” said Harry Allen III, Vice President, Great Lakes Power Service Co. “That’s where they excel. Their engineering group did a phenomenal job making sure we had all the bases covered. Twin Disc provides technical expertise and resources including support on pumping stands, field support, and controlled integration.”

More Than 14K Operating Hours

Consisting of a 9-speed coaxial power-shift transmission, the 7500 series transmission system provides up to 2,600 HP. Its compact design and less complicated plumbing make it easier to install in fracking rigs than other transmissions. It does not require a torque converter, cutting down on unnecessary weight.

The Twin Disc transmissions provide the robust horsepower needed for horizontal drilling applications in Marcellus Shale in the Appalachian Basin while providing great reliability. At last count, many of the 7500 series transmissions in the Universal Well rigs had been in use for 11,000 to 14,000 engine operating hours without failure.

Twin Disc has provided technology to meet the needs of oil and gas industry for most of our more-than century of service. Learn more about how our fracking transmissions, control systems and other solutions can meet your company’s needs. Click here to read the full case study.

Rosenbauer is the world’s largest manufacturer of firefighting technology, providing Panther Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles to some of the largest airports in the nation. A longstanding partnership with Twin Disc helps it build equipment capable of responding to most challenging emergency situations.

Changing Emission Requirements

When it came time to update the Panther to meet new environmental standards, the company began reworking the engine and emission system design for the vehicles. Because of the requirements of the new emission system, Rosenbauer decided to equip the Panthers with 750 HP Volvo D15 Euro 6 engines. Previously, the Panther vehicles incorporated Twin Disc TD61-1179 six- speed transmissions, but the higher torque of the new engines required the development of a new eight-speed transmission.

For two years, Twin Disc engineers worked with Rosenbauer to develop the gearbox and the control system for a new transmission that could accommodate the more powerful, higher torque engines. The Panthers are now equipped with Twin Disc TAD81-4001 eight-speed transmissions, 8MLW-1758-1 17″ torque converters, and TDEC-500 electronic control systems.

Demanding Performance Requirements

These awesome, heavy-duty vehicles can carry 3,000 gallons of water, 400 gallons of foam, and 500 pounds of dry chemicals. The 82,000-pound vehicles must be able to accelerate from 0 to 50 mph in less than 35 seconds and have a top speed of 75 miles per hour in order to chase airplanes down the runway in emergencies. The fire pumps are rated at 2,000 gallons per minute.

In addition, Rosenbauer developed an ultra-high-pressure fire pump for the vehicles at the request of the U.S. Air Force. This required changes to the power takeoff (PTO) clutch used in the truck to drive the higher horsepower pumps without losing any of the performance capacity.

The TAD81-4001 eight-speed transmission meets all of Rosenbauer’s performance and acceleration requirements for the Panther vehicle. For more information on how Twin Disc can create custom transmission solutions for any manufacturing, industrial or marine application, contact us today.

Want to learn more about how Twin Disc’s custom engineering solutions helped Rosenbauer meet the demanding requirements of modern firefighting technology? Click here to read the full case study.

Global leader in power transmission technology to open new Lufkin, Texas facility

RACINE, Wis. – March 12, 2019 – Twin Disc, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWIN), a global leader in power transmission technology for marine and land-based applications, broke ground last Wednesday on their new operations facility in Lufkin, Texas, which is set to open in early January of next year.

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A Wisconsin-based company broke ground in Lufkin Wednesday afternoon. Twin Disc will open a new 50,000 square-foot facility at Lufkin’s industrial park. Twin Disc CEO John Batten spoke to KTRE’s Khyati Patel about why the company chose Lufkin.

Read more at ktre.com

For a 100-year-old company, Twin Disc is acting awfully spry.

The Racine, Wis., USA-based maker of power transmission equipment for marine, off-road vehicle and industrial applications, marked its centennial year in by acquiring a Dutch propulsion company, introducing several new products and announcing plans for new facilities.

“It’s been a really good year in many ways,” said Dean Bratel, vice president, Sales & Applied Technology for Twin Disc.” Celebrating a 100th year is a milestone for any company and where we started—supplying clutches to a farm tractor company—to where we are today is pretty remarkable.”

Read more at https://dieselgasturbine.com/at-century-mark-twin-disc-looks-ahead/