A concrete mixer truck comprises a vehicle provided with a heat engine and a concrete mixer having a rotating drum and an auxiliary device provided with a unit for generating electric energy that selectively feeds an electric motor connected to the rotating drum. The electric energy generating unit comprises at least an alternator selectively connectable to the heat engine and to a movement unit of the vehicle by means of a gearbox and a power take-off positioned between the clutch of the vehicle and the gearbox. The alternator is configured to convert mechanical energy into alternate electric energy and vice versa. The electric energy generating unit also comprises at least one accumulator and reversible conversion means of electric energy, connected to the accumulator and to the alternator in order to selectively take continuous electric energy from the former and supply alternate electric energy to the latter, to move the drive wheels of said movement unit, or to convert the alternate electric energy produced by the alternator into continuous electric energy to be transferred to the accumulator.

A concrete mixer truck comprises a vehicle provided with a heat engine and a concrete mixer having a rotating drum and an auxiliary device provided with a unit for generating electric energy that selectively feeds an electric motor connected to the rotating drum. The electric energy generating unit comprises at least an alternator selectively connectable to the heat engine and to a movement unit of the vehicle by means of a gearbox and a power take-off positioned between the clutch of the vehicle and the gearbox. The alternator is configured to convert mechanical energy into alternate electric energy and vice versa. The electric energy generating unit also comprises at least one accumulator and reversible conversion means of electric energy, connected to the accumulator and to the alternator in order to selectively take continuous electric energy from the former and supply alternate electric energy to the latter, to move the drive wheels of said movement unit, or to convert the alternate electric energy produced by the alternator into continuous electric energy to be transferred to the accumulator.

Information relating to a change made to a concrete mixture in a concrete mixer truck is obtained. An expected value of a selected characteristic of the concrete mixture is determined based on the change. A representation of the expected value is displayed on a processing device located in a cab of the concrete mixer truck. In one embodiment, the mixture comprises a concrete mixture. The change may comprise an addition of water to the mixture.

Information relating to a change made to a concrete mixture in a concrete mixer truck is obtained. An expected value of a selected characteristic of the concrete mixture is determined based on the change. A representation of the expected value is displayed on a processing device located in a cab of the concrete mixer truck. In one embodiment, the mixture comprises a concrete mixture. The change may comprise an addition of water to the mixture.

The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic drive system having a hydraulic circuit architecture operable in first and second modes. In a first mode, a main hydraulic pump (22) is used to drive a hydraulic actuator (24) via a closed hydraulic circuit, and a charge pump (42) provides charge flow to the closed hydraulic circuit. In a second mode the main pump set to zero displacement and the charge pump (42) is used to drive the hydraulic actuator (24).

The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic drive system having a hydraulic circuit architecture operable in first and second modes. In a first mode, a main hydraulic pump (22) is used to drive a hydraulic actuator (24) via a closed hydraulic circuit, and a charge pump (42) provides charge flow to the closed hydraulic circuit. In a second mode the main pump set to zero displacement and the charge pump (42) is used to drive the hydraulic actuator (24).

A drum control system includes a mixture sensor and a controller. The mixture sensor is configured to be positioned within a drum to engage with drum contents to facilitate acquiring drum contents data indicative of a property of the drum contents. The controller is configured to control a drive system to rotate the drum at a first, unmixed speed following receipt of the drum contents by the drum where the drum contents including ingredients of a concrete mixture; acquire the drum contents data from the mixture sensor and monitor the property of the drum contents as the drum rotates; and control the drive system to rotate the drum at a second, mixed speed in response to determining that the property of the drum contents indicates that the ingredients have been sufficiently mixed.

A drum control system includes a mixture sensor and a controller. The mixture sensor is configured to be positioned within a drum to engage with drum contents to facilitate acquiring drum contents data indicative of a property of the drum contents. The controller is configured to control a drive system to rotate the drum at a first, unmixed speed following receipt of the drum contents by the drum where the drum contents including ingredients of a concrete mixture; acquire the drum contents data from the mixture sensor and monitor the property of the drum contents as the drum rotates; and control the drive system to rotate the drum at a second, mixed speed in response to determining that the property of the drum contents indicates that the ingredients have been sufficiently mixed.

A vehicle includes a floor plate defining a front and a back of the vehicle, wall sections to receive vehicle loading and transfer the vehicle loading to the floor plate, and a fluid delivery assembly supported by the floor plate. The fluid delivery assembly includes an intake manifold that resides at the back, an outlet that resides at the front, and a set of lateral conduits extending between the intake manifold and the outlet to laterally convey fluid entering the intake manifold from a fluid source to the outlet for delivery to a fluid target. Accordingly, the back may connect to the fluid source and the front may deliver the fluid thus keeping the vehicle sides and top available for other uses. Moreover, the low isolated placement of the fluid delivery assembly safeguards the fluid delivery assembly and provides a low center of gravity for vehicle stability.

A composite chute for a commercial vehicle includes a metal frame, and a pair of plastic sheets. The metal frame assembly defines a longitudinal axis. The pair of plastic sheets extend along the longitudinal axis and positioned on either side of the metal frame assembly. The metal frame assembly is sandwiched between the pair of plastic sheets.