JULY 12th, 1996 TABLE OF CONTENTS
[Toggle Switches Now Available]
[Engineering Update]
[Stackable Issues]
[Toggle Switches Now Available]
[Engineering Update]
[Stackable Issues]
Your Suggestions = Results
Someone Is ListeningThe staff of Brand Hydraulics would like to thank each one of our distributors who took the time to send us their comments, concerns and suggestions about our company and the way we do business. In fact, this newsletter is a direct result of our distributors suggestions.
Many of you strongly suggested that we improve our promotional material such as our literature and consider developing educational material such as a product training video or other forms of product awareness; we agree. You may have noticed since we received your suggestions two product literature update mailings have been made. So far, the BG4, PC50C-PC37C, HP parts list and the DC-DCF parts list have been completely redesigned, updated and mailed out to each one of our distributors. Currently the DC-DCF product information sheet is being redesigned and when finished will be four pages instead of the current two pages. Following will be the hp product information sheet. Once each one of the product literature brochures have been redesigned, updated and mailed to our distributors we will begin designing a completely new catalog. We will keep you updated on our progress with the new catalog.
Currently, we are talking with several local organizations that assist companies like ours in producing educational training video tapes. Our intentions are to develop a twenty to forty minute video tape on our newest product groups; the Series 34 and Series 36/38 stackable valves as well as our latest product, the EFC. (See new product release article for further information on efc.) Our newest products, mentioned above, are fairly complex in comparison to any other product brand has produced. Therefore, we feel this is the ideal place to begin with a new educational training video tape.
If possible, within this tape we plan to include a few of the applications where these products are currently being used. We will need the help of some of our distributors in order to incorporate these applications. Hopefully, we will be able to include pictures or actual footage of these applications in our video. If you are currently using one of these products in an OEM application we would greatly appreciate hearing from you. We plan to have this video tape completed and distributed before the end of this year.
In addition to a new catalog and training video, we will be exploring the option of puting our catalog on cd-rom.
Face To Face
With An Engineer??!!E-mail: brand@brand-hyd.com
Phone: (402) 344-4434
Brand is making available, to our distributors, our project engineer Chad Jarrett for face to face meetings with you, your OEMs', and potential new accounts. Chad will travel in lieu of a full time traveling sales represenative of Brand Hydraulics.
This idea comes from your suggestions and comments. a great number of you expressed an interest in meeting a representative from Brand. However, unlike some manufacturers we do not intend to make a pest of ourselves. Brand will not solicit any face to face meetings with our distributors unless otherwise found necessary. However, if you are interested in having Chad visit your facilities for a day or travel with you to any of your OEMs' or like accounts we will be more than happy to arrange a visit. you decide the date and how long, (providing Chad has not already made prior committments).
We hope Chads' visits to our distributors will be a learning experience for you and brand as well. additionally, should Chad visit any of your OEMs' or other accounts with you, this will further demonstrate your ability to service their account with our product line, and reinforce their confidence in you, as our distributor.
New Product Release
EFC Electric Flow Control & EC Electric Control Box=Brand= new electrically adjustable proportional pressure compensated flow control. Available with Brand's own electric control box. The flow setting is adjusted with a remote electric control box wired to the valve solenoid. the electric control box has been designed, and is produced at Brand's facilities.
The same spring and compensator spool are used in both the manual FC51 and the new electric EFC, hence, the performance as a flow control is identical. Both the controlled flow port and the excess flow port are usable and pressure compensated. Flow out the control flow port is proportional to the amperage sent to the coil by way of the electric control box. As amperage varies from approximately 300 ma to 950 ma the flow will change from 0 to max. gpm. Currently four sizes are available: 10, 15, 20, & 25 gpm, with a 3000 psi rating. Factory added option for free reverse flow is available as well.
Prototypes of the EFC flow control valve and of the EC electric control box are now available, as well as full production runs. Valves and control boxes are supplied with electrical wiring diagram.
The EFC valve and the ec control box may be purchased individually or as a package. A valve and control box purchased as a package will have their own assembly model numbers; they are as follows:
CEP1000 EFC & EC set for 10 gpm 12 volt dc.
CEP1500 EFC & EC set for 15 gpm 12 volt dc.
CEP2000 EFC & EC set for 20 gpm 12 volt dc.
CEP2500 EFC & EC set for 25 gpm 12 volt dc.Very little competition, proven technology put to work in a new user friendly concept/package, and extremely competitive pricing will make this a preferred product of your customers. This product is already being used or prototyped on street sweepers, tub grinders, snow blowers and fertilizer spreaders. applications for this product are tremendous. A picture of the valve and electric control box is included for your convenience.
Toggle Switches Now Available
Double Pole Double ThrowSolenoids require a toggle switch to energize their coils. Our Series 36 solenoid operated stack valve is no different. Each section requires two solenoids which send a pilot signal to shift the spool.
We have been hearing from a number of our distributors that locating these toggle switches can be difficult and when located can be costly. So we decided to research the marketplace for you.
Brand now offers two types of toggle switches to our distributors. The first is what is referred to as a double pole double throw maintained switch, part number TSDC. Maintained means that when you activate the switch it remains activated until you return the switch to its neutral position. The second switch available is a double pole double throw momentary, part number TSSC. Momentary means that when you activate the switch it will return to the neutral position as soon as you remove your hand.
Brand offers both switches at a special net each price no quantity discounts available. TSDC price is $4.20 net, TSSC price is $5.90 net. An electrical wiring diagram will be supplied as well.
Engineering Update
There Is Always Room For ImprovementSeveral improvements and additions have been made to our existing line of products that you need to know about. Again, many of these ideas have come from you and your customers; maybe you'll recognize one of your own.
The Series 34 handle, model number 34HX, has two boomerang shaped linkages that connect the handle to the casting. See drawing below.
Brand has one oem using our Series 34 on a fruit harvesting machine in an abusive environment. Our distributor contacted us and explained that the handle linkage was breaking after the valve had been in use for a period of time. Our response is illustrated below.
The original design thickness of this part, part number P1329, was 1/8" as illustrated. After careful consideration of all our options we increased the thickness to 3/16", a 1/16" increase in thickness. that is a 50% increase in strength. This change did necessitate lengthening the pin that holds the linkages to the casting and to the handle, part number P1334.
Should any of your customers have trouble with a previously purchased handle we will gladly send you replacement parts free of charge.
Some of our distributors have been telling us that Brand, and in many cases the distributor as well, have been loosing out on potential sales of both the AO & the LS valve due to the handle. All complaints have been targeted at the durability or ruggedness of the handle it self. After careful consideration our response has been to increase the diameter of the material from 3/8" (.37) to 7/16" (.44) That is a 15% increase in material. See illustration below.
The handle on the top is the old style at 3/8" material and the handle on the bottom is the new style at 7/16" material.
We hope this gives you the advantage you were looking for. No other parts were affected by this change.
A new electric switch option, option WO - contacts normally open and option WC - contacts normally closed, has been added to the line of AO, SDCF, and TS series of valves. This option will work with spring center, friction detent and three position detent four way valves. $21.50 is the list price adder to any valve mentioned above.
Next is an addition to a growing list of options available for our various products. Suggested by our distributors was a rotary actuator kit option RA. after reviewing the four way valve group engineering is currently detailing plans for a optional rotary actuator for the AO, SDCF, TS, DC and DCF valve series. Consult factory for list price adder.
The last of our new options is a fixed orifice assembly with free reverse flow, part number 84AF. Good for any #8 SAE (3/4-16) port. This orifice assembly may be inverted and used to meter out instead of the usual meter in. List price is $19.80.
Stackable Issues
What You Need To KnowOne of the benefits of stackable valves is that a distributor can stock a variety of sections and options in their inventory and then create valve assemblies to fit their customers special applications. However, distributors are not always keen to the particular assembly needs of a manufacturers product. Brands' Series 34, Series 36 and Series 38 stackable valves go through three individual quality inspections before leaving our facility. All valves are inspected, assembled, and tested by a caring and responsible staff, to ensure the quality of the product and your customers satisfaction.
The stack valve department and our engineering department have asked that we give our distributors some important tips to follow when assembling these valves.
a) Be sure the torque specs. are correct; they are 85 inch pounds for all assembled valves. Too little will cause leakage between the sections, too much will distort the castings and cause spool binding.
b) Be sure one shim and one shim only is used on each tie rod between each section, including the inlet and the outlet. Again, this will prevent distortion of the castings.
c) Before assembling sections, check for any type of contamination on all parts and sections.
d) Before assembling, check O rings, on all parts and sections, for cuts or nicks. A damaged O ring will not seal, hence, causing leakage.
When returning valves for credit or warranty repair, please, take care in packaging the product. Note the packaging condition of the product when you receive it from Brand. I guarantee you if the product is not packaged properly it will be damaged during transport, hence, voiding any chance of credit or warranty repair.
Finally, should a problem arise with a product and you intend to return the product for warranty repair, please, leave the product intact and as it was when the problem arose. It is very difficult for our engineering department to find the problem after the customer has taken the valve apart in the field and attempted to repair or fix the problem, let the experts do it, we're more than happy to.
Brand will be closed the following dates for vacation and holidays:
From August 5 until August 19 when we will reopen
September 2
November 28 & 29
December 24 until January 2 when we will reopen
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