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What’s the obvious difference between a diesel and electric engine?  It isn’t the power source as much as the vibration. California farmers in particular discovered this difference when market conditions forced a switch to diesel instead of electric engines, to run the pumps that irrigate fields and orchards. 

The farmers rapidly discovered how constant vibrations can damage connected equipment. A coupling helped dampen the vibrations, but the only style that fit their pumps was designed for marine applications - built for a different industry and priced out of reach for an ordinary agricultural operation.

Price is an issue no more. Introducing the LV-Torsional coupling from Lovejoy, Inc., of Downers Grove, Illinois, designed and built to offer an inexpensive, economical alternative for the agricultural market and off-highway construction equipment industry. Two different styles are available; the LV-torsional coupling for u-joint drive systems and LV-C for direct-drive systems. Agricultural usage would attach this style coupling to diesel engines driving deep well and centrifugal pumps, while the construction industry uses this type coupling on engines that run hydraulically powered portable compressors.

The Lovejoy Torsional coupling type-LV line horsepower range is from 150 to 625 at 1800 RPM, with five available sizes. The LV-C type coupling horsepower ranges from 50 to 425 at 1800 RPM and is available in six sizes. 

Most of the coupling manufacturing and assembly is handled domestically in the U.S., to ensure quality control. This style coupling takes advantage of the strength, durability and economical manufacturing qualities of sintered technology. Lovejoy, Inc., owns and operates the most technologically advanced powdered metal processing press in the country.  Jim Mahan, director of engineering for Lovejoy, Inc., helped create these new couplings. He notes, “We were able to utilize our new sintered technology to achieve a balance of performance and price. We planned the available sizes and horsepower range to cover any potential use or pumping application in these industries.”

This style coupling lends automatic torsional tuning to the smaller diesel engine systems. By providing relief from vibration, the coupling helps extend the life of the machinery connected to the engine and pump, to save on expensive parts and labor due to breakdowns.

“The agricultural market doesn’t have a lot of extra money to spend on additional equipment,” says Mahan. “And the construction industry is highly competitive. Both require economical parts with a long lifespan.”

A typical application where this coupling is already proving its worth is in the almond groves in California. Almond growers utilize pumps to flood the ground at night to allow water to seep into the ground. Grape orchards and other fruit and vegetable growers use similar irrigation methods and therefore a lot of diesel driven pumps. In the construction industry, the most common application for the Lovejoy LV-type torsional coupling would be portable compressors on-site that power jack hammers or other equipment.

The European market uses diesel pumps to a greater extent than in the U.S. and Mahan anticipates that market also will prove receptive to this new, economical torsional coupling. 

The Lovejoy® /ROSTA® line for the construction/aggregate industries is only part of the many solution-engineered products from Lovejoy. Founded in 1900, Lovejoy holds an international reputation as the leading company specializing in flexible coupling design and development. Lovejoy products are available worldwide through distributors in North America and 55 other countries, supported by Lovejoy offices and support staff in Canada, Europe and the USA. Lovejoy, Inc. is certified under the ISO-9001:2000 International Standards for Quality Management.

For more information, visit Lovejoy’s website at www.lovejoy-inc.com, or contact Lovejoy, Inc. World Headquarters are located at 2655 Wisconsin Ave., Downers Grove, IL, 60515, USA.  Phone 630-852-0500; fax 630-852-2120; e-mail inquiries Info@lovejoy-inc.com.