How to Use an Electric Proportional Handle Professionally?

In wheeled excavators operating with gripper attachments, the electric proportional control handle is a core component for achieving precise gripping operations. It addresses the three main needs of gripper operation: “adjustment of opening and closing force, matching of movement speed, and complex operation,” combining these with the unique characteristics of wheeled machinery to form a unique control scheme that significantly improves the operability and efficiency of gripping operations.

I. Core Application Logic of Electro-Proportional Handles in Gripping Operations

The gripping operation of wheeled excavators primarily follows a continuous process of “movement-positioning-grabbing-transfer-unloading,” demanding higher requirements for operational response speed and force precision. Electro-proportional handles, through linear electrical signal output, replace the mechanical stroke control of traditional hydraulic handles, achieving three core functions:

1. Infinitely Adjustable Grip Force:

The handle swing angle corresponds linearly to the gripping force. At small angles, a small flow of hydraulic oil is output, resulting in gentle opening and closing of the gripper, suitable for gripping fragile materials such as finished bricks and pipes, and for precise stacking of timber. At large angles, a large flow of hydraulic oil is output, resulting in powerful opening and closing of the gripper, capable of gripping heavy materials such as thick logs and large stones, and even breaking up compacted layers of waste. Some models are also equipped with a force memory function, allowing preset opening and closing forces for similar materials, eliminating the need for repeated adjustments.

2. Movement speed, precise matching control

The swing speed of the handle directly corresponds to the action speed of the gripper. The operator can adjust the swing speed of the handle according to the moving speed of the wheel digger to avoid the material moving too fast and shaking.

When performing a combined operation of gripper opening and closing, boom lifting, and turntable rotation, the electro-proportional handle transmits signals independently, and the speed of each action can be adjusted independently, eliminating the “flow contention” problem of traditional hydraulic systems and making the combined operation smoother.

3. Rotary excavator function, better adaptable to coordinated operation.

Linkage between walking and gripping: The wheel excavator’s “low-speed walking gripping priority mode” can be activated with one button via the electric proportional handle. When moving and gripping, the hydraulic system prioritizes supplying pressure to the gripping clamp, ensuring that the gripping force is not affected by walking.

Outrigger and gripper coordination: When working on uneven ground, the electric proportional handle integrates outrigger control function, allowing “outrigger leveling – gripper positioning” to be completed with one hand, reducing the number of operation switching actions.

II. How to Install and Use the Electro-Proportional Handle for Wheeled Excavator Clamping Operation

To adapt to the cab space and operating habits of wheeled excavators, the electro-proportional handle adopts an integrated layout design:

1. Installation location:

It adopts dual-handle control and is integrated with the standard operating handle of wheeled excavators – the right handle controls the opening and closing of the gripper and the rotation of the turntable, and the left handle controls the lifting of the boom and the extension and retraction of the stick. The function assignment can also be customized according to the operator’s habits.

2. Operation method:

The gripper opens and closes by swinging the handle back and forth. The force and speed can be adjusted by simply adjusting the swing angle and speed of the handle. The handle has an integrated mode switch button, which can quickly switch between “standard/gentle/strong gripping mode” to adapt to different material handling needs.

III. Key Points for Practical Operation of Electro-Proportional Handle in Drilling Wheel Grab Operation

1. When gripping new material for the first time, test the gripping opening and closing force at a small angle and slow speed to avoid damaging the material or causing it to fall;

2. When the wheeled excavator moves, clamp the material and lift it to a suitable height. Maintain the gripping posture by swinging the handle at a small angle to prevent the material from shaking;

3. Regularly calibrate the handle’s linearity to ensure accurate correspondence between the swing angle and the gripping action;

4. In environments with dust and gravel, regularly clean the handle’s sensors and connecting lines to prevent dust and moisture from causing signal malfunctions.

In summary, the electro-proportional control handle endows the hydraulic system with flexible and intelligent control capabilities for wheeled excavator gripper operations, perfectly matching the characteristics of wheeled excavators: “flexible, continuous operation, and precise operation.” It has become a standard component of modern wheeled excavators equipped with gripper attachments and is a core tool for improving the efficiency of wheeled excavator gripper operations.