The 4H50TIC is the latest diesel engine from Hatz, and is easily the most sophisticated unit the company has produced
Hatz is now in its fourth generation of family ownership – with the fifth generation currently being educated at university. Launched recently by Wolfram Hatz and Christian Hatz – both managing directors at their family firm – at the company's facility in Ruhstorf, in Germany, the 4H50TIC is a composite of true innovation in many spheres of development. What we have seen of this new engine, at African Review, will serve many businesses in many industries across many applications for years to come.
Generating more business, for more businesses
Christian Hatz, MD for engineering and production, spoke of the commercial considerations driving the development of this engine. He recalled that the company recognised a need to go into the water-cooled engine market, to ensure future corporate growth. Hatz produces around 60,000 engines each year, give or take 10 per cent, and is keen to take more market share.
The 4H50TIC is an attempt to penetrate a global market for single-cylinder, water-cooled diesel engines. It competes by being lighter than its competitor products, 90kg lighter than the next heaviest engine, and therefore using less material. So, there are reduced costs of production – which is carbon dioxide-optimised and Hatz achieves low-fuel consumption – as low as 205g/km. So, Hatz customers benefit from cost reductions in their own areas of operation.
Technological development and cost considerations
Hatz decided to forego inclusion of a diesel particulate filter, due to the cost and life-cycle implications for its customers, which are well-addressed in the industry already. Nonetheless, Hatz sought an optimal power-to-weight ratio. It went for high performance and perfect torque, with minimal vibration, low-fuel consumption, low-maintenance cost and a small form factor. Designing a unit to these specifications represented a considerable challenge – especially given the parallel imperative of achieving lower engine production costs – but Hatz did not shy from the project. It inspired a need to innovate, including for example, innovations to support one-side service, and the introduction of a gear wheel-driven camshaft and an intercooler. The latter technology is rare in this engine class – although it is, of course, reliable and tested technology, already largely found in agriculture.
A special feature of the 4H50TIC is the PTO, for which Hatz has taken away the engine bracket and has refined intermediate gearing, linking to the camshaft. However, the engine's thermodynamics also warrant special attention, with its performance map achieving results across the board. Focusing on just a few features, customers will note that the engine achieves excellent fuel consumption, variable speed and robust combustion processes at high quality, with a two-valve configuration.
The Hatz thermodynamic solution, which is called Intelligent Hatz Advanced Combustion Strategy (iHACS), keeps things simple without loss of function. Key development areas associated with iHACS include consistent downsizing concept and consistent turbocharger matching, although there is much more to consider – including the refined EGR.
Where to apply, and who will use
Target market groups for the 4H50TIC include: mobile machinery, work machines, and stationary machinery. So, Hatz is looking at skid-steer loaders, wheeled loaders, forklifts, rollers and dumpers. It is looking at aerial platforms, power packs, wood chippers, drilling machines, and pavers. It is looking at pumps, and generators.
