Rental market can record the operating time of hydraulic attachments with new Webtec run-time meter

Webtec has a developed a new run-time meter which is ideal for construction and agricultural machinery where specialist hydraulic attachments can be centrally owned and rented on a ‘time-used’ basis. The RFS200 also ensures that owners can conduct maintenance on a time-used basis, rather than machine hours, thus allowing for more astute and cost-effective management of hydraulic system health.

Perfect for system and safety-critical applications, the new Webtec run-time meter is activated by the passage of hydraulic fluid to allow the precise monitoring of system usage. Notably, the RFS200 is unaffected by pressure, helping to ensure accurate and reliable readings.

Effective flow metering relies on the movement of a piston (against a spring) through a sharp-edged orifice, with position sensed magnetically. The operational trigger point is set during manufacture for reliability and integrity. On the new RFS200, the switch point is fixed at 10 litres per min with an anti-tamper design for security. When the switch point is reached, the counter starts incrementing – as indicated by a blinking decimal point on the LCD display. The meter keeps counting whenever the flow rate remains above the trigger point. All counting is cumulative.

Another interesting development on the new run-time meter is the inclusion of Webtec’s first-ever 3D-printed production part: the flow counter battery holder. 3D printing not only provides Webtec with complete design freedom that avoids the constraints of conventional tools for injection-moulding, but shortens lead times dramatically. Availability and rapid delivery are vital for customers, so this advance will become increasingly influential as the company’s develops more 3D-printed production parts.

The new Webtec RFS200 run-time meter offers flow rates up to 200 lpm and maximum pressure of 420 bar. As a point of note, the RFS200 is bi-directional and will allow oil to pass in reverse, but the counter will not be triggered. Suitable for use with hydraulic mineral oil to ISO 11158 category HM, fluid temperatures can be accommodated between -40°C and 100°C. Timer accuracy is ±0.2% over the specified temperature range.

Operational longevity is assured as sensitive components are sealed to IP66, while battery life is over 10 years. The unit’s flow body and housing is made from anodised 2011T6 aluminium, with stainless steel and brass internal components.