The RCU120, the even more robust FAE crawler

Approximately two years after the introduction of the RCU range of radio-controlled tracked tool carriers, FAE is expanding its offering in this particular segment with the RCU120. The aim is to offer the market a radio-controlled vehicle that is more powerful than the current 55 and 75 horsepower models and that fits in between the current RCUs and the PT175 tracked vehicle with cabin. To this end, on the RCU120, FAE has placed an engine with a displacement of 3,400 cc, capable of delivering 120 horsepower.

The increase in power has impacted the project because with engines above 75 Hp it is necessary to introduce additional components for the management of polluting emissions, such as the SCR catalyst which uses AdBlue within the post-treatment exhaust gas system to reduce the emission of harmful substances (including nitrogen oxides). The introduction of the SCR has made the architecture of the engine, but also of the entire vehicle, more complex than previous models.

The increased size of the engine, as well as the increase in power, required the technicians of the Trentino-based company to make further design efforts to update various components, including the cooling system and transmissions. The chassis, on the other hand, has been completely revised, ensuring that the updates have no impact on the vehicle's handling agility.

As with the other RCUs, one of the main features of the 120 model is its ability to operate on steep terrain, up to 55°. To ensure even greater stability for the crawler, the Trentino manufacturer (headquartered in Fondo) has modified the diesel engine by adopting a special oil pan, verified and tested together with Kohler, the engine manufacturer.

Among other innovations, there is a different lift with a standard SAE attachment, which is normally used on mini-loaders. This makes it easier to assemble and use various types of equipment. Furthermore, the adoption of this type of attachment makes it possible to swing the head, something very useful for the specialized forestry equipment that will be developed. The RCU120, in fact, was created primarily for the forestry industry and its versatility is one of its strong points, thanks to its compatibility with various types of equipment. To facilitate combinations all hydraulic and electrical utilities can be configured according to the specific type of tool that the operator intends to use.