Shandong Weimeng and WZL130 Steering Axle: Win-Win Cooperation in the Global Market
Product background: collaborative development starting with “balance”.
The backhoe loader's drive axle was developed jointly with Balance as a starting point. In early 2023, the production planning department of Shandong Weimeng Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. conducted a sub-selection for a new generation of four-wheel steering backhoe loaders. As a well-known domestic construction equipment manufacturer, the company had clear requirements for the drive axle: not only to ensure reliability in harsh operating conditions, but also to be competitive in price. Shandong Weimeng's technical team had previously conducted a comprehensive evaluation of several suppliers. The polarization of products in the market is evident. International brands offer outstanding performance, but come with high prices and long delivery times. The prices of some domestic brands are close to consumer prices, but their stability is insufficient under harsh operating conditions, such as frequent heavy-duty testing, heavy impacts, and mud wading. Building on the good foundation of cooperation established in past projects between both parties, Shandong Weimeng formally proposed that we jointly develop a backhoe loader drive axle that is tailored to the entire machine.
solution:
After receiving the inquiry, our technical team carefully analyzed the product positioning and target market characteristics and conducted a two-week joint technical review with Shandong Weimeng engineers. We found that overseas users' key requirements for backhoe loaders focused on three aspects: flexible steering, reliable braking, and easy maintenance. Based on the above analysis, we refined the core design of the backhoe loader steering axle, focusing on achieving key performance indicators through design optimization and technological innovation to achieve the best balance between performance and cost. We then developed the WZL130 steering axle.
Technical solution: Steering axis designed specifically for backhoe loaders
The WZL130 steering axle is specially designed for 10-12 ton backhoe loaders, integrating both drive and steering functions. This cost-effective backhoe loader axle features a universal design, with most front and rear axle components matching each other. This design concept significantly reduces the number of spare parts used by equipment manufacturers and user maintenance costs. Both the front and rear axles have steering functions, and with a double-acting central steering cylinder, it can implement four steering modes: front-wheel, rear-wheel, all-wheel drive, and driving-on-the-go. The minimum turning radius is significantly larger than similar products.
Regarding the bearings and transmission, the WZL130 steering axle is made of high-strength rectangular cast steel, offering good rigidity and high impact resistance. The overall two-stage braking system is combined with a main drive consisting of high-precision hyperboloid gears, providing high transmission efficiency and low noise. The wheel rim is equipped with an advanced planetary braking mechanism, featuring a compact design and balanced load. The braking system features hydraulic disc brakes, which respond quickly and dissipate heat well. The brake discs and friction linings are made of high-quality, wear-resistant materials, and the replacement cycle is long.
It was this set of technical solutions, taking into account performance and cost, that eventually passed several stages of technical evaluation at Shandong Weimeng, and the two parties formally signed a serial supply agreement.
Rigorous testing: bench tests to verify product reliability
Before mass production, the WZL130 steering axle has undergone comprehensive bench testing and verification to ensure the reliable performance of the drive steering axle of each backhoe loader.
Gear fatigue life test:
The main gear of the gearbox and the planetary gear of the rim were subjected to 3 million cycles of loading, and there were no pitting or abnormal wear on the tooth surface, which confirmed the long-term performance of the gear system.
Dynamic Impact Test of Bridge Housing:
The driving conditions of an excavator-loader on a rough mine road surface are simulated, and variable impact loads are applied to the bridge body a total of 1.2 million times. The bridge body is free of cracks and deformations, and the structural strength meets design requirements.
Steering flexibility and durability test:
Simulates frequent steering operations in all-wheel drive mode and performs 200,000 reciprocating cycles. The steering cylinder, steering knuckle, and steering linkage are not subject to excessive wear, and the steering is light and responsive.
This rigorous rig test system has laid a solid technical foundation for the series application of fuel-efficient axles for mining and loading locomotives and significantly reduces the risk of load verification by equipment manufacturers.
Market testing: reliability testing both domestically and internationally
Product delivery is not the end of cooperation, but the starting point of verification. The first batch of WZL130 steering axle drives was shipped to several domestic construction sites with Shandong Weimeng as the main engine, and they passed preliminary tests in municipal construction, agricultural water conservation, small mines, and other conditions. After confirming the product's stable performance, both sides began shipping larger batches.
With the gradual expansion of production capacity, the range of steering axle bearings for backhoe loaders has steadily expanded. In addition to Shandong Weimeng as our main partner, the product has successfully passed technical audits and loading tests with many renowned equipment manufacturers, including Qingzhou Huizhong, Weifang Boding, Laizhou Julang, and others, and achieved batch compliance. These manufacturers have their own distinct expertise in agricultural and construction machinery, and each has its own specific focus on drive axle technical requirements. With its versatile design and flexible configuration options, the WZL130 steering axle successfully meets the diverse needs of various customers, further demonstrating its high adaptability. Learn more about the product.
Overseas markets are a true test for us. Over the past two years, backhoe loaders equipped with the WZL130 steering axle have been exported en masse to Southeast Asia, Russia, Latin America, and other regions, where they have undergone real-world combat testing in a wide range of climatic and operating conditions.
Brief description: Towards global verification of fuel-efficient drive axles
The development and promotion of the WZL130 drive axle confirmed a simple product logic: truly competitive products don't necessarily need to meet individual specifications, but rather provide the best balance between performance, cost, and reliability. Through close cooperation with Shandong Weimeng, Qingzhou Huizhong, Weifang Boding, Laizhou Julang, and many other equipment manufacturers, the drive axle of this 10-ton backhoe loader has evolved from laboratory conditions to numerous extreme operating conditions around the world in just a few years, earning dual recognition from equipment manufacturers and end users with zero major failures.
For equipment manufacturers seeking highly reliable and cost-effective drive axles for wheeled excavators, the WZL130 steering axle represents not only a market-proven product but also a model of collaboration: we are ready to work closely with our clients—from analyzing operating conditions to maximizing value through technological optimization.
Whether you're looking for a reliable equipment supplier, a distributor, or an end user looking for a drive axle replacement for existing equipment, an economical load axle is a choice worthy of your serious consideration. Our technical team is always available to support your selection and offer customized solutions.