CEJN provides Arden Equipment with auto-dock solutions in a unique cooperation

Arden Equipment required an auto-dock system to integrate into their hydraulic attachment design after experiencing a rapidly growing market demand for this kind of solution. CEJN responded, and the result was a unique cooperation in developing a solution that increases the productivity and safety of onsite operators.

Arden Equipment, France, is a world-leading manufacturer of attachments for excavators and wheel loaders. They have more than 40 years of experience in designing hydraulic attachments and have a full range of attachments ranging from quick hitches and tilt rotators to excavators’ buckets and shears. Now they have taken their innovative tools to another level. Together with CEJN, they have developed the AIO system, an all-in-one auto-dock solution suitable to all tools on the market.

“The AIO project is a quick hitch for changing the hydraulic attachment and designed to increase the onsite safety, efficiency, and durability”, says Christophe Bouillard, Design Engineer at Arden Equipment. “Together with CEJN, we now have a product that is reliable, strong, robust and suitable to all the tools on the market”, he continued.

“CEJN coupling technology offers the best flow rate, is completely adapted to our attachments and the auto dock solution prevents any type of misconnections.”

Christophe Bouillard, Design Engineer at Arden Equipment.

Christophe Bouillard, Design Engineer at Arden Equipment, together with the AIO350, one of the sizes developed by Arden and CEJN.

Safety and productivity in focus

The interest in this solution comes from the field itself. “80 percent of work site injuries happen when the operator is outside the cab”, says Jonathan Sassi, Product Manager Earthmoving at Arden Equipment. “With an auto-dock system, no human interaction is needed when switching the tool”, he continued.

Using an auto-dock system solution instead of manually changing the hydraulic attachments will improve onsite security and increase productivity. “This solution enables a tool switch in less than 10 seconds compared to 10 to 15 minutes if doing it manually”, Sassi says, adding that the demand for this kind of solution grows every month.

Christophe Bouillard together with Jonathan Sassi (to the right), Product Manager Earthmoving Equipment at Arden Equipment.

“The auto-dock solution enables a tool switch in less than 10 seconds.”

Jonathan Sassi, Product Manager Earthmoving at Arden Equipment.

Close collaboration – a key to success

Arden's expertise in earthmoving equipment and CEJNs expertise in quick connect couplings and auto-dock systems have made the project become a success.

The foundation of the success is the close collaboration between the engineers of Arden and CEJN. “When we started this project, we wanted a strong partnership with a company that has major experience in hydraulic connections and with an understanding of the field”, Bouillard says and points out that the partnership with CEJN has been very professional and fluent. “CEJN understands and helped us to anticipate any problems.”

The project collaboration has laid a good ground for continuing developments. “The next step is to extend the AIO solution to a complete range for excavators from 5 to 40 tonnes, and maybe more”, he concludes.