ACE Controls dampers improve doors on high-end tractor cabs

Key Dollar Cab manufactures tractor cabs for an array of orchard-farm tractor models. In fact, Key Dollar Cab has been innovating and improving these designs since 1982 — leveraging new technologies to make the cabs ever safer and more comfortable for tractor operators.

Key Dollar Cab has been perfecting the cabs of orchard tractors since 1982.

For their newest orchard tractor cabs, Key Dollar Cab wanted a very specific feature — something unique to their offering to serve end customers with a durable and refined element. The Key Dollar Cab engineers wanted the tractor doors to exhibit smooth and controlled motion upon opening. The requirement could not be satisfied by a standard gas spring or shock; the engineers needed a custom damper for their application.

In the end, Key Dollar Cab engineers arrived at a custom HB15 damper from ACE Controls. The damper is unique in that it provides an adjustable resistance for the door’s opening swing. At first the damper provides little resistance … but dramatically slows the door as the swing takes the door towards a fully open position. That effectively prevents the door from slamming open into the tractor cab and causing damage.

The ACE Controls sales team and engineers regularly work with OEMs and machine builders from the design phase until project completion to ensure that all application requirements are met. Shown here are custom HB dampers on the door of a Key Dollar Cab tractor door.

The damper exhibits zero resistance upon closing — so avoids any undue stress on the operator and lets the door close easily and tightly.

ACE Controls specializes in creating custom parts for customers … and in fact, ACE Controls has a custom product engineer solely responsible for handling these requests. Custom product engineer Jessica Dawson documents and analyzes supplied parameters and runs them through ACE Controls simulation software; then she will let you know if it’s possible for her to design what you need.

“The dampers are easy to install and have a wide range of adjustment which makes it an excellent resource to fine-tune the way our robust orchard-cab-door functions,” said Key Dollar Cab sales manager Mike Colombo.

Jessica Dawson • Product engineer at ACE Controls Inc.

Though the door application sounds simple the damper satisfies two important requirements:

The ACE Controls damper protects the components of the door from excessive stress while allowing the door to open rapidly and with ease.

The ACE Controls damper also enhances the operator’s experience with the Orchard Tractor Cab from the moment they hop in and sends the message that this is a refined product.

ACE Controls HB dampers offer seamless integration into the orchard cab — something impossible with standard gas springs.

For more information as well as sizing tools, configurators, CAD drawings, and YouTube tutorials, visit acecontrols.com.