On Wednesday, June 17, we were welcomed by Lorenzo Grosso, CEO and Owner, at the Hydro-Mec srl facility in Lessona (BI) to conduct a joint case study. Of particular interest to Vimoter is the HyperMec division, established in 2017 to bring renewed focus and continuity to the production of mini dumpers, a lineage that originally began in the 1970s.
During our facility tour, we had the opportunity to observe some of the mechanical processes that define the company's heritage (cutting, bending, milling) and experienced the HyperMec vehicles firsthand. As Grosso explained, their true competitive advantage lies in compactness and lightweight design: their dumpers are approximately 25% lighter than the market average, yet they guarantee maximum stability thanks to a particularly low center of gravity and a highly resilient chassis.
HyperMec’s objective is not quantitative growth at all costs, but rather the efficiency and consolidation of the production process according to international quality standards. As Grosso himself emphasized:
"A company where know-how belongs to only a select few is destined to fade away. For this reason, we are working on embedding the long-standing expertise of our veteran team members into the very DNA and permanent knowledge asset of the company. By optimizing our processes, we discovered that, with the same headcount, we could significantly streamline the production of every single vehicle."
The Technical Challenge: Evolution of a Partnership
Hydro-Mec and its HyperMec division have been part of Vimoter's customer portfolio for many years, but it is recently that the partnership has truly consolidated around the specific supply for dumpers.
A few years ago, we developed a customized pedal assembly with a master cylinder based on the client's specifications.
Recently, HyperMec asked us to upgrade and improve the existing solution to address a specific requirement for their larger dumpers: braking feel. With the current configuration, the braking performance lacked smoothness and felt slightly "mechanical". The master cylinder had a limited oil flow rate compared to the actual requirements of the vehicle's axles; consequently, the brakes only engaged toward the end of the pedal stroke, reducing operator feedback.
The Vimoter Solution: Introducing the Hydrobooster
Following an in-depth analysis of the vehicle's braking system, our technical department proposed an absolute novelty within the Vimoter catalog to HyperMec: the hydrobooster.
This solution delivers the following key advantages:
- Higher oil flow rate: The integrated brake master cylinder ensures greater oil absorption, achieving earlier and more modulable brake activation, which enhances overall braking performance.
- Improved actuation: The integrated hydraulic brake booster delivers superior braking performance with significantly less pedal effort required from the operator.
With this technical evolution, Vimoter and Hydro-Mec confirm that strategic synergy and shared know-how are the keys to continuous improvement and conquering future challenges.
