Tow Dynamometers
Mustang Advanced Engineering has the largest and most complete line of Tow Dynamometers available for Test Engineers in the Industry. Mustang’s is a ISO-9001-2000 Certified manufacturing company. We are vertically integrated company to better serve all of your needs. We have in-house:
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Mechanical Engineering | |
Metal Cutting and Forming |
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Software Engineering | |
Welding |
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Controls Engineering | |
Machining |
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Hydraulic Engineering | |
Balancing |
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Electrical Panel Building | |
Painting |
All of these capacities are under one roof to better serve all of your needs from high quality product, custom requirements, custom paint and fast delivery.
Tow Dynamometer Images
Tow Dynamometer Styles
Mobile Style Tow Dynamometer
The Mobile Style is a self propelled towing dynamometer. Designed from an existing motorized vehicle chassis or a custom designed chassis. This unique Mobile configuration allows the Tow Dynamometer to be self powered with an engine for use in transportation between the garage and test site. Additionally the engine can be used for load biasing if required. In many cases we convert existing vehicles (customer supplied, new or used). Mustang also designs and fabricates custom Mobile Dynamometer vehicles for extreme applications or to customer order.
Trailer Style Tow Dynamometer
The Trailer Style is the traditional style of tow dynamometer. The Trailer Style Tow Dynamometer is configured to be towed behind a vehicle with a rigid connection via a Ball, Clevis, Pinto Hook or 5th Wheel between the Test Towing Vehicle and the Trailer Tow Dynamometer. The Trailer Tow Dynamometer is more economical in price and only requires a single operator. The disadvantage is that a separate vehicle is required to move the unit from garage to site or site to site.
Tow Dynamometer Models and Specifications
| Tow Dynamometers | Model # | Trailer Tow |
Mobile Engine Powered |
Cont. Drawbar |
Max Speed |
Unloaded Wheel Weight |
Full Load Wheel Weight |
# of Loading Axles |
| Car/SUV | ||||||||
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MDT-1.8KN | -T | NA |
1,800N (400 lb) |
130 km/hr (80 mph) | 320 Kg (700 lb) | 420 Kg (925 lb) | 1 |
| MDT-3.6KN | -T | -M |
3,600N (800 lb) |
130 km/hr (80 mph) | 450 Kg (1,000 lb) | 550 Kg (1,200 lb) | 1 | |
| MDT-5.4KN | -T | -M |
5,400N (1,200 lb) |
130 km/hr (80 mph) | 680 Kg (1,500 lb) | 8,00 Kg (1,760 lb) | 1 | |
| MDT-8KN | -T | -M |
8,000N (1,800 lb) |
130 km/hr (80 mph) | 1,100 Kg (2,425 lb) | 1,300 Kg (2,860 lb) | 1 | |
| Light Truck | ||||||||
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MDT-10KN | -T | -M |
10,000N (2,250 lb) |
130 km/hr (80 mph) | 1,400 Kg (3,080 lb.) | 1,600 Kg (3,520 lb.) | 1 |
| MDT-12KN | -T | -M |
12,000N (2,700 lb) |
130 km/hr (80 mph) | 1,820 Kg (4,000 lb.) | 2,020 Kg (4,445 lb.) | 1 | |
| MDT-20KN | -T | -M |
20,,000N (4,500 lb) |
130 km/hr (80 mph) | 2,725 Kg (6,000 lb.) | 3,000 Kg (6,600 lb.) | 2 | |
| Medium Truck | ||||||||
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MDT-30KN | -T | -M |
30,000N (6,745 lb) |
110 km/hr (68 mph) | 4,775 Kg (10,500 lb.) | 7,500 Kg (16,500 lb.) | 2 |
| MDT-40KN | -T | -M |
40,000N (9,000 lb) |
110 km/hr (68 mph) | 5,450 Kg (12,000 lb.) | 8,180 Kg (18,000 lb.) | 2 | |
| MDT-50KN | -T | -M |
50,000N (11,242 lb) |
110 km/hr (68 mph) | 6,140 Kg (13,500 lb.) | 8,866 Kg (19,500 lb.) | 2 | |
| Heavy Truck | ||||||||
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MDT-90KN | -T | -M |
90,000N (20,250 lb) |
135 km/hr (81 mph) | 12,500 Kg (27,500 lb.) | 15,225 Kg (33,500 lb.) | 2 |
| MDT-100KN | -T | -M |
100,000N (22,500 lb) |
120 km/hr (75 mph) | 12,500 Kg (27,500 lb.) | 15,225 Kg (33,500 lb.) | 2 | |
| MDT-135KN | -T | -M |
135,000N (30,350 lb) |
120 km/hr (75 mph) | 15,225 Kg (33,500 lb.) | 17,950 Kg (39,500 lb.) | 2 | |
| MDT-170KN | -T | -M |
170,000N 38,215 lb) |
120 km/hr (75 mph) | 20,000 Kg (44,000 lb.) | 22,725 Kg (50,000 lb.) | 2 | |
| Tractor/Off-Road | ||||||||
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MDT-80KN | -T | -M |
80,000N (17,985 lb) |
32.2 km/hr (20 mph) | 9,100 Kg (20,000 lb.) | 11,820 Kg (26,000 lb.) | 2 |
| MDT-100KN | -T | -M |
100,000N (22,480 lb) |
32.2 km/hr (20 mph) | 11,360 Kg (25,000 lb.) | 14,100 Kg (31,000 lb.) | 2 | |
| MDT-125KN | -T | -M |
125,000N (28,100 lb) |
32.2 km/hr (20 mph) | 14,550 Kg (32,000 lb.) | 17,275 Kg (38,000 lb.) | 2 | |
| MDT-200KN | -T | -M |
200,000N (44,960 lb) |
32.2 km/hr (20 mph) | 22,725 Kg (50,000 lb.) | 25,450 Kg (56,000 lb.) | 1 or 2 | |
| MDT-250KN | -T | -M |
250,000N (56,200 lb) |
32.2 km/hr (20 mph) | 29,550 Kg (65,000 lb.) | 32,270 Kg (71,000 lb.) | 1 or 2 | |
| MDT-300KN | -T | -M |
300,000N (67,440 lb) |
32.2 km/hr (20 mph) | 366,360 Kg (80,000 lb.) | 39,100 Kg (86,000 lb.) | 1 or 2 | |
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*The above models are Mustang's standard products. If higher or different speed or power ranges are required then custom design is available. |
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Tow Dynamometer Operation Overview
As a test vehicle moves, pulling the Tow Dyne, an air-cooled eddy current Power Absorbing Unit(s) (PAU) are attached to the Tow Dynamometers wheels via the drivetrain. As the test vehicle moves the Tow Dynamometer, the rotation of the Tow Dynamometer's wheel rotates the PAU(s). The PAU(s) convert the vehicle's kinetic energy into heat. Mustang's DAC/PC based control system, using closed-loop feedback control, regulates the amount of load imposed on the test vehicle by regulating the amount of load absorbed by the PAU(s).
Two configurations of the power supply are available with the tow dynamometer. Self Contained and Generator Power.
- The Self Contained System does not require fuel to produce the power for the Power Absorbers. An alternator is attached to the power train so that as the unit is driven the rotation of the power train spins the alternator and charges on-board batteries. The Power from the batteries is then regulated through the dynamometer's controller to the PAU. This is a great system if the tow dynamometer is used in it's higher speed ranges. The down fall is if the tow dynamometer is used at slow speeds the alternator does not spin fast enough to supply enough power back to the batteries and batteries drain down. The batteries are supplied with external connections for battery charging if required.
- The Generator Power System requires fuel and is louder than the self contained system but has a great advantage in supplying power at low speed and can supply adequate power to operate the tow dynamometer across the full speed spectrum of the tow dynamometer. The use of the generator also allows for the dynamometer to be powered by facility power operation in the garage.
Tow Dynamometer Software and Controls
The DAC/PC based tow dynamometer control system is a member of Mustang’s latest generation of embedded micro-controller based electronic systems. All control and monitoring functions are performed by an embedded 16 bit digital micro-controller. All calibrations can be performed using the on-board LED or enclosure mounted LCD display and keyboard, with calibration values stored in on-board, non-volatile FLASH memory. Testing values such as load or speed set points can be entered by the operator in exact unit values. In keeping with our previous system design features, the new generation system is configured to supply analog output signals proportional to system speed and loading force, using operator supplied output scaling values. Mustang’s GEN-4 control system provides faster and more stable loading control than previous analog control systems, and can be wirelessly interfaced or hard wired to a laptop computer cable to provide data logging and advanced control functionality.
Using the state of the art micro processor based controls connected to the Tow Dynamometer it is possible to test vehicles and simulate road profiles taken from pre-recorded data of road grades, hills and mountains. All of this testing can be performed without leaving the safe and controlled confines of the flat test track. Mustang's Software allows the test engineer to develop grade, load, speed, vehicle simulation profiles vs. time or distance at there desk and down load them to the dyne controller. The dyne controller can change between control modes during any of these tests.
Two of the control system’s modes of operation are “Load Control” and “Speed Control”. When the Tow Dyne is in “Load Control” mode, the driver of the test vehicle controls the speed. Conversely, when the Tow Dyne is in “Speed Control” mode, the driver controls the load. Grade Control is also popular as a test parameter for tow dynamometer testing the operator selects the grade to simulate along with the vehicle weight and the dynamometer will load the vehicle according to the grade angle. Additionally to the grade angle is the Polynomial Speed based loading. This is used to apply varying load to a vehicle to simulate additional windage or dragging loads based on speed. This is popular for all vehicle application.
Mustang’s controls come standard with dyne control and dyne data acquisition. Mustang’s Tow Dyne Controls can easily be upgraded with a data pod to acquire additional information required by the operator the data pod is available in a standard configuration with 16-Analog inputs. Our Data Plus-1 Extended System is configurable up to 128 data channels and our Data Plus-2 System is configurable to over 1,000 channels.
Tow Dynamometer Upgrades
Already have a Tow Dyno but need new control software or a complete upgrade? Mustang Dynamometer has you covered. Mustang offers a new wireless control system and software package upgrade. Contact one of our Tow Dynamometer Specialists or call 1-888-468-7826 today!