Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are under increasing pressure to bring products to market quickly while maintaining high standards of manufacturing, reliability and quality. This pressure affects many sectors, including agriculture, landscaping, construction, and industries related to public safety and rescue. To achieve these goals, OEMs must rely on reliable suppliers who can implement modern and efficient communication technologies in their machines. Such solutions accelerate development while ensuring high quality and reliability of equipment. As a result, many suppliers have decided to implement CAN (Controller Area Network, known as CANbus), which has become a key standard in modern machines, enabling effective integration between engines and equipment.
CANbus and J1939
CANbus enables real-time communication between different machine components. Thanks to this technology, connecting new elements becomes much simpler, and the entire implementation can be easily scaled depending on the specifics of each machine. An additional advantage is the possibility of parallel implementation of the J1939 protocol – a communication standard created specifically for CANbus, which standardises data exchange between components and is widely used in both the automotive and industrial sectors. The combination of CANbus and J1939 brings measurable benefits: simple system integration and monitoring, versatility of use in various industries, and full compliance with international standards, making this solution the ideal choice for global OEMs.
Andrew Charuta, Regional Technical Service Leader for Electrification at Briggs & Stratton EMEA, points out: CANbus is a game changer because it streamlines component interaction. Simply put, CANbus is a type of ‘network’ that allows all devices connected to the bus to ‘talk’ to each other. It is a robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other without a host computer.
Advantages of CANbus for OEMs
For OEMs, a CANbus-based system simplifies both design and production. Reduced wiring complexity shortens machine assembly time and minimises the risk of failures related to cable damage. A unified communication network speeds up the integration of new components into the existing system architecture.
Diagnostics and troubleshooting become much easier. In the event of a failure, the system precisely identifies the source of the problem, and operators can access all key information from a single location without having to dismantle the equipment. This solution increases compatibility between components, enabling OEMs to select the optimal components for a specific machine, which in turn supports the modular design of devices that can be easily scaled and adapted to the requirements of different international markets without costly redesign. The result is an innovative communication system that reduces total cost of ownership.
Advantages of CANbus for component suppliers
For component suppliers, CANbus provides a clear path to becoming a trusted partner to OEMs. By designing solutions that comply with this standard, suppliers ensure the seamless integration of their components into complex machine systems. This increases their competitiveness in selection processes and opens up access to new markets and industrial sectors where CANbus is already an established communication standard.
CANbus compatibility helps suppliers future-proof their offerings. As industries evolve towards smarter and more connected machines, components capable of effective communication are better suited to both current and future market requirements. Compliance with the J1939 protocol further extends their global application, ensuring that international standards are met in a variety of applications.
Integration challenges
OEMs using CANbus and J1939 may still face significant challenges. Shorter development cycles, a consequence of the drive for greater efficiency, increase the workload of engineering teams responsible for system integration. Insufficient documentation and lack of technical support from some suppliers force OEMs to solve integration problems on their own, leading to project delays.
How can these challenges be addressed?
Components that are factory-ready for CANbus simplify the integration process. Instead of committing additional engineering resources to adapting individual parts, they can be integrated directly into the system, accelerating development cycles and reducing time to market.
CANbus-compliant components provide OEMs with greater design flexibility by easily connecting to other compatible systems. This significantly supports modular architecture, minimising the risk of compatibility issues in later stages of production.
Suppliers in the industry are actively responding to these needs. Vanguard, Briggs & Stratton’s commercial engine brand, offers petrol engines and battery systems with built-in CANbus support, providing OEMs with power solutions ready for seamless integration into existing communication networks.
Steffen Hoffmann, an engineer at Briggs & Stratton’s Power Application Centre Europe (PACE), points out: As machines become more complex, the ability of components to communicate with each other becomes essential. CANbus, as a common language, not only increases integration capabilities, but also enables suppliers to deliver future-proof solutions. For engineers, this means less time spent on individual solutions and more time focused on developing innovative applications.
Industrial applications
CANbus has become the cornerstone of modern machine design in many industries around the world. First proven in the automotive sector, it is now used in a wide range of smaller machines in agriculture, construction, landscaping and emergency services. Its ability to standardise communication, simplify integration and support modular designs makes it a valuable tool in markets where reliability and efficiency are key.
Vanguard’s CANbus-compatible technology is already being used in a variety of industries. In agriculture and landscaping, the Ferris® FRC7 hybrid slope mower uses a 23-horsepower Vanguard® EFI engine with CANbus support, delivering reliable performance in professional landscaping equipment. The ELIET® Prof 6 On Wheels shredder demonstrates the flexibility of multi-source systems, capable of running on fixed and removable commercial batteries as well as Vanguard™ combustion engines, with all power sources integrated via CANbus and J1939.
In the fire and rescue sector, the Rosenbauer Power Aggregate, equipped with a 37 hp Vanguard® EFI engine, guarantees reliability and immediate start-up in critical situations. In the construction industry, Kovo Vuijtek’s Scorpick ENTER pick & carry crane, powered by two permanent Vanguard batteries, is an innovative solution that is particularly valuable for indoor applications.
Batteries with CANbus support
The example of Scorpick ENTER perfectly illustrates how communication between multiple batteries via CANbus enables intelligent energy management in machines. When several batteries are operating in parallel in a system, the CANbus protocol ensures real-time data exchange, guaranteeing balanced charging and extending the life of the entire set. This functionality works well in both fixed and removable battery systems. For removable solutions, CANbus allows new batteries to be added seamlessly without affecting machine performance.
Implications for manufacturers and suppliers
CANbus and J1939 have revolutionised the design of industrial machines. By enabling seamless communication between components, these protocols reduce wiring complexity, improve system compatibility and simplify fault diagnostics. In addition, they facilitate the scaling and adaptation of machines to changing requirements.
For OEMs, understanding how CANbus works, its benefits, and how to deal with potential challenges is crucial for making informed decisions. Regardless of the industry, CANbus is an essential communication tool that guarantees the reliability, efficiency, and future-proofing of machines.
For component suppliers, ensuring product compatibility with CANbus opens up broader application opportunities and markets – this is particularly true for power supply solutions that can operate in a variety of applications, both combustion and electric. This gives OEMs the confidence that their suppliers’ power systems will be easy to integrate, efficient in operation and simple to monitor.
