2 minute read
FOCUS: ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
ings, and in dense urban areas – all ideal applications for electric power. Lift equipment manufacturers, including Genie, JLG, Manitou, and Snorkel offer electric boom lifts or scissors, as well as smaller battery-powered equipment.
Several manufacturers have more recently branched into offering electric telehandlers, including JCB, Manitou, Merlo, and Snorkel. Like electric boom lifts, electric telehandlers are ideal for noise sensitive applications in urban environments. At bauma 2022, Manitou introduced its first two all-electric rotating telehandlers, which can load up to six tons to a lift height of 22 and 26 metres. Manitou says that these machines can work in a range of climates, including cold weather, and the working range can be boosted with an additional battery.
Roadbuilding
Electrification in roadbuilding is a relatively new development. There have been prototype machines demonstrated by manufacturers for over a decade, but commercial production of electric roadbuilding equipment has only happened very recently – most notably ramping up with the introduction of electric tandem rollers for small scale projects. Several manufacturers have quickly entered this space, including Volvo Construction Equipment, Hamm, BOMAG, Dynapac, and Ammann.
According to the Wirtgen Group, which manufactures Hamm’s line of electric rollers, the push for development of electric tandem rollers started in Scandinavia and other parts of Europe where contractors need equipment that can perform jobs in low-emissions zones. As with earthmoving equipment, the ideal application for an electric roller is in urban, noise-and-pollution-sensitive areas, such as near hospitals and schools, and for working at night in populated areas. Electric rollers also have reduced maintenance costs compared to diesel machines – the only fluids required are hydraulic oil and greasing at the articulation points. Another advantage is that electric machines don’t need to idle – which saves additional costs for contractors and reduces the amount of power needed to work a full day.
Volvo says its electric rollers feature the same battery-power architecture as the company’s compact excavators and wheel loaders. But, Volvo adds that its electric roller has a performance advantage over diesel-powered models in high-altitude applications. It is not reliant on natural aspiration – where diesel performance will drop at higher elevations, the equivalent electric machine sees no performance change. And, to meet diesel engine emissions regulations, the diesel-equivalent machine has less available power than Volvo’s electric rollers.
Electric asphalt pavers are in very early development. Vögele now offers an electric mini paver for the European market, and other electric pavers have been tested in Europe. At CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023, LeeBoy displayed the prototype electric paver that it developed in collaboration with General Motors and Powertrain Control Solutions. According to LeeBoy, advantages of an electric asphalt paver include reduced noise levels and no wasted energy while waiting for trucks or idling. Operators will otherwise be familiar with the performance and controls which are similar to the company’s diesel-powered pavers.
WHAT’S NEXT?
With more electric machines hitting the market in a range of product categories, from mini excavators up to mid-size earthmoving machines and crawler cranes, the opportunity to experience and understand the advantages and challenges of deploying electric equipment on your job site is growing – particularly as more of this equipment becomes available through rental. Electric isn’t the only option for job site emissions reduction, and there are some machines that won’t be suited to run on battery power. Other technologies will be needed to fill in the gaps. But, for now, growing familiarity with the zero-emissions solutions that are on the market is vital for planning the future of your business. HEG