A Backhoe’s excavator arm offers a 180 degree working range from the rear of the machine. An excavator can slew 360 degrees.
JCB Electric Compact Excavators report
Electric Generation
Technical Journalist Dan Gilkes assesses the development of the JCB E-TECH range of electric equipment including compact excavator models.
There is a growing acceptance within the construction machinery market, that alternatives to diesel need to be adopted, if we are to meet planned zero-carbon objectives in the coming years. As already seen in the automotive sector, all manufacturers have been assessing and trialling a range of power and fuel solutions, as it seems unlikely that there will be one single answer to this question. Rather, equipment operators will need to adopt a range of solutions, each tailored to meet the needs of their specific on-site requirements.
Industry pioneer
JCB has been a pioneer in carbon reduction for many years. While continuing to refine its own diesel engine range, to reduce fuel consumption and cut exhaust emissions across all of its machinery, the company has also been at the forefront of offering customers a growing number of alternatives.
Current headlines are understandably full of JCB’s hydrogen engines but the company has also been a driving force in the rapidly growing adoption of battery electric technology.
JCB launched its first E-TECH battery electric mini excavator, the 19C-1E, eight years ago. Since that time, the machine has been developed further and the 1.9-tonne mini is now offered with the choice of a standard 14.9kWh battery pack, or a long running 19.8kWh battery. In both cases the machine can be used throughout a full working shift, however the larger battery delivers the possibility of extended working hours and would be the prime choice where powered hydraulic attachments such as breakers are used.
The batteries power electric motors that are similar in output to the diesel engine they replace. These in turn drive the hydraulic pumps, valves and cylinders already in use on the conventional diesel machines. The electric models therefore achieve the same hydraulic output, delivering similar breakout forces and lifting capabilities as a diesel model.
Zero emissions
However, this performance and productivity is achieved with zero engine emissions, delivering a carbon-free solution for operators on site. This allows the machine to work inside a building, or in confined spaces such as tunnelling or underground rail, with no requirement for costly fume extraction. With no diesel engine on board, the 19C-1E is also considerably quieter than a comparable diesel mini excavator, down by 6dB externally, making it an ideal choice for urban work, particularly during nighttime hours.
The 19C-1E has been joined by a second JCB E-TECH electric excavator, the 8008E CTS. This micro machine tips the scales at 1-tonne with a folding ROPS canopy, with a minimal tailswing and a width of just 700mm making it easy to navigate a domestic doorway. Powered by two 4.8kWh batteries, the excavator has enough power for a typical day’s work and makes an ideal machine for domestic rental and professional use.
As with the 19C-1E, the 8008E CTS can be recharged using a 110V or 230V supply. The larger machine can also be rapid charged, using a 415V three-phase supply. This fast charge option allows the standard battery to be topped up in just two hours, while the long running battery pack take 2.5 hours.
Total cost of ownership
The purchase price of any battery electric machine is likely to be higher than its equivalent diesel counterpart, though battery prices are falling rapidly while storage performance continues to improve. However, as customers know, total cost of ownership (TCO) is a far better measure of return on investment over time than initial purchase cost. Given the global rise in diesel prices, with little sign that they are heading back down any time soon, an alternative to fossil fuels will be welcomed by many.
The cost of electricity on site will vary, though there is increasing availability of renewable sources, such as solar and wind, contributing to lower costs. JCB’s own hydrogen-fuelled generator can also be used as a zero-carbon solution, working with battery packs on site to deliver consistent electrical supply.
Purchase cost is not the only expense. There are no engine oils or filters to service with an electric machine, reducing downtime and cutting ownership expense. Electric machines have fewer daily checks, further improving productivity, while not having to invest in exhaust extraction machinery for indoor or underground work can literally save thousands.
JCB Finance also has a range of leasing offers available for its battery electric equipment, minimising the monthly cost difference between the electric and diesel models. Longer term, all JCB electric machines are delivered with a 3-year/3,000-hour warranty and a 5-year battery warranty, while the automotive market is already proving that lithium-ion batteries can outlast the vehicle itself with very little degradation.
Carbon reduction
Of course, while there are many positive reasons to invest in electric technology, government, local authorities and main contractors keen to meet their own carbon reduction targets will also be looking to machine suppliers to deliver solutions. Increasingly, certainly where urban projects are concerned, carbon reduction will be a criteria on a tender sheet, that plant hire companies and contractors will have to meet. In many cases, it is no longer a case of if, but of when.
The good news for rental businesses and contractors, is that JCB has been working on this technology for some time and the company already has a growing range of mini excavators, compact wheeled loaders, dumpers, Loadall telescopic handlers, Teletruks, generators and access platforms that are battery powered.
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