E XCAVATORS

The cost saving implications go beyond the basic concept that electric motors have fewer parts than diesel engines – with maintenance and repair costs greatly reduced.

In fact:

The battery does not require any routine maintenance and is internally protected from overcharging

It provides great accessibility to battery/electric motor compartment thanks to tiltable seat (on CX15EV)

It features the most advanced technology in terms of power demand management on the market. Unlike competitor machines, CX15EV uses no energy at all when it is in stand-by since no oil circulates through the system until a joystick or lever is actioned.

QWhat impact has the end of the red diesel rebate had on the adoption and interest in electric solutions?

A big impact. There has been a boost in the past 2-3 years for all construction equipment OEMs to find an alternative to diesel. Electric construction equipment is not really a novelty of the last few years; we have seen concepts quite early, but now every single OEM is offering, or going to offer, alternative propulsion models.

For mini excavators electric technology is a great fit. What will make the difference in this race between OEMs will be the time to market to deliver a performing machine with adequate autonomy and fast charging to allow customers to get the job done. We believe that with our CX15EV and CX25EV we can compete at the front of this race.

QWhat other options are available? Ie zero tail swing, retractable tracks, cab or canopy, twopiece boom, cameras and work lights?

The D-Series line-up has a great deal of smart and high technological features. Here is a list with a few of the most important:

12 Zero-Tail swing models, covering all segments

Best in the industry offering of 2 pieceboom models: 4 starting from 2 ton

Up to 3 auxiliary circuits with electroproportional controls which make these models extremely versatile to mount a great variety of quick couplers and attachments offered ex-factory or through Case After Market services. Mulcher provision with a dedicated pump which can grant constant independent flow to the attachment, plus a direct drainage to tank

9 models with extendable undercarriage

Comfort of the Cab version offered starting from CX17D, quite unusual in the industry for machines of this size

Canopy version offered up to CX35D Air Conditioning offered as early as the 2,2 ton model: CX22D

2 arm lenghts

LED working lights

Rear-view cameras from CX42D to CX65D ...and much more to be discovered.

QWhich models would you identify as rental spec and those suitable for owner/operators?

For rental the main European segments are the 1 ton (where we offer the CX12D), the 1.8 ton (where we offer CX17D and CX18D), the 2.5 ton (where we offer the CX25D), the 3.5 ton (where we offer the CX35D) and the 5 ton (where we offer the CX50D).

I also believe that the electric machines can be a great fit for rental in particular in those countries in which sustainability is a paramount for contractors to be able to apply and work for any jobs inside cities. It is not a coincidence, in fact, that we have started with a 1,5 ton and a 2,5 ton to develop alternative propulsion models.

For further information on the CASE D-Series range: WWW.RDR.LINK/CAI 027

Wheeled Excavators

A four-model E-Series wheeled excavator range has been announced by CASE, with a fifth, larger model joining the series in the future. The machines will be built under an existing supply agreement with Hyundai Construction Equipment. The line-up will include conventional tail swing and short radius models, operating on a Cummins Stage V diesel engine.

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Crawler Excavators

Two new crawler excavators from SANY – the SY215C-XD (24-tonne) and the SY390H-XD (40-tonne) – are available to order with factory fitted advanced hydraulic systems and heavyduty attachments. They also feature hammer shear and rotate lines and advanced systems that enable easy changeover of attachments.

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Remote Control

An advanced Short Range Remote Control solution designed by Volvo CE and CE Engineering Solutions is now offered on request on the EC250E, EC300E and EC350E excavators. The technology, which can operate over a 100-metre distance, provides a powerful solution for customers working in difficult jobsites or environments.

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Straight Boom Excavator

Built for rugged and reliable operation, the new Cat 352 Straight Boom Excavator is designed specifically for work up to five storeys high. Its stick/boom configuration delivers a higher vertical reach up to 12.85m, which is 36% more stick pin height compared to the standard 352 Reach configuration.

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Connected Technology

The Hitachi Connected Technology department has been expanded, acquiring a 4.7-acre site to fit 3D machine control and special attachment solutions its excavators. Customers can choose from 3D machine control from Leica, TopCon and Trimble; tilt rotators from Steelwrist, Engcon and Rototilt; and height, slew and RCI monitors from XWatch Safety Solutions.

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How has the lifting and access industry shifted toward a more sustainable future in the last five years?

Many climate experts claim that we only have until 2030 before we begin to hit a tipping point from which there may be no return from the damage to our planet. This is when climate change may become irreversible. Therefore, there has never been a more crucial time for individuals and businesses to do what they can to reduce their carbon footprint. This includes investing in renewable energy and clean technology.

With access to the latest technology and innovation, the lifting and access trade has an opportunity to transform the construction industry’s carbon output and pioneer sustainable solutions. Industry-leading production and hire firms should be taking this challenge on with open arms.

At its core, the lifting and access industry is focused on safety, and it is now becoming increasingly clear that the products we use must be safe for the environment as well as for users. Currently, the built environment, of which the construction sector is a crucial component, contributes approximately 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions. After the UK Government set the goal to reduce countrywide emissions by 68% by 2030, firms like JPS have begun to invest in greener solutions.

JPS Platforms, the lifting and access division of JPS, has curated a 70% electric fleet over the past five years and has noticed a concerted shift toward electric and hybrid solutions from its clients in the past year especially. Adam Hems, CEO of JPS, told us that his visit to this year’s Executive Hire Show confirmed recent observations that “financial constraints, contractual obligations and recognition of our industries impact is causing a definite increase in demand for more sustainable lifting and access machinery”.

Battery technology

The increased demand for greener access machines has led to more advancements in equipment. As battery technology improves, more equipment can be run efficiently and effectively on electric power, while delivering the same performance as its diesel counterpart. What’s more, increased electric motor efficiency means that this equipment can now run for longer, often for whole shifts, and recharge faster.

Many manufacturers are taking advantage of recent improvements in AGM and lithiumion battery technology, with their overarching benefits of reduced noise, lower emissions, and increased battery life. For companies like

JPS, which has a focus on indoor applications, providing quieter machines that have increased working hours means that the overall completion times for client’s jobs are decreasing as works can more easily be carried out alongside each other.

On top of this, electric scissor lifts are getting bigger and are now more accessible than ever. The Dingli 2212 for example has a 22m working height on a 1.25m wide chassis, it is also outdoor rated which makes this machine even more versatile. JPS’s lifting and access fleet ranges from 3.5m low level access machines to 22m electric scissor lifts, and up to 21m hybrid boom lifts with lots in between. A recent scissor lift market research analysis found that electric scissor dominates the market and accounts for 68.7% of trade. This is expected to grow at the fastest compound annual growth rate of 7.5% between 2022 and 2029.

John Young, Director of JPS Platforms, says: “We have always been passionate about providing our customers with hassle-free, innovative and dependable services; however, it is becoming increasingly important to our clients that the machines they hire are compliant with carbon targets and have a positive impact on the environments they operate within.

“We feel we have a responsibility to ensure we have a fleet of equipment that provides our customers with a clean and sustainable solution for working at height.

“By increasing our electric fleet, ensuring all new batteries are AGM or lithium and that hybrid technology is constantly advancing we hope to transform the industry’s carbon output.

“However, we do recognise that the charging infrastructure needs some serious improvement before it can be commonplace to see electric 4x4 machines replacing their diesel counterparts. The government wants companies like ours to be pushing green alternatives into the marketplace which we have shown commitment to, but we need to see some serious investment from the powers that be to ensure that these types of products become a first port of call and not just an alternative to diesel.”

Infrastructure

JPS has noted that some of its clients want to use these types of products, but they are held back due to the inability to successfully charge these types of machines. To solve this industry-wide issue, JPS is looking to invest in solar battery storage to provide a solution to its customers. The solar technology will top up the batteries all day enabling the powered access machines to be recharged overnight. John says: “Our aim is to keep pushing these types of products out into the market and demonstrate to end users the benefits of electrically powered machines,” declares John. “Not just from a sustainability perspective but also from an operator comfort point of view as well.”

The environmental and cost benefits of electric and hybrid plant are clear, with zero carbon emissions and significantly reduced fuel use, but sustainable solutions also have many other benefits too. With much quieter operation, and significantly less vibration, they are far more comfortable to operate, which in turn increases productivity of the workforce and results in less long-term health risk to the operator.

Investing in clean technology is certain to be on the rise over the next few years as the UK Government strives to meet its net zero carbon emissions goal and companies and contractors make their own in-house commitments. It will most likely be a steady process as technology continues to improve and gets rolled out across the country. Many companies may not have the financial capability to replace their current plant with cleaner alternatives which provides hire firms with an opportunity to step up and become a reliable source for greener solutions.

For further information on JPS Platforms

WWW.RDR.LINK/CAI 033