One of the most useful and versatile pieces of kit on farm, the telescopic handler does the jobs nothing else can, but what about if it’s electrically powered? CPM explores what battery power has to offer.
“It felt like an expensive purchase initially but the grabs have stood the test of time.”
By Melanie Jenkins
As the drive to switch to alternative fuels continues, a number of manufacturers have ventured into the realms of electric telescopic handlers with various concept and commercial machines now on offer.
While an electric telehandler might not be every farm’s first choice, the market has continued to expand slowly with new concept machines from both Claas and Merlo launched at Agritechnica last November, an incoming commercial machine from Manitou, and continued production by JCB and Faresin.
Claas
Venturing into the electric telehandler market, Claas has revealed a fully electric version of its Scorpion. Showcased at Agritechnica 2023, the Scorpion 732e boasts almost 7m in boom height with a total lift capacity of 3.2t, offers a maximum power of 53kN and has a top speed of 30km/h.
The machine has two 90kW (121hp) electric motors developed in conjunction with Liebherr – one for drive and the other for hydraulic power. A 64kW battery pack provides a maximum of four hours work and has a 22kW charger.
The firm believes battery-electric telehandlers are capable of fitting into the lower performance range sector for use in material handling, yard work and municipal use. According to Claas, the battery can be charged using electricity generated from on-farm PV system or biogas plant, as well as via mains chargers.
Faresin
Although seen less frequently on UK farms than other manufacturers, Faresin has also produced a fully electric telehandler. The firm has both a small and large range of electric machines with the smaller series capable of lifting up to 2.6t with a maximum boom height of 5.6m. However, the large range can lift 4.2-4.5t and has booms ranging from 13.6m up to 16.4m.
Distributed in the UK by GGR Group, the largest 17.45 model features a 45kWh battery and offers a run time of up to eight hours for non-intensive use and up to 3.5 hours intensive use. It includes an onboard charger as standard, capable of producing 0-80% charge in four hours and 0-100% charge in six hours.
It also has a universal charging socket identical to the type used on motor vehicles, which features intelligent charging to ensure the machines can be charged with whatever power source is available on site, including single or three-phase options.
JCB
Although JCB has turned its attention more towards hydrogen power, it also launched an electric telehandler in 2021. JCB’s 525-60E compact telehandler is part of the firm’s 100% electric E-Tech range, with zero emissions and less noise than its diesel counterparts.
Although not designed specifically for agriculture, the machine has a 6m lift height and 3.5m reach, a maximum of 2.5t lift capacity or 2t at full height, and can travel at speeds of up to 15km/h.
A 24kWh lithium-ion battery weighs in at 340kg and can power the machine for up to 3.5 hours. A 17kW motor provides drive for traction while a second 22kW motor runs the hydraulics.
It can be powered up using 110v, 230v and 415v connections and is fast charge ready, taking eight hours to reach 100% with the 3kW on-board kit (240V) or 110 minutes with 18kW rapid-charging kit (415V) connected to three-phase power supply.
The machine has constant 4WD and three steering modes, is compact in size at 1.89m in height and 1.84m wide, and weighs 5.2t.
Manitou
Winning a bronze medal at Lamma 2024 in the IAgrE Best Environmental Award, Manitou’s MLT 625e is the firm’s first agricultural electric telehandler, which is based on the diesel MLT 625.
The prototype of the machine on display at Lamma back in January had a 6m reach and 2.5t lift capacity and is fully electric with two electric motors – one (14kW) to replace the hydrostatic drive of the diesel version, and the other (25kW) for the hydraulic system.
Power is delivered via a 25kWh mid-set lithium-ion battery which can deliver up to four hours of constant use. The machine includes an on-board integrated (9kW) charger, meaning that the battery can be recharged at any point able to connect to a Type 2 EV charger. It also comes with adapter plugs to suit different points.
On a three-phase 380v power supply the charging time to 100% takes around three hours, but lower power supplies will take longer.
The dashboard and in-cab electrical system has had an upgrade from the diesel version, including expected run time and battery levels.
According to Manitou, the benefits of the machine are that it’s zero emission, low noise and reduce maintenance.
But customers won’t be able to get their hands on it just yet. Despite a construction version being previewed last year, production of the electric version isn’t expected to begin until later this year.
Merlo
Originally launched in October 2021, Merlo’s e-Worker 25.5-90 with 4WD produces 90hp, has the capacity to work for eight hours without recharging and can lift to 5m with a total load capacity of 2.5t at 1.5t maximum lift height.
The machine has 24 48v batteries weighing 400kg which can be recharged with a three-phase power supply, taking around nine hours to reach full capacity.
At just 1.5m wide and under 2m in height, it’s a highly compact machine but includes a full-sized cab with a split door. It includes a capacitive joystick, has a clevis hitch and is rear-wheel steer.
Fast-forward to Agritechnica 2023 and the firm showcased a full-size electric concept targeted at agriculture. Although at this point it’s not a production machine, the concept TF43.7 has a six-hour run time, a 7m boom and a 4.3t lift capacity, offering similar performance to the firm’s TF42.7 diesel machine. While the e-Worker runs on lead acid batteries, Merlo has switched to lithium-ion in the TF43.7 with a Type 2 charger.
This article was taken from the latest issue of CPM. Read the article in full here.
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