While mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) come in many forms, today’s electric scissor lift equipment offerings are changing the game.
“In the past, MEWPs were powered by the biggest, most powerful internal combustion (IC) engines an individual equipment model could support,” pointed out Bob Begley, director of product management, scissor lifts, JLG. Begley noted contractors now seek more environmentally friendly options when and where they make sense.
Power Options
Three power distribution systems used in powered lift equipment include hydraulic, hybrid (electric and hydraulic), and all electric, noted Begley. “Hydraulic systems take electrical energy from the batteries and convert it to hydraulic flow to perform lift, drive and steer functions,” Begley noted. “While hydraulic machines typically cost less to purchase or rent, they can be less efficient and have more moving parts and are more expensive to operate compared to electric drive machines.” The hybrid (electric plus hydraulic drive) systems have batteries directly linked to motors on the drive wheels, making them more efficient overall, Begley pointed out.
“These systems require less hydraulic oil since they are only performing lift and steer functions, which helps to reduce issues with oil viscosity, making them better suited for colder environments,” he added.
“Additionally, electric drive lifts significantly reduce the number of leak points because they reduce the number of hoses, fittings, manifolds and other components critical to their hydraulic counterparts. Electric drive systems also boast increased battery life and fewer needed replacement parts.” All electric drive systems replace hydraulics completely and eliminate leak points altogether, Begley noted.
Battery Improvements
“Traditionally, our machines have been equipped with flooded lead acid (FLA) batteries or IC engines where the maintenance costs are heavy for customers,” Begley added.
“But all electric machines have highly efficient systems. The power required to run these machines is cut by more than 40%. This opens the door to lithium-ion battery technology and all electric machines.”
FLA batteries have been around
for quite some time, Begley said, adding “these types of batteries have relatively low-energy density, are slower to charge, require more ongoing maintenance, but are less costly than other battery types.”
Lithium-ion batteries have high-energy density, faster recharging cycles and require less ongoing maintenance but are higher priced, he added.
“With electrification gaining momentum across the access industry, we anticipate the cost of lithium-ion battery technology to come down over time as volumes increase,” he added.
Lithium-ion batteries provide some significant performance features over lead-acid batteries that add a lot of value — such as quick charging — to the MEWP market, Begley pointed out.
“Most hydraulic-drive as well as some electric-drive scissor lifts on the market have a battery charge that lasts just a single shift and takes eight to 10 hours to completely charge,” Begley said. “Some scissor lifts powered by a lithium-ion battery — or multiple li-ion batteries — can go from not charged to fully charged in much less time.”
JLG
Lithium-ion battery technology offers opportunity charging. For example, it only takes 3.5 hours for the single lithium-ion powered JLG DaVinci lift to fully charge with its standard 650W charger. With an optional 900W charger, it fully charges in 2.5 hours.
“With lithium-ion batteries, you also eliminate the need to water the batteries, one of the most common causes of premature battery failure,” said Begley. “Additionally, lithium-ion batteries eliminate the risk of acid spills and outgassing concerns, making them better suited for work completed in environmentally sensitive areas like clean rooms, data centers and hospitals.”
Because electric-powered scissor lifts can be used in both on-slab and off-slab indoors and in outdoor applications, the technology for this type of electric equipment has continued to advance, potential uses have increased in the last few years, largely because they can be used in areas where stringent environmental restrictions exist, said Begley.
Other applications seeing an increased demand for electric scissor lifts include warehouse construction and operation, which Begley attributes to the growth of online shopping.
For rental applications, “it is important to think about how these machines will be charged by operators,” Begley pointed out. “The big gap in the ecosystem is the charging infrastructure, especially on early-stage construction sites where power is often limited.”
Understanding how long a machine needs to run each day to complete the work may impact the type of lifts a rental company chooses, Begley said.
Electric MEWP Benefits
Baptiste Roland, Haulotte product marketing manager, noted key beneficial features of Haulotte’s PULSEO range of electric scissor lifts include quiet operations, zero emissions and a rechargeable battery with autonomy depending on intensity of use.
They can be used indoors or outdoors, are environmentally friendly, have fewer mechanical components, ease of maintenance and reduced operating costs.
Roland added limitations include a limited autonomy with six to eight hours of continuous use and a relatively long recharging time.
The performance of a lithium-ion operated machine is equal to that of a conventional diesel-powered machine, Begley said, adding “we anticipate lithium-ion batteries will become more affordable and the technology will become more accessible; therefore, there will be less need and demand for engine-powered models.”
Haulotte
More cities and companies are taking steps to reduce their environmental footprint, noted Roland. As such, the market has expanded with more options.
With a 100% electric design, the PULSEO scissor lifts range (HS15 E and PRO and HS18 E and PRO or MAX) operates with no harmful emissions, he adds.
“They offer a clean alternative suited to any situation, such as Low Emission Zones or green construction sites,” Roland said. “Available with non-marking tires, they can also be used indoors on sensitive surfaces without leaving a trace. The latest PULSEO machines operate in silence (acoustic profile <60 dB in electric mode). They are perfect for work in low-noise areas or public places without bothering people nearby.”
PULSEO scissors are designed to maximize battery life and optimize power consumption.
The 48V battery pack delivers the range necessary for a full day of work, and three charging solutions adapt to the on-site infrastructure:
- The primary charger recharges the batteries at the end of the shift from any standard 110-230V single phase electrical network.
- An optional three-phase accelerated charger ensures an 80% charge in three hours.
- The PULSEO scissors can be equipped with a 5.5kW removable and interchangeable range extender to rapidly recharge the batteries while the machine remains fully operational. One range extender can be used on different machine of the range.
JLG’s DaVinci AE1932 is a fully electric scissor lift with no hydraulic components. Its electric driveline components contribute to a 70% decrease in power consumption. Its single lithium-ion battery is expected to last 10 years, Begley said.
JLG’s hydraulic-drive R electric scissor lifts have fewer parts and an all-steel swing-out component tray, said Begley, adding their compact dimensions are ideal for confined spaces. The improved battery charger reduces guesswork by informing users how the batteries perform.
JLG’s electric-drive ES electric scissor lifts are designed to offer reduced charging time and longer runtime. Including two lightweight models — ideal for data centers and sensitive floors — JLG offers options with indoor-only and indoor/outdoor capabilities. Full proportional controls come standard.
Battery-powered with an electric drive and AC motor, JLG electric-powered rough terrain scissor lifts are available in four models ranging in platform heights from 26 feet to 47 feet; each model is capable of driving at full height.
Genie recently announced a new design for its core slab scissor lift product line to focus on improved performance and lowered total cost of ownership for Next-Generation Genie GS-1932, GS-2632, GS-3232, GS-2646, GS-3246 and GS-4046 scissor lifts.
The MEWPs’ curved linkage design focuses on reduced machine weight, enabling Genie to use right-sized components including batteries, drive motors and other electrical components.
Genie
Charging and Maintenance
With newer lithium-ion batteries, capacity is consistent, and they can be used in temperatures varying from 32 degrees Fahrenheit to 104 degrees F Fahrenheit, Begley pointed out.
All JLG electric machines have fully independent battery monitoring systems monitoring cell temperature and cell voltages, providing data regarding the state of charge and useable life left in terms of kWh or cycles.
“When it comes to charging, these highly efficient machines have lowered power usage, which leads to lower charging times,” said Begley. “This also enables the opportunity for new technology such as quick charging, providing useable power to the machines in a reasonably short period when batteries are completely dead.”
The PULSEO models integrate the Haulotte Activ’Energy Management System, which combines a smart charger with a centralized water refilling system.
According to Begley, all-electric machines are essentially maintenance-free compared to diesel engines, which he says, will continue to play a role in conversations with fleet owners as maintenance costs for diesel engines go up because of the diesel particulate filters they require.
