JLG boom lifts, scissors, telehandlers and other access products feature advanced design electronics systems that reduce costs by increasing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.Photo: JLG Industries Inc.
A new era in electric machines at work sites stands to be a paradigm shifter for mechanic service truck operators.
JLG Industries Inc. is a case in point. The McConnellsburg Pa.-based telehandler and aerial work platform manufacturer plans to introduce new electric product lines at the triennial ConExpo-Con/Agg heavy equipment trade show in Las Vegas in March, 2020.
Shashank Bhatia, the company’s senior director of engineering, is on tap to give a presentation
“Seventy percent of the population in the next 20 years or so is going to move to the city, so there’s going to be a tremendous amount of construction in cities.”— Shashank Bhatia, senior director of engineering, JLG Industries
titled, “Equipment Management & Maintenance: The Future of Electric Machines on the Worksite.”
Urbanization drives demand
“As we continue towards a world where electric vehicles are our future, we will look at how the megatrend of urbanization is driving the need for electric machines on the worksite to increase machine versatility, efficiency and serviceability,” the session description says.
JLG’s products, including scissor-lifts, come in a range of sizes and some are giants. “Our tallest scissor goes up to 53 feet,” Bhatia told Service Truck Magazine. “That’s close to six storys.”
The machines are serious business. JLG’s Boom product line can transport personnel and equipment in and out of work areas up to a height of 185 feet.
“They’re on construction sites helping build stadiums, warehouses and big petrochemical plants,” Bhatia said, describing their role in enabling welding, assembly and other detailed operations.
While electrification has proceeded at different rates in different industries, Bhatia acknowledged diesel and internal combustion engines and hydraulic technologies are currently the norm across work machine categories. However, he said that’s about to change thanks to rapid urbanization, a resulting construction boom, and increased imperatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dampen noise.
“Seventy percent of the population in the next 20 years or so is going to move to the city, so there’s going to be a tremendous amount of construction in cities,” Bhatia said.
Furthermore, electrification stands to eventually extend beyond the drive train to functions traditionally managed by hydraulics, Bhatia said, describing full electric functionality rather than reliance on hydraulics and fuel systems.
Quieter and cleaner
Another advantage Bhatia pointed to is versatility, with electric machines that can handle multiple situations, environments and duties replacing conventional ones where the scope has been more limited. “They’ll be able to go indoors and outdoors … because they’re quieter and cleaner.”
Bhatia offered the example of a stadium construction with upwards of 1,000 machines moving equipment here, there, and everywhere. “You can imagine the logistics piece that goes into all that. Now it’s going to be cut in half because you don’t have to move machines in and out.”
Electrification also opens new opportunities in precision and agility in reach and lift, with an emphasis on control system algorithms rather than hydraulic system architecture. “It’s not easy to control a hydraulic machine when you’re up at 60, 70, or 80 feet,” Bhatia said.
Another anticipated advantage is an eventual end to fluid leaks. “There’s no oil in the systems, so there no possibility of hydraulic oil leaking onto the floor,” Bhatia said. “The only thing you’ll need is solid-state grease, and we’re going to seal that.”
JLG plans to introduce electric technologies on the ConExpo trade floor. However, Bhatia was tight lipped about discussing details in advance or even get into timelines beyond a fairly vague one to five years.
“We’re trying to pioneer this into the market,” Bhatia said. “I can’t talk about all that right now, but we’re going to launch products and systems that will show our capabilities.”
Straightforward transition
While electrification of machines opens new doors for people in industries such as construction, it also stands to change the way service technicians do their work. However, Bhatia said he anticipates a fairly straightforward transition.
“Our construction industry is slowly moving towards it but automotive has been doing this for a long time,” he said. “We’re talking about low-voltage systems, which are not that complex to learn. So, these people just need to learn the basics of electric technology.”
Safety is a key consideration, and Bhatia said equipment designers have paid attention. Whereas some hybrid technologies can exceed shock hazard values, electric equipment will be well below shock hazard limits of 60 volts. “You need different kinds of service technicians to work on those (hybrid) machines, but with these (electric) machines, we’re going to keep our voltages low,” Bhatia said.
Electric equipment also lends itself to relatively straightforward trouble-shooting, with screen-based diagnostics and capabilities for remote access. “Displays in these machines will tell you exactly how to solve it because it’s basically nothing but signals,” Bhatia said.
“Plus, all these machines will have fewer components. If you think of a current machine today, and then think of a future machine, there will be 50 percent fewer components, so it’s going to become much easier for service truck mechanics.”
For more information, on JLG Industries, visit www.jlg.com.
— Saul Chernos
Saul Chernos is a freelance writer based in Toronto.