Are battery-powered tools only for special applications? Far from it! On a large construction site in Vienna, the battery-powered compaction equipment and compact electric machines are proving that they too are perfectly suited for daily practical use. Read on and see for yourself.
We are in central Vienna, where a building complex consisting of high-rise residential buildings, an office building and a hotel is being constructed as part of a private construction project. For concrete and soil compaction, demolition, digging and transporting, the construction company Swietelsky is relying on emission-free alternatives for this very typical construction site: Concrete vibrators, vibratory rammers, plates, dumpers and mini excavators from Wacker Neuson are demonstrating that they have just as much power as conventional machines while also helping to protect operators and the construction site environment.
“As part of our commitment to greater sustainability in construction, we want to gradually reduce CO2 emissions and, especially in inner-city areas, reduce noise pollution as well.”
– Karl Weidlinger, CEO of Swietelsky AG
Fully electric – fully flexible
For excavation work, the latest addition to the zero emission family, the compact and maneuverable Zero Tail Excavator EZ17e, was ideal. The battery can be charged at a household outlet (110-230 volts) or by quick charging with high-voltage current (up to 415 volts) in only four hours. The generous battery capacity ensures that the hydraulic functions, with the same performance as on a conventional model, are available the whole workday long. This enabled it to perform its job on the construction site just as flexibly and efficiently as a diesel-powered machine – with the added benefits of no direct exhaust emissions and a significant reduction in noise pollution.
The EZ17e electric excavator is equipped with high-quality lithium-ion technology, which has already been used by Wacker Neuson for several years. It enables the machine to meet the high requirements in terms of power duration, durability, safety and robustness.
From A to B – Emission-free
Normal room volume – this corresponds to the noise level generated during material transport with the DW15e electric dumper. In comparison with the conventional model, sound levels have been reduced here by more than 20 decibels to 60 db(A)*. And that’s a difference you can hear – or rather not hear. The dumper has a payload of 1.5 metric tonnes and is equipped with its own electric motor for the drive system and for the working hydraulics, in order to independently draw power as needed and minimize energy consumption.
The DW15e electric dumper shows that it can haul away quite a bit.
A Battery with Many Possible Applications
Three vibratory rammers and three vibratory plates at Wacker Neuson have one thing in common: they are all powered by a lithium-ion battery. They can be removed, changed or inserted into another machine in the blink of an eye, providing the usual flexibility and compaction performance without exposing the operator to exhaust emissions. As on any typical construction site, the soil in Vienna had to be compacted and the battery-powered machines did their job flawlessly – and without exhaust emissions. The concrete vibrator for concrete consolidation is also powered by the same battery: Here, the battery is inserted into the converter backpack (ACBe) and carried on the back. This backpack is now available with significantly reduced weight, making even more ergonomic work possible.
Benefits of the zero emission Machines
No compromises – this is always the focus for Wacker Neuson when developing electric solutions, because the machines need to impress in their practical applications.
- Running Time: The battery supplies enough energy for an average workday. Plus: All compactors can run on the same replaceable lithium-ion battery for even greater flexibility.
- Noise Pollution: The electrically powered construction machines are up to 20 decibels* quieter than conventionally powered machines in the same class. This is an extreme reduction, as the human ear already perceives a reduction of ten decibels as a halving of the volume.
- Freedom from Emissions: During operation, the battery machines do not emit any exhaust emissions, which protects the operator and the entire construction site environment. Over the entire product lifetime, CO2 emissions can be reduced by up to 93 percent, including battery production and energy generation (EU mix), compared to a conventional product of the same class – this is also confirmed by TÜV Austria.
- Handling: The concrete vibrators, vibratory rammers and plates can be started with the simple push of a button – making them ideal for inexperienced operators. Overall, the handling of all E-machines is very simple and intuitive.
- Power output: The performance is comparable to conventional machines of the same class.
Watch the video to find out how the electric machines proved themselves in Vienna:
* Emissions Sound Pressure Level (LpA): This specifies the sound level of the device at the working area directly assigned to it, for example in the cabin or in the operator’s cab.
Wacker Neuson is proud to be a global brand. Products and services vary from country to country and may not be available in your local market.
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