Electric aerial equipment is not new, but there are some new trends in the industry. First, a growing number of contractors are looking for lower-emission solutions to meet changing jobsite requirements. Second, more machines are coming in electric models, such as larger boom lifts.
Fast Heavy Industry are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.
We at Genie have been hearing from contractors and other equipment users — and from rental companies and dealers — with questions about charging, performance, operation and more when it comes to electric boom lifts and electric scissor lifts.
With that in mind, here are our responses to some of the most frequently asked questions about electric mobile elevating work platforms.
There are two big factors:
Just like a hybrid car, a hybrid MEWP can operate in an electric mode, but it has the option to run on liquid fuel when needed. An all-electric machine only has an electric power source, like a battery.
There’s a perception that electrification comes at the expense of performance, but it’s not an either/or situation. All brands are different, but to give a Genie example, our all-electric, four-wheel-drive DC boom lifts have better efficiency and rough-terrain capabilities than booms with internal combustion engines. The terrainability advantages come thanks to an AC drive system that controls each AC drive motor independently and offers more power to each wheel, optimizing current, torque and speed. It works in conjunction with an active oscillating axle that keeps all four tires in contact with the ground in even the roughest terrain, improving traction and giving operators a smoother ride.
Also, don’t forget about the lower noise of electric machines. This makes it easier for crews to communicate, which can improve productivity and jobsite safety, and for a more overall pleasant jobsite.
It’s much simpler and less expensive than diesel equipment. To use another Genie example, we estimate that our E-Drive scissor lifts lower maintenance costs by up to 35%.
Think about what not having an engine means:
Because many scissors and boom lifts have been electric for years, most technicians are already comfortable working on these machines. The larger lifts now coming in electric drive may be bigger and use a slightly different variant of a technology, but it’s not so different as to require retraining.
If the machine has an on-board charger, like Genie electric aerial equipment does, you can use common household outlets of 110/120 volts or 220-to-240-volt outlets, depending on what is common in your country. Machines will reach a full charge overnight.
There are other options too. Genie hybrid models are equipped with an on-board fast charger that can charge the battery pack in 2.5 hours.
Of course, aerial equipment is often used on construction projects where there is no existing infrastructure, so a wall outlet may not be handy. In these instances, you should check with the general contractor or the project owner on what steps they’re taking to bring power to the site.
If you're not confident there will be a consistent way to charge your machine, consider going with a hybrid lift. Genie FE hybrid booms can work full workdays for an entire week on a single tank of fuel. The FE hybrid boom has the added versatility of working in electric mode.
This will vary based on the application and by brand. For application, the amount the machines are driven and the number of lift cycles affects the battery. For brand, I’ll keep my answer specific to Genie machines. Our electric boom lifts and electric scissor lifts can work a full standard workday on one charge when the machine is being used in a typical manner. For scissor lifts’ users who need to work longer than a typical workday, Lithium-Ion could provide an alternative because Lithium-Ion batteries won’t degrade from a partial charge. This means, they can be plugged in during breaks or lunch time without harming the battery life. Lithium-Ion batteries also charge 33% faster than FLA batteries.
With hybrids, of course, you also have the ability to switch to diesel. Genie takes this a step further and has developed hybrid machines that can actually charge the battery while operating in hybrid mode. They have an advanced energy management system that allows “dead battery” operations; when the batteries are completely drained, the power from the on-board diesel generator provides enough power to run any function (both drive and boom function).
Even though these machines do a good job keeping their charge, it’s still worthwhile to try to maximize runtime, just as you’d want to maximize fuel efficiency in diesel machines. Here are some tips to help conserve battery power:
This post aims to provide answers to the 10 most frequently asked questions about installing, using and maintaining goods lifts. We hope you find this post helpful. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact us.
Q1: If I decide to get a goods lift how long will I have to wait to install it?
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Electric Vertical Mast Lift.
A: Your new goods lift will have a lead time for the manufacture of your bespoke requirements. Once delivered, the lift can be installed well in just a few days. You may need builders work before installation depending on where your lift is positioned.
Q2: Do I need to build a lift shaft?
A: It depends on the installation site and safety requirements. Our vertical goodslifts can be supplied structure-supported so there would only be a need to build an enclosure that is not load bearing. The enclosure guards the machinery – the working parts of the lift.
Q3: Can I travel in the lift?
A: If you need to travel with your goods, you will require an attendant controlled lift with controls inside the lift.
Q4: I’m concerned I have limited space. How do the doors open on a goods lift?
A: Goods lifts come with a choice of door configurations. At MORN, we offer hinged doors to give the largest opening, or concertina doors that fold back either outside or within the lift apperture to save space in front of the lift.
Q5: I have reduced space at the upper floor of my building. Is this a problem?
A: There are reduced headroom goods lifts for most situations and reduced pit models too.
Q6: How do you recommend I load the lift?
A: Ideally spread your load evenly from the centre of the lift car outwards and then upwards. An even load means the cargo lift will be operated more efficiently and your goods are secure. A pump-truck or sack-truck may assist the loading.
Q7: What happens if my lift breaks down?
A: New lift equipment will be covered by a 5-year guarantee on the main structure. Our technical team is also ready to offer online and on-site door-to-door service to each user – so a MORN engineer is never far away.
Q8: I need access to a mezzanine level. Can this be provided via a lift?
A: You can certainly use a lift to access a mezzanine. You can install a goods-only or attendant-controlled lift depending on the nature of your goods and the function of the mezzanine level. Our structure- supported goods lift platforms are ideal and customizable.
Q9: Do goods lifts have similar operating controls to like passenger lifts?
A: The operating switches for goods-only lifts are on the landing entrances of the lift. You can send or call the lift from each landing. If you need to travel with goods then there will be additional constant-pressure operating buttons inside the lift too.
Q10: I have low flight of stairs in my premises that can be avoided via a ramp but still makes moving pallets of goods so physically demanding. Is there a product that can provide a solution?
For more information, please visit Self Propelled Scissor Lift.