bauma 2019 Goes Electric

Electrification will be among the key technology trends on display at the year’s biggest trade show.

Wacker Neuson's battery-powered EZ17e mini excavator is designed to perform and handle like its diesel counterpart.
Wacker Neuson's battery-powered EZ17e mini excavator is designed to perform and handle like its diesel counterpart.
Wacker Neuson

In its bauma industry barometer, Messe Munchen—organizers of bauma 2019—said 32% of survey respondents noted research into machines and vehicles with electric drive systems was rated most important for their business going forward. Electrification has become more important as a means of meeting increasingly more stringent emissions regulations, including the trend toward banning the use of diesel in city centers.

Read the full bauma industry barometer.

Because of this growing technology trend, more and more manufacturers have been developing and releasing electrically-powered machines. Volvo Construction Equipment, for instance, announced it will introduce its first two hydraulic-electric machines; it will then continue a market-by-market introduction of other electric compact equipment and ramp up of production in 2020. Volvo CE's first electric machines will be from its compact range.Volvo CE's first electric machines will be from its compact range.Volvo Construction Equipment

Wacker Neuson will exhibit its entire zero-emission range, along with its Kramer brand, during bauma. This range includes battery-powered machines, as well as electric wheel loaders, dumpers and mini excavators. The company will also introduce the new AS60e battery-powered rammer and AP2560e battery-powered vibratory plate. The fully electric EZ17e zero tail mini excavator and DW15e electric wheel dumper will also be debuted during the show. 

“Emissions are set to become an increasingly problematic issue, especially in urban areas. With our zero emission solutions, our customers will definitely be on the safe side. In meeting emission mitigation needs, we also make sure that we only launch a product once we know that it can do an average day’s work on a single battery charge and that the equipment will pay for itself in three years or less,” said Alexander Greschner, CSO of the Wacker Neuson Group, in a press release announcing the company’s bauma lineup.

TOBROCO-GIANT is yet another OEM introducing electrified machines at bauma; the company will debut its first fully-electric loaders, the G22003 and G2200E X-TRA. The loaders are equipped with a 48V lithium-ion battery in place of an engine, as well as two electric motors. A 6.5 kW motor drives the machine while an 11.5 kW motor runs the hydraulics. Designing the machine in this manner ensures there is always enough power to perform tasks precisely, says the company.

Component manufacturers are also investing in electrification technologies. ZF has been developing technologies for hybrid and electric vehicle operation for several years, especially in the on-highway market. At bauma, the company will introduce technologies for the construction market as a means of demonstrating the “Future Urban Construction Site” which will incorporate the company’s vision zero initiative—safety products to reduce accidents to zero—and electric drivelines and machines. ZF will introduce a driveline for electric compact loaders which uses an electric motor transmission developed specifically for this particular application. 

The company developed its own electric motor for the driveline because it couldn’t find an existing one in the market which ZF felt met the needs of the application. It used knowledge from its other groups to develop the motor, featuring a liquid cooled system and capable of providing 20 kW of continuous power.

Dana Inc. will introduce the Spicer Electrified e-Axle and e-Gearbox, both of which use technologies from its TM4 brand to enable electrified propulsion within established vehicle architectures, eliminating the need for OEMs to make major changes to their machine designs. 

Learn more:

e-Axle

e-Gearbox

The Dana Spicer Electrified e-Axle Combines Dana’s heavy axle design with high-efficiency TM4 SUMO HP motor/generator and inverter combination.The Dana Spicer Electrified e-Axle Combines Dana’s heavy axle design with high-efficiency TM4 SUMO HP motor/generator and inverter combination.Dana Inc.

Engine manufacturers have also been getting into electrification, with several companies set to exhibit their hybrid designs during bauma 2019. These typically consist of a diesel engine paired with an electric motor and sometimes a battery, as well. Perkins Engines, for instance, will have three hybrid models on display—one each that is powered electrically, mechanically and hydraulically. All three will be demonstrated on the same size engine to provide a direct comparison of the technologies’ capabilities.  Kohler's K-HEM features a 48V electric engine that guarantees 15 kW of peak power and 9 kW of continuous power.Kohler's K-HEM features a 48V electric engine that guarantees 15 kW of peak power and 9 kW of continuous power.Kohler Co.

Kubota and Kohler engines will also be demonstrating their engine hybrid concepts at the show.

Read more about Kubota’s engine line being displayed during bauma 2019.

The KOHLER Hybrid Energy Module (K-HEM) generates power using a Stage V diesel engine paired with a 48V electric motor.

Cummins will showcase an electric mini excavator prototype at its stand which was developed in partnership with Hyundai Construction Equipment. The excavator is powered by a Cummins’ BM4.4E flexible battery modules and is designed to work a full shift and be recharged in under 3 hours. A total of eight battery modules are used on the machine connected in a series configuration to provide a total energy capacity of 35 kWh.

Read more about the partnership between Cummins and Hyundai.

 

With so many different examples of electrification on display, this year’s bauma will provide an array of interesting machines and technologies for attendees to see. What technologies are you most interested to see at this year’s show? Let us know! Email [email protected]

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