ELECTRIC JCBs
LEFT: The JCB 30-19E
Teletruk can perform a full
eight-hour shift
iVTInternational.com November 2019 39
everything exactly the same.”
A trained driver can hop out of
the diesel 19C-1 into the 19C-1E
and find everything the same,
with a battery-charge measure in
place of the fuel gauge. For now, the
temptation to experiment has been
largely resisted.
“We looked at replacing hydraulic
components with electrical systems,
but realised they weren’t
commercially available at the right
price or not fully sealable. Given the
choice of putting power through
existing axles or going to wheel
motors, you have to consider
whether you’re working in deep
water all day or just in a factory
environment, like the Teletruk. But
I think too much radical change,
such as moving straight to electric
actuators, is probably a step too far.”
Small beginnings
In electrifying machines, JCB has
started small with the 19C-1E and
electric Teletruk. Anyone who has
used an electric lawnmower will
understand why they reject using
cables to power larger machines on
construction sites. They see no
JCB 30-19E TELETRUK
The JCB 30-19E is the first electric edition
of JCB’s Teletruk, a lift-truck providing
forward reach through its revolutionary
side-mounted boom. Power comes from an
80V lead-acid battery which underwrites
a full eight-hour shift on single charge and
can be swapped in two minutes to
maximise uptime. The Teletruk’s electric
driveline enables it to climb a 21% gradient
or ramp comfortably and its lift capacity of
1900kg at 2m means it can deposit
object in principle to running
a 30-tonne machine with enormous
battery packs, but commercial
viability is another question.
“We firmly believe that electric
machines must do a full day’s shift,”
says Womersley. “Lithium
technology will let you recharge
during a tea-break, but for
a 30-tonne process-industry
machine, the commercial, technical
performance of the battery just isn’t
there yet. If you’re shifting spoil in
a quarry all day and continuously
filling a line of trucks, that’s a very
different duty cycle to a typical
palletised loads to the far side of
a curtain-sided trailer.
Its Command Plus cab provides 360°
visibility and is only 2.2m high, allowing the
30-19E to operate within trailers and
shipping containers. JCB-patented Load
Motion Control uses green, amber and
red lights to prevent overloading and
tipping. Electrification opens up a host of
new indoor applications to this trademark
JCB vehicle.
/iVTInternational.com
