Bobcat to launch industry’s first 1 t electric mini-excavator

By MEq March 4, 2019 22:10

At Bauma 2019, Bobcat is launching the new E10e Electric Mini-Excavator, the industry’s first commercially available fully electric, zero tail swing (ZTS) mini-excavator in the one-tonne class. With no emissions, a low noise operation and a width of just 72 cm, the new E10e can easily pass through standard doors and in and out of lifts, making it ideal for indoor applications such as demolition and basement construction. In addition, by coupling the E10e to an optional external Bobcat super-charger while operators are on normal work breaks, the E10e can operate for a full 8 hour working day.

At the last Bauma exhibition in 2016, Bobcat attracted great interest from visitors with the prototype of the E10e. Being one of the pioneers in this area with the E10e, Bobcat has helped to inspire the increasing focus on electric construction machines including excavators and, in the last few years, the industry has clearly started to move in this direction.

Developed at the Bobcat Innovation Center in Dobris in the Czech Republic, in conjunction with electric vehicle suppliers, the E10e is based on the design of the very successful diesel-powered E10 1 tonne mini-excavator, which has achieved sales of over 10,000 units in just 10 years (the E10 is now called the E10z to reflect that it is a ZTS mini-excavator).

The new E10e has the same ZTS profile and identical external dimensions as the standard E10/E10z machine and offers the same or better performance. For example, the E10e offers very low noise levels on site with an LpA of only 64 dBA vs 80 dBA for the standard E10. Furthermore, all of the systems and components on the E10e have been optimized for work in harsh environments – the patented electrohydraulic powertrain system fully utilizes the electric motor capabilities and all electric powertrain components are fully sealed, meeting the IP67 rating and also designed to meet construction equipment requirements for robustness.

Full working day
The E10e has a state-of-the-art Lithium-Ion, maintenance-free battery pack with an advanced management system, designed to fit within the standard machine envelope to maintain the machine’s ZTS profile. Based on customer studies, Bobcat has optimized the battery pack to provide sufficient capacity to match typical work patterns. Using an external supercharger functionality, the E10e when used with normal work breaks, can operate throughout a full working day (8 hours) and can be fully recharged within 2.4 hours. The new E10e is also easy to maintain and safe to operate – due to the use of only low voltages, there is no need for operators to have special authorization to work on the E10e.

Compact
Like the E10/E10z, the E10e is easy to transport. In addition to the access provided by its retractable undercarriage reducing its width to only 710 mm, the integrated foldable TOPS (Tip Over Protective Structure) facilitates passage through openings with low headroom, for work inside buildings and in basements. Once the excavator is positioned and ready for work, the undercarriage on the E10e can be expanded to 1100 mm, for maximum stability in all working conditions. The E10e’s minimal width enables excellent maneuverability in confined spaces, while the ZTS design is an additional advantage when working in tight areas.

Another of the features that differentiated the E10/E10z from other machines on the market is the patented side adjustable consoles which accommodate hydraulic pilot pressure controlled joysticks. This design is unique in its class and is retained in the E10e, allowing the operator to enjoy the comfort and feel of much larger machines, whilst being able to adjust the width of the consoles for easy passage through narrow openings.

Safety and comfort
The E10e offers the same safety features for operators as the E10/E10z. A grab bar provides assistance for getting onto and off the machine. Entry and exit from the excavator is also made easier thanks to the completely open, flat area for the feet in the operator station. This design makes it easier to clean the area for the feet.

The design of the E10e ensures that the boom offset cannot reach the feet, providing maximum protection in this area. Operator safety and comfort is further enhanced by the completely retractable seat belt on the E10e. Both the left and right consoles on the E10e, which serve as comfortable arm rests, need to be lowered and locked in order to operate the machine. The position of the joystick controls on the E10e can also be adjusted to suit different operators.

The E10e electric mini-excavator combines the successful features and high performance of the E10z for working in confined spaces, with its safe, near silent, zero-emission design. As a result, Bobcat is confident that the E10e provides a very attractive solution for rental companies and contractors alike, for indoor demolition, basement projects and in other sensitive areas where low noise and/or night time work are mandatory.