When choosing to use electric construction equipment on a job site, “the first thing is to recognize that you're not going to use an electric machine exactly the same way you use a diesel,” said Rob Bauer, Engineering Manager at ZQuip, a subsidiary of Moog Construction.
There is different planning that needs to take place, he said, with which ZQuip can help. The company has developed a plug-and-play platform, also known as ZQuip, which includes all necessary components for converting diesel-powered construction equipment to electric. It is designed for easy installation in many types of machines, and the ZQuip team can help ensure the system will fit the needs of a given application or job site such as determining the right battery capacity is chosen.
READ MORE: Moog Electrification Systems Nominated for Innovation Award
Once the conversion occurs using the ZQuip system, machine operators and owners can start to see the benefits of going electric. “It’s more powerful, it’s quiet, it’s pleasant,” said Bauer.
While operators often see the benefit, winning over fleet managers or other decision makers is key which ZQuip aims to do with the level of connectivity and transparency its system provides.
“Our interface will show you all of [your] machines that have ZQuip conversions, here are all of the battery modules and the state of charge of each, the expected level of runtime left. You can structure break schedules and lunch schedules around that. We offer mobile fast charging, machine-to-machine charging, swapping; that all within the system it makes it very clear what your options are,” said Chris LaFleur, Managing Director of ZQuip.
He said no matter how much someone may love electric vehicles, they will have range anxiety. Understanding this, ZQuip wanted to provide construction equipment fleets with battery charge status and other performance information before they cause a potential issue. “All of that is proactively managed ahead of time,” he said which helps to ensure a fleet stays productive.
In this final installment of a three-part series, Bauer and LaFleur discuss with Power & Motion the steps to take when installing the ZQuip system as well as the benefits it can provide for those looking to add electric machines to their fleet.
Watch the other parts of this interview series to learn more about the ZQuip system and how it can aid the transition to electrification for the construction equipment industry:
Part 1: ZQuip Aims to Ease Transition to Electrification for Construction Equipment Industry
Part 2: Battery Technology to Meet All Machine and Application Scenarios
