The popularity of electric cars and public transportation is at an all-time high. Now as part of the effort to make construction more sustainable, heavy machinery manufacturers are rolling out all-electric versions of traditional construction vehicles. CASE Construction Equipment recently announced the commercial release of the 580EV, the industry’s first electric backhoe loader.
The 580EV carries over the same dimensional loading and digging specifications and delivers the same breakout forces as the popular four-wheel-drive, 97 hp 580SN diesel model. With this new production unit, CASE took customer feedback and optimized everything from thermal management to operator controls in order to electrify a machine with comparable specs to the widely used 580SN. CASE also included new features, like an 8-inch color display, air conditioning, a front-dash display and adjustable four-corner, multicolored LED strobe lights.
“Designing this machine from day one as a purpose-built EV instead of a retrofit has enabled a slew of practical innovations that will positively change the mindset for teams considering EV equipment,” says Brad Stemper, product management lead, North America, CASE. “We looked at every aspect of the machine and enhanced power consumption throughout to deliver exceptional EV performance that operators will see and feel when digging, loading or moving dirt.”
Powered by a 400-volt, 71 kWh lithium-ion battery platform that’s charged with the same type of Level 2 J1772 adapter found in automotive EVs, the electric backhoe loader is designed to deliver up to eight hours of operational runtime on a single charge, depending on the application. The battery platform also uses an advanced thermal management system with system-specific cooling circuits to better regulate temperatures and help maintain performance in hot or cold conditions. The four-wheel-drive 580EV uses two independent electric motors for the PowerDrive transmission and hydraulic pumps feeding the loader, backhoe and steering systems to minimize energy consumption and improve performance in loading applications.
“These new machines set a new benchmark in electrification and sustainable construction, and they’re a testament to our customer-centered approach to practical innovation as we expand our product portfolio,” says Terry Dolan, vice president, North America, CASE Construction Equipment. “Complementing our diesel lineup, electrification brings real-world solutions to unique job site demands, helping urban construction contractors, utility teams, municipal crews and other contractors further improve productivity, efficiency and their bottom line.”
866-542-2736; www.casece.com
