Platform on concrete and steel in construction
The demand for electric vehicles and electrified structures in construction is growing rapidly, especially now that emission-free zones and Natura 2000 areas increasingly demand cleaner solutions. Wierda Hybrid Technologies is responding directly to this with its innovative solutions. The company has been supplying a wide range of electric applications for more than 10 years, from concrete mixers, truck-mounted cranes, telescopic cranes and rollers to aerial work platforms, sewer cleaning and probing vehicles. And with the rental concept Mixer 2 Rent B.V., emission-free work is really within reach in practice.
Electrification began at Wierda Hybrid Technologies back in 2012 with the development of an electric concrete mixer. That innovation proved to be the start of a growth path toward increasingly sophisticated solutions. “What started with a diesel vehicle with electric body, grew into fully electric trailers with battery pack, electric motor and other solutions,” says an enthusiastic Bert Bentum, account manager at Wierda Hybrid Technologies. “Meanwhile, the technology has been further developed into concrete mixer electrification 2.0 and a modular e-PTO solution (electric Power Take Off, ed.), which can be applied to a wide range of vehicles for electrically powering all kinds of superstructures. Possibly even in combination with a microgrid solution.”
The e-PTO makes it possible to work on site emission-free, without depending on a running diesel engine. “The system is quiet, safe and clean,” Bentum emphasizes. “Machines can run on an on-board battery pack or, if available, via shore power, so that the batteries are recharged while working. Depending on the application, the battery capacity ranges from 20 to 160 kWh or even more. We have thus electrified a wide range of concrete mixers, crane-tippers, (tele) cranes and municipal vehicles. Older machines can also be successfully converted. For example, in recent years we have been converting contiguous diesel-powered tripod rollers to fully electric-powered ones. Relatively old machines that after conversion are again fully future-proof and sustainable and will once again last a lifetime.”
A key advantage of the Wierda approach is flexibility, according to Bentum. “Because the components are modular, battery packs and drive components can be placed in different places in or on the chassis. That enables optimal weight distribution and allows for customization per vehicle.” In addition, Wierda Hybrid Technologies works completely brand-independently. “Whether it's a new truck, existing crane or specialized vehicle, our systems can be applied to virtually any platform. Thanks to our own engineering and assembly department as well as in-house software development, we are able not only to switch quickly, but also to realize innovative combinations. We always think in solutions to see how something can be done.”
The benefits of electric equipment go beyond emission reduction, according to Bentum. “Electric propulsion makes work quieter and safer: no more running diesel engines on the construction site and no exhaust fumes in enclosed spaces. This increases comfort for operators as well as safety on the construction site.” Wierda Hybrid Technologies works for big names like Heijmans, BAM, Ballast Nedam and Mammoet, but also for smaller regional companies. And with the rental concept Mixer 2 Rent B.V., Wierda makes emission-free work truly accessible to everyone. “A clean and emission-free construction site is no longer a pipe dream for us,” concludes Bentum.
