Diggers Executive Hire Show Highlights (Part Two: Thwaites)

Site dumper specialists Thwaites have been an iconic brand on British and global building sites for over 80 years, and at this years Executive Hire Show visitors to their regular stand spot were treated to something rather different.

Making its very first UK public appearance was a new prototype all electric 3-tonne site dumper. The machine which has been in development and testing for well over a year now, was first seen in public during the Bauma Trade Fair in Munich back in October last year, but this was the first time for British industry visitors to get up close and personal with the new model.

Power comes from four maintenance free, long-life, lithium-ion (dry-cell) batteries, operating at 48V. Each battery is rated at 5.75kWh, providing the power to drive the machine. With two highly efficient electric motors (one for traction, one for the hydraulic services) giving the operator the same control and manoeuvrability that we have come to expect from a Thwaites dumper.

Thwaites say that the electric drive dumper has a similar unladen weight when compared to their standard diesel/hydrostatic version. The main battery pack and driveline components, now sit low in the rear chassis, lowering the centre of gravity when compared to the hydrostatic drive machine, which in turn, further improves the overall machine stability.

Of course, the big question with all these electric machines, from sceptical potential end users is, how long will they be able to work, well in this instance Thwaites suggest that the battery pack will complete a full 8-hour shift of ‘normal site operation’ however that is measured, from a single shift.  

The standard on-board 3.4kW battery charger can charge the pack from 0-100% in 8hrs. Optional off-board chargers rated at 7kW (single-phase) and 22kW (three-phase) have charge times of 4hrs and 2hrs respectively.

This machine made it into the top ten of the prestigious ‘Innovation Trail’ which was once again hosted by our ever super excited Construction Collective colleague Peter Haddock, and you can see his interview with Thwaites General Sales Manager Andy Sabin below.