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Electric skid-steer loader arrives in UK

Kovaco Electric, an independent division of Kovaco Company, reckons its new Elise 900 is the world’s first fully electric skid-steer loader – and now it’s on sale in the UK. Revealed in 2018, the loader can be driven manually by way of two in cab joysticks, or remotely via a mobile phone supplied with the machine as standard, or via an optional 433Mhz two joystick control set.

The Kovaco Electric mobile phone application is available to download from the internet. This application allows the mobile phone to be used as a remote dashboard when operating from outside the cab of the Elise 900 or as a conventional type dashboard when operating the machine whilst in the cab. The display documents the speed at which the hydraulics and forward motion are set at (four speeds), bucket self-levelling operations, battery usage and life as well as the two-joystick control function when in 'remote mode'.

Two battery types are available for the Elise 900. The first battery (240Ah) affords the operator up to six hours of continuous operation and the second bigger battery (400 Ah) will allow usage of eight hours and upwards. The bigger the battery the more the lift capacity. These batteries can be charged to 100% in 3.5 hours. Depending upon battery size, the Elise 900 has two operating weight-lifting capacities. The smaller version allows the operator to move loads of up to 900kg and the second 1,400kg.

As well as helping to save the environment, the Elise 900 provides a solution to operations whereby fuel emissions and noise levels are an issue. No diesel powered engine means no fumes and a dramatically reduced noise output. As there are only electrical motors in the machine service costs are set to a minimum and diesel costs have been completely eliminated. Operational cost savings vs a conventional loader are dramatic, says Kovaco, and will pay for the machine (subject to usage) within the first years of operation.

The Elise 900 features a proprietary self-levelling platform providing four hydraulic speeds that ensures flexibility, safety and works in conjunction with a series of gyro-sensors. Furthermore, the Elise 900 has a tilt angle of 47 degrees, which is 10 degrees more than that of machines in the same sector, reckons Kovaco. 

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