tric technology for tree care, Caywood replied that the current key areas of focus include “extending range, reduc- ing cost, and improving charging infra- structure.” “Until those challenges are addressed, the tree care industry will likely see expanded use of hybrid solutions using SmartPTO as the next step,” Caywood added. “The SmartPTO is a good option for forestry trucks with diesel engines, such as the Hi-Ranger XTPro Series. The addition of SmartPTO allows the full range of your current internal combustion engine while electrifying boom, auxiliary lighting, and outrigger operation.” Dean agreed that limited range is a major issue with current electric tech- nology and says the best value for tree care companies, particularly those who operate in rural areas, is Altec’s Jobsite Energy Management System (JEMS). JEMS works with diesel and gasoline engine bucket trucks to maximize driving range and eliminate carbon emissions from jobsite idling. The lithi- um-ion batteries power the cab comfort controls (A/C, radio, and heat) as well as the bucket. LOOKING FORWARD The tree care industry is no stranger to electric equipment, and electric buck- et trucks are the next iteration of an electrification trend across many in- dustries. “We are seeing a significant shi towards electric equipment across the forestry segment,” Caywood explained, citing the increasing popularity of battery-powered tools such as pole saws and chainsaws, even electric brush chippers. For tree care companies operating in urban areas with easy access to charging stations, now may be a good time to make the switch to all-electric. For other companies, investing in battery- powered PTO is the next step.
Electric Bucket Trucks 101
At first glance, an electric bucket truck might not look any different from a standard bucket truck. The main difference is that EVs draw power from a rechargeable battery, but under the hood and chassis, there’s a completely different setup: • Charging port that connects the batteries to an external charge source • Traction battery pack that stores energy • Inverter that converts direct current (DC) electricity stored in lithium-ion batteries to alter- nating current (AC) that electric motors can use • Electric traction motor that converts AC to mechanical energy that powers the wheels
• Electric powertrain that includes the motor, transmission, and drivetrain • Regenerative braking system that converts used AC back to DC stored in the battery pack • Thermal system that keeps battery temperature at optimal levels
Electric bucket trucks won't last long without the infrastructure to recharge the batteries, so ac- cess to a charging station is essential. Formally called electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE,) charging stations are classified in a few different ways: • Level I charging 120-volt outlet (usually an at-home charging station) • Level II charging 220-volt or 240-volt outlet (typically a public charging station) • DC fast-charging converts AC to DC within the ESVE Altec’s eMV spec sheet confirms that a “Level II or DC fast-charging station with a minimum of 600 volts” will charge an all-electric bucket truck. Altec’s EV uses a 210-kWh lithium iron phosphate kilowatt battery, and Dean clarified that the charge is built to last for a day’s work, provided the commute to the job site is relatively short. “Most of that kilowatt power is going to be used for driving to and from the job site,” Dean ex- plained. “We've estimated that, depending upon the application, around six to 10 kilowatts of that will be used at the job site, which is a minimal reduction on the battery.”
and 15-plus years, Dean said, which is still an impressive lifecycle for a tree care fleet. Just like with a battery-powered laptop or cellphone, avoid leaving an EV on the charger past the point of full charge and use fast-charging options sparing- ly, as both of these habits chip away at battery life. Similarly, it’s best to never let a battery fully die, and it’s recom- mended to charge an EV to slightly less than 100%. THE VALUE OF HYBRID While the technology to run a 100% battery-powered bucket truck is avail- able, manufacturers agree that the best
value for tree care companies currently is in hybrid equipment. Terex’s HyPower SmartPTO, Altec’s JEMS solutions , and Dur-a-Li’s Hy- brid Aerial offer the benefits of bat- tery-powered equipment at the job site, paired with the reliability and range of an internal combustion engine. “We introduced the HyPower SmartP- TO by Viatec concept in 2019 and be- gan delivering it to customers in 2021,” Caywood said. “The SmartPTO features battery options ranging from 7.2 kWh to 28.8 kWh for higher-use applica- tions, such as tree care.”
When asked about the future of elec-
18 | ArborTIMES Spring 2024
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