At Intermat 2018, Mecalac announced four new wheeled excavators, the MWR range, 6MDX cab dumper, 15MC crawler excavator, and the e12 electric excavator, extending its machine range to more than 40 models. The manufacturer displayed more than 30 machines including backhoe loaders, site dumpers and compaction rollers.
The e12 was the highlight of the show demonstrating Mecalac’s first 100% electric alternative for urban construction sites. The housing for the internal combustion engine in the e12 incorporates LiFePO4 battery technology using iron and phosphate for three times as many charge cycles as classic batteries with no risk of fires and battery fluid leaks. The excavator has a charging station that can be used to recharge it on site in six to seven hours, and it provides a range of eight hours at the highest power output.
Two electric motors power the excavation mechanism and movement independently, and the electric transmission offers tractive force as soon as the engine is started, with brake energy regeneration.
According to Patrick Brehmer, head of design and product management, the e12 meets the three major challenges for electric engines: range, performance and compactness.
“The key to our machine’s range and performance is in its very architecture. The power source, which is separate from the upper structure, provides a record capacity of 146kWh, which results in an unrivalled range of 8 hours. The Mecalac e12 means less vibration, less noise pollution, less maintenance without filters, oil, etc., less risk of on-site accidents, and absolutely no CO2 or particulate emissions,” says Brehmer.
Mecalac’s construction machine range comprises four families of excavators, four families of loaders and, with the acquisition of the Coventry unit in England, two families of backhoe loaders, one with centred backhoe and one with laterally offset backhoe, as well as 6 dumpers ranging from 1 to 10 tonnes and 7 compactors with either single or tandem rollers.
Henri Marchetta, president and founder, Mecalac Group, and Alexandre Marchetta, CEO, Mecalac Group.
Henri Marchetta, president and founder, Mecalac Group, points out that large cities all over the world are currently committed to reducing the effects of polluting energy sources. As a result, construction sites demand solutions that are quieter and less polluting.
“Mecalac responds by developing its technology and machines to address environmental issues. Our core business is the production of compact, versatile, manageable and ergonomic machines that excavate, load and transport. The e12 is a technological response inspired by the environmental issues faced at urban building sites which require versatile machines that can reduce the number of engines on site, enable their operation as efficient as possible and make them profitable to run. However, the energy transition will take time and, as with electric cars, some of the success will depend on the economic model that will have to accompany this technological transition,” says Henri.
According to Alexandre Marchetta, CEO, Mecalac Group, the new range of construction machines and a fully operational distribution network enables the company to offer solutions relevant to the needs of new markets such as Russia, North and Central Africa and the Middle East.
“Our priority is to remain efficient, innovative and well represented in our traditional markets of France, Germany, Italy and Britain. The acquisition of Terex Coventry in 2017 took place at a time when Mecalac wanted to respond more broadly to the demands of other markets beyond those in Europe. We are in the process of establishing a long-term balance by responding to demands from other markets. Mecalac Construction Equipment UK opens the door to new markets with a big demand for dumpers, backhoe loaders, compaction rollers, representing a different approach to urban construction sites,” says Alexandre.
