Battery-electric crawler crane new from Jekko

Capacity of the JF235CL is 6.15 tonnes. Performance is said to be the same as the diesel version. Photo: Jekko

The JF235CL is the first lithium-ion battery-powered crawler crane with an articulating boom from Italian manufacturer Jekko.

It matches the JF235 diesel version in terms of performance but its zero emission makes it ideal for indoor applications. Capacity is 6.15 tonnes, maximum lifting height is 25 metres and its longest radius is 23 metres.

Power is from a 48 Volt, 67 kWh lithium-ion-battery pack with an on board battery monitoring system integrated into the crane’s electronics. It gives the 12 kW electric motor for the hydraulics a running time of 10 hours, on a 35 per cent duty cycle, Jekko said.

Get the power back

A compact package: Jekko’s JF235CL battery-electric articulating boom crawler crane. Photo: Jekko

Recharging the battery can be from a charger using either a single phase (230 Volt) or three phase (400 Volt) mains supply. From 0 to 100 % takes 6 hours and 30 minutes. It should be noted that the crane can continue to operate at full power while it is plugged in to the mains to recharge the battery.

A benefit of battery-electric machines is a lower maintenance requirement than for a diesel engine, plus, the electric version has a start-stop system on the motor pump so the hydraulics are not running constantly, which extends the service interval, in addition to reducing energy consumption.

Available accessories include a jib, searcher hook, manual extensions and an aerial work platform.