E-quipment highlight: LiuGong 924FE electric excavator is coming to America

Global equipment brand LiuGong says its 924FE 30-ton electric excavator isn’t an alternative to diesel. Instead, it’s better in every way – and the company’s North American customers are about to see for themselves.

LiuGong’s 27-tonne (~30 ton) 924FE electric excavator made its global debut last May, packing a 528 kWh LFP battery that’s good enough to send power to the machine’s 115 kW (~155 hp) Weiteli electric motor for up to 10 hours of continuous runtime – more than enough, in other words, to cover a full day’s shift.

If you need to work round-the-clock, LiuGong says that big battery can be recharged, “from 15% to 100% in under 3 hours.” Doing that math backwards, a 10-80% charge should be possible in under 90 minutes on a 300 kW DC connection. Or, put another way: about the time it takes close out the day’s log books and finish a shift change.

If that’s too long, LiuGong also lists a battery swap version on its global sites – and that 528 kWh battery works in a number of LiuGong’s other heavy equipment assets, too.

Inside, the 924FE’s operators get all the standard excavator comforts and controls, along with some extras like a 10″ touchscreen, 360-degree cameras, and even a heated air-suspension seat to keep them comfy. A reverse fan makes cleaning the machine easier, too, while bright LED work lights with delayed shutoff help operators get in and out safely in all weather conditions.

Saving time, saving money

LiuGong says its US-market HDEVs can reduce operating costs by 40% to 50% compared to similar diesel-powered machines, citing reduced fuel costs, maintenance requirements, and replacement parts costs as the reasons why – but they probably could (and should) add that the increased operator retention, fewer sick days, and easier employee recruiting that come with EVs are money savers, as well.

The battery packs and electric motors on LiuGong’s electric construction equipment carry warranty coverage of five years or 10,000 operating hours, along with a “complete machine” warranty for three years or 4,000 hours.

SOURCES | IMAGES: LiuGong, via Equipment World.