Skyjack to introduce E

Skyjack is launching a new range of DC electric scissor lifts that feature AC brushless electric drive motors and other significant design changes to boost runtime.

The electric range will replace the current hydraulic drive models and will be available in all regions throughout 2024.

“This is an exciting time. Rolling out our new E-Drive across our eight-model DC scissor range takes time. I think it is worthy of note that we have been able to achieve that without real term increase in cost,” said Skyjack President Ken McDougall.

“By providing significant reductions in our customers’ cost of ownership, we have a truly competitive offering that more than lives up to the Skyjack ‘simply reliable’ ethos. With our new E-Drive machines we will see our customers getting more done for less.”

The drive system provides exceptional duty cycles and fully proportional controls, which offer a superior drive experience.

The new scissor lift range delivers improved efficiency, controllability and torque. This means that productivity is boosted with an improvement of up to 20 per cent in runtime per charge. E-Drive provides consistent power, traction and torque, with more than 25 per cent gradeability, so that climbing loading ramps is easy.

During development of the new E-Drive DC scissor lifts, Skyjack focused on increasing operational uptime. This has resulted in a range that reduces cost of ownership, improves resale value and delivers a higher return on investment.

“A longer run time per charge and fewer lifetime charge cycles mean our customers will find they spend less on batteries over the life of the machine and that is just one of many benefits,” said Corey Connolly, Senior Product Manager at Skyjack.

To achieve the improvements, all major service points are easily accessible, enabling straightforward troubleshooting and repair.

The sealed drive motor is maintenance free. The motor’s improved efficiency reduces charge time and power consumption, which saves costs and reduces battery maintenance. The drive motors have no oil leakage potential, and an optimized hydraulic lift and steer manifold reduces hydraulic connections by 70 per cent. An optional leak containment system (ECOTRAY) provides further peace of mind.

“Ever since we launched E-Drive on our Vertical Mast range we have been excited about this launch. Our new Vertical Masts were very well received and now, after more than two years in the market, we see E-Drive as a proven winner, and I am sure our customers will welcome this change on our core scissor range,” Connolly said.

The new models will feature a new designation carrying “E” to signify E-Drive, for example “SJ3219 E.” In addition, the new range will carry Skyjack’s ECO mark as rental companies and major contractors face increasing demands for sustainability information. Skyjack has introduced its ECO mark to support its customers by providing products that deliver benefits in environmental performance and long-term sustainability.

With E-Drive, Skyjack has also introduced a new CAN bus-based operating system. While Skyjack’s standard colour-coded and numbered wiring remains, it now combines with an externally visible diagnostic system display. This means plug-in tools are not necessary for day-to-day troubleshooting. With the diagnostic display outboard facing, the system can be accessed without the need to open service trays. It provides real-time data and easy to understand machine faults, written in plain and simple language.

In addition, the new models see a revised emergency lowering location. A single location, single step, valve actuated emergency lowering toggle switch is integrated on the outside rear of the machine with the other base controls.

While the new E-Drive range offers many new features, there are previous Skyjack features that remain, including:

Following Skyjack’s recently publicized global capacity expansion, the new range will be available through a phased introduction by region, starting with the smaller SJ3215 E and SJ3219 E models followed through to the first quarter of 2024 with the remaining machines in the range. The E-Drive models will be available in all other regions throughout 2024.