A bestseller goes electric

The Weidemann telehandler T4512e with lithium-ion battery.

If you wish to avoid CO2 emissions, noise and soot particles indoors and while working, the fully electric T4512e by Weidemann allows you to work on site with completely zero emissions and significantly reduced noise levels. This protects the operator as well as the valuable livestock in agriculture and Equestrian. In the municipal sector, this results in special aspects for application of the machines in cemetery maintenance, on the farm or in downtown environmental zones. Exhaust-free and low-noise work is also playing an increasingly important role in the hotel, commercial and industrial sectors.

Electrically powered wheel loaders became part of the Weidemann product range back in 2015 and have become well established. Now, the T4512 compact telehandler, which is very popular and is widely used in the market thanks to its compact dimensions, is being relaunched with an electric drive including a lithium-ion battery. “Our customers have inquired again and again about the possibility of electrifying this unique work machine”, says Commercial Director Bernd Apfelbeck about the latest innovation by Weidemann. “We are very pleased that this has now been achieved. We will now also be able to offer a zero emission product specifically in the telehandler sector in 2023”.

The new T4512e offers customers the usual performance with a 4.50 lifting height and 1.25 t payload. The compact dimensions of the machine were retained 1:1 (height 1.99 m and width 1.56 m). The proven Vertical Lift System (vls) operator assistance system also guarantees a high level of stability for the electrically driven machine through automatic telescoping in and out during the lifting and lowering process. The electric parking brake with auto-hold and hill-hold function ensures maximum safety and a very high level of comfort during every travel and standstill operation. In addition, energy is recovered with the braking system via so-called recuperation, which additionally extends the running time.

The new T4512e offers many new features and options for customized equipment and needs-based work. Here is an overview of the key features:

• There are 2 maintenance-free lithium-ion batteries to choose from: the standard is 18 kWh, and a 28 kWh variant is optionally available. A 3 kW on-board battery charger is installed as standard. Optionally, a second 3 kW on-board battery charger can be selected to increase the charging capacity to 6 kW, which is suitable to achieve a fast charging time.
• Integrated battery management system (BMS) with significantly increased charging currents, preheating to operating temperature, short-term provision of power peaks and permanent monitoring of the battery temperature. The BMS increases the efficiency of the battery and categorically rules out deep discharge.
• The charging process takes place via an easily accessible, central charging hatch at the rear of the machine. The socket, activation switch and charge level indicator are located directly behind it. The charging cable is equipped with a control box to increase safety. This reliably prevents the charging infrastructure from being overloaded.
• The charging cable (model 2 plug machine-side) can be combined with a variety of different plugs. All in all, the new flexible charging system offers an efficient and safe charging process and is well compatible with various infrastructures on site.

• Two separate motors are used in the machine: one for the traction drive (33,1 kW) and one for driving the working hydraulics (21,2 kW). This minimizes energy consumption because power is only utilized when it is actually needed. The motor for the traction drive also enables the machine to start up dynamically and powerfully.
• The infinitely variable adjustment of the oil volume of the 3rd control circuit enables the use of attachments operated with continuous hydraulic function. This allows the oil quantity to be individually adjusted to the respective attachment. This enables the operator to work comfortably and efficiently with the machine and the receptacle.
• In addition, the machine can be used in stationary operation. Here, the working hydraulics of the 3rd control circuit are used to drive a receptacle, such as a log splitter.
• Three steering modes for maximum maneuverability and flexibility: All-wheel, front-axle and crab steering enable maneuvering with centimeter precision, the ability to turn in the smallest of spaces and safe road travel at high speeds. When it comes to driving speed, the T4512e even offers three options: 15, 20 and 25 km/h are available.

From a business point of view also, the T4512e offers some advantages: the running energy costs are significantly higher for a diesel-operated machine than for an electrically operated machine. The higher purchase costs of the e-machine are amortized after some time and thus represent the more economical investment over the entire period of use. In addition, an e-machine requires much less maintenance.