Snorkel unveils its first lithium powered rough-terrain boom
New A46JRTE equipped with three 5.75kWh lithium-ion battery packs provides a week of work on a single charge under test conditions
Access equipment maker Snorkel has unveiled the ninth model in its lithium-ion battery powered family of rough terrain mobile elevating work platforms and telehandlers, with the new Snorkel A46JRTE becoming the company’s first lithium powered boom lift.
Making its global debut at the Vertikal Days exhibition in the UK last week, the new A46JRTE joined eight other lithium-powered Snorkel models which have been introduced since late 2019, including the SL26RTE and SL30RTE electric Speed Levels, the S2255RTE, S2755RTE, S2770RTE, S3370RTE and S3970RTE electric rough terrain scissor lifts, and the electric SR5719E/SR626E compact rough terrain telehandler.
A statement from the manufacturer said the A46JRTE uses the same lithium-ion battery pack solution as the other models in the family and offers a “true zero emission rough terrain solution”, without compromising on the reliability and four-wheel drive capabilities of the diesel equivalent. It comes as standard with three 111Ah (5.75kWh) lithium-ion battery packs, which satisfies many applications, including heavy-use, Snorkel said.
The automotive-quality lithium-ion battery packs are produced in the Northeast of England and are individually equipped with the latest battery management systems (BMS). Requiring zero maintenance, the battery packs have been tested in climatic chambers between -25°C and +60°C, making them suitable for use in most environments, the manufacturer stated.
According to Snorkel, the lithium-powered models are delivering extended duty cycles per charge, when compared to similar models. “Based on typical use in rough terrain under test conditions, a single charge can last for more than one week, and in light use on elevation jobs with minimal driving, this increases to more than two weeks on a single charge,” the statement added.
The A46JRTE has a powerful AC electric motor, increasing efficiency of the hydraulic drive system and providing high torque, which results in increased traction and improved rough terrain performance. Snorkel added that the electric motor also delivers 62% less jobsite noise and with no engine fan, dust generation is reduced for safer and cleaner operation in low emission zones and green areas. With minimal battery and electrical system maintenance required, servicing costs are reduced by up to 93% when compared to an engine, while also eliminating the costs and risks of waste oil and filter disposal. Less servicing also reduces the load on service engineers.
Capable of reaching a maximum working height of 16.3m, the A46JRT has a working outreach of 7.35m and benefits from a zero tailswing and 1.5m jib boom for manoeuvrability in confined spaces. The new lithium-powered four-wheel drive A46JRTE expands the A46 family to three models. Snorkel continues to offer the diesel-powered four-wheel drive A46JRT model, as well as its two-wheel drive electric powered A46JE, which is suited to indoor and outdoor work on concrete slab and is popular in industrial applications.
Matthew Elvin, CEO, Xtreme Manufacturing & Snorkel, said: “The launch of our first lithium-powered boom lift is an exciting next step in our development of zero emission alternatives to diesel. The compact and mid-size aerial lift and telehandler segment is a sweet spot for electrification, and our lithium-battery technology is proving to be a zero-compromise solution in this product category, delivering zero emissions, reduced noise and equivalent or better performance than the diesel.”
