Remote-Controlled Electric Skid Steer Now On The Market

Remote-Controlled Electric Skid Steer Now On The Market TRACTORS Miscellaneous The Elise 900 from Kovaco is the first battery-powered skid steer on the market With the aid of a mobile app it can be operated remotely using a mobile phone for display and control “We have several running in the U S now ” says Adam Zajac Kovaco Electric “Without a diesel engine the advantages include virtually no maintenance no exhaust or emissions and low noise levels It can be operated indoors because there are no exhaust emissions ” Prior to introducing the Elise 900 the Czech Republic company had not made motorized equipment of any kind Thus they had no preferences or prejudices to overcome Known for equipment attachments and welding positioners the European company made their move swiftly “We started work on the concept in 2014 and introduced it to the European market in 2019 ” says Zajac “Everything from design to manufacturing and assembly was done in-house which helps Our owner is very passionate about the Elise 900 and very responsive to customer needs ” Zajac says the company recognizes that skid steer users often can’t afford to wait for parts or customer response “One of our first customers had purchased a new conventional skid steer and it immediately broke down ” relates Zajac “He had to wait 2 weeks for parts He sold it and bought an Elise 900 ” Service is easy as the entire cab can be tipped forward with the help of gas struts However the lead acid battery-powered Elise 900 has little service needed and very few parts to break down Most electric and hydraulic components are readily available The battery pack supplies power to 3 electric motors 2 for motive power and a third for the hydraulic pump Each of the 3 motors is rated at from 13 1/2 hp to a maximum of 36 hp “Each wheel has a planetary gearbox to reduce the high motor speed to the desired travel speed ” says Zajac “Belts rated for high torque run from front to rear Travel speed ranges from less than 1 mph to a maximum of 8 mph ” Depending on work being done the batteries can last from 2 to 8 hrs They recharge to 80 percent in 3 hrs and 100 percent in less than 5 1/2 hrs Battery packs can be quickly replaced via a pallet mover “We went with lead acid batteries because they are well-proven perform well in extreme heat and extreme cold and are lower cost than lithium ion batteries ” says Zajac “At some point in the future we will offer an equivalent lithium ion battery pack ” The electric motor on the hydraulic pump puts out more than 17 gpm at 2 600 psi from a 10 1/2-gal reservoir The Elise 900 has a load height of nearly 12 ft and a load capacity of 1 984 lbs It offers a tipping load of 3 968 lbs The Elise 900 is well-equipped with options More than 40 different attachments are available ranging from brush cutters to bale handlers multiple buckets grapples and blades They also include snowblowers spreaders sweepers tree cutters and wood splitters “You can put any of our attachments on it as well as other universal quick attach attachments made for skid steers ” says Zajac “We have the standard hydraulic connections as well as an auxiliary for attachments that need it ” Currently Zajac is one of two sales contacts for the company in North America “We are in the process of establishing dealerships ” he says “Our largest dealer currently is in Wakarusa Indiana with another one in Houston Texas We are establishing one in Hastings Minn and another on the East Coast ” The price for the Elise 900 with a standard battery pack is $54 999 It is also available with the extended battery pack for $58 081 Shipping and taxes are extra Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Kovaco Co 7627 Fullerton Rd Springfield Va 22153 ph 321 604-8058; adam zajac@kovacocompany com; www kovacoelectric com

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