Niftylift continues to push the limits of development with its EWPs, creating nimble products that push the industry towards a more sustainable future.
John King heads up the Australian arm of Niftylift and is excited by the products hitting sites across Australia.
“The most popular models that we are seeing in Australia at the moment are the HeightRider 21 hybrid 4×4 and the nifty HeightRider 17 hybrid 4x4machines which are true hybrid EWPs,” John says.
“For us this shows the directions the Australia market is heading with regards to its EWPs and we are excited to be at the forefront of it.
“Lots of machines are out there that claim to be hybrids but what they are, actually are electric machines with diesel engine range extenders whereas the Niftylift EWPs are a true hybrid system.
The Hybrid option incorporates a three cylinder Kubota, power-optimised Stage V emissions compliant engine, supported by the machine’s battery pack for when extra power is needed. This maintains power and performance while reducing fuel consumption for maximum efficiency. The Innovative ‘Diesel Re-Gen’ feature also recharges the batteries without a mains power source, giving a ‘fast-charge’ whenever the machine is idle or using a low energy function and the engine is running. In addition, an electric-only mode allows zero-emission operation, making it ideal for indoor use, or for quiet, clean operation.
To best explain the efficiency of the Hybrids, Niftylift developed its ‘Standard Duty Cycle’ to measure and compare the real-world performance of its products.
Machine usage varies by machine type, so Niftylift uses a different SDC for each of its product range types. Each SDC is designed specifically to represent the way that machine type is used.
One SDC for a Niftylift HeightRider model is
as follows:
• Drive the machine forward 30m forwards then 30m backwards
• Fully raise booms, one function at a time.
• Slew through 90 degrees.
• Slew back through 90 degrees.
• Fully lower booms one function at a time.
• This completes one SDC.
All cycles are performed with full capacity in the basket and in the highest available speed drive mode – an average day’s work is a rating of 16 Standard Duty Cycles, Niftylift says.
By this measure, the HeightRider 21 hybrid would achieve 27 cycles if the user were running first on electric, with fully charged batteries and 33 litres of diesel.
Running the machine as a hybrid power plant means the user can recharge the batteries, once again running as an electric only machine.
This can be repeated until the fuel and batteries have reach minimal levels – effectively giving the unit an SDC rating of 188 for 12 days of work.
This year at the HRIA trade show Nifty will be releasing the new Nifty HeightRider 17E (Electric only) Rough Terrain EWP
The concern with electric only rough terrain EWP is the battery cycles.
This machine has an SDC rating of 66 cycles, that is effectively 4.5 days of work, with Niftylift also realising a concept at the trade show to further lift the SDC rating.
All Nifty HeightRider EWPs are now fitted with Absorbent Glass Mat Batteries as standard.
AGM batteries are similar to the standard lead acid battery, with the one difference being a fibreglass mat placed between each negative and positive plate.
By doing this, the AGM holds the electrolyte in place and works by allowing the electrolyte to be passed through the fibreglass mat, creating maximum surface area for the electrolyte to touch the plates without flooding the battery.
“The AGM batteries don’t need to be topped up so they are maintenance free, which is a game changer and will save so much time for operators,” John says.
The Nifty HeightRider 17E (Electric only) Rough Terrain EWP has a maximum working height of 17.2 metres and an unrestricted working outreach at 9.4m when loaded with 225 kilograms.
Weighing just 4,970kg, the HR17E combines innovative weight and space-saving design with an excellent turning circle to deliver outstanding manoeuvrability on-site and lower transportation costs.
The HR17 1.8m wide, impact-resistant ToughCage offers more space for materials and tools and a 150° fly-boom with 180° cage rotation increases accuracy when positioning the cage. The award-winning SiOPS provides additional operator protection.
SiOPS eliminates sustained involuntary operation by interrupting all machine movement if an operator is pushed against the cage controls.
“It is an exciting time for the industry and Niftylift is thrilled to be at the forefront of these technical developments in the EWP space,” John says.