Doocey Trial Electric JCB Mini Digger

Doocey Group currently run a large fleet of mini diggers and were very keen to trial the new JCB electric version.

The excavator is a JCB19C-1 ETEC. It is powered by 7kW motor supported by three lithium-ion batteries (the new models will have four). The motor drives a hydraulic pump rated at 42 lpm. Operating weight on the demo machine was 1846kg. The electric digger has reasonable charging times varying from 10.5 hours for 110v, 5 hours for 230v and 2.5 hours for 415v.

There are two different types of audible alarm when the batteries become low on charge to warn the operator. It has a keypad style immobiliser and an electric switched hydraulic immobiliser.

The demo machine had a clear Perspex screen to give protection to the operator when using a breaker (removable for normal digging out)

Our machine operator gave some very positive feedback.

‘There was no lack of power and the machine was very stable with the track frames extended. Six hours work used three quarters of the full charge.’

This JCB Electric innovation certainly exceeded expectations, making electric diggers a definite consideration for Doocey Group in the future.