Skyjack’s New Range of DC Electric Scissors Feature AC Brushless Electric Drive Motors

Skyjack has announced the launch of a new range of DC electric scissors, featuring AC brushless electric drive motors and other significant design changes. The simply electric range will be launched globally with availability in all regions throughout 2024, replacing the current hydraulic drive models.

The innovative drive system provides exceptional duty cycles and fully proportional controls. The new range features improved efficiency, controllability, and torque. This means that productivity is boosted with an improvement of up to 20 percent in runtime per charge. E-Drive provides consistent power, traction and torque, with more than 25-percent grade ability, so that climbing loading ramps is easy, and all-round job site performance is achieved.

During development of the new E-Drive DC scissors Skyjack has focused on increasing operational uptime. This has resulted in a range that provides users with more while also significantly reducing cost of ownership and improving resale value, providing customers with a significantly improved return on investment.

Corey Connolly, senior product manager at Skyjack commented, “A longer run time per charge and fewer lifetime charge cycles mean our customers will find they spend less on batteries over the life of the machine and that is just one of many benefits.”

To achieve these improvements, all major service points are easily accessible, enabling straightforward troubleshooting and repair. The sealed drive motor is maintenance free. The motors’ improved efficiency reduces charge time and power consumption, which saves costs and in turn reduces battery maintenance. The drive motors have no oil leakage potential, and an optimized hydraulic lift and steer manifold reduces hydraulic connections by 70 percent, further reducing the potential for ground contamination and associated clean-up costs. An optional leak containment system (ECOTRAY) provides further peace of mind.

“Ever since we launched E-Drive on our Vertical Mast range we have been excited about this launch,” added Connolly. “Our new Vertical Masts were very well received and now, after more than two years in the market, we see E-Drive as a proven winner, and I am sure our customers will welcome this change on our core scissor range”

Ken McDougall, Skyjack president added, “This is an exciting time. Rolling out our new E-Drive across our eight-model DC scissor range takes time. I think it is worthy of note that we have been able to achieve that without real term increase in cost. By providing significant reductions in our customers’ cost of ownership we have a truly competitive offering that more than lives up to the Skyjack simply reliable ethos. With our new E-Drive machines we will see our customers getting more done for less.”

The new models will feature a new designation carrying “E” to signify E-Drive, for example “SJ3219 E”. In addition, the new range will carry Skyjack’s ECO mark as rental companies and major contractors face increasing demands for sustainability information. Skyjack has introduced its ECO mark to support its customers by providing products that deliver benefits in environmental performance and long-term sustainability. Skyjack’s E-Drive scissors ECO benefits include:

• Operational carbon saving compared to previous models.
• Improved run time per charge.
• Zero emissions.
• Inherently quiet machines, white noise alarm optional.
• Leak containment (ECOTRAY) optional.
• Biodegradable oil optional.

 With E-Drive, Skyjack has also introduced a new CAN bus based operating system. While Skyjack’s standard color-coded and numbered wiring remains, it now combines with an externally visible diagnostic system display. This means that no plug-in tools are necessary for day-to-day troubleshooting. With the diagnostic display outboard facing, the system can be accessed without the need to open service trays. It provides real-time data and easy to understand machine faults, written in plain and simple language.

 In addition, the new models see a revised emergency lowering location. A single location, single step, valve actuated emergency lowering toggle switch is integrated on the outside rear of the machine with the other base controls. 

While the new E-Drive range offers many new features, there are valued Skyjack features that remain. These include:

•  Skyjack’s unique scissor stack design with symmetrical load distribution and cross member bracing providing industry leading operator comfort and confidence when working at height.
• The acclaimed removable, high strength and impact resistant composite upper control box with integrated shroud to protect against inadvertent operation.
• ElevateLive QR code label on each machine provides operators access to critical machine information including pre-use inspection guides and familiarization materials, via a mobile device.

Following Skyjack’s recently publicized global capacity expansion, the new range will be available through a phased introduction by region, starting with the smaller SJ3215 E and SJ3219 E models followed through to Q1 of 2024 with the remaining machines in the range. The E-Drive models will be available in all other regions throughout 2024.