Electrified Savings: ePTO Technology on Work Trucks can Eliminate Costly Idling

By Seth Skydel (http://linkedin.com/in/seth-skydel-5360a586) Ir’s always been that way. For powering tools and moving materials, idling trucks are often a necessity on jobsites. But do you know what that really costs you? For each hour, idling burns a gallon of fuel or more. It’s like driving 30 miles and going nowhere. Unseen is the wear and tear that idling causes on engines and the shortened lifecycles for maintenance items. Then there’s the emissions and noise as well. But are you aware that there are alternatives, systems that can provide the power you need to keep working without running the engine? Here’s an example: When other electrification systems lacked the power to operate large wallboard cranes or would stop operating if the battery became depleted, I-State Truck Centers, a division of Interstate Companies, knew it needed a new solution. Their choice for the material handling trucks with an electrically powered hydraulic crane made exclusively by Interstate Assembly Systems was ePTO technology from Odyne Systems. The material handling trucks transport construction materials from storage facilities to building sites and offload at worksites using wallboard cranes. For its application I-State specified and Interstate Assembly Systems installed IMT Model 28652 cranes on Western Star 4700SB Class 8 straight trucks. The trucks are powered by Detroit DD13 engines and Allison 4500 RDS transmissions. Odyne specifications for the electric power take-off (ePTO) systems on the trucks include a 35-kWh lithium-ion battery with thermal management (heated for cold weather functionality) and an electric motor rated for 115+ HP peak power. Odyne modular electrification systems for new and retrofit applications are available on truck chassis from a range of major manufacturers. Allison Transmission authorizes the company to install its systems on its 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 series transmissions. The turnkey, integrated solution can be applied to most work trucks over 14,000 lbs. GVWR through the power take-off (PTO) without requiring drivetrain modifications and without impacting OEM chassis warranties. Odyne ePTO components are strategically positioned within the chassis frame rails to avoid any interference with body installation, and the location of the battery can be tailored to meet specific application needs. With Odyne's ePTO system, if the battery becomes depleted due to extended operation, the engine will seamlessly start, enabling the uninterrupted functioning of the crane while simultaneously and quickly recharging the battery. After the battery is recharged to a set level, the engine turns off again. Odyne points out several benefits of its technology, including: • Increased revenue from allowing work to begin sooner and end later in noise-sensitive neighborhoods. • Enhanced jobsite safety by reducing the need for operators and work crews to use hand signals, which can be misinterpreted, and instead allowing for verbal communication in a quieter work environment. • Reduced fuel costs by shutting down larger diesel truck engines that results in significant savings. • Decreased scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and downtime by reducing idling at worksites, which contributes to engine wear and issues with emission control systems. • Environmental advantages by keeping the engine off to eliminate high NOx and CO2 emissions at worksites. • Tax credits of up to $40,000 per truck for taxpayers (when meeting eligibility requirements) or $40,000 in cash payments for municipalities and other tax-exempt entities. There are other solutions as well. For example, the Altec Jobsite Energy Management Systems uses plug-in technology to eliminate jobsite idling. The JEMS system is offered in configurations for specific applications on Altec models and OEM chassis. It can also be retrofitted on Altec units that have already been delivered. The integrated plug-in system uses stored energy from a lithium-ion battery to deliver power to chassis applications such as cab comfort AC and heat, and auxiliary items, like tools, without sacrificing performance. The system can be charged using Level 1 and Level 2, and jobsite and mobile charging. ePTO technology offers the best of all worlds for construction vehicles that need to operate on job sites by eliminating idling and reducing noise and lowering fuel use, while offering the benefits of a traditional chassis. Read this article and more in this week's issue: https://secure.viewer.zmags.com/publication/21541162