Battery operated electric hydraulic excavators – the new game changer.
Pawan Kumar Chief General Manager and Head of Marketing, BEML What are the demand outlook and the growth drivers for excavators of different capacities for general construction, roads and highways and mining sector?
– Pawan Kumar
Chief General Manager and Head of Marketing, BEML
What are the demand outlook and the growth drivers for excavators of different capacities for general construction, roads and highways and mining sector?
India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and the government’s vision is to become a 5 trillion-dollar economy by 2024-25. The government’s infrastructure development plan has created a huge demand for construction equipments including hydraulic excavators.
The total capital expenditure in infrastructure sectors in India during fiscals 2020 to 2025 is projected at Rs.111 Lakh crore. The sectors includes:
- Energy Sector
- Roads
- Railways
- Urban (Smart Cities, MRTS, Affordable Housing)
- Ports
- Airport
With the above infrastructure development plans; there will be good demand for Hydraulic Excavators in future.
Generally low-end excavators of operating weight 7.5T, 20T, 30T and 45T class are used in infrastructure projects. For mining projects high-end hydraulic excavators of 70T, 100T and 180T class are used.
In the non-coal segment like, steel, copper, zinc, aluminum etc. there will be continuous demand for hydraulic excavators.
Advancements in attachment coupling technology combined with new products mean materials processing can increasingly take place at the end of an excavator arm. To what extent you have been able to leverage the advantages of disruptive technologies in the range ofexcavators?
BEML is dominant in the excavator business in the mining sector, where the variants in attachments are very few and mainly concentrated on the enhancing life of the attachment like bucket which are called ‘Ground Engagement Tools’. BEML is adopting the latest technological advancements in this field.
How has data analytics and sensor technologies impacted your cab design for excavators?
Excavator cabin design has undergone change due to the new guidelines in ISO / IS / DGMS. The main focus is given to operator safety, comfort and to reduce fatigue during the long hours of operation in very harsh working conditions. The Air-conditioner, Operator fatigue monitoring system, Rearview camera, Noise and vibration reduction at operator console are few examples of the same. While incorporating the above improvements the additional requirement of sensors is taken care of.
Give us a brief on the advances made in the engine used in excavators?
The guideline for emission requirement of engines in construction and mining equipment mandates use of suitable emission compliant engines. BEML is updating all equipments with the same.
What kinds of after-sales support initiatives have been embraced by you to maintain customer satisfaction and brand value?
BEML is having Regional Offices, District Offices, Activity Centres and Service Centres spread across the nation to provide effective after-sales-support to customers. Further, BEML has deployed service engineers at pit heads to monitor the equipment closely.
BEML is offering Maintenance Contracts, Recon Exchange of Aggregates, Rehabilitation of used equipment, Technical Audit, Upgradation of equipment, Service Centre repair facilities and Condition based monitoring system; as overall product support to improve availability, increase productivity and to reduce the operating cost of equipment.
BEML’s factory trained service teams are posted all over country, who in turn are training the customer operators and maintenance staff. BEML is also providing product wise training at manufacturing plants to operators and maintenance staff of customers. To develop the skill of operators BEML has adopted the latest simulator-based training technology both at selected project and at manufacturing plant.
What do you think are the challenges, risk factors and possible new avenues in the excavator segment?
Challenges faced in excavators’ segment:
– Some of construction equipment are deployed in remote areas where approach is difficult and lack of proper maintenance facilities.
– Deployment of excavators in adverse weather conditions; Dusty Environment, High Temperature, Cold Conditions, Windy Conditions, Heavy Rain & Poor visibility.
– Deployment of excavators in adverse weather conditions; dusty environment, high temperature, cold conditions, windy conditions, heavy rain and poor visibility.
– Non-availability of Skilled Operators and Maintenance staff in some areas.
New Avenue in Excavator Segment:
The new game changer in the excavator market is the battery operated electric hydraulic excavators. The commercial production of the same has started in the construction segment in the city limits.
The battery technology is developing very fast whereby reducing the cost of battery packs, which makes the cost of the equipment viable in future.
The electric excavators are already working in the mining sector where the electric motors are driven by the live cable.
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