What's the Difference Between Electric Wheel Loaders for Small vs. Large-Scale Projects?

With the electric revolution, not only are vehicles like cars or bikes shifting to electric, but construction and earthmoving industries are also affected by this revolution. The governments and regulatory authorities are now tightening the regulations, and with the constant increase in fuel costs, the shift from diesel to electric heavy machinery is now becoming a necessity that construction and earthmoving industries can’t ignore. However, just like traditional diesel machinery, one size doesn’t fit all of the industry requirements. An electric wheel loader is designed to use in a backyard or in small-scale construction sites can’t be used in large-scale mining, construction, or quarries.

To make the right decision of choosing an electric wheel loader, it's important to consider the scale of the project it will be used on. In this article, we will highlight the difference between the loaders that are engineered for small-scale projects vs the loaders that are made for large-scale projects, comparing how their technology, load-bearing capacity, batteries, motors, and hydraulic systems differ from one another, setting them apart for different use cases.

Why Project Scale Matters When Choosing an Electric Wheel Loader?

The factors that define project scale are:

• How Much Material Do You Need To Move
• The Distance That The Material Will Be Required To Move
• How Long Will The Machine Be Required To Run Constantly
• The Equipment And The Infrastructure Required For The Project

So, in a project where all of the above factors are minimal, it's considered a small-scale project where getting a machine that is big enough and requires complex high-voltage infrastructure is of no use. Instead, you need machinery that is versatile and has great accessibility, fitting through small gates, limited space, operating continuously, and performing multiple tasks like digging, sweeping, and lifting from a single unit, which is amongst the highest preferences.

On the otherhand, if you require machinery for a large-scale project where lifting and material moving requirements are extremely high compared to small-scale projects, you need loaders that can handle all of that. If the loaders stop or malfunction, the whole supply chain involving crushers and trucks stops. Hence, the electric wheel loader made for large-scale applications have high range, load bearing capacity, fast charging, and high amounts of torque or breakout forces that can penetrate compacted piles of gravel, coal, or ore.

Electric Wheel Loaders for Small-Scale Projects

Small-scale projects like urban construction, municipal maintenance, agriculture, and residential landscaping have high applications of electric wheel loaders that offer low noise, have zero emissions, fit through narrow spaces, and perform multiple tasks with ease.

▬Applications

• Urban Construction: Construction or renovations in city centers require the equipment to make minimal noise with minimal emissions, and should not be big enough to block roads or pathways.  
• Indoor Operations: Constructions or renovations in indoor spaces like warehouses, recycling centers, and agricultural barns require loaders with zero emissions, as any emissions can be hazardous to health.
• Landscaping: Applications that involve moving soil, mulch, and pavers require completion of these tasks with zero noise and emissions to prevent neighbours and surrouding scoieties to be disturbed.

▬Key Features

To ensure that the requirements of these small-scale applications are fulfilled, there are some of the key design features incorporated in electric wheel loaders to ensure project completion without much of a hassle.

• Maneuverability: To ensure machinery can maneuver in tight spaces, they feature articulated steering, reducing the turning radius to ensure moving around trees or in between buildings can be accomplished with ease.
• Versatility: Electric wheel loaders that are designed for small-scale projects feature hydraulic quick-hitches, which allow the switching of buckets, pallet forks, and hay spears in no time.
• Charging Flexibility: Charging is crucial to keep the loader running. This is where smaller electric loaders shine, as they can be charged with standard industrial outlets or lower-voltage portable chargers, which eliminates the need for expensive electrical grid upgrades just to charge an electric loader.

To identify electric wheel loaders that are optimized for small-scale projects, they usually come with a rated load capacity of 1 to 2 tons, ensuring their versatility and agility.

Electric Wheel Loaders for Large-Scale Projects

Other than small scale projects, electric wheel loaders that are designed for large-scale projects are made to be capable of working in mines, quarries, and in the construction of heavy infrastructure like tunnels or highways. In these large-scale applications where diesel-operated loaders are dominating, these electric loaders must provide more features, torque, and horsepower than the diesel loaders to ensure their success in these large-scale operations.

▬ Applications

• Mining and Quarrying: In mines or quarries, electric wheel loaders must be capable of lifting, carrying, and loading blasted rock and aggregates into crushers or dump trucks.
• Industrial Ports: Can handle materials with high densities, such as coal, grain, or iron ore.
• Concrete and Asphalt Plants: Reliability and volume matter when it comes to using electric wheel loaders in large-scale applications like concrete or asphalt plants. These loaders must be capable of continuously feeding hoppers with sand, gravel, and crushed stone. If there is a delay due to a breakdown, battery failure, or lack of power, it directly impacts the overall production output.

▬ Key Features

To cope with such extremely large-scale project conditions and applications, there are some of the key important features mentioned below to help you understand how these loaders give a direct competition to diesel loaders.

• Massive Breakout Force: Electric wheel loaders cannot only carry the load, but thanks to their heavy operating weights and improved hydraulic systems, they can dig into hard-packed materials.  
• Advanced Battery Management: As these machines carry heavy loads and have high brute force, they consume a lot of power. To prevent overheating and batteries running out too quickly, these electric wheel loaders feature high-voltage lithium battery systems with active thermal management, like liquid cooling to keep the batteries cool when under heavy load.  
• Stability: In large-scale projects, there is a constant lifting of heavy loads at full height. This is where a longer wheelbase and heavier counterweight measures are utilized in an electric wheel loader to ensure stability.

Critical Feature Comparisons: Small vs. Large

In this section of the article, we will be doing a head-to-head comparison of the key features in the two types of loaders to help you better understand the differences to ensure you make the right choice for your project.  

Operational Differences

Once you have understood all the features and differences between a small-scale electric loader and a large-scale electric loader, there is one last crucial factor you need to consider, which are operational differences beyond the spec sheet, to help you understand what crucial considerations are required during operations.   

◀ Maintenance Requirements

Although an electric wheel loader has significantly fewer moving parts, there are some of the maintenance requirements that differ between small-scale and large-scale electric loaders.

• Small Projects: Loaders that are engineered small projects require significantly less maintenance and can be performed by a general technician. The only things you should be worried about are ensuring hydraulic fluid, greasing pivot points, and tire pressure are balanced and upto the requirements for operations.
• Large Projects: Loaders that are made for large projects require more maintenance than small-scale loaders. Although these loaders don’t have an engine, so maintenance is very minimal, dealing with high-voltage systems is where you would require trained technicians who can work on such systems. Always ensure that the technicians who are working on large-scale electric wheel loaders are certified to handle high-voltage DC systems safely. However, the savings on maintenance and fuel are noticeable and can save thousands of dollars for the company or the industry.

◀ Operator Comfort and Cab Design

• Small Loaders: Cabs on electric wheel small loaders are designed in a way that it remains highly functional, and entry and exit of the operator is easy. Furthermore, high priority is given to ensure visibility for the operator to maneuver the loader with safety in crowded spaces.
• Large Loaders: The cabs in large electric wheel loaders are like a command center. The seats come with premium air suspension, cabins have advanced climate control, and multiple monitors are placed to keep track of loads, batteries, and view surroundings through cameras installed on the loader. These features keep the operator comfortable and safe during long hours of operation.
  
  

 Conclusion

Construction and earth-moving industries are mostly dominated by diesel loaders, but with the constant development and technological improvements, electric wheel loaders compete head-to-head with diesel loaders and, in some applications, are proven to be better. The transition to electric heavy equipment is surely worth it, and it will play a great part in reshaping how we deal with small-scale and large-scale projects where construction and material handling are required. Whether you are managing a boutique landscaping firm or a massive quarry, there is an electric wheel loader designed for your needs.

If you are ready to be a part of a much cleaner and better revolution, AILISHENG Global could be your go-to choice. We specialize in high-performance electric machinery tailored to your specific project scale. From the compact and versatile ALS916EV to the heavy-duty ALS958EV, our team can help you find the perfect match for your operational requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can an electric wheel loader handle the same heavy loads as a diesel version?

Yes, the electric wheel loader gives direct competition to the diesel version in terms of handling heavy loads. Sometimes, electric wheel loaders offer better performance than diesel versions due to their electric motors, which can provide instant torque, which is very helpful in improving performance when pushing into piles of heavy material like gravel or soil.   

2. How long does the battery last on a large electric wheel loader?

It totally depends on how heavily the machine is being used on the site. A large electric wheel loader usually comes with a 350kWh battery size, and based on the industry standards, they can last more than 6 hours. This may look like a downside, but due to the fast charging options, these large loaders can be fully charged in 1.5 to 2 hours. So for an 8-hour shift, during break, which usually lasts 30 minutes, opportunity charge the loader in that time, and your loader will easily complete an 8-hour shift without struggling.

3. Do I need special infrastructure to charge a small electric wheel loader?

Usually no. Standard small electric wheel loaders are designed to charge from a standard 220V industrial outlets. This makes deployments a lot easier on small-scale construction sites where high-voltage DC fast charging options aren’t available. However, it's recommended to check the amperage requirements for the specific model to prevent overheating issues.

4. Are electric wheel loaders significantly heavier than diesel ones due to the battery?

Due to massive batteries, they can be slightly heavier. This extra weight serves as an advantage for loaders as it acts as a counterweight, keeping the center of gravity more optimized, which significantly improves the loader's stability and lifting capacity. However, it does increase ground pressure.

5. What is the main maintenance difference between small and large electric loaders?

Both small and large electric loaders require low maintenance due to electric motors instead of 100s of different parts associated with the engine. However, one significant difference that lies in the maintenance of small and large electric loaders is maintaining the powertrain. These large electric loaders operate at extreme voltages, often exceeding 600V+, so an experienced, certified, and qualified technician is required when maintaining large electric loaders. On the otherhand, smaller, lower-voltage machines may be serviced by standard equipment mechanics with basic electrical training.