Revisiting Diesel Engines: Taking a Look at Other Fuels for Skid Steer
For a very long time, the noise of a diesel engine has been a regular tune accompanied with the construction site work process, where the skid steer loaders play the main role as the most important source of power. However, the trend in the construction industry in recent years is to move towards cleaner energy sources, which means the pursuit of the viable energy substitutes for the skid steer loaders becomes even more intense.
The transformation of the diesel power is not an environmental decision but an economic and operational necessity. In this blog post, we introduce the most impressive ideas currently planned for the future of the construction compact equipment power.
The Diesel Dilemma: Why Giving Up on Diesel?
Diesel’s top position in the power race is due to its high energy concentration and the fact that it has proven to be real tough. Nevertheless, the problems it is causing are more and more noticeable:
- High Emissions: Diesel engines are the main force behind the greenhouse gases (GHG – CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM) emissions that are disturbing the climate and air quality
- Operating Costs: The price of diesel is not steady, and the costs connected with emissions compliance (like Diesel Particulate Filters – DPFs) are putting a lot of pressure on the financial side.
- Noise Pollution: Diesel engines are a source of noise, which makes the issue of the noise in urban settings or noise-sensitive environments even more worrying.
- Maintenance Complexity: Contemporary diesel engines with exhaust after-treatment systems need special maintenance and could be expensive to repair should the systems fail.
- Sustainability Mandates: There are ambitious emission reduction goals set by both the government and corporations, and this is pushing the contractors towards sustainable solutions.
Electric Power: Leading the Globe with its Charging Capacity
Charging into the Future Electric skid steers are quickly penetrating the market from being a niche and are having several beneficial aspects:
- Zero Tailpipe Emissions: The elimination of NOx, PM, and CO2 emissions during the operation makes it very clear – the electric vehicle is a perfect choice for hospitals, schools and also silent and dense urban areas.
- Reduced Noise: Substantially quiet operation thus bettering the operator’s feeling of comfort and not creating noise pollution on the site.
- Lower Operating Costs: Fuel cost is usually much lower than the diesel, electric motor is less prone to the fault, thus, it is good for the user who has to pay fewer service costs, that is to say, no oil change, no fuel filter renewal, no exhaust changing, or no DPFs.)
- Instant Torque: Electric motors are power tools for the fastest functioning of the mechanism at the worksite as they provide maximum torque without delay giving the best instant power delivery to the pallet truck machine for earth excavation and goods lifting.
Key Considerations for Electric:
- Battery Technology & Runtime: The duration of availability (generally the system is up and running for 4-8 hours) and the time to recover energy (which takes only a few hours) have to be the same size as the needs of the equipment user. Progress in battery energy means faster improvement of these indicators.
- Upfront Cost: The actual purchase price is usually greater than the diesel equivalent, but in the long run, the total cost of ownership (TCO) can get a positive value.
- Charging Infrastructure: There’s a need to have a set of facilities available for ample charging on-site or in the warehouse.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells: The Zero-Emission Contender
The technology, which works on the principle of combining hydrogen with the oxygen in the air to produce electricity, is thus able to charge the electric motor and with the only byproduct being the water vapor.
- True Zero Tailpipe Emissions: This is like the case of the battery the only waste of the reaction is water and not the other emissions that are caused by burning some material.
- Rapid Refueling: The refueling procedure using hydrogen gas requires only minutes, more or less like diesel, this way the challenge of “recharge time” of batteries has been solved.
- High potential Utilization: It can be applied for the long and difficult shifts where the battery is a problem of running time.
- A lighter product: Current batteries have a higher energy density than hydrogen which can potentially be advantageous and not compromise the range due to the weight of the machine.
Hydrogen Concerns – Common Challenges
- Lack of infrastructure: No widespread hydrogen refueling infrastructure for industrial equipment is available today that is not virtually nothing.
- Hydrogen production & cost: “Green” hydrogen is expensive, and it is being produced by renewable means. However, most of the currently available hydrogen technology relies on the burning of fossil fuels(“grey” hydrogen), through which emissions are increasing and the overall environment is negatively affected. There are also the fuel cell systems which are expensive. Most of the technology available uses pieces of fossil fuel in the process hence it is still harmful despite the fact that it uses renewable energy
- Storage & Handling: Hydrogen needs to use high-pressure storage tanks and it should also follow strict handling procedures to prevent leakage or explosion from the hydrogen that turned into vapor, etc.
Bridging the Gap: Hybrid Solutions
Hybrid skid steer machines are those with small diesel engine to assist the electric motor and battery storage. The intention is to benefit from the best of both technologies.
- Lower energy consumption & emissions: The electric motor contributing to the diesel engine in the operation and especially that one with high power results in reduced fuel consumption and exhaust gas emission as opposed to mere use of a standard diesel combustion engine.
- Regenerative Braking: Recovery of energy during deceleration/screeching leads to more charging.
- Standard Refueling: The fact that a user can refuel the skid steer just as they do with a diesel engine acts in itself as an example of familiarity.
The Hybrid Reality:
- Complexity: Adds additional layer of systems (batteries, electric motors, control electronics) that need to be kept up.
- Moderate Emissions Reduction: In comparison to ordinary diesel, though these are the less bad and still very polluting, they are not completely harmless.
- Cost: They have a higher price at the start than normal diesel, although they may be the cheaper option of the three later on, including electric and hydrogen.
Biofuels and Renewable Diesel: Cleaner Liquid Options
These are the biofuels that are intended for immediate use in existing diesel engines with no or very little change of the scope:
Biodiesel (B100 or Blends – B20): The main sources are vegetable unsaturated oils and animal derived fats which help in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions as well as particulate matter that are emitted from the engine throughout its lifetime. Both biodegradable and harmless to the environment.
Renewable Diesel (HVO/HEFA): Their makeup is largely the same as what diesel being a fossil fuel has only that they have come from biomass waste, i.e. they have been produced from biomass (oils, fats) or waste. They not only have lower greenhouse gas emissions (up to 90%), but they are also less noisy and less smoky and have excellent performances in low temperatures. Almost always, they are seen as a better option compared to biodiesel.
Advantages of Bio/Renewable Diesel:
- Infrastructure Compatibility: It utilizes the current fuelling points and accessories for diesel vehicles.
- Engine Compatibility: Works in most modern diesel engines, with only a few needing minor updates in seals or hoses (OEM approval should be confirmed).
- Immediate Impact: Offers a fast way to lower the carbon footprint of current ones.
Key Considerations:
- Availability & Cost: They can be not so easy to come by and be more expensive than the ordinary fuels, even though the prices are becoming more equivalent.
- Sustainability of Feedstock: It is important to the true environmental benefits that raw materials are obtained by sustainable means (avid of deforestation, etc.).
- Propane (LPG): A Chair Burn Propane gas has been used for many years to power the industrial equipment and is known for its utmost capacity:
- Lower Emissions: It is quite evident that propane is a cleaner fuel emitting a lot lower the greenhouse gas emissions, NOx, and nearly zero particulate matter (compared to diesel).
- Lower Operating Costs: Propane as a fuel is generally less expensive than diesel, and, moreover, the lubricating oil can serve you longer because the combustion is much cleaner.
- Set Up Infrastructure: Refilling points are to a major extent (tank-draining facilities or on-hand storage) available round many parts.
Propane Disadvantages:
Lower Energy Density: The energy content of gasoline is far lower, and with one tank you can run for longer, so it may require changes in the structure of the machines or additional refueling more frequently.
Performance: There are some indications that if on a par with diesel engines, the latter may slightly top the torque of propane engines though new ones perform start well but may be a little below in the consumption of fuel and maintenance cost.
Fuel Storage: There are certain conditions for the storage and handling of the tanks, it is pressurized storage, and thus these prerequisites require specificity.
Skid Steer Fuels – What is the future of skid steer fuels?
It is undeniable that the future of the skid steer is going to be varied and electric-oriented, but the changeover may take some time:
- Electric (Battery): It is in the cards that we will observe soon notable improvements regarding battery energy density, electric vehicles will be charged faster and the costs are going down which will give a significant push to the electric vehicle use only in many urban, indoor, and medium-duty applications.
- Hydrogen Niche Growth: We can anticipate that hydrogen fuel cells with high energy conversion rates are the better choice for intensive work and heavy machinery and only there the hydrogen gas will be used for refueling providing that apart from the established infrastructure there are large-scale.
- Bio/Renewable Diesel Bridge: These fuels are going to still be quite important for lowering emissions for the huge existing fleet of diesel machines during the transition phase and maybe even longer for remote sites or harsh conditions.
- Hybrids as Stepping Stones: Hybrids are the most feasible a means of transitioning mainly for larger machines or mixed fleets and eventually, the electric/hydrogen technologies would come up and overshadow them.
- Smart Charging & Energy Management: The combination with renewable energy sources (solar locally) and smart grid technologies will definitely reduce the costs and maximize the sustainability of electric fleets.
- OEM Innovation: Heavy manufacturers are mostly dedicating their resources to all the alternative platforms which results in more models, increased performance, and the better overall integration of the various alternative vehicles.
Powering Forward Sustainably
The replacement of diesel-only skid steers with electric ones is happening now. The shift to an environment that is no longer diesel-only skid steer loaders – through electrification, the hydrogen economy, or renewable diesel that is non-hazardous, and traditional choices such as propane – is rapidly unfolding. Each of the eco-friendly options provides different combinations of advantages in the areas of the environment, operations, and economics. The “most suitable” option is largely influenced by your application, usage, location, financial constraints, and sustainability targets.
Being well-informed about these evolving technologies that are changing at a dizzying pace has become an imperative thing to do for both contractors and fleet managers who are pursuing a goal of saving the environment and reducing the expenses of operations alongside with complying with the legislations and at the same time, creating a business that is ready for the future. The sustainable job site of tomorrow is constructed now by turning one skid steer that is alternatively powered at a time.
What is your opinion on the future of skid steer power?
Are you thinking about switching? If so, please let us know in the comments section. We can also answer any questions you may have about electric skid-steer loaders!