Poclain, an off-road solution supplier with expertise in engineering systems, electric hydraulic solutions and project management, has partnered with Norcar to produce a mini loader prototype. Norcar develops and manufactures high-quality mini loaders for a range of industries. The two companies came together to meet Norcar’s objective: to develop a reliable and efficient zero-emission machine that meets market industry expectations.

“It was natural going to start up a joint venture for the electrification of our machines,”said Magnus Holm, Norcar research and development manager. The partners were able to present the Norcar mini-loader electric hydraulic prototype at Bauma Munich 2022.

Using data collection devices, Poclain was able to collect data from the field through diesel Norcar mini loaders. The data identified needs and optimized machine performance. For example, the duty cycle or energy used on a working day was used to calculate the future battery needs.

After assessing several “e+h” system architectures, the Poclain e-mobility team designed an optimized solution for Norcar’s battery-powered mini loader. The prototype for the electro hydrostatic a60E1 mini loader was commissioned by the team. The performance of the machine, particularly in terms of power going up and down slopes, as well as safety features and data collection, were all validated during Norcar’s test drive.

The new a60E1 mini-loader achieved the same performance (speed and torque) as the diesel version, while also reducing noise output and vibration, and optimizing driving comfort and safety. The Poclain embedded software keeps the energy consumed low and optimized.

“It’s a very precise vehicle that can do very precise work. It is very well optimized,” Holm said during the a60E1 model’s test session on Poclain Hydraulics test-track in France.