The Van Berkel Group is investing in electric equipment and has been using two Staad DX355LC Electric excavators since the beginning of this year. Equipment manager Thijs van Berkel shares his experiences with these 35-ton electric crawler excavators, which run a full workday without any problems.
The Van Berkel Group, based in Veghel, was founded in 1955 and operates with four divisions: Landscape & Infrastructure; Logistics, which operates four inland container terminals; Building Materials & Transport, which produces circular building materials; and Biomass & Soil Products, which produces circular soil improvers. The Landscape & Infrastructure division provides construction, maintenance, and services in the field of landscape and infrastructure. "We connected with Staad when we were exploring electric machinery," says Thijs van Berkel, a third-generation member of the family business and equipment manager for the past year.
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The switch to electric equipment stemmed from specific market demand. "Water boards were the first to ask for emission-free machines," explains Van Berkel. "Now, that demand is also increasingly coming from the infrastructure sector." The company made a strategic decision by investing in electric machines, even though it didn't have any immediate work for them. "We saw that the entire sector is embracing electrification. As a company, you have to keep pace." That investment is paying off. Van Berkel Groep now has seven electric earthmoving machines in operation: two DX355LC Electric crawler excavators and two DX165W Electric mobile excavators from Staad, plus three narrow-track crawler excavators from another manufacturer. All machines are fully utilized.
One requirement was central to the machine selection: being able to work a full workday without recharging. "That was decisive for us," emphasizes Van Berkel. "Staad already had practical experience with excavators that can last a full day. That gave us confidence." A practical advantage is the geographic proximity. Staad and Van Berkel are neighbors on the Doornhoek industrial estate in Veghel, with only 500 meters between the two companies. The DX355LC Electric has two interchangeable Powerbox 400 battery packs with a total capacity of 800 kWh. The 145 kW electric motor and the 600-volt system ensure minimal energy loss. In practice, the machine runs for 12 to 15 hours on a full charge. "For certain jobs, we even manage two days," says Van Berkel.
Van Berkel Group uses a practical calculation rule for energy consumption to determine whether a project is electrically feasible. "We calculate 4 kWh of electricity for every liter of diesel you would traditionally use. That's a generous estimate. In practice, we're between 3 and 4 kWh." The company charges the excavators at project sites with DC40 chargers where power supplies are available. On one project, the battery packs are swapped using a special frame. "Swapping the Powerboxes is just as fast as refueling," assures Van Berkel.
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Operators are responding positively to the electric excavators. Van Berkel: "The biggest difference is the silence. You only hear the hydraulic pumps, no more diesel engine." This benefits the working environment and communication. "Operators can now call operators without any problems. You no longer hear any background noise."
The excavators are fully equipped as standard. A 360-degree camera system, complete 360-degree lighting, folding steps, and details like stainless steel protective plates are standard. "Staad has listened carefully to its customers over the years. They deliver a complete, luxurious excavator."
Van Berkel opted for a unique design for one excavator: a semi-long reach configuration with a 12.3-meter boom. "Most companies opt for standard or long reach. We deliberately chose semi-long with the cylinders in the standard position, without a dome under the boom."
This configuration offers maximum flexibility. The excavator works both on natural engineering projects with extended reach and for traditional earthworks close to the earthmoving machine. "We can use it anywhere, depending on the project." This versatility suits the diverse projects of Van Berkel Landschap & Infra.
For Van Berkel Group, the transition to electric equipment means more than just responding to market demand. "It fits seamlessly with our sustainability philosophy. We don't just want to be sustainable, we also want to gain knowledge and be able to offer this option to customers," says Van Berkel. This positioning the company for a future in which emission-free operations will become the norm.
The collaboration with Staad is excellent. The excavators perform as expected, the service is excellent, and the company can take on projects with zero-emission requirements. With four electric Staad excavators in its fleet, Van Berkel Groep has a solid foundation for emission-free natural construction and earthworks.
Van Berkel Group's practical experience demonstrates that electric excavators are mature enough for professional use. The combination of day-long availability and satisfied operators completes the business case. For companies hesitant to switch to electric, this experience offers valuable insights.
This article was placed as an advertorial in the BouwmachinesNL magazine
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