AUGUST 1, 2023; Guelph, Ontario – Linamar Corporation’s (TSX:LNR) Skyjack division has announced the launch of a new range of DC electric scissors, featuring AC brushless electric drive motors and other significant design changes. The simply electric range will be launched globally with availability in all regions throughout 2024, replacing the current hydraulic drive models.

The innovative drive system provides exceptional duty cycles and fully proportional controls, which offer a superior drive experience. The new range boasts simply more; with improved efficiency, controllability, and torque. This means that productivity is boosted with an improvement of up to 20% in runtime per charge. E-Drive provides consistent power, traction and torque, with over 25% grade ability, so that climbing loading ramps is easy, and excellent all-round job site performance is achieved.

During development of the new E-Drive DC scissors Skyjack has focused on increasing operational uptime. This has resulted in a range that provides users with more while also significantly reducing cost of ownership and improving resale value, providing customers with a significantly improved return on investment.

Corey Connolly, Senior Product Manager at Skyjack commented, “A longer run time per charge and fewer lifetime charge cycles mean our customers will find they spend less on batteries over the life of the machine and that is just one of many benefits.”

To achieve these improvements, all major service points are easily accessible, enabling straightforward troubleshooting and repair. The sealed drive motor is maintenance free. The motors’ improved efficiency reduces charge time and power consumption, which saves costs and in turn reduces battery maintenance. The drive motors have no oil leakage potential, and an optimized hydraulic lift and steer manifold reduces hydraulic connections by 70%, further reducing the potential for ground contamination and associated clean-up costs. An optional leak containment system (ECOTRAY) provides further peace of mind. 

Corey Connolly continues, “Ever since we launched E-Drive on our Vertical Mast range we have been excited about this launch. Our new Vertical Masts were very well received and now, after more than two years in the market, we see E-Drive as a proven winner, and I am sure our customers will welcome this change on our core scissor range.” 

Ken McDougall, President at Skyjack added, “This is an exciting time. Rolling out our new E-Drive across our eight-model DC scissor range takes time. I think it is worthy of note that we have been able to achieve that without real term increase in cost. By providing significant reductions in our customers’ cost of ownership we have a truly competitive offering that more than lives up to the Skyjack simply reliable ethos. With our new E-Drive machines we will see our customers getting more done for less.”

The new models will feature a new designation carrying “E” to signify E-Drive, for example “SJ3219 E”. In addition, the new range will carry Skyjack’s ECO mark as rental companies and major contractors face increasing demands for sustainability information. Skyjack has introduced its ECO mark to support its customers by providing products that deliver benefits in environmental performance and long-term sustainability. Skyjack’s E-Drive scissors ECO benefits include;

• Operational carbon saving compared to previous models
• Improved run time per charge
• Zero emissions
• Inherently quiet machines, white noise alarm optional
• Leak containment (ECOTRAY) optional
• Biodegradable oil optional