The eHoftrac's traction motors and inverters are from a Linde reach truck.

Weidemann GmbH is starting series production of what it says is the first fully electric farm loader, the eHoftrac, in Europe. The truck's drive technology comes from Linde electric forklifts.

The eHoftrac was designed to achieve the same performance as the combustion-engined model without being significantly more expensive.

"That presented a number of technical challenges," explains Jan Prechel, head of vehicle development at Weidemann. "The electric motors have to fit in the existing compact installation space for diesel engines and still produce the same performance. In addition, the software for the eHoftrac has to be modified to make the vehicle handle more dynamically, especially when reversing.

"During development, we compared the solutions of different suppliers and, in the end, decided in favour of Linde."

Working with Linde Material Handling's Electronic Systems & Drives (ES&D) division in the northern autumn of 2013, Weidemann produced a first prototype that satisfied all the technical requirements and was immediately operational after assembly.

The drive technology is provided by system components of Linde forklifts - traction motors and inverters stem from a Linde reach truck and the pump motor from the standard series of electric forklifts. The developers adapted the system communication software to the loader's performance.

For charging technology, Weidemann deployed a 48 v lead battery that is commonly used in agricultural applications. As a result, the eHoftrac can be operated continuously for two to three hours, depending on the operating conditions, after which the battery can be charged at an electric socket with the aid of an external charging unit.

Weidemann presented the prototype eHoftrac 1160 for the first time in November 2013 at the Agritechnica expo in Hannover, Germany.

A customer survey during the fair confirmed demand for electric farm loaders and strengthened the company's decision to begin commercial production.

Fifteen eHoftracs have been thoroughly tested in field trials and the drive system was adapted and individualised for the eHoftrac.

"Each of the 15 field trials lasted for at least four weeks under normal everyday working conditions," explains Linde spokesman Marcus Rügamer. "The field trials were done at different agricultural and horse management livestock farms throughout Germany covering light to heavy use applications, the main activities being mucking out, pushing columns, feed provision, moving the feed, sprinkling, etc."

Linde supported the path to commercial production with technological know-how and a range of services. Wolfgang Klüpfel, senior project manager at ES&D, explains: "It is easy to develop a prototype for a new application with proven electric drive units. The great challenge consists of defining standards for the production vehicles."

While a prototype 'only' has to work initially, series production also requires detailed guidelines for quality, safety and maintenance. As a result, Linde Material Handling says its contribution does not stop with the prototype. "We will support the customer with our system experience all the way through to commercial production - and also beyond that with services such as spare parts and maintenance."

Weidemann aims to sustainably reduce agricultural emissions and noise levels with the eHoftrac. Rügamer says compared to a conventional Hoftrac farm loader of the same size, using the eHoftrac reduces emissions by 43% and the noise level is reduced by around 60%.

The eHoftrac farm loader will be offered in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark. Early next year, roll out begins for Italy, Poland, Sweden and Russia. Other markets will follow next year.