A Study on the Performance of the Electrification of Hydraulic Implements in a Compact Non-Road Mobile Machine: A Case Applied to a Backhoe Loader

Abstract

This work presents a study of the performance of prime mover and hydraulic implement electrification in a backhoe loader. The results are validated through simulation and experimental tests. The construction and agriculture sector has grown in recent years with the aid of compact non-road mobile machines. However, as is common in fossil fuel-powered vehicles, they significantly contribute to increasing emissions. Previous research has primarily relied on powertrain electrification to address the low-efficiency drawbacks. Notably, compact off-road vehicles comprise implements less discussed in the literature. A hybrid series topology is employed, where the rear implement is driven by an electrical drive and the Diesel engine is coupled to a generator. A rule-based energy management strategy is applied. The operation of the Diesel engine and electrical machines in optimal points of the efficiency maps are the basis of the analysis. The design is validated using simulations and experimental tests in a commercial backhoe loader as a benchmark. Experimental and simulation results obtained from the hybrid series backhoe loader applied to the hydraulic implement show a 33% reduction in fuel consumption, demonstrating the effectiveness of electrification in reducing emissions and fuel consumption of compact non-road mobile machines.