Skip to main content

Imer’s hybrid technology unveiled in skid steer

The IMER Group was proudly displaying its prototype skid steer loader at Intermat 2015: the 3S, a ‘smart, sustainable, skid’. The new hybrid technology has been developed by the group’s earth moving business IHIMER which is a joint venture between the IMER Group and the construction machinery arm of Japanese giant the IHI Corporation.
January 6, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
IMER Group’s first hybrid machine – the 3S skid steer loader

The 6233 IMER Group was proudly displaying its prototype skid steer loader at Intermat 2015: the 3S, a ‘smart, sustainable, skid’. The new hybrid technology has been developed by the group’s earth moving business 4848 IHIMER which is a joint venture between the IMER Group and the construction machinery arm of Japanese giant the IHI Corporation.

The prototype is the culmination of a development programme which has involved both Pisa and Florence Universities, said Paolo Pianigiani, director of the IMER Access business unit. Following on from the skid steers, access platforms will be the next IMER products to benefit from hybrid technology followed by mini excavators.

“The aim was to develop power units which then could be used on other products in our company,” explained Pianigiani. “There could be a wide spectrum of uses.” IMER has four divisions: earthmoving, access platforms, small equipment and concrete.

With an operating weight of 1,330kg, the 3S has an operating load of 330kg and delivers a breakout force of 750 kgf. Power is stored in a lithium ferro phosphate battery pack  90 Ah 86 V, which provides a range of two hours with a 7 kW Worms Expert 7510X on-board auxiliary power unit.

The drive control system, which was developed in the access business of the company, sees the four independent wheels controlled electronically, managing power delivery according to the actual demand. “The integration of the hybrid technology and the drive system allows you to have better control of the traction and consequently safer operation,” said Pianigiani.

The unit, which should be in production by the end of the year, will be useful in a wide range of applications, said Pianigiani from landscaping, maintenance and civil works to use by the army - as it can be operated remotely if required.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • New earthmoving machines
    July 29, 2019
    An array of advanced earthmoving machines are coming to market, offering increased performance, lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions The global market for earthmoving machines has been particularly strong over the last year. Demand for new equipment has been at a high, with sales of crawler excavators proving especially robust. Manufacturers have responded by increasing output, while tempting customers with new models offering major performance gains. Dozers In the market for dozers, Caterp
  • Manufacturers push hybrid driveline technology
    April 22, 2014
    Driveline technology continues to develop rapidly, with many manufacturers at this year’s Conexpo exhibition showing Tier 4 Final emissions solutions, along with a host of fuel saving transmissions and hydraulic systems, all aiming to reduce operating costs for the customer. However, while there was certainly a hybrid presence at the show, things haven’t perhaps moved forward as fast as many had expected.
  • Why the future of compact equipment is electric
    October 16, 2020
    Case CE, Hitachi, JCB and Wacker Neuson are amongst the equipment manufacturers convinced of the potential for electric construction machines
  • Accurate scanning
    February 6, 2012
    TOPCON CLAIMS that its GLS- 1500 laser scanner speeds point cloud collection. This unit is 10 times faster than previous units and collects up to 30,000 points/second, reducing the amount of equipment needed in the field. The GLS-1500 offers a range of up to 330m and is designed for quick setup to save time and improve productivity.