Boom Actuator Premiere

Previously, Cascade Drives has demonstrated how hydraulics can be replaced with our powerful electric actuators in high pressure pumps, commercial vehicle power steering, and lifting applications in forklift trucks. Today, with the help of CEO Kristian Floresjö , we demonstrate one of the most challenging applications within linear motion: a boom actuator for an excavator.

360 kN electric power for heavy-duty applications

We outfitted a 14-ton excavator with a Cascade Drives 360 kN actuator. The actuator has an impressive travel speed of 0.3 meters per second. In the video, the actuator’s speed and precision can be seen in the nimble movements of the excavator boom.

Regenerative feature increases operating range by 20%

The actuator also has a regenerative feature. This means when the bucket is lowered, energy is regenerated back to the battery. The boom actuator is one of the most energy-consuming functions in an excavator, so by regenerating a large part of the energy, the operating range increases by about 20%.

Bonus shock load demonstration

The video also shows a compelling shock load demonstration that we feel sure will leave viewers thirsty to take the next step to drop hydraulics and go electric.