Keestrack innovation with S5e Solar stacker

First published in bauma Preview - February 7, 2019

Keestrack has unveiled what the firm believes to be the world’s first solar-powered stacker, the S5e Solar

The most advanced and futuristic result of Keestrack’s sophisticated ‘e-technology’ is the Belgian global market quarrying equipment manufacturer’s new track-mounted stacker, the S5e Solar.

Believed to be the first directly solar-powered mobile processing plant worldwide, photovoltaic panels literally span like a sun sail over the 23-meter-long S5e Solar’s conveyor belt. With a maximum 9kW they feed the 23kW system battery installed on the chassis. The conveyor belt (22kW) and the tracks (2 x 15kW) are directly electric-driven. Meanwhile, an electric pump unit (2 x 15kW) supplies the hydraulic lifting cylinders. If bad weather causes an insufficient photovoltaic power supply or intensive continuous operation exceeds the solar recharging capacities, the system can be powered or recharged via available external sources, such as upstream diesel-electric crushers and screens, or via mains plug-in.

Compared to conventional diesel-hydraulic systems, ‘e-technology’ plant can, says Keestrack, reduce energy costs by up to 80% compared to traditional diesel-hydraulic models. Furthermore, noise levels during emission-free plug-in operation can be reduced by around 30%, according to Keestrack. The manufacturer says there is a 10-15 % higher initial investment for ‘e-technology’ stackers and screeners and 15-20% for large mobile crushers. The faster this additional investment can be amortised the more attractive the ‘e-option’ becomes, the company says.

Today, Keestrack already offers 80% of its total 22 models in six series as diesel-electric hybrid variants, 75% of them as fully electric plug-in systems.

The B7e is the latest addition to Keestrack’s crusher range. The up to 700tonnes/hour, 70tonne jaw crusher is one of the models which is only available as a full-electric plug-in plant.