EIMA 2024: De Masi launches Energy Box hydraulic system

De Masi Energy Box fitted to a Merlo Cingo harvesting machine (Photo: PPI)

De Masi Industrie Meccaniche has unveiled its new Energy Box system at EIMA International in Bologna, Italy.

The unit is intended to address the issue where harvesting machines generate insufficient hydraulic power when fitted with a smaller diesel engine.

With headquarters in Reggio Calabria in southern Italy, De Masi is located in the centre of olive growing country.

Speaking with Power Progress International, Giuseppe De Masi said that the Energy Box was a pure-electric system intended to deliver the hydraulic power needed to harvest the fruit.

“The system can increase the hydraulic pressure to where it is needed. This means the machine can have a smaller engine, so benefits from lower fuel consumption, lower emissions and reduced noise.”

Featured on the stand at EIMA was a Merlo harvesting machine from the Cingo range. This uses a diesel engine for mobility, but once in position the engine is switched off and the Energy Box creates the hydraulic pressure using only battery power.

“You need an engine that produces at least 60 hp and at least 90 litres of hydraulic oil to harvest olives. The Energy Box has about 150 litres of oil, with power delivered from a 10 kWh battery pack. It can do the same work as a machine with a 70 hp engine.”

He added that the Energy Box can be fitted to most harvesting machines, plus it is possible to specify the system with as much battery storage and hydraulic oil capacity as necessary.

The Energy Box system from De Masi was nominated for Technical Innovation Award at EIMA 2024.