Key Findings
Siesling has successfully transitioned a 75m Ruthmann T 750 HF truck mount from diesel to hydrogen fuel-cell technology. The converted machine delivers a driving range of at least 450km and a refueling time of approximately 20 minutes, maintaining performance levels comparable to diesel equivalents. In real-world operations, the unit has been deployed for cleaning and installation work at sites including the Groningen Forum and the Martini Church.
Technical Details
The conversion was executed in collaboration with hydrogen specialist Holthausen. The system architecture includes:
- Fuel Storage: Nine hydrogen tanks with a total capacity of 45kg (approximately 5kg per tank).
- Power Conversion: A fuel cell converts hydrogen into electricity, which is stored in three batteries to power both the truck and the aerial platform.
- Weight Profile: The fully loaded hydrogen truck weighs approximately 36.5 tonnes, an increase from the original diesel machine’s 33 tonnes.
Following the conversion, the machine returned to Ruthmann for testing. This process involved reweighing the unit, assessing the working envelope against the new weight distribution, and reprogramming the control system for the electric powertrain. These adjustments resulted in a revised working envelope that gained approximately one metre of range in some areas.
Background and Context
Siesling initially attempted to convert a smaller 30m truck on a 7.5 tonne chassis but found that the weight of hydrogen tanks and batteries exceeded the chassis weight limit. This led the company to utilize the 75m chassis, which provided the necessary space and weight capacity. This shift is critical for operating in zero-emission zones such as Schiphol Amsterdam Airport and Natura 2000 protected sites.
Significance and Outlook
Hydrogen was selected over battery-electric technology to avoid long charging times; Siesling noted that a battery-electric truck with a 250km range could require six to eight hours to recharge. While infrastructure remains a limitation, the Netherlands is developing a network of hydrogen stations at roughly 75km intervals. Early operational results have been encouraging, despite initial cooling system leaks and programming errors.
Source: https://www.accessbriefing.com/news/how-to-convert-a-75m-truck-mount-to/8133569.article
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