Air Technical Industries announces a significant product improvement across their entire product line of battery powered material handling equipment including mobile and portable cranes, fork lift cranes, and mobile lift tables. Starting in 2025, all battery powered hydraulic or mechanically operated lifts will be offered with lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, replacing the old style of flooded lead-acid batteries.

The upgraded battery technology will be offered at no additional cost above current pricing and offers many tremendous benefits that will immediately be enjoyed by users as well as long-term benefits for the equipment and the environment.

Maintenance Free: LiFePO4 batteries are maintenance-free whereas lead-acid batteries require frequent inspection and/or monitoring for water level, requiring periodic topping off to maintain their performance. If this is neglected, it will reduce the charge capacity of the batteries in the short term, and reduce the overall life of the batteries, thus requiring more frequent replacement.

Long-lasting: Lead-acid batteries have an estimated useful life of approximately 1500 charge-discharge cycles meaning they only last 3-5 years before performance reduces enough to require replacement. LiFePO4 batteries can last 5000-10,000 cycles meaning they could last as long as 10 years between replacement reducing the total cost of ownership of equipment.

Sustainable: LiFePO4 batteries are better for the environment is many ways. They are nearly 20% more electrically efficient requiring less energy for the same amount of charge. They do not carry the risk of spilling toxic chemicals that is present with lead-acid batteries. Since they last longer, there is less waste disposal as compared to more frequent replacement of lead-acid batteries.

Customers that have existing equipment with old-style lead-acid batteries also have the opportunity to retro-fit their battery systems in a relatively painless process for most units. This exciting development is a major improvement to ATI’s innovative line of heavy-duty lifting and handling equipment. With broad-reaching implications and no added cost, this upgrade adds significant value to the products.