Equipment Spotlight
By Seth Skydel Hybrid Electric
Perfect Fit
Hybrid power for engine-off operation and knuckleboom cranes provides a complete solution
When I-State Truck Centers rolled out an all new knuckleboom equipped truck fitted with a hybrid electric-powered crane, it called the model an“ innovation that pays dividends for your business and the environment.” Behind that statement is a purpose-built vehicle that brings together several proven products and technologies.
Built on a Western Star 47X chassis with a Detroit DD13 engine and an Allison transmission, the unit incorporates a Fassi F275A. 2.25 Articulated Knuckle Boom Crane with 47-foot, 9-inch horizontal reach and a lifting capacity of 2,888 pounds. Its unique engine-off crane operation capability comes from an Odyne Systems parallel hybrid drive solution approved by Allison Transmission.
“ Battery-powered hydraulic cranes offer reduced emissions and fuel savings, lowering an operation’ s carbon footprint and costs for fuel and maintenance,” said Tim Wolf, general sales manager at I-State Truck Centers.“ Odyne electrification technology also contributes to safer and more productive jobsites by enabling communication for crews and compliance with noise ordinances.”
Odyne has successfully given our customers a complete emissions free crane solution, noted Jason Harlow, engineering & Fassi product manager at Fascan International.“ A Fassi knuckleboom coupled with a hybrid electric powered hydraulic system is beneficial,” he said.“ We have found the quietness of a hybrid battery system allows for safer crane operation around the jobsite because the operator, signalperson and other crew members can communicate easier without diesel engine noise.”
Harlow also pointed out that the Fassi knuckleboom crane on the model offered by I-State was hydraulically tailored to match the Odyne hybrid system to achieve the longest battery run time.“ Operators also do not have to sacrifice speed of the crane,” he added,“ which has been maintained compared to a normal transmission PTO( power take-off) system.”
Long Term Success
Leonard Lincoln, director of sales at Odyne Systems, related that the company has been developing electrification systems
On display at EUFMC 2025, the I-State model is built on a Western Star 47X chassis with a Detroit DD13 engine and an Allison transmission, and incorporates a Fassi F275A. 2.25 Articulated Knuckle Boom Crane with 47-foot, 9-inch horizontal reach and a lifting capacity of 2,888 pounds that was hydraulically tailored to match the Odyne hybrid system.
for commercial trucks since 2009 and has supplied their technology for more than 85 fleets in a variety of vocations.“ Odyne makes the industry’ s only ePTO system approved for Allison 1000 Series, 2000 Series, 3000 Series and 4000 Series transmissions,” he added.“ Our long-term relationship with Allison provides a distinctive advantage, including access to service across their dealer network.”
The value proposition for zero emissions power for hydraulic, air and electric systems is straightforward, according to Lincoln.“ Clean, quiet, emissions-free power significantly improves the efficiency and sustainability of commercial trucks,” he said.“ Fleets can also realize a productivity improvement by extending work hours when noise ordinances would otherwise limit off-hour jobsite activity.”
“ Other savings can come from reduced engine emissions system maintenance by
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September 2025 • www. cranehotline. com