Sometimes you need the power of mechanization, but without some of the side effects like noise and carbon monoxide.
That’s where a new line of electric handling equipment that’s being marketed by Pembuilt Equipment of Tay Valley comes in.
Owner Scott Pemberton says the Garden Donkey line of electric equipment is perfect for indoor environments like greenhouses, stables and anywhere noise and emissions aren’t welcome.
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“We’re looking for niches,” Pemberton told Farmtario at the firm’s display at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show 2025, near Woodstock.
The equipment includes a new articulated wheel loader known as the Garden Donkey ERO8E and incoming telehandler version of the same. The entire line uses proven lead acid battery and recharge via on on-board charger that taps into a traditional 220V outlet.
“That gives us about five or six hours of run time,” Pemberton says. “In reality that’s about two or three days of use for most of these kind of operations.”
The traditional battery allows easy replacement with lead-acid cells that are widely available, Pemberton said, and the charging system is simple to set up and doesn’t require expensive or complex electrical installations..
“I had an electrician tell me that it’s about a $150 job to install a new 220V outlet,” Pemberton said.
The lead acid decision also sidesteps another thorny issue of most electric equipment — the environmental footprint of lithium-ion batteries.
“We’ve all heard a lot about those concerns,” Pemberton said. “These batteries are 100 per cent recyclable.”
Pemberton also pointed out the use of a full-size quick attachment system for the loader makes it a versatile choice.
“Your existing attachments would be plug-and-play,” he said.
Another benefit he’s heard of from his customers is that the low sound levels make the equipment less intimidating to new hires that aren’t experienced in equipment operation.
“As we all know, internal combustion equipment doesn’t really work unless it’s more-or-less at full throttle,” he said. “For someone who’s never operated equipment before, it can be a lot to have that happening, while you’re having instructions shouted at you. Quiet operation makes it easier to train operators.”
