Mini-Z in the Rental Segment: Field Feedback from Praha Stodůlky

Location: DEK Rental, Praha Stodůlky, Czech Republic
Model: Mini-Z (2024, SN: 0265)
Attachments: Bucket, Pallet Forks

The Mini-Z electric loader has been part of the DEK rental fleet in Prague since March 20, 2025. Over the past four months, it has been rented eight times, mostly for short-term weekend jobs and smaller construction projects.

Fleet Manager’s Perspective

According to David Zunt, Rental Fleet Manager, the Mini-Z’s biggest strengths so far have been:

• Minimal maintenance – virtually zero servicing required to date.
• Ease of use – customers quickly learn to operate it.
• Low operating costs – no unexpected service expenses. 

While there has been steady growth in rentals in recent months, utilization has yet to reach the desired level. Challenges noted by the fleet manager include the need for an external charger, a higher rental rate compared to diesel alternatives, and the fact that most customers currently rent only the bucket attachment.

Positive feedback includes:

• Zero emissions and low noise, enabling work in urban areas without disturbing residents.
• Compact dimensions, allowing access to tight spaces and indoor sites.
• Stable handling – more stable than dumpers, especially on inclines.
• Ease of transport – fits in a van or on a 3.5 t trailer.
• Remote operation – increases comfort and safety. 

Key Takeaways

• Maintenance: Excellent performance – no service issues so far.
• Usability: Easy learning curve for new operators.
• Market Adoption: Positive trend, but utilization still below target.
• Customer Split: Half see high value and re-rent, half point to operational limitations.
• Improvement Opportunities: Onboard charging, longer runtime, control responsiveness, and speed memory retention.

The Mini-Z continues to demonstrate strong potential in the rental segment, particularly for jobs requiring compact, low-emission equipment. Addressing the runtime and charging concerns could further increase its appeal and utilization.

Elise 900 in Industrial Production: Proven Value in Plastic Pallet Manufacturing

Location: Měšice, Prague – Stabil Plastik
Model: Elise 900 (2022, SN: 000180, 2,289 moto hours)
Attachments: 2x Buckets, Pallet Forks, Sweeper

The Elise 900 electric loader has been in daily industrial operation at Stabil Plastik, a Czech manufacturer of plastic pallets, since 2022. The machine is used during the morning shift to load and push raw material for the production line — a role previously filled by a diesel UNC loader.

Why Electric – Customer’s Top 3 Purchase Reasons

• Lift capacity & height – able to load into high hoppers.
• Zero emissions – eliminating diesel fumes from the workplace.
• Runtime – more than sufficient for their shift requirements.

Operational Use

• Shift pattern: Morning shift only (07:00–15:30).
• Cycle: Filling a 3 m-high hopper with gravel-like plastic material from storage, pushing material in loading areas, and repeating 10+ cycles per shift with waiting periods in between.
• Attachments in use: Primarily the larger bucket; smaller bucket and pallet forks 
• Charging: Every 2–3 days overnight (8 h), powered by the company’s rooftop photovoltaic system.
• Transport distance: 100 m from heated parking with installed charger to storage area.

Satisfaction and Performance

Overall satisfaction is 90%, with the owner noting that the machine fully meets key requirements, provides a strong return on investment, and is worth recommending for similar industrial applications. The company plans to expand production in 2026 and will likely purchase a second Elise 900.

Positive highlights:

• Reliable — no downtime affecting production.
• Strong service support — quick resolution of minor issues.
• Clean, quiet operation — improved workplace environment and reduced impact on nearby residential areas.
• Easy learning curve — four trained operators, one dedicated daily user.
• Energy-efficient charging — aligned with other electric equipment on site.

Conclusion

The Elise 900 has proven itself as a reliable, clean, and efficient solution for material handling in industrial production. While certain refinements to controls, comfort, and update procedures could enhance the operator experience, the core performance has met — and in many areas exceeded — customer expectations. With a second unit planned, this is a clear example of electric loaders delivering tangible value in heavy-duty daily use.

Mini-Z in Specialist Construction: Powering Vine Cellar Projects in Bulhary

Location: Bulhary, Czech Republic
Model: Mini-Z (2021, SN: 000099, 119 moto hours, in service since October 2023)
Attachments: Bucket

The Mini-Z electric loader has become a key tool for a family business in Bulhary specializing in the construction and renovation of traditional vine cellars — a niche market with only a handful of providers in the region. The company works around five months per year, with projects booked up to two years in advance.

Why the Mini-Z Was Chosen

Before switching to electric, the team used a diesel dumper, which required constant ventilation in the confined underground spaces. An electric dumper was considered, but the Mini-Z offered greater versatility — the ability to both load and dump, more power, and potential for broader future use.

Top reasons for purchase:

• Zero emissions – safe for enclosed underground work.
• Labor replacement – reducing manual transport.
• Ease of maintenance – simple upkeep for seasonal use.

Operational Use and Productivity

The Mini-Z works primarily underground, transporting soil and sand during cellar excavation. Each workday:

• Cycle: Drive down a 35° slope (50 m), load material, reverse, and dump into an outside container.
• Output: ~4–5 m³/day, equivalent to filling 4 containers with 20 loads each.
• Battery usage: 6 hours of work leaves ~70% charge remaining; charged every third day.
• Transport: Moved between sites on a personal car trailer.
• The ride-on platform is not currently used; all operation is via remote control

Customer Satisfaction and Pain Points

Overall satisfaction is high, and the Mini-Z is recommended for similar applications.

• Clean, emission-free operation in enclosed spaces.
• Enough runtime for daily needs.
• Compact and powerful for its size.
• Comfortable remote operation and visibility.
• Simple maintenance routine.

Conclusion

The Mini-Z has proven highly valuable for specialized underground construction where zero emissions and compact power are essential.  

Elise 900 in Agriculture: Barn Cleaning for Livestock Maintenance in Všestudy

Location: Chomutov – Všestudy, Czech Republic
Model: Elise 900 on plate (decals Elise 1200) – 2021, SN: 000134
Attachments: Bucket, Pallet Fork

The Elise 900 electric skid steer is in daily agricultural use at Kejř, a livestock and construction company. Purchased primarily for cleaning cow barns, the machine was chosen for its emission-free operation, expected low noise, and long runtime — all key requirements for use around animals.

Why the Elise 900 Was Chosen

Top 3 purchase drivers:

• No emissions – safe for enclosed barns and reduces operator exposure.
• Low external noise – intended to keep cattle calm and stress-free.
• Long runtime – targeted 7 hours per day as per sales commitment.

Performance and Gaps

• While the Elise 900 delivers 100% on zero emissions, customer satisfaction is 50% on noise and 50% on runtime. 
• Elise 900 delivers 100% on zero emissions
• Runtime: Achieves 4–5 hours per duty cycle versus the 7 hours guaranteed, even with moderate cab heating (–20 min runtime). This is sufficient for cleaning one barn per day but limits flexibility.
• Runtime: achieves 4-5 hours per duty cycle, even with moderate cab heating (-20 min runtime). This is sufficient for cleaning one barn per day.
• Noise: Much quieter inside the cab than a diesel loader, but louder than expected outside — particularly at higher travel speeds, which impacts animal comfort.- Noise: Much quieter inside the cab than diesel loader.

Operational Use

The Elise 900 is dedicated to barn cleaning and is not used for construction jobs:

• Cycle time: ~3 hours/day cleaning one barn, with bucket as the primary attachment.
• Work pattern: Forward cleaning passes, reversing out; dumping manure into a tractor trailer.
• Transport: Operates within 50–150 m from the heated garage.
• Charging: 8 h daily; requires topping up 3–4 liters of distilled water every second charge.
• Pallet forks are rarely used, and remote control has been tested only once.

Positive Features

• Lift height and capacity outperform the company’s other loaders.
• Fast cycle times for lift arms.
• Good cab comfort for the 3-hour duty cycle.
• 360° lighting and visibility.
• Effective heating and ventilation.
• Easy entry and simple daily cleaning.
• Quiet, low-vibration environment for the operator.

Conclusion

The Elise 900 has proven effective for barn cleaning, delivering strong lift performance, comfort, and zero emissions.

Elise 1200 in City Services: Supporting a Biomass Heating and Composting Plant in Hostětín

Location: Hostětín, Czech Republic
Model: Elise 1200 
Attachments: Bucket (heating plant), Grapple Bucket (composting plant)

The Elise 1200 electric skid steer plays a central role in Hostětín’s environmentally focused city services, particularly in operating the village’s biomass heating plant during winter and composting plant during summer.

Hostětín is well known for its sustainability initiatives — 80% of the village is connected to the biomass heating plant, and in 2023 it was awarded Village of the Year. The town even hosted Prince Charles in 2008 as part of its environmental recognition.

Why the Elise 1200 Was Chosen

The machine replaced an older diesel UNC loader.

Top reasons for purchase:

• Zero emissions and low noise – improving health and reducing disturbance near the plant.
• Low running costs – cheaper to operate than diesel.
• Easy maintenance – less downtime and fewer service requirements.
• The decision followed a test of an articulated electric loader from MultiOne, but after discovering First Green Industries through a TV show, the city opted for a skid steer design — familiar from their previous diesel machine.

Operational Use

• Winter: Transporting biomass from outdoor storage to the heating plant, drying it indoors, and feeding it to the conveyor three times per week.
• Summer: Handling material at the composting plant.
• Year-round: Snow removal, street cleaning, construction tasks, pallet transport, and seasonal apple harvest assistance for Centrum Veronica.
• Charging: After each cycle; regular greasing and battery water checks.
• Two trained operators are dedicated to the machine’s operation and upkeep.

Customer Satisfaction

Overall satisfaction is high, with all key values met except for acquisition cost. The city recommends the Elise 1200 for similar municipal and plant operations.

Positive feedback:

• Clean, quiet operation supports community well-being.
• Lower operational and maintenance costs than diesel.
• Multi-purpose use across different seasons.
• Supports the municipality’s renewable energy and environmental goals.

Conclusion

For Hostětín, the Elise 1200 is more than a work machine — it’s a symbol of the village’s environmental commitment. By replacing a diesel loader with an electric alternative, the municipality has reduced emissions, lowered running costs, and aligned daily operations with its long-standing sustainability mission.