New Electric Combilift Forklift

As leading forklift manufacturer Combilift continues to celebrate its 25th anniversary, it has launched the second of five new products planned for this year. The Combi-CB70E was unveiled in mid-May at Ligna, the international timber and woodworking show in Hannover.

This is a further addition to Combilift’s ever growing range of electric models which offer powerful performance, extensive battery life and unrivalled ergonomics. The Combi-CB70E, in the vibrant Combi-green livery first seen on the recently launched Combi-CUBE product, boasts the distinction of being the shortest 7t capacity counterbalance truck on the market whilst also benefitting from multidirectional ability, enabling the versatile space saving handling of both long and bulky loads.

Design features incorporated into the high-capacity Combi-CB70E include large super-elastic tyres and compact wheelbase. With a 7,000kg/15,500lb lift capacity, this model benefits from an impressively small footprint as well as exceptional manouevrability meaning that it can easily move bulky loads around in confined spaces.

Occupational health and safety requirements mean that the welfare of the workforce has become ever more important over the years. Drivers of industrial vehicles, who are often required to spend extensive periods in their work stations, quite rightly expect the highest levels of comfort and safety. Combilift’s designers have therefore gone to great lengths to ensure that the latest generation of models are kitted out with top quality components that ensure sophisticated ergonomics for a stress-free in-cab environment. Features in the spacious cab include generous glazing for excellent all-round visibility, the tilting steering column, hydraulic steering and the Grammer MSG65 seat.

What sets the Combi-CB70E apart from other forklifts is its gas strut suspension cab, which uses components such as those found in large scale industrial machinery with cab suspension. Combined with the super-elastic tyres this guarantees the smoothest of rides over uneven or less than perfect ground conditions.

Combilift’s newly developed Auto Swivel Seat was also premiered at the show. This optional feature automatically engages and swivels the seat and armrest 15° to the right or left to accord with the direction of travel selected by the operator – reducing driver strain, particularly when travelling in reverse. (Patent Pending Application No. 2305983.5)

The truck also features Combilift’s internationally patented and Red Dot awarded independent electric traction which provides all front and rear drive wheels with 100% traction control. This negates the need for differential lock on slippery surfaces and significantly reduces long load momentum twisting when travelling sideways. Each electric drive incorporates parking and regenerative dynamic braking for power efficiency. Roll-out access for major electrical components also simplifies maintenance tasks.

This mix of next-gen performance, extensive battery life and exceptional ergonomics combined with all the advantages of the Combi-CB range, makes this the most powerful compact electric multidirectional forklift to date.

Combilift CEO and Co-Founder Martin McVicar said: “The increased capacities that we are offering in our electric range will answer the demand for ever more powerful products which at the same time help companies to achieve their aims for more sustainable operations. We are confident that the Combi-CB70E will be a popular addition to our portfolio for diverse industry applications.”

Combi-CUBE Launched in Stuttgart

As Combilift celebrates 25 years of innovation, the company plans to ensure that 2023 will be a year to remember, by launching multiple products across various exhibitions on a global scale. To kick off, the newest product – the COMBi-CUBE was launched at the LogiMAT International Intralogistics show in Stuttgart.

This new electric model incorporates a host of technological and design features that not only enhance handling procedures but also offer a high level of driver comfort. Immediately noticeable is the new vibrant colour – a hi-vis green shade will contribute to improved safety as the trucks will be easily visible in their operational environment. This colour may be extended to all Combilift products.

Aside from optics however, a focus is on a number of ergonomic features. The driver’s position is in the centre of the cab, hence the ‘cube’ name. It offers generous room and excellent all-round visibility. The angle of the telescopic steering column can be adjusted and the Grammer MSG65 seat, combined with hydraulic cabin mounts guarantees a comfortable ride. An adjustable arm rest is mounted to the seat suspension which incorporates a multi-function joystick and an LCD colour touch screen.

Combilift’s unique dynamic 360 steering that enables seamless directional change while on the move can be integrated into the Combi-CUBE as an optional extra, making it one of the most manoeuvrable counterbalance forklifts on the market.

Further notable features are the large rear wheel and rubber tyres on all three wheels. This means that, unlike certain other brands of electric multidirectional trucks, this model is not restricted to super flat floors and is eminently suitable for working indoors and out, ensuring that semi-rough terrain is no impediment to reliable operation. And for quicker battery changeover during heavy shifts, two new easy-change roll-out batteries are provided (Overall Design Copyright 015019216-0001)

Combilift CEO and Co-Founder Martin McVicar said: “Our engineers and R&D department have been tirelessly preparing for a year of new launches, and the Combi-CUBE is proof of our continued commitment to provide the best and most innovative handling solutions for our worldwide customers.

“The forklift operates like a hovercraft. It does all the work of a regular forklift but then takes long loads too because it moves sideways, handling pallets or long loads laterally.”

More in Cold Store with Combi-WR

Warehouse space does not come cheap, but for frozen and chilled products companies, the cold store costs per m² are even higher compared to ambient facilities. Maximising capacity should therefore be a priority in the existing footprint as well as in new builds, and this is exactly what Jordan International Transport set out to do with the design of its new purpose built storage facility in Moy, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland. From here the company transports frozen and chilled fish and seafood to all of Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe on a daily basis.

Growth was a major driver for the decision to build the warehouse and switch to a new system, which aimed to maximise space and achieve greater output. In the initial planning stages, Storage and Distribution Manager Barry McIlvanna spoke to materials handling specialist Combilift as well as a racking supplier to identify the most suitable equipment. A combination of automated racking and a Combi-WR pedestrian stacker has enabled substantially more pallets to be stored in a smaller area.

A further consideration was to improve the ratio of stored products and the amount of space needed to access them, as Barry explains: “The freezer system has to work just as hard to cool the relatively unproductive areas set aside for access. With standard racking and conventional forklifts such as the counterbalance and pallet trucks we were previously using, only about half of the space could be used for storage. With the new system, this has risen to 85% so our freezer circuit can operate much more efficiently and therefore more cost effectively.”

In common with all of Combilift’s pedestrian trucks, the Combi-WR features the unique, patented and award winning multi-position tiller arm which enables the operator to remain at the side of the unit rather than the rear. “The operator’s position with this pedestrian version allows a greater level of control over the products when moving them around and as you have full visibility of the loads, the forks and the surroundings it’s safer for operators and other staff nearby, particularly when working in our narrow aisles and tight spaces,” said Barry.

Pedestrian stacker and automated racking maximise space

As well as enabling an almost doubling of pallet density, the performance of the electric powered stacker, even in the demanding cold store environment, has been exemplary according to Barry. “It’s perfect for our set up. Working at -18 degrees over a few hours it never misses a beat. We were initially concerned whether a truck could work equally effectively in such cold temperatures compared to normal conditions, but the team at Combilift had all the right specifications and solutions.”

Barry sums up: “Quick accessibility to products, adhering to deadlines and guaranteeing a high level of service have kept us at the top of our game for over 25 years. We believe being the best means using the best equipment available – and that’s what we have with the Combi-WR. I am sure that any future growth will involve more of Combilift’s products.”

25 Years of Materials Handling Innovation

It’s going to be a busy few months on the exhibition circuit for Irish materials handling specialist Combilift. It will be using the ProMAT event in March to kickstart celebrations to mark the company’s 25th anniversary. Amongst the many and varied exhibits that are always a feature of Combilift’s trade fair appearances, the 75,000th truck to roll off the production lines will also be on show. This model, with its special livery, will take centre stage at the booth and will be formally handed over to the customer during the show. An evening of entertainment and dinner for guests is also planned at a location close by the McCormick Place show venue.

As testimony to Combilift’s tireless R&D department, five new products will be launched throughout the year at various European trade fairs and in-house at the global HQ and manufacturing facility in Monaghan. The first of these will be unveiled at LogiMAT in April in Stuttgart. These will all feature the groundbreaking technology and innovation that has been a hallmark of Combilift products since the first C4000 multidirectional model first appeared on the market in 1998. More information on these new developments will be released in due course.

Further exhibits will of course represent the dozens of solutions that Combilift now offers for the safe, space saving and productive handling of long products, pallets and oversized loads. These will include multidirectional forklifts, sideloaders, pedestrian stackers and Aisle Master narrow aisle articulated trucks, all of which will be able to be seen live in action.

“We are looking forward to marking this company milestone at events and in person with our customers, dealers, sales personnel, representatives from the international trade press and of course our workforce,” said Combilift CEO and co-founder Martin McVicar. “Their loyalty and support has been pivotal in enabling us to achieve the amazing level of growth and success that we have experienced during the last 25 years. We’re not going to rest on our laurels though – you can expect more innovation from us in the next few decades to come!”

ProMAT: Booth # N6936. LogiMAT: Hall 9. 9B45

Combilift scoops 10th ‘Archie’ Award

Combilift, the Irish manufacturer of a wide range of handling solutions, has won its 10th prestigious industry Archie award from the Forklift Truck Association (FLTA) for one of its latest products. The 2020 FLTA Awards for Excellence took place virtually on Saturday 10th April, having been postponed from last year due to Covid,

The recently-introduced Combi-CBE model – the world’s first counterbalance design, multidirectional forklift with electric drive on all of its three wheels – was one of the 12 finalists in the hotly contested Innovation Category. According to the host of this year’s Awards, “this is the category that everyone wants to win, as you get to feel incredibly clever.” So Combilift was immensely proud that the jury singled it out as the outright winner.

The Combi-CBE features internationally patented electric traction which enables independent control of each of the front and rear drive wheels and guarantees 100% traction control, which negates the need for differential lock when it is operating on wet or slippery surfaces. As the truck drives and steers, the speed and rotational direction of the wheels are controlled independently.

Operators benefit from precise acceleration and deceleration control, which significantly reduces long load momentum twisting when travelling sideways. Each electric drive incorporates parking and regenerative dynamic braking for power efficiency and AC drive means that there are no mechanical brushes to maintain or replace.

Combining the benefits of very compact dimensions and the ability to handle long loads as well as pallets, the multidirectional Combi-CBE is a universal truck for multiple applications and offers  cost effective and efficient operation. It also answers growing market demand for powerful and quieter electric forklifts which comply with ever more stringent emissions guidelines.

The FLTA commented as follows: “a clever and innovative design, Combilift’s entry impressed the panel with its unique, independent front and rear wheel drive, letting it handle long loads in the tightest spaces while minimising tyre wear.”

Combilift CEO and Co-Founder Martin McVicar said: “Innovation is a cornerstone of Combilift’s product development and, given the large number of excellent finalists this year, we would like to thank the FLTA jury of industry experts for recognising our achievements.”

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Space for Success

How are equipment manufacturers coping with the unexpected change in circumstances that 2020 has brought? Combilift has a positive story to tell, as Paul Hamblin finds out.

Combilift has a well-merited reputation in product innovation, so it was no surprise when the Monaghan-based lifting equipment manufacturer was first out of the blocks in May with what is fast becoming a staple of the post-Covid world, the online press conference. Managing Director Martin McVicar was in his usual ebullient mood as he outlined his firm’s response to the twin threats of Covid and (once again) Brexit.

“Changes to the production facility due to the health emergency were obviously paramount,” he says. Social-distanced product floor To ensure continued production, Combilift has introduced a two-shift system to replace its traditional one-shift operation. This means that there are only around 350 employees per shift on site in the 46,500m² manufacturing facility. It has also segregated the plant into eight segments. Employees are scanned by thermal cameras when they arrive on site and if their temperature is above normal this is signalled to the HR department as well as the employee.

Clocking-in is now done via a touchless key fob and doors are kept open whenever possible. Those that cannot remain permanently open have been fitted with copper coatings – this significantly reduces the time that a virus can be harboured on the surface when compared to steel. There are multiple hand sanitisers strategically placed across the whole facility, floor markings indicate the 2m distance to be maintained by employees and it is mandatory to wear face masks. The 2m message is driven home further still on the staff hi-vis vests.

The company has closed its main hot canteen and has opened smaller canteens in the eight new factory segments. “I give regular updates by video instead of the personal staff assemblies that we previously did every six weeks and this ongoing communication ensures that employees are continually informed and therefore understand that the measures we are taking are in everyone’s best interests,” says McVicar.

Production has not ceased on any Combilift model, thanks partly to the above measures and also because the company has been able to avoid supply chain and component issues. “We don’t have many Chinese suppliers in any case,” reflects McVicar, “and while we did experience some difficulties from our Italian suppliers from mid-February onwards, we were still well above 50%. Crucially, Combilift does not operate a just-in-time operations, so that was a significant plus.” The company has not seen any disruption in Germany and Northern Europe, he adds.

Getting product to customers through the worst of the lockdown has been a challenge, but achievable, he notes. The company’s famous Straddle Carrier, outdoor star of many a trade show, has a complicated assembly process which has often required an accompanying Combilift expert to supervise. “Good expertise has been built up in local territories,” McVicar points out.

Read the whole article, from our September issue, here: https://flickread.com/edition/html/index.php?pdf=5f3d1fcf3160d#30

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