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Tag: forklift technology

Doosan launches new reach truck series

Posted on by David Priestman

Doosan has launched a  highly versatile range of productivity enhancing electric reach trucks. Designed by a team of specialist engineers utilising customer feedback, the BR14JW 9-Series combines faster operating speeds with advanced ergonomics and greater driver comfort, making lighter work of heavy warehousing tasks.

As the latest additions to Doosan’s extensive range of warehouse trucks, the new 9-Series electric reach trucks are available in six moving-mast models with capacities between 1,400 and 2,500kg, and in three chassis types: Heavy, Narrow or Standard. All models are equipped with Doosan’s renowned Guardian Stability System and Smart Sensor control, reducing mast oscillation by 40%, for greater stability and safer load handling when operating at heights of up to 13m.

Every warehouse application

Businesses across a broad spectrum of industry – from manufacturing, wholesale distribution and food & drink to engineering, building supplies and transport & warehousing – will benefit from the improved efficiency, speed and performance of Doosan’s latest, 9-Series electric reach trucks. With warehouse space at a premium, maximising available storage space using a narrow-aisle, high-bay configuration combined with Doosan’s latest top performing reach trucks, can transform the capacity and productivity of a warehouse.

Making the most of the narrowest aisle widths, Doosan’s new ultra-compact BR14J-9 and BR16J-9 models are 12% narrower than the previous models, which together with a shorter chassis, offers a much tighter turning radius – allowing the operator to manoeuvre with confidence in aisles under 3m wide.

Providing heavyweight-lifting muscle, the BR20JW-9 and BR25JW-9 heavy models have the capacity to carry loads up to 2t and 2.5t respectively, and the standard BR14JW-9 and BR16JW-9 reach trucks offer all-round value and performance for standard applications.

Maximum productivity

Operational performance has received a boost in Doosan’s 9-Series, with design and engineering improvements delivering 15% faster travel speeds, 20% faster lifting speeds and 10% faster lowering speeds, helping to get the job done more quickly and efficiently.

Maximum manoeuvrability is available to the driver with a choice between 180°or 360° steering. The 360° steering system is easier on arms, wrists and shoulders when changing direction quickly or manoeuvering in tight spaces.

Stronger ergonomics

The sleek looks of the new 9-Series reach trucks are combined with sound ergonomics, taking safety, driver comfort, ease of maintenance and productivity fully into account.

The cab is designed for operator comfort and to reduce fatigue, with a fully adjustable premium Grammer suspension seat as standard, and excellent all-round visibility for safer manoeuvring with greater awareness. An upgraded mast design improves forward visibility and a new diagonal overhead guard offers enhanced visibility of the fork tips when working at height.

Other standard features are: an adjustable steering column, an easy and intuitive instrument panel, a wider armrest and plenty of leg room for driver comfort.

Optional extras include: Pre-height selection, side-shift auto-centring function, auto-tilt levelling, mast laser indicator, fork camera and joystick control.

A growing warehouse range

As part of a major upgrade programme of Doosan’s expansive warehouse truck range, the new 9-Series reach truck complements a growing list of enhanced products, including high-performance pedestrian stackers, powered pallet trucks, and platform double stackers, as well as a huge variety of three and four wheeled electric and IC counterbalance trucks in capacities from 1.3t to 25t. All reflecting the company’s commitment to delivering simple, powerful and robust equipment suited to customer needs.

Standard features across the warehouse range include low-noise and maintenance-free AC motors, electric power steering, regenerative braking, sensitive proportional hydraulics, multi-functional display for monitoring energy and machine status, turtle speed button, hydraulic damper for shock-free load lowering – all combined with a robust, compact chassis that offers high manoeuvrability in tight spaces and designed-in stability for lifting confidence and safety.

The warehouse range is fully supported by Doosan’s worldwide service network and backed-up by genuine Doosan parts, underscoring Doosan’s commitment to maximum performance with minimum downtime.

All new warehouse models reflect Doosan’s renowned design characteristics of compact functional form, high manoeuvrability, durability and rugged, reliable performance.

Ryan Lenihan, Commercial Director at Doosan Industrial Vehicle UK, says: “Productivity within the warehouse is a highly important focus for businesses in manufacturing and retail. Labour availability is under pressure across the UK and customer expectations for service and delivery is unrelenting, so companies need higher performance materials handling equipment to support their plans for productivity gains.

“The scale and scope of Doosan as a large global engineering business enables us to make significant, on-going investment into our warehouse product range – bringing design enhancements, new battery and charging technology upgrades, advanced safety features, and a whole range of performance boosting innovations.

“Our warehouse truck range and new models complement our extensive range of IC engine and electric counterbalance trucks. This is all part of a comprehensive remodelling programme that further supports Doosan’s position as a powerful brand supplying robust and reliable solutions across a broad spectrum of industrial activity – in the yard, the factory and the warehouse.”

Doosan’s all new 9-Series electric reach truck range offers everything a business needs in a reach truck to run a safe, high-performance warehouse.

Hyster Li-ion forklifts overcome tough industry challenges

Posted on by David Priestman

The Hyster J2.5-3.0XNL counterbalance lift truck powered by integrated lithium-ion technology is available now to support industry applications that demand high efficiency, charging flexibility, and zero battery maintenance.

Engineered around a fully integrated and space-saving lithium-ion battery, the J2.5-3.0XNL series is at the forefront of innovation, with a design that helps free space in the operator compartment, maximising comfort, and convenience to enable high productivity. A choice of four truck models is available, for lifts up to three tonnes.

“Electric lift trucks, particularly lithium-ion forklifts, are sometimes presumed less well suited to demanding industries or outdoor applications compared to IC trucks,” says Phil Ireland, Programme Leader 20/20 Platform for Hyster Europe. “While diesel and LPG trucks are often a great fit in intensive operations, the zero-emissions Hyster J2.5-3.0XNL series can be an equally powerful addition to the fleet in many industry applications.”

Clean for Food and Beverage

In food and beverage processing, manufacture, and storage applications, lift trucks are commonly found transporting and stacking pallets within an indoor warehouse. Cleanliness is non-negotiable for preventing contamination as suppliers must meet certain standards to ensure that food safety and quality are guaranteed. Thanks to the lithium-ion battery, lift trucks from the Hyster J2.5-3.0XNL series have no fumes or acid, which could result in a spill.

The lithium-ion battery is fully integrated and does not need to be removed from the truck for charging. No lead acid batteries need to be stored on site and as the batteries are ‘maintenance free’, they also require no watering, cleaning, or equalising. Both factors again reduce potential contact with contaminants on a clean site.

Health, pharmaceutical, and paper manufacturing operations which demand high hygiene standards will also enjoy these benefits.

Food and beverage applications also need lift trucks they can depend on for toughness. As well as needing to cope with seasonal demands, materials handling equipment is often exposed to extreme temperatures when handling cold or frozen goods. Lithium-ion batteries perform well in both warm and cool environments, giving operations the flexibility to use the lift truck wherever it is needed across the entire operation.

Maximising uptime in Logistics

Logistics operations are usually high intensity, multi-shift operations that demand round the clock truck availability and maximum uptime. With fast charging times of just 1-2 hours, the Hyster J2.5-3.0XNL series lift trucks provide an effective solution for increasing operational uptime. High hour operations will often find that, despite the greater upfront investment, lithium-ion forklifts prove an economical choice over time compared to other power options.

“Opportunity charging of the lithium-ion batteries enables the J2.5-3.0XNL trucks to top up on power during break times, with no adverse effect on battery life,” says Phil. “This alternative charging strategy also saves valuable space. Where real estate is increasingly expensive, there is no need to allocate space for battery storage, or as a charging room, so more of the building footprint can be used for profitable activities.”

Plus, the design of the Hyster J2.5-3.0XNL helps free space in the operator compartment, maximising comfort, and convenience to enable the high productivity that is so essential to logistics applications.

Automotive

Bringing lithium-ion power to cars is a focus for many automotive manufacturers, and many could also benefit from using integrated lithium-ion lift trucks in their materials handling operations.

Automotive manufacturers are early adopters of technology, and keen to embrace greener power solutions. The Hyster J2.5-3.0XNL series enables automotive applications to achieve zero forklift emissions, while also benefitting from fast and flexible charging compared to lead-acid batteries. As it is possible to charge the integrated lithium-ion batteries easily during breaks, uptime is maximised across multiple shifts, meeting time-pressures and delivering high productivity.

Space saving and increased shop floor utilisation are also a key focus for automotive manufacturing and parts distribution applications. The compact design of the Hyster J2.5-3.0XNL forklifts helps deliver high performance even in these constrained areas, supporting precise retrieval and delivery of parts at the right time and in sequence.

Toughness for heavy materials handling

Operations such as DIY retailers are challenged to handle heavy palletised construction materials, where damage avoidance is key. The Hyster J2.5-J3.0XNL series provides a reliable solution, ideally suited for stacking inside a clean warehouse, loading lorries, or transporting pallets outdoors. Prefabricated metals and machine parts manufacturing can expect similar benefits.

The compact Hyster J2.5-J3.0XNL series can also prove helpful for operations loading and unloading containers with raw materials, such as in port and terminal applications. Due to the space-saving design, a lowered seat and floor plate provides easy ingress and egress from the truck, helping operators keep up with fast moving operations.

“The switch to lithium-ion powered electric trucks is a big business decision and may require changes to infrastructure and a new charging strategy,” says Phil. “However, forward-thinking companies with high intensity operations will not only be able to take advantage of productivity and cost benefits but use zero-emissions lift trucks that align with their sustainability objectives too.”

Combilift celebrates 20 years with James Latham

Posted on by David Priestman

With a history stretching over 260 years, James Latham is one of the UK’s largest independent distributors of timber, panels, and decorative surfaces and operates 12 branches throughout the UK and Ireland. When it comes to materials handling and warehousing – a crucial aspect of any business to get right – it is now 20 years since Lathams ordered its first three C4000 multidirectional forklifts from the Irish specialist manufacturer Combilift for its Hemel Hempstead site, starting a partnership that continues to this day.

Around 70 C4000 models are now in operation across all Latham branches, and according to Combilift’s Tommy Cadden, over 165 trucks have been supplied in all, which have a typical lifespan of seven years. “When we first started working with James Latham they were considering two electric -way reach trucks for indoor operation and two counterbalance trucks for outside use only at Hemel,” he said.

Company Director Piers F. Latham: “We had nearly decided to go with this option, but were ideally looking for a new concept that would maximise the footprint in our depots. The combination of Combilifts and racking enabled us to go to an impressive  height of 8m in narrow aisles, and the indoor/outdoor ability meant we needed fewer trucks whilst achieving optimum versatility.”

Continuous growth has led to an expansion of many of the company’s depots and therefore the ongoing need for space-saving materials handling. The Yate branch is one of a number of new facilities designed with 9m high racking to make the most of every inch of space. With a footprint of 53,000 sq ft it has a current storage capacity of 7,000 cu m.

The ten Combilifts work constantly, offloading deliveries, putting products into racking and reloading for despatch. With their 4t base capacity and lifting capability of 2t to 9.4m, they handle loads which can be up to 4.5m long. They work in guided aisles of 2520mm and in some free roaming aisles set aside for the storage of 3m x 2m jumbo boards. For these larger loads, four trucks have been fitted with telescopic forks which measure 2050mm when extended. These can lift 1900 kg at 1035 load centre to 7.8m.

Yate is the first branch to introduce electric Combilifts into its fleet following the initial LPG trucks, and all replacement models will be electric wherever possible. Depot Director Andrew Jones said: “There are numerous advantages to electric power, one of which is the quiet operation. This is appreciated by our neighbours, as we operate a 24/5 shift pattern to maximise delivery capacity.

Customer feedback has always played an important role in Combilift’s product development, and this was the case when the first trucks were planned for Hemel. Piers Latham: “Combilift worked with us to find customised solutions for our exact requirements, and this, together with the level of after sales service, has been key to the long and ongoing partnership.”

Combilift delivers largest-ever C-Series forklift

Posted on by David Priestman

Combilift has delivered the largest multidirectional forklift to come off its production lines so far to modular data centre manufacturer BladeRoom.

The giant 30t capacity C30,000 truck is now in operation at BladeRoom’s factory in Gloucestershire, where it is ensuring the efficient handling of components for its server rooms, as well as the finished products, which are comparable in size to shipping containers and can weigh up to 19 tonnes @ 1200mm load centres.

This is a “second first” for BladeRoom, as it ordered a 25t C25,000 model in 2010, which was at the time the largest C-Series that Combilift had built. This is still in operation at the Mitcheldean factory, along with a number of other Combilifts of varying load capacities, which handle raw materials such as RSJs and roof structures.

BladeRoom’s data centres incorporate computer fluid dynamics to extract the maximum amount of heat with the minimum use of mechanical cooling for a highly efficient cooling system. These pre-engineered, factory built, energy efficient data centres are fully fitted out for immediate use and supplied within a much shorter time frame than that for traditional structures. This minimises customers’ capital outlay and offers the lowest possible operational costs.

“The initial challenge for BladeRoom was how to easily, quickly and safely manoeuvre these extremely large loads in and around the site,” said Rob Perry of HFT Forklifts Ltd (Hereford), BladeRoom’s MHE consultants and Combilift’s dealership in the area.

“Fixed cranes would have been too inflexible, and the sheer physical size of a counterbalance forklift capable of moving these structures would have taken up far too much space in the manufacturing area. Following the successful operation of the C25,000 over the years and the growing size and weight of the data centres, BladeRoom decided to scale up its newest Combilift.”

The C30,000 measures around 5m x 5m, has a wheel base of 3725mm and is fitted with a John Deere Diesel 127 kW (170hp) engine, and also incorporates customised features which enable the safe and stable lifting and transportation of BladeRoom’s very oversized loads. These include four cameras (one of which is a reversing camera), with two camera monitors in the cab, red danger zone lights and a tilt indicator in the cab display.

“It’s a very impressive piece of machinery,” said Perry, “and in spite of its size, its four-way ability enables it to move easily around the manufacturing facility. We are very proud of the fact that HFT was instrumental in supplying the largest Combilift C-Series model, not just in the UK, but worldwide.”

Linde offers 3D view into the warehouse

Posted on by David Priestman

The Linde Warehouse Navigator helps small- and medium-sized companies to digitally organise their entire warehouse processes.

Consisting of a warehouse management system as well as an order picking and forklift guidance system, the modular solution enables long-term time and cost savings to be achieved and features various special options: A three-dimensional view visualises the warehouse including goods in real time and shows drivers the fastest route to their destination. While doing so, the software automatically documents the movements of the load carriers across different storage locations.

Many small- and medium-sized companies in Germany and other European countries still handle their warehouse processes manually using tables, lists and paper printouts. “In the long run, however, this is neither efficient nor up-to-date and is detrimental to profit and competitiveness,” says Christoph Hock, Product Manager Software Solutions. “Even with fleets of three or four forklifts, it quickly becomes confusing when incoming and outgoing goods processes as well as storage and retrieval operations are organised using paperwork.”

The Linde Warehouse Navigator provides a solution in the form of digital warehouse management. Its range of functions can be adapted to different warehouse scenarios and expanded step by step. The developers placed great importance on providing clear, configurable user interfaces, and ensured that mobile devices can be integrated in the system. Training and go-live support are part of every package solution. The required software licenses can be either purchased or rented via a monthly fee. This also includes the charges for cloud hosting.

Reliable goods tracking

Once installed, the Linde Warehouse Navigator can be used for the paperless control, monitoring and documentation of all orders and inventories as well as goods movements in the warehouse. The basis is the warehouse management system (WMS) which is suited for all warehouse types as well as standard storage and retrieval strategies. “In addition, even the entry-level version offers customers an overview of specific key figures on the basis of which they can further improve their processes,” says Hock.

For Product Manager Hock, the highlight of the software is that it enables 3D visualisation of all storage locations that shows the current occupancy for the entire plant site. Selected items are color-coded so that their position in the warehouse is easy to identify. “This function is particularly helpful for block warehouses,” says Hock. In addition to this is the continuous tracking of load carriers via the optional Real-Time Locating System (RTLS).

In conjunction with the RTLS, the forklift guiding system (FGS) coordinates the routes of the industrial trucks in real time and displays all forklifts and AGVs operating in the warehouse. Transport orders are either generated manually by the employees, for example via the “drag-and-drop” feature in the warehouse visualisation system or via a forklift call system (call button).

Alternatively, orders can also be assigned automatically, for example from the ERP system via an interface or when predefined thresholds are not met. The optimal route to the destination is shown to the drivers via arrows in the 3D view. The source and destination of the transport order are also highlighted in colour.

The third component of the Linde Warehouse Navigator is the order picking system. The system bundles smaller orders with various individual items for parallel picking (multi-order picking). Larger orders can be divided into several partial orders and consolidated afterwards.

Last but not least, the software solution helps harmonise the operational IT landscape and reduces the number of contacts involved. Very narrow aisle trucks and AGVs can be integrated via standard interfaces. “This ensures short commissioning times and reduces costs,” explains Christoph Hock.

Yale adds Bahrain to dealer network

Posted on by David Priestman

Yale Europe Materials Handling is increasing its footprint in the Middle East with the appointment of a new dealer in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Banz Trading & Contracting WLL will be the exclusive sales and service dealer of Yale® products in the region.

Banz Trading & Contracting WLL was founded in 1948 and is one of the oldest and most respected trading, engineering and contracting companies in Bahrain. Boasting over 70 years of expertise, the company has built a strong customer base of prominent clientele across many industries.

“We are delighted to welcome Banz Trading & Contracting WLL to the Yale dealer network and increase our coverage in the Bahrain market,” said Peter Madoc-Jones, Territory Manager MEA at Yale. “The company’s mission statement ‘Value Addition with Care and Commitment’ aligns perfectly with our own ‘People. Products. Productivity’ philosophy.”

“Our customers are looking for both extremes – high performance and quality at an optimum price. We share the same commitment as Yale to deliver high quality products, the lowest lifetime cost of ownership and outstanding customer satisfaction to customers in Bahrain,” said Shafeeq Ahmed, General Manager of Banz Trading & Contracting WLL.

Strategically situated in Sitra Industrial Area with over 100 staff, the company’s one-stop facility houses an engineering workshop, pump assembly workshop, fabrication unit for shelving and doors assembly, covered painting booth, stores and a sales office.

Customers of Banz Trading & Contracting WLL have service teams on standby to provide round-the-clock support whenever they are needed to help keep their operations running smoothy.

“We were founded over 70 years ago to provide Tier-1 products to the Bahrain market, and provide the service that is expected from our clients when purchasing these products,” explained Mr Ahmed. “We believe this makes Yale a natural fit to our offering, and we look forward to helping the company increase its market share in Bahrain with new sales, rentals and full-service activities at the heart of our partnership.”

Ferrari simplifies logistics for Paddock Transport

Posted on by David Priestman

When Cameron Paddock of Paddock Transport and David Shea, the president of TopLift Ferrari (TLF),  first met at the 2019 Breakbulk Americas exhibition in Texas, they quickly found a common interest.

Both had travelled close to 2,400km to look for new business opportunities at the show. Shea went to Houston to show off the line of new heavy-duty lift trucks that he and his team had recently developed for the North American market, in partnership with Italy’s CVS Ferrari. Paddock was representing his family’s international trucking and logistics firm, looking to expand its presence in the southern states. Coincidentally, he was also thinking of a heavy-lift problem presented by one of his larger customers.

Paddock thought the big, white FH25 lift truck on display at Shea’s booth might be a good fit for his fleet. He and Shea agreed that they would follow up after the show – when both went home to Canada, to the town of Stoney Creek, Ontario. Paddock Transport’s main terminal, it turns out, was less than 5km from TopLift Ferrari’s head office and service shop.

Flexibility to balance storage capacity

Back in Canada, TLF had just received a Ferrari into inventory, and Shea delivered it to Paddock Transport on demonstration. With its 32-tonne lift capacity, the FH32 turned out to be the solution Paddock needed to help its customer.

Located on a main highway between Toronto, Ontario and Buffalo, NY, the Paddock terminal is in the heart of Canada’s steel country. The trucking firm specialises in “goods needing extra care and attention,” including oversize steel coils on delivery from local mills to manufacturers in the US. The Paddock terminal is a major logistics hub in the region, with 13,500 sq m of covered warehouse space surrounded by 6ha of outdoor storage.

As Cameron Paddock explains: “One of our challenges is balancing our storage. Our lift capacity sometimes forces us to store heavier materials indoors, even though the customer doesn’t need indoor conditions.” The warehouse is equipped with overhead cranes handling up to 36 tonnes – strong enough to unload and store steel coils as heavy as 34 tonnes. One of the nearby steelmakers had been stockpiling inventory and looked to Paddock to take on extra stock. However, Paddock’s largest lift truck was limited to a 16-tonne capacity.

Although Paddock’s outdoor storage could easily accommodate the big coils, the facility had no way to offload and move the material without the indoor cranes.

“The FH32 is an important upgrade for us,” says Cameron Paddock. “It gives us the flexibility to use our outdoor and indoor capacity as needed. It’s able to lift 27-tonne coils right off the truck, move around in the yard and store it anywhere we want it.”

“Effortless” handling of oversize loads

The new Ferrari truck brings more than just muscle to the Paddock warehouse. Its agility and control are simplifying and expediting operations throughout the terminal.

“Before we had the TopLift Ferrari FH32, we could spend 15 minutes with two guys rigging the cranes for these lifts. Now, this fork truck can do the same job in about 30 seconds. As soon as the “32” arrived, we put a coil prong on it, and we were able to quickly bring in that large inventory of our customer’s oversize coils. The Ferrari made light work of it. Instead of using the indoor crane to move the coils, we just drove up, picked it up and moved wherever we needed to in order to maximise our facility. And it’s as easy as picking up a 1 tonne pallet off the back of a tridem trailer. Effortless!”

Heavy, over-dimension loads are at the core of Paddock’s business. The ability to transload efficiently is a key competitive advantage, handling goods and equipment for aerospace, automotive, construction, and military sectors as well as the steel industry.

Transloading for efficient logistics

“We are on the crossroads between the high load limits allowed in Ontario, Quebec, and Michigan, connecting to roads with reduced weight limits. We regularly bring in one trailer from Michigan or Quebec, and then we split it onto two trailers to cross into New York and points south. Going the other way, we can receive two trailer loads from the US and transfer them to a single B-train or a multi-axle for delivery in Ontario or Quebec.”

Paddock’s focus on large, specialised loads is reflected in the firm’s fleet of more than 350-plus company-owned trucks and trailers including floats, step-decks, double-drops, and custom units running on up to 13 axles. The firm’s logistics team pulls it altogether, matching equipment to the required loads and routes. Transloading to take advantage of high limits can mean significant savings for customers. Now, with the new Ferrari lift truck, the terminal operations that pull it together are simpler and more efficient than ever.

“What drew us to the Ferraris at the show is that they are simple where they need to be. They are not overly complex. They use larger cylinders in their steering, have great visibility and a well laid-out cab – not a lot of crazy gadgets for the operator to learn.”

David Shea says that simplicity and control were the primary goals when TLF was specifying these machines: “We paid special attention to having the machines run cool; even in Canada, machines running in summer can have issues with overheating. We added extra cooling, hydraulic filtration, and transmission cooling. Cool, clean hydraulic oil is the secret to the long life of the machine.

“Our Cummins engines and off-the-shelf components keep the machines simple to own and maintain, too. We built with Clark and ZF transmissions, Kestler drive axles, Bosch Rexroth hydraulics; all the best you can buy. Our philosophy is, get the best components and put them together in a way that they’re easy to service: you’ve got a good machine.

“And we were very conscientious with visibility. This is a large machine, but the cab is positioned in such a way that you can clearly see past the mast and you can see all four corners without relying on mirrors or cameras. That not only helps the operator manoeuvre loads, it’s a critical safety factor for a machine this big.”

Cameron Paddock agrees and notes that his operators appreciate the visibility in the FH32. “We have a 5.5-tonne machine that has a quarter of the visibility of this one. It’s a big deal. It’s not like bumping up to the rubrail of a truck with a 2-2-tonne forklift. The 32 weighs over 18 tonnes itself – you could knock over a whole row of trailers if you’re not careful! Visibility and responsive controls are a big part of its safety. It has the visibility and good steering. You put on the brake and the thing stops!”

In good hands

The FH32 has performed well enough that Paddock has since added another Ferrari unit, a TFC36-48, to its fleet. David Shea recalls: “We had it in inventory when Paddock sent us a different forklift for repair work. We loaned the TFC36-48 to them to fill in till the work was done. After a couple days, they called up to ask if it was for sale!”

“We’re in good hands with the TopLift team,” says Cameron Paddock. “They are very well known around southern Ontario, just down the street is definitely an asset. But we’re very confident in the Ferrari machines on their own merit. In our transport business, we have used virtually every brand of forklift out there. We get to see them in both new and used condition. We see where they’re tired and where their weak spots are.

“Just looking at them, you know the Ferraris are well designed and well built. The two Ferrari machines we have now are handling 50 trucks a day, plus. Were we to expand our operation or open another facility, we would definitely be looking at another Ferrari from TopLift.”

Fronius offers modular and flexible charging solutions

Posted on by David Priestman

Fronius Perfect Charging says it offers customised and modular complete solutions for electrically powered forklift trucks that expand flexibly as challenges rise.

In many industries, agility and flexibility are among the greatest challenges in day-to-day business. In order to be able to react in the best possible way to fluctuating demand when also under high time and cost pressure, internal storage and transport processes must be optimised accordingly. The available space must also be used to its full potential and, if necessary, expanded. This also applies to the charging technology and charging infrastructure for electrically powered forklift trucks.

Electric forklift trucks are a cost-effective, powerful and sustainable choice for a company’s internal flow of materials. However, to ensure availability and performance, they need a reliable power supply. This becomes particularly clear when organisational changes are made: Are new storage areas or vehicles being added? Are operating times or travel distances being extended? Is the changeover to a new battery technology imminent? In these cases, the charging infrastructure often also has to be adapted in order to continue to guarantee the fleet operates reliably.

Next-level, innovative charging solutions

When it comes to designing the charging infrastructure, Fronius Perfect Charging focuses on quality and individuality. The specialist has a large portfolio of charging modules and racks for setting up single charging rooms, charging stations and charging rooms. These can be combined with each other and expanded, and are compatible with all lead-acid and lithium-ion battery chargers from Fronius.

Thanks to their ingenious, high-quality design, the charging solutions can be reused many times over and are easy to assemble and disassemble. This gives users a high degree of flexibility when designing their intralogistics and allows them to make any necessary changes at any time. For short-term capacity bottlenecks or space problems, Fronius has also developed a sophisticated and practical solution for outdoor use: the mobile Energy Hub.

Fronius Perfect Charging also provides expert advice on the planning, installation and operation of customised system solutions. The expert delivers an individual complete package to its customers that meets all the requirements of modern intralogistics. Operating companies benefit from a reliable and efficient energy supply for their forklift truck fleet, with which they are also ideally equipped for future changes.

 

 

Yale reveals new cab design for high-capacity trucks

Posted on by David Priestman

Yale Europe Materials Handling has developed a new cab that promotes productivity by offering comfort and ease for the operator. With the ergonomically designed control arm, everything the driver needs is at their fingertips. The cab also boasts an expansive floorspace, adjustable steering column and high-quality seat.

When working intensive shift cycles with heavy loads, it is important to have the right tools at your disposal exactly when you need them. For this reason, Yale Europe Materials Handling has developed an all-new cab for its high-capacity trucks.

“Yale high-capacity trucks are perfect for industries that handle heavy loads, such as wood and timber, stevedoring and heavy cargo, metal stockholding, pre-stressed concrete, brick and block or manufacturing,” explained Chris van der Werdt, Product Strategy Manager EMEA Big Trucks at Yale. “With the new cab, we’ve created an environment for the operator that fosters productivity in demanding applications.”

The new cab is available on the Yale GDP80-120DF, GDP100DFS, GDP130-160EF and GDP160EF12 trucks.

In control

A focus on ergonomics within the cab offers a comfortable working environment for the operator, with all controls within easy reach.

The ignition, start-stop button and parking brake are located in close proximity to each other, minimising the time and effort it takes to begin working. Drivers can preselect the lights that can be switched off and on at the touch of a button.

As well as a touchscreen within the cab, drivers can also choose to navigate through the truck’s menu using a rotary button.

“When operators are comfortable, they are more productive and the company is more profitable as a result. This is why everything the operator needs is at their fingertips, from optimised mini levers, windscreen wipers, to the start-stop button. In addition, the control arm is ergonomically designed to offer a comfortable rest for the operator during travel,” added van der Werdt.

Productive working space

The cockpit-style of the new cab offers an environment designed to maximise comfort and productivity from the moment the driver approaches the truck. Slip resistant steps and an easy to close door allows the operator to enter and exit the truck with ease.

Within the cab is an expansive floor space and a high-quality suspension seat to support the operator throughout a busy shift. The driver can adjust the position of the steering column, seat and control arm to set-up the cab to their liking.

The high-capacity trucks have excellent visibility of the load through the wide mast, as well as the surrounding environment thanks to the curved front and rear windows, made of toughened glass. The driver can manoeuvre with confidence while handling the most cumbersome of loads.

“All Yale high-capacity trucks are engineered to maximise productivity and excel in intensive, arduous applications. They are the ideal fit for customers looking for a solution that can deliver on the high demands of their operation while lowering cost of ownership and meeting emissions targets,” concluded van der Werdt.

LPG forklift overcomes diesel legislation

Posted on by David Priestman

For many operators of forklifts, an IC engine truck offers a great solution. Hard to beat in round-the-clock operations they thrive in tough conditions. But new legislation due to be introduced in the UK looks set to deal a mortal blow to diesel as a fuel source.

“That’s why the LPG-powered Mitsubishi GRENDiA ES is taking the market by storm,” explains Stewart Gosling of RDD, exclusive importers for Mitsubishi Forklifts Trucks in the UK. “It delivers significant  benefits over diesel and uses up to 40% less fuel than competitor LPG trucks.

“Where the customer really wishes to stick with diesel, our robust and powerful new 3.3 litre engine maintains its high-power output and performance in any situation. This is in contrast to many competitors who have opted for much smaller engines that are simply underpowered in many applications.”

Overall, though, the economics are shifting customers towards LP Gas or even electric solutions. So what’s the problem with diesel and, more importantly, what’s the solution?

The problem lies in two pieces of legislation that will hit diesel customers in different ways. Firstly, strict new Euro Stage V emission standards have forced lift truck manufacturers to fundamentally redesign their engines. This has incurred huge costs which must eventually be passed onto you, the customer.

Secondly, from April 2022 the tax relief on red diesel in the UK will end, massively increasing running costs.

“That double whammy is making truck users explore other options,” says Stewart. “LP Gas is an attractive option because many drivers are familiar with IC engine vehicles and operationally, they offer the same non-stop convenience as diesel but with none of the issues associated with DPFs (Diesel Particulate Filters).”

Cost savings, low emissions

“The reason Mitsubishi GRENDiA ES is proving so attractive is primarily cost,” explains Stewart. “With class-leading fuel efficiency, managers responsible for forklift operations can expect to achieve savings running into tens of thousands of pounds over a 5-year term.”

Mitsubishi says its GRENDiA trucks are also exceptionally clean running and comply fully with the Euro Stage V standard thanks to a closed-loop, three-way catalytic converter. Such is its focus on safety, that Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks has fitted this as standard to all GRENDiA LPG models for over 12 years. It is the industry leader in reducing hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions, eliminating 95% of dangerous NOx gases.

“The other key factor in the decision-making process is reliability,” emphasises Stewart. “Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks is almost totally alone in designing and manufacturing its own industrial engines, giving high power at low revs.

“This contrasts with the majority of truck-makers who use a modified car engine with rubber timing belts, and small car starter motors, which can be catastrophic when they fail.

“Indeed, every component has been designed with dependability in mind, from the chassis, mast and drivetrain down to the smallest bearing. So what you gain in greater cleanliness and fuel efficiency, you also gain in lower maintenance costs.”

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