Reach truck Archives

New Hyster Reach Truck Goes Outside

Posted on 6 November, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Hyster has introduced a new Reach Truck that works inside and outside providing even more flexibility for storage, handling and loading operations. The robust new RO1.6-2.0 Reach Truck models, for lifts up to two tonnes, feature Super Elastic tyres for load and drive wheels for use on uneven, outdoor ground conditions, as well as in indoor warehouse operations.
Optional cabs are also available for applications requiring frequent outdoor usage.

“With the new Hyster Outdoor Reach Truck, we have created a ‘2-in-1’ truck to help Power Your Possibilities on sites with mixed indoor and outdoor operations,” says Monica Radavelli, Product Manager Warehouse for Hyster. “You can retrieve pallets indoors and then load them into lorries outside, or you can efficiently unload lorries with varying floor conditions, before putting the pallets away in the warehouse – all with the same truck.

“The Super Elastic tyres are particularly effective at absorbing the effects of uneven ground, making it comfortable for drivers while giving the Hyster durability that tough applications depend on,” she continues.

For added flexibility and warehouse optimisation, the new Hyster Outdoor Reach Truck also supports operations in narrow warehouse aisles, with a more compact design compared to most counterbalance lift trucks. 3-stage FFL masts, with tilting and side shifting forks, support a lifting height of up to 7.5m in the warehouse.

To optimise productivity further, the new Hyster Outdoor Reach Truck is available with a lithium-ion battery option. This enables rapid opportunity charging during breaks, with no adverse effect on the battery, to support multi-shift operations and maximise fleet uptime.

“Lithium-ion batteries give you Clean Power that Means Business,” says Radavelli. “No gassing or watering is required, and there is no risk of acid spills. Depending on local regulations, space may also be maximised as, instead of a designated charging room, the truck can be simply plugged in to top up its charge throughout the day. Multi-shift operations may also be able to reduce their battery fleet.”

In addition to a choice of lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries and different chargers, a number of options are also available to enable businesses to power productivity in their specific application. For instance, telescopic forks can be added to the Outdoor Reach Trucks to increase the range of possible pallet positions, or to provide flexibility for operations that may need to load or unload lorries from one side only.

Other options include semi and full cabs, full cab heating, and wiper options, to optimise the driver experience when the truck is in regular use outdoors. The truck can also be customised with different seat, steering and display options, and a range of cameras and lights to assist operators in dark yards or busy warehouses.

Simple serviceability and diagnostics are integral to the truck design, helping to maximise operational uptime. For maintenance, parts are readily available and easily replaced. The Hyster RO1.6-2.0 Outdoor Reach Truck can be ordered now from Hyster distribution partners.

Mobility Company opts for Mitsubishi Forklifts

Posted on 5 October, 202325 July, 2025 by Keith McKinley

By any measure, CareCo is a genuine success story. Built on energy, innovation and a keen attention to detail, the company’s continued expansion has seen it grow from a small family business operating from a barn to pole position as the UK’s leading whole-range supplier of mobility aids. An expanding fleet of lift trucks has been instrumental in that process, supplied and supported by the local Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks distributor.

Overcoming dual challenges

The challenges facing CareCo were two-fold as relocated from its previous showroom-warehouse in Brentwood to a purpose-designed facility incorporating 100,000 sq ft of warehouse space in Braintree. The first was to coordinate the movement of stock from a series of different locations in the Brentwood area. This was achieved seamlessly with the help of the local Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks distributor who supplied the most appropriate handling equipment on short-term rental.

The second was to identify precisely the right equipment to ensure the new warehouse would operate with optimum efficiency. That resulted in a fleet comprising two Mitsubishi VELiA low level order pickers (LLOPs), two Mitsubishi PREMiA power pallet trucks (PPTs), one Mitsubishi SENSiA reach truck, two Mitsubishi EDiA electric counterbalance trucks plus four Aisle Masters.

All the trucks were supplied on time and in stylish CareCo house livery.

“Meeting a hard deadline of early May was a real challenge,” explains Joe Bronze, local distributor for Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks. “The international shortage of components means that virtually all new forklift and warehouse trucks are on extremely long leads times. We had to be really creative, using a range of different models from our rental fleet to bridge the gap and ensure CareCo were able to commence operations right on schedule.”

Huge range handled with ease

With more than 200 employees, the company offers an exceptionally wide range of products that play an essential role in daily life, helping its customers maintain their independence by managing medication, using the bathroom and getting dressed in the morning.

“We supply everything from a mobility scooter to the rubber tips that go on the ends of walking sticks,” explains CareCo Head of Operations Steve Robinson. “It’s a huge range that calls for specialised storage and handling systems but our truck fleet handles it with ease.

“The Mitsubishi VELiA low level order pickers are used mainly to pick larger items such as wheelchairs, rollators and bath lifts from the lower racking. The power pallet and counterbalance trucks are used to run stock away from assembly lines – where it’s held for checking – before being taken to the intake lanes for the racking.

“That’s where the Aisle Masters take over, operating in the narrow aisle section of the warehouse, putting stock away and feeding pickers in the assembly area. They also work in the bulk racking aisle alongside the Mitsubishi SENSiA reach truck which also feeds a mezzanine floor where smaller items such as spare parts for the service team are stored. Plus we have a scissor-lift that is used for order picking as well as for essential maintenance work.”

At a second CareCo distribution facility in Leeds, CareCo also have four additional trucks – also supplied by their local Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks distributor: two Aisle Masters, a Mitsubishi VELiA low level order picker and a Mitsubishi EDiA electric counterbalance truck that keep the goods moving.

Nimble and exceptionally reliable

“The trucks have been excellent,” says Steve Robinson. “The Mitsubishi low level order pickers and power pallet trucks are really nimble and all the trucks have been exceptionally reliable. We’ve had absolutely no issues at all.

“On the service side, the team are fantastic. They’ve been with CareCo from the start and have proved themselves time and again. We had a minor issue with the speed of the low level order pickers and they adjusted them immediately to suit our particular working environment. The team are genuinely on the ball and their response times are outstanding.”

Reach truck training goes online

Posted on 16 March, 202225 July, 2025 by David Priestman

RTITB’s innovative eTruck UK online eLearning program can now be used to train reach truck operators, as well as counterbalance lift truck operators, in less time.

The eLearning solution is designed for novice theory training. It enables businesses to save up to two days per operator, per course, freeing-up Instructors to deliver more practical training. This helps to get more trained operators quickly and safely into warehouses and address current skills shortages.

“When we launched eTruck UK for novice forklift operator training at IMHX in 2019, there was no way of knowing that the demand for eLearning would quickly grow due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” says Laura Nelson, Managing Director for RTITB, the leading accrediting body for workplace transport training. “However, our goal remained the same. We want to digitalise parts of operator training to save businesses time and money without compromising safety or standards.

“Many organisations have added eLearning into their ongoing operator training already. Now, they can train reach truck operators with eTruck, as well as those using counterbalance lift trucks.”

eTruck is an award-winning digital storytelling platform, developed by MA-System in Sweden. It is only available in the UK and Ireland from RTITB. It enables novice reach truck and lift truck operator theory training to be delivered completely online.

eTruck also introduces several key concepts relating to practical skills and knowledge. For example, pre-use inspections, load types, racking, and more. By focusing on readiness for practical training as well as delivering theoretical knowledge, this eLearning can reduce a novice course for three people by two days.

Novice reach truck or lift truck operator training candidates can use the unique solution to learn at their own pace online, at any time. This enables training to be completed outside of working hours or in designated learning time at work. Instructors’ time is also freed up, making them available to deliver more practical training and get skilled operators into the workplace more quickly.

“Finding time for operator training has always been hard, but it is especially difficult now where supply chain staff are scarce, and budgets are tight. eTruck helps solve this,” explains Nelson. “On top of significant benefits to the business, from standardising training through to lowering costs, eTruck is a real gamechanger for training candidates too.”

With eTruck, candidates learn by following a story that tackles genuine issues relating to safety in a more interesting and engaging way. The system allows candidates to learn at their own pace. More complex themes, such as the effects of an operator’s actions and decisions, can be communicated effectively via the story and virtual tutors. Research has shown that facts delivered via a story are 20 times more likely to be remembered and that this approach to training caters to a wider range of learning styles.

eTruck is available with lifetime licenses both for those delivering in-house training and for training providers. Reach truck and lift truck operator theory courses using eTruck can be booked via RTITB Accredited Training Providers.

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