Ramp up your forklift operations

The arguments for why electric forklifts are better than diesel are well rehearsed. But, for many, a nagging doubt remains: what about ramps and steep slopes where there’s the very real possibility of power drop-off? The problem has been conclusively solved by Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks with its new, patent-pending, AutoBoost feature.

According to Stewart Gosling of RDD, sole UK importers for Mitsubishi forklifts: “AutoBoost senses when power is required by sensing when speed needs maintaining and automatically activating acceleration and torque boosts – precisely when and where they’re needed.”

It is just one in a series of new features that ensure the EDiA EX outclasses any diesel as well as every other 2.5 to 3.5 tonne electric truck.

“Slippery conditions present no problems thanks to a combination of all-wheel steering and another innovation: an electric differential lock. The result is outstanding traction and control, even in the most hostile environments, indoors or outside. At the rear of the truck the steer wheels turn through a massive 100-degree lock to deliver the smallest turning circle on the market for safe operation in the very tightest spaces. Importantly. There is no push back, even when setting off on full lock.”

At the front, both drive motors turn in different directions for better grip and precise handling. Indeed, everything about the new EDiA EX has been designed to inspire confidence: for the operations manager as well as the driver. State-of-the art software automatically adapts performance characteristics to the driving style and ability of each individual operator, making handling totally intuitive.

Alongside that, EDiA’s Intelligent Cornering System calculates the speed, angle and load at the very start of a turn (rather than half-way through it) to automatically adjust truck speed to optimise handling when cornering — maximising throughput and safety. What’s more, by using lithium-ion or Quasar enhanced lead acid batteries with high-speed opportunity charging, EDiA EX users benefit from the same non-stop performance as diesel, including multi-shift working with no battery changes, no topping-up and no maintenance requirements.

“We’re experiencing a huge growth in demand in markets such as transport, logistics, drinks, timber, etc. that have always been staunchly diesel,” reveals Mr Gosling. “It’s no surprise because the EDiA EX offers so much more than and IC engine trucks in terms of safety, productivity and care for the environment. By offering the same power and go-anywhere performance of a diesel counterbalance truck the EDiA EX allows any customer in any industry to reduce their carbon footprint whilst also improving the working environment by eliminating noise emissions as well as pollution.”

Collision warning turning it up to eleven

Sentry Protection Products has turned it ‘up to eleven’ with the release of the Collision Sentry® Corner Pro 211, the latest model of the company’s award-winning collision warning system.

The industrial environment is a noisy place. To be effective, an audio alarm needs to rise above the background noise to be heard. The volume on the earlier model (200) was set high enough to do that. But there are some circumstances – in very high noise areas – where the volume needs to be even louder.

With the Collision Sentry Corner Pro 211, we’ve turned the volume ‘up to eleven.’ What exactly does that mean? According to the Oxford English Dictionary, it means, “to reach or surpass the maximum level or limit.” So, when ten just isn’t enough, you need to turn it up to eleven. It’s based on a great joke from the file This is Spinal Tap.

The 211 model picks up where we left off with the previous model. The high volume on the Collision Sentry Corner Pro 200 is now the low volume on the Collision Sentry Corner Pro 211. The new 211 model high volume setting is double the volume of the low setting. There is still the option to turn the sound off completely if that better fits the situation.

Sentry was able to boost the volume without compromising a significant amount of energy efficiency or battery life. There are exceptions to that depending on usage and volume setting. The audio alarmed in synchronization with the video alarm makes for a powerful deterrent to blind corner accidents.

The Collision Sentry Corner Pro is a collision warning system that works to prevent accidents at blind corner intersections by sending both an audio and visual alert to warn of approaching traffic. Each patented unit is easy to install, self-powered, portable, compact, and lightweight and deploys immediately. Collision Sentry snaps on to pallet racks quickly using integrated magnet mounts. Anyone working in a high traffic facility understands the need for Collision Sentry®.

The upgraded units are in stock and available for purchase through Sentry distributors. The Collision Sentry Corner Pro 211 is offered at the same price as the previous model. For more information, please visit www.sentrypro.com

Material-Handling Equipment Company Continues Focus on Reducing Accidents

According to a Eurostat study 10% of major injuries across European industry occur with material handling equipment, making safe equipment a priority for Toyota Material Handling. In more than 80% of the cases the issue is the wrong use of the truck, therefore it is so important to promote safety culture and awareness amongst customers.

Toyota Material Handling Europe has been a campaign partner fully supporting the EU-OSHA campaigns for ten years. The new 2020-2022 campaign ‘Healthy Workplaces Lighten the Load’ raises awareness of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and the need to manage them and to promote a culture of risk prevention.

“It’s key for us to stay resilient and not only apply a new way of thinking but also adapt our behaviour facing new challenges. This way we can answer to the ever-changing needs of our customers and employees while keeping them safe and healthy,” says Ernesto Domínguez, President and CEO of Toyota Material Handling Europe.

Maximising quality and customer safety are top of mind for Toyota Material Handling Europe. By creating a safety culture throughout the organisation, the company aims to make a difference in the safety of its own and customers’ operations. By keeping the conversation with own employees and customers ongoing and exchanging best practices, Toyota can contribute to zero accidents in the workplace and the wider material handling industry.

Millions of workers across Europe suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). According to the 2019 European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks, among the most frequently identified risk factors are repetitive hand or arm movements and lifting or moving people or heavy loads.

Toyota Material Handling’s partnership of EU-OSHA is part of the commitment to create a safer society.

https://toyota-forklifts.eu/

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