London – Linde Material Handling gives a boost to your warehouse with a portfolio of seven new trucks. The new models build on tried-and-tested product features and combine these with new technical innovations in the compact chassis and state-of-the-art tiller. Depending on the chosen application, the trucks can achieve up to a six percent increase in output, while at the same time consuming twenty percent less energy.
The three pallet trucks, models T16, T18 and T20 with load capacities of 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 tonnes respectively, and four pallet stackers, models L10B, L10, L12 and L12i with 1.0 and 1.2 tonne load capacities are designed for pedestrian operation in the warehouse.
The name "Sinergo" (Safety Innovation Ergonomics) places the emphasis on the interaction between man and machine: the clear objective behind the technological innovations is to ease the workload for the operator and further increase the productivity and safety of employees on the warehouse floor. Design engineers paid particular attention to the key activities for pallet trucks and pallet stackers: loading and unloading trucks using ramps, transport duties within the warehouse and load transfer to and from high shelving.
Safety first
For both new and proven product features, safety is a key. A system that regulates travel speed according to the tiller position is a new addition to five of the seven truck models. A potentiometer measures the angle between the tiller and chassis and automatically adjusts the travel speed to the walking pace of the operator. This ensures an even greater degree of safety, particularly when transporting goods along warehouse roadways.
The new pallet trucks and pallet stackers replace models whose product features made them the most successful in their class. It is because of this success that many tried-and-tested "Linde standards" have also been retained in the new trucks. These include, of course, the characteristic long tiller arm, hinged low down on the chassis to place the operator at a convenient distance from the truck and to facilitate manoeuvring within the tightest of spaces due to a more efficient leverage effect. The new creep function offers the operator yet further support. The creep speed control allows the operator to manoeuvre the device at a reduced speed even with the tiller in the upright position. The tiller head has also retained its characteristic, curved design, providing wrap-around protection for the operator's hands. The electronic control of the lift mast functions (named OptiLift) is another tried-and-tested feature that is included in the new pallet stackers. The truck's operator is able to transfer loads to and from storage carefully and accurately using the switches located on the tiller head.
High performance
Traction power for the pallet trucks and pallet stackers is provided by a powerful AC motor with booster effect. The booster offers the power unit increased torque at low speed to enable the truck to deal effortlessly with steep ramps, uneven surfaces and inclines without rolling backwards. The top speed of the trucks is six km/h whether laden or unladen. Key performance parameters, such as acceleration or braking characteristics, can be set and then modified at any time by service engineers. This is important given that requirements can vary considerably depending on the application of a truck. High residual capacities offer the operator additional options. The high stability of the mast on the pallet stackers at high lift protects the load, as does the soft landing function, which brakes the load automatically the closer the forks come to the ground. At the same time, the integrated initial lift of the Linde L12i pallet stackers gives it an even greater degree of flexibility. The L12i model can make light work of conventional ramps, loading ramps and uneven surfaces by raising the load.
A new class in comfort
The ergonomic tiller head is also a key feature of the new pallet trucks and pallet stackers. Every important operator function has been integrated into the tiller head; some twice in fact, which means that the truck can be steered effortlessly using either hand. The length of the pallet trucks has been reduced by eight percent to increase manoeuvrability further where space is most limited (i.e. truck loading areas). In the pallet stackers, the mast has been integrated into the chassis, meaning this model too is now slightly smaller. End-of-stroke slow-down with the tiller in the horizontal position is an important step towards achieving an even greater standard of user friendliness. If the operator pushes the tiller too far down, the resistance increases. The operator can feel the brakes coming on and can react accordingly. If the operator suddenly lets go of the tiller, a hydraulic cylinder slows the truck down and returns the tiller smoothly to the upright position. Large storage compartments built into the battery cover provide additional convenience. Work materials such as shrink film and pens can be stored in these for the operator to use. The visibility through the mast is an added plus. The distance between the mast profiles is wide enough to give the operator a good upwards view when placing goods into storage or retrieving them.
Thoroughly reliable
Tight, hectic, rough: working on ramps and the warehouse floor is no walk in the park, for man or machine. A robust steel chassis has been designed to safeguard important components. An innovative material (Exxtral) as robust as it is durable and capable of protecting the truck from deformation, was chosen for the motor and battery covers. The tiller and tiller head are manufactured from Grivory, which is both robust and lightweight. The load arm tips are produced from cast steel, meaning these too are highly robust.
Easy servicing
With a display that indicates battery capacity, operating status, maintenance requirements and operating hours, the user has it all under control. Servicing can be carried out rapidly using the CAN bus connection—through which all vehicle data can be read out using a notebook computer—and because all components are easily accessible. The AC motor is completely maintenance-free. The procedure for replacing batteries has become more flexible. Batteries in pallet trucks can be removed and replaced vertically using hooks or from the side using a hand pallet stacker and battery rollers. Linde fleet data management modules are also available to regulate truck access using PINs and carry out software-supported analyses of truck data in order to optimise the truck fleet further by type and quantity.
Visit Linde online at: www.linde-mh.co.uk
