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Rotating cabins and fuel cells: Forklift makers get creative with safety and emissions
Forklift trucks tend to change slightly from one generation to the next. Some modifications are minor, such as the addition of bigger cup holders. Others are more significant, and aim to improve stability and safety. But in the past couple of months, forklift manufacturers have flexed their creative muscles to produce radically different models.
Jungheinrich Lift Truck Corp., for instance, unveiled what it calls the “world’s first rotating cabin lift truck.” Called the EFG D30, it has a full 180° rotation to significantly reduce operator injury and eliminate obstructed views.
It’s best suited for moving high, stacked pallets, loading and unloading trucks from one side, and transporting large containers, Jungheinrich reports. Designers referred to data showing back injuries caused from reverse driving over long distances and continual twisting and leaning account for 14.2 lost workdays per operator each year, and billions of dollars in lost productivity.
The EFG D30 allows the operator to lift a load, turn the cabin 30° to the left or 180° to the right—without strain—to eliminate obstructed views. The operator can also rotate the cabin up to 90° while the truck is in motion, for traveling over shorter distances.
For longer distances, the cabin can be rotated the full 180°, but it must be done while the truck is stationary. A built-in memory system allows the operator to preset the angles of choice, while the multi-pilot joystick combines all hydraulic functions, plus the travel direction switch.
The truck can handle up to 6,600 lbs, and travel at speeds up to 12.4 mph. Lift speeds are 98 ft/min. The forklift uses Jungheinrich’s proprietary three-phase AC motor technology, which offers significant advantages over traditional motors, Jungheinrich asserts.
It has stronger acceleration and eliminates the delay when shifting into reverse. With no carbon brushes to wear, an AC motor is essentially maintenance-free. The truck reclaims its kinetic energy during braking and stores it back in the battery, to cut recharging time.
In terms of stability, the truck has a curve speed reduction system to prevent tipping. Sensors detect the steering angle and automatically adjust the travel speed or activate the electronic brake to slow the vehicle and safely navigate the turn.
The steering wheel has a mounted LCD display to allow drivers to choose between five adjustable operating modes: acceleration, braking, travel, lifting and lowering speeds.
Prototype fuel cell
Toyota Industrial Equipment made its own splash at the ProMat 2007 materials handling show, with the unveiling of “the industry’s first fuel cell lift truck.”
The Toyota FCHV-F prototype uses hydrogen as its main power source, and produces electricity without combustion. The result is zero carbon dioxide emissions, Toyota reports, along with less fuel consumption and lower maintenance.
How does the prototype stack up against electric lift trucks? According to the company, the new FCHV-F requires even less maintenance. Electric truck batteries must be periodically charged, refilled with water and replaced. The fuel cell hybrid system also ensures constant power delivery, eliminating the reduction in voltage output as electric batteries discharge.
The prototype was designed with large warehouses in mind, where lift trucks often run 24 hours per day. These facilities will establish their own hydrogen fuelling stations to significantly lower logistics costs, Toyota reports. It plans to bring a fuel cell lift truck to market within the next few years.
Good vibrations
Closer to home, Komatsu Canada (Mississauga, Ont.) has a new series of AX/BX forklifts with a “komfort zone” cab.
The design involves a dual floating cabin structure that isolates the cab from engine vibration and provides a more comfortable operator environment, according to Komatsu Canada.
“The komfort zone cab is an important feature for reducing operator fatigue on the job. We have seen time and again how operator comfort is a critical element in equipment productivity and safety,” says David Cooper, manager of forklifts with Komatsu. Vibration and heat levels in the cab are also reduced by a fully insulated all-steel engine cover.
The new AX50 forklift will replace the AX20 models in Komatsu’s 3,000 lb. and 3,500 lb. lifting capacity range. The BX50 updates and expands the previous 4,000 lb. to 6,000 lb. BX20 forklifts while adding two additional models with 6,500 lb. and 7,000 lb. of capacity.
The AX50 and BX50 have cushion or pneumatic tires and are driven by Tier 2-compliant gas or LPG powered engines. “The overall impact will be very positive on our environment,” Cooper said. The trucks also have an expanded warranty of seven years or 5,000 hours on emission-related components.
Safety has been further enhanced with high-visibility masts, and an automatic feature which locks out lift and travel when the operator leaves the seat.
“As well as bringing this range of forklifts up-to-date in environmental compliance, the AX50 and BX50 models offer our customers a very nimble, productive choice of equipment that provides superior handling and comfort for improved safety in any facility,” Cooper says. b2b
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