SubscribeFifty years after the invention of the first reach truck, engineers at Linde Material Handling (UK) have again taken the lead with a revolutionary truck concept notable first off for the battery being moved out of the way under the operator's seat.
Everything within reach
The next prominent innovation on the new R14X-R17X models of 1400 to 1700 kg capacity is a mast permanently fixed to the chassis. Instead of the whole mast unit mov-ing forward and back across the load legs, a traversing fork carriage per-forms the load reach and tilt functions. These trucks of the Linde X Range will publicly debut at the CeMAT Hannover Fair, October 11 to 15, 2005.
The ingenious idea of putting the battery underneath the seat, in contrast to standing it between the operator and mast as in conventional reach trucks, opens up considerable latitude in design. To begin with, it makes the opera-tor's compartment twice as spacious with plenty of elbowroom and superbly ergonomic to do the job a reach truck is meant for.
Upright sections of the mast are set wide apart, giving many times clearer and broader view of the path in front and the load. Hydraulic mast locking results in very high stabil-ity of the mast, which can actually be seen when it is extended. User bene-fits of the advanced mast design accumulate in a productivity increase as high as 15% compared to conventional reach trucks and being reduced as much as 73% fewer reach motions.
This makes the new trucks perfect handling machines for logistics centers, the food and electrical industries and cold storage warehouses, where pal-let racks rise to heights over 6 m, rack aisles are narrow and residual load capacity needs to be ample at large lift heights.
Concept for performance
Design with a low-slung battery almost centered on the truck and a rigidly mounted mast is extremely advantageous with regard to structural strength of the vehicle. The ballasting effect of the mast and the lower center of gravity resulting from the position of the battery combined to give impres-sive stability and residual capacity throughout the entire load handling cy-cle.
This adds even more working precision and safety, heightened further by minimal deflection of the mast that is all the more pleasantly noticeable when stacking or retrieving loads at heights of 8 m and more.
The mast design is inseparably associated with a flat and wide battery lo-cated underneath the operator's seat. From his raised seating position the operator has a panoramic view through the widely spaced mast uprights of the environment and the load. Visibility is not obstructed by any hose lines, chains or hydraulic jacks.
The battery is sized to provide ample flexibility, allowing multiple shifts to be worked before needing to be changed (capac-ity to 920 Ah). Actual change is a very easy procedure, as the battery can be extracted at the front between the load legs using a pallet truck for ex-ample.
On the reach trucks of the new Linde X Range the mast is fixed to the chassis in what would be the reached-back position on a conventional truck. All sideshift, forward/back reach and tilt motions are controlled exclu-sively with the fork carriage. Only the comparatively light fork carriage has to be powered in and out, not the heavy mast. Reach travel is therefore shorter and quicker, making for faster storage/retrieval cycles and lower energy consumption. Tilting of the forks is controlled automatically by a defined guide rail.
Warehouse operators have "everything within reach" with the new Linde reach truck concept.
Maximum lift height of the R14X is 9.50 m, the R16X and R17X models are capable of lifting to a height of 11.50 m. The heavy-duty R17X HD packs still more power and is adapted to tough industrial service. Its residual ca-pacity is 1250 kg at maximum lift of 11.50 m.
Another advantage emerging from the new truck concept is a shorter wheelbase. It expresses itself in outstanding maneuverability in the tightest space conditions.
Comfort, safety and productivity
Owing to the more spacious cab it has been possible to equip the truck with an extra-wide full-suspension comfort-class seat fitted with wide, adjustable armrests on both sides in which the truck controls are integrated to enable the operator to maintain a relaxed posture from start to finish of his shift.
On his left is the steering wheel and on the right the two or optionally four user-friendly joysticks for convenient and accurate control of hydraulic functions. The electric Linde Load Control joysticks are worked effortlessly with the fingertips.
Protection for the operator has been enhanced by moving his compartment inward to ensure that he stays well inside the truck contours at all times and is less exposed risk of injury. He is seated at a slight sideways angle ame-nable to a relaxed and comfortable working position. At the same time he sits closer to the mast, where he has the path before him and the load be-ing handled in better view.
Care has also been taken to ensure easy entry and exit for the operator. He boards the truck safely via a wide access step. All major service points are grouped directly behind a door on the side of the vehicle and are easily accessed when necessary.
State-of-the-art drive technology
All reach truck models of the Linde X Range are fitted with powerful, main-tenance-free AC traction and lift motors. They drive the truck at speeds up to 14 km/h and lift loads at a maximum speed of 0.7 m/s.
Electronic control of all travel and lift motions translates the operator's commands smoothly and progressively into reliable, accurate and highly productive load han-dling. The head-up display of the digital on-board computer keeps the op-erator informed of the status of all key functions and includes a height indi-cator as standard.
It is fair to say that Linde, having invented the original reach truck, has now re-invented it. All of the features enumerated mark the new X Range as a major technological advance that warehouse operators will not want to miss. These days none of them can afford to ignore the prospect of boost-ing productivity by as much as 15%.
Aschaffenburg, July 12, 2005