The new generation of trucks developed from scratch is based on a data survey: almost a thousand truck drivers and fleet managers from 26 countries took part in truck clinics lasting several hours to evaluate vehicles and express their wishes - from the step to service accessibility. "We listened carefully to our customers and derived requirements for our developers from this," says Stefan Prokosch, Senior Vice President Product Management Industrial Trucks Counterbalance at Linde Material Handling. The effort has paid off: "The new vehicles support and protect the driver in an unprecedented way, they are the most cost-efficient on the market and make the material flow more transparent and even more productive thanks to wireless communication."

Industry 4.0 ready

A key innovation is standard connectivity: vehicle data is transferred to a central Western European cloud server using the highest security standards, to which customers and sales partners have access. Conversely, data can be received and processed. In future, software updates can be installed "over the air" or functions such as the load weight display can be activated. Stefan Prokosch: "In future, we will be able to adapt the forklifts to changing customer requirements throughout their entire life cycle - even those that we are not even aware of today."

All-round visibility is an important prerequisite for fast, precise and safe goods handling with the forklift truck. The field of vision through the lift mast alone has been increased by 20 percent compared to the previous model. Super-slim A-pillars and asymmetrical mast profiles open up additional viewing windows that make it easier to position the load with millimeter precision. The flatter counterweight allows a clearer view to the rear; at the top, an armored glass roof combines maximum visibility with protection. The so-called weather protection cab of the new Linde models H20 to H35 also offers an optimum view from the side - thanks to fully glazed doors. The "Protector Frame" concept with top-mounted tilt cylinders and load-bearing frame also ensures mast stability and maximum residual load capacity.

When it comes to safety, Linde Material Handling is pursuing "Vision Zero": The aim is to reduce the number of accidents to zero in the long term. Optional lighting solutions such as LED strips and VertiLight for glare-free illumination contribute to this - as do "intelligent co-drivers" such as the Linde Safety Pilot or Linde Safety Guard warning and assistance systems, which provide the driver with important additional information and prevent errors and accidents. Linde Load Assist is fitted as standard. It intervenes to ensure safety as soon as the load approaches the load capacity limit.

However, the most important factor influencing handling performance remains the human factor. And the more ergonomic and safer their workplace is, the better they work. This is why the new generation of Linde forklift trucks has been designed around the driver: The step is only 465 millimeters high and a good twice as wide as before. The driver sits on one of a total of twelve different seat variants - the range extends to the heated super-comfort seat with separately adjustable backrest and automatic weight adjustment. The cockpit offers a good ten centimetres more headroom; freely configurable switches have also been integrated into the armrest (Linde Load Control).

All trucks are equipped with electronic seatbelt monitoring as standard: if the driver does not fasten his seatbelt, the truck only moves at crawling speed.

Maximum sustainability

According to Linde material handling expert Prokosch, the combustion engine drive will remain the first choice for many customers for the foreseeable future due to its high performance and uncomplicated use: "That's why it was particularly important for us to optimize energy consumption, increase handling capacity and reduce emissions at the same time." With a modern, service-friendly industrial engine, the particle filter integrated as standard and further optimization of Linde's hydrostatics, this has been achieved. Prokosch continues: "According to our own measurements, our trucks are up to 30 percent more economical compared to the competition and are also far ahead in terms of handling capacity. This makes them even more cost-efficient over their entire service life. At the same time, they are more resource-friendly and produce fewer harmful greenhouse gases during use."