The all-rounders of intralogistics - electric pallet trucks

Question 1 "Which equipment and performance features of your latest generation of pallet trucks would you particularly emphasize?" was followed by detailed answers from the companies surveyed.

"The versatile ES 4000 and ET 4000 series high lift pallet trucks - with and without driver's platform and with lifting heights from 2.4 to 5.4 meters and load capacities from 1.2 to 1.6 tonnes - are characterized above all by their robustness, safety and maximum ease of use," says Jörn Erdmann, Communications Manager Europe, Crown.

Load should be positioned with millimeter precision

"The robust, cast-iron gearbox and Crown AC motors ensure reliable drive performance. With the proportional lift, the forks can be positioned precisely and thus the load with millimeter accuracy. Other features include the ergonomically designed X10 drawbar, the folding FlexRide driver's platform and the e-GEN regenerative braking system for maintenance-free braking performance. The remote control technology QuickPick Remote, which is based on the familiar glove equipped with a transceiver for the lifting system, has recently become available for both series.

"Jungheinrich focuses on the durability of the central and exposed components, such as steel covers, as well as flexibility in use, and thus the right options and truck derivatives for every customer," says Jan Kaulfuhs-Berger, Corporate Communications, Jungheinrich AG.

With "SpeedControl", the driving speed can be easily controlled, it offers rollback protection on inclines, constant driving speed on uphill and downhill gradients and energy recovery through a regenerative brake, Kaulfuhs-Berger continues. "Even with the drawbar raised, the pedestrian vehicles can be maneuvered safely in the tightest of spaces thanks to the creep speed button - the speed is automatically reduced. The electric tiller steering reduces the steering forces, allowing even heavy loads to be handled with precision."

Precise load handling and room for maneuvering

"A key advantage of the current Linde L14 to L20 high lift pallet trucks in the 1.4 to 2.0 tonne load range is the arrangement and design of the tiller," says Bastian Albert, Product Manager Warehouse and System Technology, Linde Material Handling.

"This has electric steering as standard for easy, effortless driving and precise load handling; its central position means that the driver is always protected within the contours of the vehicle and has plenty of room to maneuver in tight areas, for example in block storage. The long drawbar, which is mounted low on the chassis, ensures a sufficiently large safety distance between the operator and the machine. The operator's hands are also protected at all times by the ergonomically shaped tiller head."

"The fully sprung driver's platform of the AP version is unique on the market. Together with the drawbar head and folding side brackets, it forms a fixed unit that is decoupled from the chassis via rubber-metal bearings. It protects the operator in a special way from the effects of human vibrations and for the first time even falls below the strict standard specification. The operator works with greater concentration for longer and is protected against musculoskeletal disorders in the long term."

Automatically slower on bends

"Our electric pallet trucks have a lift height-dependent speed reduction and automatic speed reduction in curves. This protects the operator without them even noticing, says Christian Baerwolff, Head of International Product Management, Still GmbH.

"With the patented load capacity indicator, the user can always see immediately that the device is within the safe working range. In addition, a display and control unit indicates when the vehicle needs to be serviced or the initial lift needs to be lowered for safety reasons. All of this serves to protect the driver."

Back-friendly and safe thanks to suspension and protective arms

"Furthermore, people can be protected with Still's ergonomic concept," Baerwolff emphasizes: "The ride-on trucks have an individually adjustable air-sprung driver's platform for this purpose, which ensures more comfortable, back-friendly and concentrated work. Combined with the height-adjustable side guard arms, this system is probably one of the safest and most comfortable workplaces for pallet trucks."

Wide range of variants for customer-specific requirements

"We have placed particular emphasis on the diversity of variants in the new appliances so that the customer can customize a vehicle according to their requirements," says Manuela Damato, Product Marketing Warehouse at Toyota Material Handling Germany (TMHD) - with the corresponding price advantages for customers, as they do not have to pay for functions that they do not need. "If the user only needs a 1.45-tonne truck, he can get it from us and doesn't have to pay for a 1.6-tonne truck. The range of load capacity classes and chassis as well as various stability assistance systems and the choice of mast and lifting heights with maximum lifting heights of up to six meters are unique."

"The 'Click-2-Creep' function, which comes as standard on all devices, helps with maneuvering in the tightest of spaces: the operator simply double-taps the travel and direction lever on the tiller-guided devices and the maneuvering function switches to creep speed, enabling particularly sensitive control of the device with the tiller upright. The function can also be deactivated with a double-click. The platform devices are equipped with power steering as standard for relaxed working."

"With the new BT Staxio P series, we offer variants with 6, 8 and 10 km/h travel speeds. The significantly improved lifting and lowering speeds reduce waiting times when lifting and lowering. The Sensi-Lift function allows the operator to control the lifting and lowering of all BT Staxio models precisely and sensitively," reports Damato.

"What areas of application and what transport and handling capacities and volumes are your pallet trucks primarily designed for?" was the second question.

"The various models in Crown's ES/ET 4000 series of high lift pallet trucks are flexible for use in all areas, both indoors and outdoors. For limited space and shorter transport distances, the compact ES 4000 pedestrian pallet truck offers excellent visibility and maneuverability, while the ET 4000 ride-on model is the right choice for busy areas with many pallet movements and greater distances. The trucks are therefore suitable for storage, retrieval and transportation as well as for use in production environments."

"Jungheinrich offers the right truck for every application, every transport route and every handling performance. Customer applications vary from large to individual customers and are sector-specific: whether for industry or trade, whether for short distances in pure pedestrian operation, medium distances in combined pedestrian/co-driver operation or long distances in rider operation: Jungheinrich specialist advisors offer the right configuration for the application in a targeted manner in the model series system. Individual solutions for individual requirements are realized via special construction solutions from the Lüneburg plant."

30 percent faster lifting speed with light loads

"Linde high-platform trucks are used particularly frequently to transport pallets, store goods up to a maximum lifting height of 5.4 meters or move goods in block storage. As an option, the trucks can be equipped with an initial lift, which increases the ground clearance and makes it easy to drive on inclines or loading bridges. The 'Lift Speed Booster' is available as an option. This ensures that the lifting speed is increased by 30 percent to 0.4 m/s for light loads or empty lifts. This allows the operator to store and retrieve goods more quickly."