Energy efficient trucks
February 1st 2010 Hyster range promises power coupled
with manoeuvrability and the
intelligence to balance productivity
and energy consumption
Hyster has extended its JXN range to include 2.2, 2.5, 3.0
and 3.5 tonne lifting capacity electric counterbalanced
forklifts for both indoor and outdoor operation. The
company enthuses about class-leading full-shift performance
and energy efficiency as well as ergonomic features to get the
best from drivers. The JXN series is also said to benefit from the
excellent manoeuvrability and tighter turning capability
delivered by the new Hyster Zero Turning Radius steer axle. The
new models are now available through Barloworld Handling.
"The need for high performance electric forklifts delivering
up to 3.5 tonne lifting capacity has become increasingly
important as businesses place emphasis on reducing energy
consumption," explains Hyster european operations manager
David Rowell.
The company claims the new JXN moves more loads while
using less energy than any competitor.
"We broke new ground launching the smaller 1.5-2.0 tonne
JXN and JXNT models in early 2009 and have once again
demonstrated leading innovation. These new trucks maintain
powerful performance over a full shift with travel speeds up to
21km/h and energy efficiencies that significantly exceed the
industry average," adds Rowell.
The new models are available in two configurations, Advance
and Advance+, the latter designed to operate in intensive, high
productivity applications with long runs and high lifts, with
comparative performance to IC engine powered equipment.
The Advance models are equipped with eLo and HiP settings,
which can be programmed to meet the required energy versus
productivity balance that best suits the demands of the
application. Tests prove that on the eLo setting, Advance models
are 7.5% more productive than the competitive average and on
the HiP setting, 9% more productive. By comparison, the eLo
setting uses 20% less energy and HiP uses 16% less energy,
according to the VDI test cycle.
"Not only will businesses benefit from reduced energy costs
and a lower carbon footprint, it is possible to move more
materials, faster and with greater efficiency," Rowell adds.
One major leap forward in design is Hyster's Zero Turn
Radius Steer Axle (ZTR). The rear wheels turn more than 90°
which, in combination with separate drive motors mounted on
each of the front wheels, allows the truck to turn within its own
circle like a three wheel truck. Combined with the compact
chassis design, no other trucks in this class can operate in
narrower aisles claims Hyster - the J2.5XN (short wheelbase
model) can work in an aisle of less than 3.6 metres wide.
The manufacturer says drivers will experience an operating
environment designed to maintain comfort and performance
for an entire shift. Vibrations transmitted to the driver's body
are lower than any other truck on the market, isolating the
driver from excessive shock and jolts. A Whole Body Vibration
(WBV) level of 0.5 m/s2 has been measured on the new JXN
according to EN 13059 tests.
Drivers also benefit from a full suspension seat with dual
armrest, TouchPoint mini-lever controls, excellent visibility, a
"heads-up" information display, easy on-off access and more
than ample foot space. The dash area provides plenty of storage
and room for scanning systems, and the steering column is fully
adjustable and is available with various additional convenience
options, such as a memory tilt function.
The seat is slightly offset from the centre to enhance all round
visibility and there is a unique automatic park brake system –
the brake is released as soon as the driver touches the accelerator
pedal, saving valuable seconds in an intensive operating
environment. The AC traction motors with advanced thermal
protection deliver smooth acceleration, fast travel speeds and
rapid direction changes.
"Batteries can be changed fast with side extraction to assist
multi-shift operations, and we have kept maintenance costs to a
minimum. Service intervals have increased to 1,000 hours and
access to serviceable components is easy," Rowell adds.
The Hyster J2.2-3.5XN models are available with numerous
configurations to suit industries such as logistics, food and
drink, timber, manufacturing
and automotive. More articles from Hyster Europe: | 
