Taking ergonomic action
April 1st 2010 Yale launches its new 80-volt counterbalance series emphasising ergonomic advances
as well as strides made in energy efficiency
The latest electric counterbalance forklift series from Yale is
said to offer performance normally only associated with
diesel and LPG forklift trucks, but without the indoor
application restrictions often associated with those models.
The VL series is a four wheel electric
counterbalance forklift available in
lifting capacities from 2,200kg to
3,500kg with five wheelbase and
capacity configurations. The VL is
suitable for use in both indoor or
outside applications and was
designed after extensive feedback
with customers, as electric truck
senior product development
manager Daniel Heap explains:
"The development of the electric
forklift truck range has taken into
account not only the
requirements of the finance
director and the operations
manager with their need for
lower costs.
"Our extensive research into
driver requirements has ensured that Yale trucks have
industry leading operator comfort and unique features to ensure
that the driver remains comfortable and productive throughout
the day," he adds.
Understanding that ergonomics and productivity are
inexorably linked, Yale has combined function and form in a bid
to impress operators and fleet managers. The VL series builds on
features introduced to the company's VT/VF and VG series. The
company says these features set new standards in application
productivity, driver ergonomics and delivery of the lowest
lifetime cost of ownership (these are summarised in the box).
Heap continues: "The materials handling market is like many
others in that it has been suffering from the effects of the global
financial downturn.
"With the launch of the Yale's new VT, VF, VG and now VL
series of forklift trucks Yale is already providing
customers with new ways of responding to
today's challenges by providing products that are
the most energy efficient, productive and also
have the lowest lifetime operating costs of any
manufacturer.
"The Yale independent dealer network now
has the most comprehensive range of forklift
trucks and materials handling equipment
that will allow them to provide customers
with the best materials handling solution
for their application."
Further features include Yale's e-balance
technology which enables customers to
define the most suitable setting for their
business; either HiP - high productivity
or eLo - energy efficiency.
Operating in HiP, the VL series delivers
maximum traction and hydraulic
performance for the
most demanding high
productivity applications. The eLo
setting provides a balance between truck performance and
battery shift life.
According to the VDI 2198 standard test, the ERP 25VL Value
forklift consumed 20% less energy (kWh/h) than the leading
competitors' average.
Performance can be further customised by the operator by
selecting one of the four performance modes, where mode 4
provides maximum speed and acceleration and mode 1 is used
where the application demands very precise load handling and
manoeuvrability (60% of maximum speed and acceleration).
Standard on all of Yale's new electric counterbalance forklift
trucks is YaleStop, an automatic park brake. Similar to the feature
fitted on many premium specification cars, YaleStop is
automatically activated when the forklift truck is not in motion,
or when the operator is not seated. This provides improved
controllability on ramps and grades and increases productivity
dramatically where the driver is frequently moving on and off
the truck. It also eliminates the need for alarms and buzzers to
alert operators that the
handbrake has not been set.
Ergonomic features
Easy on/off access and three point entry.
Unobstructed floor space with right-hand access.
Generous headroom, accommodating the smallest (<160cm) to
the tallest (>194cm) operators.
AccuTouch mini lever module featuring angled cushioned arm
and palm-rest with fingertip control of levers to reduce repetitive
strain injuries.
Full suspension seat providing low whole body vibration levels.
Heads up display for increased visibility and ease of use. More articles from Yale Europe Materials Handling: | 
