Are you sitting comfortably?
September 1st 2009

Yale's NexGen range continues with the new VG cushion tyre series.The firm claims the range isi ts most comprehensively tested yet...

Available in lifting capacities from 2,200kg to 3,500 kg, the VG series is a cushion tyre truck generally used in internal applications where lifting capacities are in excess of 2,000kg and space to manoeuvre is at a premium. All of the new features introduced on the VT and VF models are incorporated into the VG series with the key focus being on productivity and ergonomics.

The VG includes Yale's e-balance technology enabling the operator to choose between HiP, a high productivity setting, and eLo, an energy saving setting. Performance can be further customised with the forklift truck's four performance modes, where the highest setting provides maximum speed and acceleration and the lowest mode is used where the application demands very precise load handling and manoeuvrability.

Operator comfort is at the forefront of the truck's design. All models in the VG series can incorporate Yale's new Accutouch mini lever module which features cushioned arm and palm rest with fingertip control of levers. These features are considered to be a major contributor in reducing repetitive strain injuries (RSI).

Standard on all Yale NexGen trucks is 'YaleStop', an automatic park brake. Similar to the feature fitted on premium specification cars, the firm claims YaleStop increases productivity where the driver is frequently moving on and off the truck. It also eliminates the need for alarms and buzzers alerting operators that the handbrake has not been set.

With space designed into the trucks for clipboards, pens, mobile phones and drinks, dashboard space is maximised for operator convenience. A 12V power socket can be fitted for recharging of production equipment and personal items, including mobile phones or mp3/4 players.

"The Yale NexGen forklift truck series have undergone the most extensive product development and reliability growth testing ever undertaken by the company," says Daniel Heap, electric truck senior product development manager for NMHG. "We have tested our trucks against all of our main competitors' and are confident that we can offer the highest productivity levels, the lowest energy consumption as well as the lowest lifetime operating costs." For further details, call the number below.

Custom trucks make all the difference A Yale custom reach truck is making life easier at a chip board supplier in Germany. Together with authorised dealer, Stapler Center Pieckert, the firms designed a truck based on the Yale MR reach truck.

Instead of a standard mast the truck features a new 3,000kg lifting device.

The modification allows the smooth chipboard to be placed on driven roller conveyors, which then passes them to stationary belts in the production facility. The truck, which is now 4,000mm long and 1,700mm wide, has hydraulic clamps that hold the chipboard securely as it is being transported.

Equipped with an 840Ah battery for multiple-shift use the truck can be operated by one operator who also controls and monitors all the truck functions on four different displays.

In addition to having to modify the steelwork, all the functions of the truck, sensors and limit switches in the CANbus control system had to be redesigned. The truck has now been in service for over six months and is expected to operate for around 2,800 hours per year.

Karsten Pieckert, who led the customisation project, said: "Within Yale's comprehensive equipment portfolio there is often a standard product that can be developed for particularly demanding applications.

It's one of the strengths of the Yale product. Yale trucks are built to last using industrial type components. They are dependable and reliable and that's why we are a Yale Dealer... quality counts.

"And with customers operating in such a wide variety of industries demanding ever increasing customisation, having a product that can be tailored to meet a customer's needs is so important in today's marketplace.

"Our work with customers throughout the region means that we have experience of many different applications and we can put this to good use when designing bespoke attachments with the Yale engineers to fulfil specific customer requests."

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