Lean, green block stacking machine
August 1st 2007 Fuel efficient with minimal exhaust emissions, Nissan's
new compact LX range is designed to work both indoors
and out, in even the most restricted spaces. Handling &
Storage solutions attended the UK launch
Fifty years after its first forklift rolled
off the production line, Nissan's
latest model demonstrates how far
technology has come since 1957, according
to Brendan Sparks, head of Nissan UK's
Industrial Machinery division. In recent
years, with the Nissan Corporation doubling
R&D spend since 1999, the pace of change
has accelerated.
While much of that spend has been on
automotive business, Sparks says the
forklift operation directly benefits as a
result. "The corporation turned over €91bn
in 2006 with an operating profit of
€5.25bn," says Sparks. "Financially it's a
very strong company with no debts and
high cashflow – which means we can
invest in the future."
According to Sparks, much of its
increasing R&D spend, some 46 per cent,
has been invested in its green programme
– delivering rapid results. For example, by
January 2003, over 80% of Nissan cars sold
in Japan were powered by its ultra low
emission engines. The technology is now
harnessed by its forklifts.
Greener engines, cleaner air
The first to feature Tri-Cat Ultra, Nissan's
next generation three-way catalytic
converter, the LX series is also the
first to use Nissan's own fuel
injected engines designed
specifically for forklifts. The
company claims the combination
of the two result in harmful
exhaust emission reductions of
up to 99 per cent and up to
26 per cent better fuel
economy.
"Customers want cost
efficient materials handling
and legislation is
increasingly stringent," says
Doug Wyatt, Nissan's
Technical manager. "To
address both elements, the
engine has been totally redesigned
– the intakes,
exhausts, pistons and electronic
control (which monitors the engine 1,000
times per second)."
The result is an engine and exhaust
system which exceeds EPA emissions
standards for 2010 today, making it easier
for customers to meet COSHH
requirements, delivering a truck able to
work both indoors and out that uses less
fuel. In a sector more competitive than the
automotive market, Sparks believes the
fuel factor alone will see Nissan gain
market share. Combined with health and
safety and productivity benefits (the LX
range is less than a metre wide, enabling
warehouse space optimisation and can
work both indoors and out), he is
optimistic that even the most stubborn
bean counters will recognise the whole life
cost argument.
Risk reduction
Nissan's Risk Reduction System furthers the
LX's health & safety credentials, combining
design elements for increased visibility and
manoeuvrability, maximising stability,
control and handling.
A compact lift truck working in areas
where space is restricted demands good
visibility and manoeuvrability, afforded by
a low profile counterweight and Nissan's
Optiview mast, which the company claims
can increase forward visibility by more
than 50 per cent. The smallest of the
trucks (available with lifting capacities
from 1.5t to 3.6t) has a turning circle of
1735mm.
An Auto Tilt Levelling system means the
forks are tilted to horizontal at the touch of
a button, enabling faster, more accurate
and safer load positioning, according to
Nissan. Safety is also enhanced by a mast
lock system that automatically prevents the
forks from being lowered and the mast
from being tilted when the operator has
left the seat. The vehicle's control system
also acts automatically to restrict travel
speeds and acceleration when the truck is
turning, and to reduce lift speeds while
travelling via the maintenance free
Cushioned Stability Control system.
Additionally, if the operator leaves the seat
while the truck is still in gear, the vehicle
will automatically return itself to neutral
within three seconds.
With a self diagnostic display
incorporated into an easy-to-read operator
dashboard, uptime is maximised. According
to Sparks, when things do go wrong,
Nissan engineers take just 2.5 hours on
average to fix a truck.
With automotive style pedal layout,
operator confusion is minimised, while
finger tip controls or hydraulic levers are
located close to the seat for maximum ease
of operation. The choice of joystick or
levers is down to the customer. Wyatt says
joysticks are popular with younger drivers
while older operators are more familiar
with longer levers.
An optional swing change for gas
replacement minimises manual handling
risks and means the truck can operate 24/7.
Other options include high and low speed
switches, and a power/economy switch that
delivers an 11 per cent fuel saving when in
economy mode.
In all, Nissan has managed to pack
performance, safety, environmental and
cost efficiency features into a highly
compact truck. If winning business is about
ticking as many boxes as possible, the LX
range looks set to succeed. Call the number
below or use the free reader enquiry
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