Fuelling the efficiency debate
April 1st 2009 Linde says a study by Dutch transport publication, Transport and Opslag, suggests its
products are up to 30 per cent more fuel efficient than their least efficient counterparts
Many forklift trucks are battery
powered and choosing the right
battery and charger combination
can reduce energy consumption but still
retain the necessary levels of productivity.
However, according to Linde more
substantial savings can be achieved if you
are using engine powered trucks. The firm
says it has been honing fuel efficient design
for several decades.
The Dutch transport publication
Transport and Opslag recently published
the results of a detailed study comparing
the fuel efficiency of engine
counterbalance trucks from some of the
leading materials handling manufacturers.
It showed that Linde products were up to
30% more efficient – based on a standard
forklift test cycle, this translates to over one
litre less fuel per hour.
"We have developed a COST Calculator
programme which our salespeople use to
show the energy savings that can be made
by using a Linde product compared to a
competitor's product," says Linde's Phil
Pearson. The COST programme is based on
a standard forklift truck test cycle to achieve
comparable values. The test cycle, which
has recently been certified by TUV NORD,
one of Germany's largest testing and
certification bodies, has helped companies
realise that the total cost of operation is
important and not just the purchase price
of the truck, and, as a consequence they
have realised the value of acquiring Linde
products.
A K Worthington's has a fleet of six
Linde H 25, 2.5 tonne, hydrostatic diesel
trucks working a 24 hour, seven day week
operation moving a wide range of diverse
products. Jason Bradley, Worthington's
operation's manager, comments: "These
trucks are fast and reliable, and ideally
suited to the constant shunting operations
they have to undertake. But, crucially, they
are saving us a significant 24 per cent on
fuel costs – completely justifying our
decision to buy a premium product." More articles from Linde Material Handling (UK) Ltd: | 
