Heavyweight handlers
April 1st 2008

Based in Merthyr Tydfil, Linde has formed an independent business unit for heavy trucks. Charlotte Stonestreet visited the site to see the latest trucks to be manufactured there and find out about the dynamic markets they will be used in

As much of what is left of the beleaguered British manufacturing sector slowly but surely moves East, one major materials handling player continues to buck the trend. Unlike other prominent lift truck manufacturers, Linde maintains considerable UK production facilities, including its Heavy Truck Division in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales.

In order to maximise its potential in this highly specialised area of the handling market, Linde has recently created a standalone business unit for its Heavy Truck Division. The next three years will see an investment of £16m ploughed into the development of new trucks, the purchase of additional production machinery and a comprehensive training programme for the 400 staff at the Merthyr site.

Growing demand Part of the reason for Linde's investment is the strength of demand for port handling technology. According to Theodor Maurer, chief sales officer at Linde Material Handling gmbh, the market continues to offer enormous potential for growth. "Global container turnover in ports is growing at around 7% per annum – and the drivers are not solely dependant on international growth," he says. He anticipates the highest growth will be in Asia, Africa and the Middle East as international supply relationships develop, manufacturing moves to areas with lower wages, and global sourcing and sales become the norm.

The new Heavy Truck Division reports to CEO of Linde Material Handling UK, Kerry McDonagh. Commenting, he said: "This international market is extremely complicated and those operating in it are very specialist. We have to be highly focused in order to succeed." To allow the division to concentrate on its core market with an expanded range and meet anticipated increased demand in this sector, after Q4 this year Linde's 5 to 8t counterbalance range will no longer be built at the Merthyr plant.

The first new model to come out of the standalone Heavy Trucks Division is the C90 empty container handler, one of several set to be launched by 2009. With a 9t lifting capacity, the 4m wheelbase truck can stack containers up to seven high. By Q4 this year 4.5m wheelbase versions will be available, with the ability to single stack containers eight high and double stack seven high.

In an example of how the Heavy Truck design team is able to draw upon the expertise of the Linde group as a whole, the new units feature hydrostatic drive. Already proven in Linde's 10 to 18t forklifts, the technology results in smoother operation and reduces the need for braking, resulting in almost no wear to the wet disc brakes.

For driving speeds up to 16km per hour the engine revs at just 1500rpm, delivering high levels of efficiency. The Cummins diesel engine fitted in the empty container handlers offers 10% more power than the previous range and complies with stage 3A of the Euro 2004 emission guidelines.

Another notable feature of the C90 is its reverse section mast. Unlike most other trucks, it is the outer mast that moves during lifting rather than the inner mast.

According to Linde, this supports the load more effectively, helping the mast to achieve high levels of stability even when double-handling. Stability is also enhanced by the positioning of the tilt cylinders, which are fitted to the rear of the chassis at a 45° angle, transferring the load force directly on the lift mast to the rear of the chassis. The cylinders themselves are also shorter, which reduces high lift bowing and eliminates cylinder retention issues, resulting in improved service life. Lifting and lowering speeds are increased thanks to a four chain system.

Proven ergonomics Another key area in the development of the new empty container handler is ergonomics. A comfortable working environment is created thanks to the cabs (again, already proven on the company's 10 to 18t forklifts), which offer reduced interior noise and vibration. There is even an option to have the cab tilt by 15% to increase visibility and reduce strain when stacking at height.

Drawing on Linde's past experience the heavy trucks are of a modular design. For the division, this means seamless manufacturing with optimum working levels. For the customer, it means added value, solutions tailored for the individual application, and reduced lead times of around 12 weeks.

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