High on gas, low on cost
February 1st 2009 CNG-powered Yale Veracitors with raised cabs for improved visibility are keeping
operators safe, sound and comfortable at Total Petrochemicals
The first consignment of Yale forklift
trucks has been delivered to Total
Petrochemicals UK in Stalybridge, as
part of a new contract to supply a range of
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered Yale
Veracitor VX counterbalance forklift trucks to
assist the handling and loading of
polystyrene or granules used in the
manufacture of a variety of products for the
teletronics and food packaging industries.
CNG is well established as a cleaner and
safer alternative to LP gas or diesel forklift
trucks. The subsequent recognition of the
wider environmental issues as well as
occupational health concerns and safety in
the workplace, has placed greater emphasis
on CNG as a viable alternative to other
energy sources to power forklift trucks.
Total visibility
Total Petrochemicals consolidates the
petrochemical activities of the Total Group, its
base chemicals and their related commodity
polymers, polyethylene, polypropylene and
polystyrene, serving a wide number of
consumer and industrial markets.
"Styrene is converted in to clear crystals
used in the manufacture of CD cases or
natural pellets used in the production of
products like fast food containers and hot
drinks cups," explains warehouse manager,
Peter Harris. "The automated process plant
also compounds Polystyrene with other
products such as rubber, used in the
manufacture of flame retardant injection
mouldings for the telectronics industry."
The finished product at Stalybridge is
granular in nature, packed into polythene
sacks or loaded into eight sided 'Octabins'
and then palletised for ease of handling. Unit
loads vary in weight from 1000 to 1375 Kg
and are up to 2000mm high.
"This is a large site and loads need to be
transported from the storage silos to the
warehouse and then onto trailers or into
containers for shipment," Harris continues.
"Loaded forklift trucks often travel in reverse
and good visibility with ease of operation
was an important factor in the specification
for the new forklift truck fleet and safety of all
our staff was one of the primary concerns
when choosing our forklift truck fleet."
According to Total Petrochemical's supply
chain manager, Cathrine Owen, Yale's raised
operator cab solution on the GNP25VX
delivered the increased visibility and safety
the company required.
Raised operator module
A higher driving position has distinct
advantages when handling higher loads like
the Octabin or the palletised granules
produced by Total Petrochemicals. The raised
operator module, 500mm higher than
standard, provides clear vision over the load
when travelling forwards and better all-round
visibility when reversing and manoeuvring in
tight spaces. Importantly, there is no
reduction in load capacity due to the raised
cab position.
Ergonomics play a major part in improving
productivity. Operators at Total
Petrochemicals liked the elevated driving
position on the Raised Operator Module, with
the swivel seat and rear grab-handle, which
makes operating in reverse so much easier.
The operator is protected from the weather
by a fully glazed cab. A custom designed,
electrically interlocked safety gate provides
easy access to the cab, whilst allowing for
good communications with drivers and coworkers
due to its open design.
Access is made easy via the evenly spaced
wide steps, with space for even the largest
work boot. Additional grab handles assist
entry and exit on the left hand side of the
truck and good forward visibility through the
mast, with forward and reverse LED safety
lights all helping to promote safe operation.
CNG for safety and environment
Safety is of paramount importance for Total
Petrochemicals, which was early to adopt
CNG as a cleaner, safer fuel for operating the
Yale forklift truck fleet at Stalybridge.
"Apart from the safety aspects of using
CNG, we were attracted by the
environmental considerations, as well as
quiet operation, longer lift truck service
intervals and lower fuel costs," says Owen.
Total Petrochemicals has its own CNG
pumping station and storage tanks installed
on-site which has more than paid for itself
during the initial forklift truck contract
operated by Yale. The CNG refuelling
operation is extremely safe. It is a sealed
process, with gas delivered underground
direct to the pumping station, hazardous
spills are eliminated and the operator does
not need to wear special protective clothing.
Refuelling is safely completed in minutes.
Productivity gains
The Yale Veracitor VX counterbalance forklift
trucks specified by Total Petrochemicals have
ADS (auto deceleration system), CSE
(continuous stability enhancement) and the
Intellix VSM (vehicle system manager)
diagnostic computer, offering enhanced
productivity carefully adjusted to each
application at Stalybridge.
Yale claims the GNPVX25 is one of the
quietest and smoothest forklift trucks to
drive. A further aid to productivity is operator
comfort, with the 3-point isolated drivetrain
on the Yale Veracitor VX Series designed to
reduce the noise and rolling vibration
associated with truck operations. When
coupled with Yale's Continuous Stability
Enhancement system (CSE), this advanced
suspension system limits steer axle
articulation and delivers a noticeably
smoother ride over outdoor surfaces.
Frequent braking is a major source of
muscle strain. Even moderate applications
can see forklift truck brakes being applied
more than 100 times per hour. Careful
attention to brake pedal positioning, an extra
wide pedal and braking effort reduced by 50
per cent, all contribute to ease of operation.
The Auto Deceleration System (ADS)
available with the Techtronix transmission on
the Yale Veracitor VX, is the IC equivalent of
regenerative braking on electric trucks. It
automatically slows the truck when the
driver releases the throttle pedal, by
engaging the opposite direction selected
clutch pack to reduce the truck's travel speed. More articles from Yale Europe Materials Handling: | 
