Max traction with Flexi
December 1st 2009 Narrow Aisle has announced the introduction of the new Flexi VNA which is designed
to optimise materials handling efficiency and safety within the warehouse,
distribution centre or factory and has twin front wheel drive among other features
The new Flexi VNA is the latest addition to the award
winning Flexi range of articulated forklift trucks and is
the first four-wheel true articulated truck capable of
operating in aisles as narrow as 1.6 metres wide. Its launch
means that existing users of guided Man Up and Man Up
VNA equipment have the option of direct replacement with a
truck which is faster and offered at a lower cost.
At the heart of the Flexi VNA is a unique compact axle
design, which, combined with the truck's ability to articulate
through 220 degrees, allows standard ISO (Chep type) pallets
to be stacked and picked in 1600mm wide aisles. The Flexi
VNA's 'true articulation' design means that even in aisles as
narrow as 1600mm wide, only two separate movements are
required to complete a stack or pick cycle. Trucks that use
'pivot' steering require double the number of movements to
complete a stack cycle.
The truck features twin front wheel drive, which means
that the weight of the truck and the load is divided between
the truck's two front wheels. This important feature means
that not only is maximum traction achieved but that tyre
wear is reduced significantly.
Because, like all models in the Flexi range, the Flexi VNA is
equally comfortable operating both inside and outside, the
new truck is fitted as standard with treaded cushion rubber
tyres for maximum traction in wet yard conditions. The Flexi
VNA's dual front wheel configuration and use of cushion
rubber tyres results in unsurpassed performance across a
range of surfaces ? particularly when compared with the low
coefficients of friction offered by the type of single
polyurethane drive tyres found on three-wheel reach trucks
or three-wheel pivot steer trucks.
The Flexi VNA retains all of the key original design
concepts that have made the Flexi range the number one
choice for users of articulated truck users throughout Europe.
It features Narrow Aisle's True Radius chassis which makes
turning in the aisle easy and safe, and Narrow Aisle's unique
and patented HiVis Cantilever operator overhead guard,
which improves visibility when stacking at all levels and offers
exceptionally high levels of operator protection.
When designing the new model, Narrow Aisle maintained
its 'common parts' strategy and therefore the Flexi VNA uses
the same proven mostly European component parts that have
enabled the Flexi range to earn a reputation for long term
reliability and low cost of ownership.
John Maguire, sales and marketing director of Narrow
Aisle, comments: "Since its launch the Flexi has become the
most popular articulated forklift truck in Europe. Over 4000
units have been sold worldwide and we are continuing to
develop the range to cover the requirements of customers
operating in diverse industries. The Flexi VNA is the latest
addition to the range of articulated forklifts that we have
offered for over 30 years."
Flexi VNA gains design recognition
The new Flexi VNA has been nominated in the Design Innovation
category of the Fork Lift Truck Association's (FLTA) Annual Awards
2010. John Maguire commented: "It is always been pleasing when a
product gets this kind of independent recognition for its quality.We
are therefore delighted that the significant steps we have taken in the
development of this new addition to the Flexi range have been
recognised by some of the knowledgeable people in the forklift truck
industry." More articles from Narrow Aisle Flexi: | 
