Task specific
May 1st 2011 A look at its CeMat stand, shows
customer-focused lift trucks from Linde
In line with its new new slogan - engineered for your
performance, Linde has emphasised the importance of lift
trucks designed for a specific aspect that is crucial to the
customer.
The first of these that caught our eye is the rotatable seat.
Linde is offering its customers this option for trucks in the load
capacity range of 2 to 8 tonnes.With the rotatable driver's seat
(pictured), the operator can rotate the entire driver's cab through
90 degrees. As in reach trucks, the driver sits at an angle to the
direction of travel and has an unrestricted view of the driving
route.
This means that when driving backwards, drivers can avoid
excessively twisting the spine, while taking advantage of the
optimal visibility. The rotatable seat is recommended by Linde
for all applications involving bulky loads which obstruct the view
and which make it necessary to drive backwards.
Roadster
Another development, this time specified to excel in terms of
visibility, is the roadster version of the Linde E20 to E35 electric
forklift product line. The prototype on show, which is based on a
Linde E25, no longer has an A-pillar; instead a bent steel tube
behind the steering column and dashboard ensures sufficient
stability. The roof of the driver's protective frame consists of an
integrated pane made of laminated safety glass. Both features
ensure that the forklift driver has improved visibility, which
makes load handling easier and safer. "If we receive sufficient
positive responses, we will consider manufacturing the roadster,"
says Ralf Dingeldein, head of sales division new trucks at Linde.
Less servicing required
Linde also unveiled improvements in servicing. Gear and
hydraulic oil consumption for the Linde E20 to E50 forklifts
amount to 77 litres. The hydraulic oil does not need to be
changed for the first 6,000 operating hours or three years.
Comparable competitor trucks require at least four times as
much oil and the maintenance intervals are significantly shorter,
says Linde. In addition to helping to protect the environment,
customers can therefore also
take advantage of cost savings. More articles from Linde Material Handling (UK) Ltd: | 
