Watch tele: transform your yard
October 1st 2008 JCB's Teletruk is breaking into the mainstream thanks to its space, time and safety
credentials. But don't all truck manufacturers make similar claims? Handling & Storage
solutions visited JCB's Midlands HQ to find out what sets it apart
Warehouse management has been
evolving since the 1950s, but
not so yard management," says
JCB's UK & Ireland Industrial Truck sales
manager, Colin Lawrence. "Outside loading
is done in the same manner as it was 50
years ago in very congested areas where
pedestrians are at a very real risk of being
injured. Or worse." Which is where he says
the JCB Teletruck comes into its own.
Launched 11 years ago, JCB now sells
over 1,000 a year. Hardly numbers to worry
the top tier of counterbalance outfits, but
Lawrence is confident sales will increase as
the market begins to appreciate its space,
time and life-saving credentials: the firm
claims it can help save 38 per cent of yard
space, eliminates driver blind spots and, by
combining yard and indoor work, reduces
travel time and double handling.
JCB's claims are backed up by NYK
Logistics' Lester Earp. After taking a
TeleTruk on trial, the megacarrier specified
three at its Relay Park site in Tamworth.
"I was suspicious at first but the lads liked
it," Earp explains. "The boom arm means
you can unload from one side of the vehicle
which frees up two thirds of loading space
and means it's quicker and safer you don't
need to travel around the vehicle so you're
risking less pedestrian interaction, and
because of that, there is no longer a blind
spot risk."
At NYK, the trucks are fitted with load
indicators as standard, which Earp says
combines well with the boom arm to
deliver further time savings. "When
accessing pyramid stacked goods, we can
reach over freight rather than down
stacking. It saves an inordinate amount of
time." He says the JCBs have also removed
the need for attachments.
Earp says the benefits in loading,
accessing pallets and safety stack up. "The
Teletruk is relatively new, but will become
standard as people realise its benefits. In
this environment, NYK wouldn't go back to
standard counterbalance trucks."
Available in diesel up to 3.5t capacity
(2.1t capacity at 2m forwards reach) and
LPG or diesel up to 3t (1.75t capacity at 2m
forwards reach) JCB also produces a four
wheel drive model. More articles from JCB Sales Ltd: | 
