Silent nights
February 1st 2008

Deliveries at night to retail stores are not popular with local residents due to the noise of pallet trucks running over uneven surfaces. The situation for a Spanish supermarket chain was so bad that it asked Yale to design and manufacture a much quieter pallet truck. The result is the Yale MP16S Low Noise powered pallet truck which features a patented triple wheel design and noise reduction measures

Engineers at the warehouse equipment development centre in Italy isolated all the potential noise generating points on the standard pallet truck and developed a solution for night time deliveries and other applications where noise is a major consideration, in the form of the Yale MP 16 Low Noise powered pallet truck.

The solution to the problem was based on noise reduction techniques used by the automotive industry to produce quieter vehicles. All the mechanical parts used in a standard pallet truck were analysed. The noise generating points were assessed for sound deadening treatment, including noise-free magnetic battering cover fastenings, noise reduction strips to dampen mechanical impact, sound absorbing material on the motor cover and hydraulic pump and noise absorbing paint applied to the chassis.

While these measures greatly reduced the unwanted noise, the major breakthrough came with the design for a new offset third wheel running in parallel with the existing tandem wheels at the front of the forks. The patented design means that the quiet running wheels are always on the floor surface and cannot drop into the joints between pavers, concrete blocks or similar uneven surfaces found outside retail premises.

Commenting on the new Low Noise pallet truck, Yale Europe's Andrea Lucchi said: "The difference in noise levels has to be heard to be believed and has already led to multiple orders for the new pallet truck from supermarket chains and distribution companies across Europe." The new Yale MP16 Low Noise pallet truck is designed to meet the growing demand for quieter materials handling equipment used in retail stores, resupplying convenience stores or when operating close to members of the public, especially at night, or early in the morning, in residential areas.

While suitable for out of hours deliveries, the MP16 Low Noise with its patented design will provide a solution for a wide audience of materials handling equipment users who are conscious that reduced noise in the work place can lead to improved productivity as well as a good night's sleep.

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