Space saving machines
January 1st 2011 Flexi Narrow Aisle releases new VNA
articulated truck and the the Flexi
HiLOAD, which is designed to handle
heavy loads in very narrow aisle storage
schemes
Flexi Narrow Aisle has announced the launch of the new
Flexi VNA articulated forklift truck. The four-wheel,
electric-powered Flexi VNA (pictured) is designed to offer
faster, safer work cycles with optimum stability in aisles as
narrow as 1600mm.
The new model, which can lift pallets to heights of up to 7.9
metres, is supplied as standard with treaded cushion rubber tyres
for maximum traction in wet outdoor conditions, while twin
front wheel drive means that the weight of the truck and the load
is evenly divided between the front two tyres to enhance traction
and minimise tyre wear.
At the heart of the truck is a compact axle design which,
combined with the Flexi VNA's ability to truly articulate through
220 degrees, allows easy stacking in 1600mm aisleways.
Instead of 'pivot' steering the Flexi VNA's 'true articulation'
turning system means that the Flexi VNA trucks require minimal
manoeuvring in the aisleways. This, in turn, results in faster
pallet put-away and picking. In a 1600mm wide aisle the Flexi
VNA needs only one articulation to put-away a standard ISO (or
Chep-style) pallet.
Flexi Narrow Aisle says comparative tests show that three
wheel articulated trucks with 'pivot' steering technology, require
up to four movements to achieve the same result.
John Maguire, sales and marketing director of Flexi Narrow
Aisle, says: "Some articulated trucks require the operator to
perform a five-point turn in the aisleway before a pallet can be
put-away or picked. The Flexi VNA , with its 'True Radius' design
requires one turn to enter or de-stack a pallet.
"This is hugely significant and results in very significant time
savings. In any application involving articulated trucks the
amount of time spent in the aisleway picking and putting away
pallets has to be minimised if optimum operational efficiencies
are to be achieved.
"We believe that with its True Radius articulation principle,
the Flexi VNA can reduce the amount of movements that an
operator has to make in the aisle during the stacking and destacking
cycle by half."
The use of high quality components - sourced mainly from
Europe - is one of the reasons why the Flexi range has always
enjoyed an excellent reputation for long term reliability and low
lifetime cost of ownership, says the company. Furthermore,
because spare parts are available at very reasonable cost, the
residual value of a used Flexi is consistently high.
Taking the HiLOAD
Flexi Narrow Aisle has also announced the addition of the Flexi
HiLOAD, which is designed to handle heavy loads in very narrow
aisle storage schemes. Flexi Narrow Aisle expects the new truck
will be of particular interest to companies operating in the
manufacturing, building materials, engineering and food
ingredients sectors.
The new model is offered in a choice of 1250mm and
1350mm chassis widths and, thanks to its unique heavy duty
vision tilting lift mast design, the Flexi HiLOAD can lift loads of
2.5 tonnes to heights of 9.5 metres.
The electric-powered Flexi HiLOAD incorporates AC
technology to ensure optimum battery efficiency and minimal
maintenance costs. The truck is also supplied with a high capacity
battery that lets the Flexi HiLOAD maximise time between
recharges which, in turn, means that even over the longest shifts
the HiLOAD maintains the highest standards of performance.
Like other models in the Flexi Narrow Aisle range, the Flexi
HiLOAD requires minimal manoeuvring in the aisleways.
Maximum 'over rotation' and smooth digital encoder steering
combine to ensure that one turn is all that is required to enter or
de-stack a pallet which results in the fastest operational
throughout and efficiency.
As well as the ability to work in the narrowest aisles, the Flexi
HiLOAD can be used like a counterbalanced machine – both
inside and outside. This dual purpose functionality guarantees the
user a wide range of benefits – not the least of which is the ability
to load and unload lorries and deliver pallets directly into the
racking in a single operation. By doing so, it increases efficiency
and productivity while abolishing double handling and the costs
associated with operating a bigger truck fleet than is necessary.
"The HiLOAD has been developed for heavy duty applications
where customers want to save space and increase pallet
throughput," says Maguire. "Bulk foodstuffs, raw materials and
part processed products are often heavier than the typical load in,
say, the retail sector. The HiLOAD will be welcomed in industries
where high pallet weights are
common." More articles from Narrow Aisle Flexi: | 
