Jungheinrich presents the new “big one” hydrostatic truck

Jan 29, 2012 Warehousing Ireland News 0

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Jungheinrich will be launching a new forklift truck with hydrostatic drive in the market in spring 2012. This truck with the latest common rail motor technology already satisfies the limits of exhaust emission legislation stage III b that will come into force in 2013. The Jungheinrich hydrostatic program will be complete with the introduction of the new combustion engine truck type VFG 540s-550s.

The “big one” Jungheinrich combustion engine truck with hydrostatic drive (VFG 540s-550s) can transport up to 5.000 kilograms at a load centre of 600 millimetres, can deposit loads up to lift heights of seven metres and has a hydrostatic drive technology “made in Germany”. The new truck is powered by a Volkswagen motor used in both the Diesel (DFG) and fuel gas/LPG (TFG) variant. The variable displacement pumps and the wheel motors are made by Bosch Rexroth. The basis for the truck’s top performance with excellent energy efficiency at the same time is the system control. This is achieved by Jungheinrich-developed software.

”The presentation of this truck completes the Jungheinrich hydrostatic truck range that was successfully launched into the market with the introduction of the VFG 425s-435s in 2008“, explains Marek Scheithauer, Head of Product Management for combustion engine powered fork lift trucks at Jungheinrich. The well-tried concept regarding design, drive technology as well as ergonomics and safety features was transferred to the new truck and further improved.

“Hydrostatic drive characteristics stand for high driving comfort and high throughput performance, especially in intensive applications“, continues Scheithauer. The engine speed is automatically increased during the lifting process. The transmission of driving and hydraulics processes is direct, precise and effortless thanks to the hydrostatic drive. Five pre-defined operating programs – from reduced performance parameters for energy-saving operations to maximum throughput performance – enable the driver to adjust the operating method of the truck to the respective application.

Environment-friendly motors: low energy consumption and low emissions

Compared with torque converter trucks, the hydrostatic drive technology has fewer mechanical components and is thus more service-friendly and requires less maintenance. By using the latest common rail motor technology from Volkswagen, many advantages from the automobile industry have been added to Jungheinrich trucks powered by combustion engines. The drive motor from the automobile industry ensures low consumption and vibration values as well as low exhaust and noise emissions.

The motor together with a standard Diesel particle filter already satisfies the directives of exhaust emission stage III b that will come into force from 2013. “Jungheinrich currently offers the cleanest Diesel truck in its class”, says Scheithauer. “Tests have shown that the hydrostatic drive can achieves fuel savings of up to two litres Diesel or two kilograms fuel gas per hour. This saves costs, lowers CO₂ emission as well as taking care of the environment!“

Ergonomics: excellent driving comfort and high throughput performance

The generous and ergonomic workplace of the VFG 540s-550s not only ensures high comfort and relaxed driving but also high throughput performance of the truck. “If the driver not only feels safe but he also feels good on our trucks, it reflects fully on the efficiency of the truck application“, explains Marek Scheithauer. The double decoupling of the drive unit and the driver compartment module from the chassis (floating cab), reduce human vibrations to a minimum. “We achieve values here that are on the same level as the lowest values of our electric truck“, Scheithauer continues.

The display and operating fields are integrated in the seat mounted armrest that is adjustable in two directions. The driver can also choose between the SOLO and MULTI PILOT – both with integrated driving direction switch. An automatic parking brake and twice adjustable, slender steering column with memory function for even more legroom round off the appearance of the new VFG 540s-550s.

Safe construction: low load centre, excellent stability

The Jungheinrich VFG 540s-550s with hydrostatic drive provides a high degree of safety during daily operations. The truck has excellent stability due to its low load centre. This is mainly based on the special design of the counterweight and the high pivot steering axle above the wheel suspension. The truck can therefore do without an additional electronic stability program. This principle has already been used in Jungheinrich-developed combustion engine powered fork lift trucks since 2004.

Other safety aspects on the VFG 540s-550s are just about “obvious”. The special design of the front panel provides the driver with good visibility towards the load and the fork tips. Visibility towards the rear was greatly improved with the low top edge of the counterweight. A unobstructed window with safety glass in the overhead guard ensures unobstructed upward visibility for the operator when stacking pallets.

Various assistance systems for more safety and economic efficiency

In addition to construction-dependent safety, different modular assistance systems are optionally available for the “big one” Hydrostatic truck. Access Control, for instance, is an assistance system that only releases the truck after a certain sequence of control mechanisms (closed seat switch, seat belt) is activated. Drive Control is based on Curve Control successfully integrated in Jungheinrich electric trucks for more than 10 years. In parallel to speed reduction on corners, the driving speed is also restricted from a defined lift height. On the Lift Control assistance package for safe handling of the load, the tilt speed is also restricted from a defined lift height as well as, if required, an integrated sideshift is placed at a pre-programmed central position and the mast tilt is displayed.

Jungheinrich ranks among the world’s leading companies in the material handling equipment, warehousing and material flow engineering sectors. The company is an intralogistics service and solution provider with manufacturing operations, which offers its customers a comprehensive range of forklift trucks, shelving systems, services and advice. Jungheinrich shares are traded on all German stock exchanges.

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