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Jungheinrich Unveils New Generation of IC Powered Forklifts
The Hamburg-based company will be unveiling a completely re-designed generation of IC-engine powered forklift trucks before a world audience at CeMAT 2014. Engineered and made in Germany, these general purpose, reliable and rugged trucks deliver above-average throughput rates with concomitant low fuel consumption. In May 2014 Jungheinrich will be simultaneously launching two new series of internal combustion engine powered counterbalance forklift trucks – hydrodynamic torque converter drive trucks in the DFG/TFG 316-320 and DFG/TFG 425-435 model ranges. The new generation trucks handle payloads of up to 3,500 kilogrammes with maximum stacking height of 7.50 metres.
Suitable for Tough Operations in Different Climate Zones
Kubota engines power all the trucks manufactured at the Moosburg production plant in the German state of Bavaria.“These industrial engines, tried and tested around the world in heavy-duty construction machinery, already deliver high torque at low revs,” says Marek Scheithauer, Head of Product Management of IC Powered Counterbalanced Trucks at Jungheinrich. These robust trucks boast high-grade, extremely durable, long-lifetime components and “are ideally suited for extreme, tough operations in different climate zones.” According to Scheithauer, the need for trucks that can operate in harsh operating environments inspired Jungheinrich to apply the latest in-house engineering developments to the new torque converter’s core components. These include innovations to the mast, chassis and steering axle.
The counterweight on the new stacker is an integral part of the load-bearing chassis, while the steering axle was integrated in the counterweight. “The centre of gravity is not only extremely low but also optimally positioned between the axles,” continues Scheithauer. This lends the forklift truck outstanding stability and makes additional, electronic stabilisers redundant. Marek Scheithauer adds that “this translates into high dynamic driving stability and ensures outstandingly good safety characteristics, both when stationary and on the move.”
The proprietary Jungheinrich transmission shaft in the new torque converter features an integrated non-wear wet multi-disc brake. Marek Scheithauer states, “Compared with standard drum brakes, wet multi-disc brakes mean almost no service costs.” Moreover, thanks to the encapsulated design, harsh external conditions do not diminish the performance of the brakes. The high-performance cooling system functions fully even in very high ambient temperatures. The radiator is a single unit made of one-hundred percent aluminium. This makes the new torque converters highly suitable for operations in very hot settings and protects them from dust and other harmful environmental factors.
High Truck Availability
Thanks to the high-grade and rugged components, servicing is fast, easy and economic, requiring minimum technical expertise. Marek Scheithauer explains, “Even in the case of carrying out a service, we can still guarantee high stacker availability and minimise the interruption of internal production and logistics work flows.” The combination of the L-shaped engine bonnet that can be tilted almost 90-degrees and the quick-release side panels provides excellent access to the engine compartment.
During the development work on this new truck generation, design engineers also focussed on the operator’s seat. The slim steering column offers greater leg room compared with industrial trucks fitted with run of the mill steering columns. The truck operator can easily adjust the comfortable seat to his or her needs and reap the benefits of healthy and fatigue-free stacker operation. Lots of organisational aids, like beaker holder and clip pad, allow the operator to maintain a well-ordered, uncluttered workstation.
The new model ranges feature an electric parking brake as standard, doing away with the previous handbrake lever in the cab. The operator simply presses a button to activate the brake. A new lifting mast design ensures improved view of the payload, forks and general working area. “Good all-round visibility is not only conducive to relaxed yet concentrated and safe truck operation, but also to higher handling turnover rates,” concludes Scheithauer.
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, logistics systems, services and advice. Jungheinrich shares are traded on all German stock exchanges.
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