Investment pays dividends
September 1st 2007

Having ploughed substantial sums into both new product design and the redevelopment of its production facilities within the past 18 months, Germanowned forklift truck manufacturer Jungheinrich expects to record its highest ever order intake during 2007

Perhaps the most significant development from the company is its new range of IC engine-powered counterbalanced machines featuring a hydrostatic drive.

In simple terms, hydrostat trucks offer high levels of operator comfort and are suited to intensive materials handling operations, whereas converter trucks are at home in applications where the work schedule is less punishing. With the launch of its new hydrostatic range Jungheinrich has become one of the very few companies that produce both types.

"A hydrostatic truck is the ideal product for applications where a lot of 'shuttling' work is involved – such as lorry loading and unloading within and around a busy warehouse or factory environment," says Dr Tobias Harzer, head of product management and product marketing for counterbalance trucks at Jungheinrich. "It also scores highly over converter trucks in applications where ramp work is involved or where fast and frequent changes of direction are required. With a hydrostat machine acceleration is fast and direct while changes in direction are sleek and smooth." Jungheinrich's new hydrostatic drive model – the VFG 425-435s – is capable of lifting loads weighing up to 3500 kg up to heights of 7.5 metres and is available in both LPG (TFG) and diesel (DFG) versions.

The truck's motor is supplied by Volkswagen and has been designed to offer low noise levels and emissions, while fuel consumption is also particularly low, as Dr Harzer explains: "Our test cycles have shown that over the course of 2000 hours of typical operation our new hydrostatic truck will save some 2500 euros in fuel costs in comparison with a standard conventional converter counterbalance truck. If you are running a large fleet it is easy to see how the overall savings can be extremely significant." In addition, because hydrostatic drive technology has only a few mechanical components, the trucks are easier to service and are low maintenance.

Furthermore, the VFG 425-435 series provide a high degree of safety. For example, thanks to the special design of the counterweight and its high mounted safety steering axle, the truck has a low centre of gravity and, as a result, excellent stability is assured without the need for an additional electronic stability program. This principle has already been used in IC engine driven trucks developed by Jungheinrich since 2004.

Other safety features include high operator forward visibility, which means that during pallet pick-up and put-away the operator has a virtually unobstructed view.

Visibility to the rear has also improved due to the low top edge of the counterweight.

Pallet truck Jungheinrich has unveiled a new powered pallet truck. Available from this Autumn, the ERE 225 has a fixed stand-on platform and is equipped with 3-phase AC technology as standard. The new model was developed for fast and efficient lorry loading and unloading and for transporting large loads over longer distances. It can achieve top speeds up to 12.5 km/h (with load up to 9.5 km/h) and can transport loads weighing up to 2,500 kg.

"There is an obvious trend towards fixed stand-on platforms," comments Oliver Hiekel, Product Manager for pedestrian trucks at Jungheinrich. "Warehouses and distribution centres the world over are getting bigger so pickers have further to travel so they need trucks that can handle the longer distances. This means travelling at speed but, of course, safely," he adds.

The truck's steering can be operated from both sides to provide the operator with a comfortable and safe sideways or forward-facing standing position, while the high backrest with integrated handle provides additional protection.

The ERE also features 'ShockProtect' - a patented system that protects the stand-on platform against impact. 'ShockProtect reduces the strain on the operator's spine and lessens the impact on the truck's technical components during the course of its shift. Safety is further enhanced by Jungheinrich's Curve Control system which automatically adjusts the truck's speed as it enters a corner depending on the steering angle.

The new ERE 225 is also equipped with electric steering as standard to ensure precise and effortless steering of the truck which ensures fatigue-free and ergonomic operation over the entire shift.

The truck's SpeedControl system further enhances safe and, importantly, energyefficient operation. Thanks to the SpeedControl device the speed stipulated on the travel switch is maintained even when the truck is going up or down a slope. Furthermore, the ERE 225 brakes automatically if the starts begins to roll when standing on a ramp or incline and regenerative braking channels energy back into the battery when the truck is slowing down.

A screwless one-piece motor cover and removable side panelling allow easy access to all components to ensurethat routine maintenance can be carried quickly and efficiently.

To ensure that the company is able to meet the rapidly increasing global demand for its range counterbalanced and warehouse trucks, Jungheinrich has injected some 40 million euros into its factories in Moosburg, which is close to Munich, and Norderstedt, located just outside the busy industrial port city of Hamburg.

The upgrade to the Norderstedt facility was completed in August of this year and the plant now boasts what is considered to be the biggest reach truck production line in the world. A modern and ultra-efficient flow line has replaced the previous cellbased manufacturing techniques to ensure that the high standards of engineering efficiency are combined with the fastest turnaround times. In fact, despite the worldwide upsurge in demand for its reach trucks, Jungheinrich's delivery times from the receipt of an order can be kept as low as six weeks.

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