Risk reduction
May 1st 2007

Nissan is putting the emphasis firmly on safe materials handling by designing a Risk Reduction System into each of its new forklift ranges. The concept is applied individually to each new truck from Nissan and combines design elements for increased visibility and manoeuvrability with a range of physical features to maximise stability, control and handling

A major development in the Risk Reduction System has been the introduction of Cushioned Stability Control on Nissan's latest BX, four wheel electric model. A flexible damping system installed between the truck's rear axle and frame provides exceptional lateral stability for both the truck and its load, allowing safer cornering at higher speeds and reducing the possibility of the forklift overturning. Unlike other stability systems, which can be turned off by the operator, so leaving the forklift vulnerable, Nissan Cushion Stability Control is permanently engaged and is also completely maintenance free.

Nissan has applied the Risk Reduction System to every area of a truck's function - from allowing access only to authorised operators, through to safe operation whether the truck is moving or stationary.

PIN-coded technology can be used not only to permit operator access, it enables the truck's performance to be programmed to ensure the safest operating parameters according to the individual operator's experience. Other safety parameters such as lift and travel speed can be programmed through the on-board computer according to the requirements of the load or the handling conditions.

Fuzzy logic on all electric models has been introduced to provide safe, smooth acceleration and enable the operator to concentrate on the job in hand, while another feature - Nissan Syncro steering - has been developed to assist manoeuvrability in restricted areas. As warehouse aisles have become narrower in recent years to maximise available storage space, a particular problem for lift truck operators is fast, accurate reverse travel away from the pallet position.

Having driven into a stack or racking at an angle, the challenge is to ensure that the drive wheels are in the correct position for immediate straight line travel before backing out. Forward and reverse travel to straighten the steer wheels is time consuming, and there is an added risk of de-stabilising the load or damaging stored products.

Nissan's "Syncro" system however, is helping to increase lift truck productivity, particularly when working in restricted areas such as these. It guarantees straight line travel when required and indicates the angle of the steer wheels on the dashboard display when the truck is travelling slowly.

The system is being applied as standard to all models in Nissan's three-wheel TX and four-wheel BX series of warehouse electric forklifts.

With angle sensors and powered steering, Nissan Syncro always returns the steering wheel spinner knob to the same pre-selected position for straight line travel, forward or reverse, giving safer and more productive operation. When the truck gathers speed, the steer wheel angle on the instrument panel is replaced by a speedometer read-out. Left unattended, a lift truck can still present a hazard. Through the Risk Reduction System, a mast lock automatically prevents the forks from being lowered and the mast from being tilted when the operator has left the seat.

The system also acts automatically to restrict travel speeds and acceleration when the truck is turning, and to reduce lift speeds when travelling. If the accelerator is released when the truck is on a gradient, an anti-rollback device ensures that the truck can reverse only slowly, while a new style of parking brake is foot operated to prevent accidental release. Further safety features include warning buzzers for the parking brake and seat belt.

The Nissan materials handling range now extends to electric and engine powered lift trucks from one to seven tonne capacity, together with a warehouse range that includes reach trucks, pallet transporters, pallet stackers and low, medium and high level order pickers.

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