The Gas Division of the
Linde Group has ordered 12
bespoke electric pallet trucks
from specialist manufacturer
Sichelschmidt which have
been developed to meet the
requirements of the Explosion
Group II C directives. These
are being rolled out to Linde
production facilities across
Germany to boost safety in
this Ex category environment.

Sichelschmidt is designing
and manufacturing a truck
from the ground up that can
operate in areas where
hydrogen and acetylene are
present. The volatile nature
of these gases means they fall
into the highest Explosion
Group II C category, with
acetylene being particularly
prone to ignite.

Sichelschmidt says when
decanting the gases into
containers such as gas bottles,
electric pallet trucks are
considered to be the handling
solution which offers the best
operational flexibility.

Ralf Sichelschmidt says the
company has had enquiries
in the past for a truck of this
nature, but the development
costs to supply one unit were
too high. The order for 12 has
made it commercially viable.

The compact and powerful
electric pallet truck d125 was
used as a basis for the new
model. It has Sichelschmidt’s
AC drive, developed to offer
high levels of productivity and
quick turnaround alongside
low energy consumption.

Other features include an
Ex-compliant electric AC
motor, new housing for the
control system, and specific
measures to address
mechanical explosion
protection.