Yale Europe Materials Handling has launched a new three wheel electronic counterbalanced truck. It is designed to be the most cost-effective and manoeuvrable in its class, says a spokesman for Yale.
The innovative RCF truck which has been launched in Europe offers both low noise and maintenance and it has been ergonomically designed for maximum comfort, visibility and ease of operation.
Cameron Neilson, Yale's senior engineer on the RCF project team, says: "The truck boasts a range of weight capacities comprising 1,000 kg, 1,250 kg and 1,500 kg. Its unique design enables it to be used in a wide range of applications and it is especially ideal for use where space is limited.
"The truck operates with ease within a traditional reach truck environment, requiring only a 3,100 mm stacking aisle. This is made possible by the compact design, providing a turning radius of a mere 1,450 mm."
An extensive research and development (R&D) was undertaken prior to the launch. In this case, the brief was to deliver a truck featuring low noise, a minimum initial capital cost and excellent whole life costs, he says.
It features low user costs in the form of low service costs (and down time), auto regenerative braking, reduction of wear on brakes and extended battery life, energy saving rear wheel drive which prolongs the energy in the battery and the transistor hydraulics which help in increasing the battery life and reduces component wear.
Nelson says: "RCF is a quiet truck, providing benefits for both operator and the people working in close proximity to the machine in confined areas such as warehouses and factories."
The motor drive unit (MDU) which incorporates bearing supported input gear to improve the interface between the MDU and the traction motor reduces the noise levels; the main low speed hydraulic/steer pump is mounted to the chassis on rubber isolators, reducing noise and vibration transmission to the chassis and operator; and the transistorised pump motor and steering controls reduce operating noise levels considerably.
The split battery hood provides ease of access to the controller compartment, allowing controller and contactor panel to be serviced without removal of battery. The left-hand side cover can be lifted off when hood is raised to allow battery removal.
Throughout research, the driver's comfort was a top priority, he says. The ergonomically designed truck offers a spacious operator compartment. It has light steering which makes driving enjoyable for the operator. A five position adjustable steering column ensures an ideal driving position can be found to suit each individual. The soft-touch, hand contoured hydraulic levers are ergonomically positioned preventing the driver from stretching or straining. These control the transistor hydraulics which provide precise load positioning.
