The Jungheinrich ERE 225

Jungheinrich has launched the ERE 225 electric pallet truck, available in the northern hemisphere autumn for the European and Asian markets.

Manufactured at the Norderstedt plant, the forklift replaces the ERE 224. The new model features third-generation AC motors, has Jungheinrich's Shock Protect sprung drive motor and ProTrakLink-suspended drive castors that stop castors from snapping off when the forklift is used around loading bays.

It has a top speed of 12.5km/h (7.8 miles/h) and can transport 2,500kg (5,512lb) loads.

Last month, the German manufacturer made its JetPilot steering wheel available as an option for all electric counterbalanced forklifts in the EFG 425-430 range.

JetPilot

The JetPilot, first introduced at CeMAT 2005 in Hannover, integrates all main operating functions - travel direction, mast lifting and lowering, sideshift and tilt - into the steering wheel, making operating levers redundant.

Ralf Baginski, a Jungheinrich spokesman, says the steering wheel brings "previously undreamt-of possibilities" for counterbalanced forklift design.

"The workplace on a counterbalanced truck is getting closer in design and function to the up-market motor car standard and will continue to change considerably in the future."

The JetPilot has only to be turned 100 degrees in either direction to achieve full wheel lock. It also returns on its own to the straight travel position after turning a corner.

It is still too early to say how many units will be produced in its first year, Baginski says. The JetPilot is produced at the Moosburg plant, near Munich.