Newsletter #400 (View other news stories)
Yale's new electric forklift trucks - everything's in the right place
Thursday, 5 Mar 2009
 One size does fit all - with the new generation of Yale VT and VF Series electric forklift trucks comfortably accommodating 95% of operators worldwide. |
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The new generation of Yale electric counterbalance lift trucks, the VT and VF Series, combines ergonomic excellence, class leading manoeuvrability and "e-balance", the symmetry of energy efficiency and high productivity.
With over 100 years of experience in the design and manufacture of electric forklift trucks, few lift truck companies understand materials handling quite as well as Yale.
The launch of the next generation of 1.5 - 2.0 tonne 3 wheel (VT) and 4 wheel (VF) trucks marks a new chapter in the long tradition of Yale manufacturing electric counterbalance trucks for world markets.
Announcing the introduction of the new forklift trucks, Yale Product Manager Gaurav Anand said: "The Yale VT and VF Series delivers outstanding ergonomics and performance, resulting in the best overall energy efficiency, productivity and lowest lifetime cost of ownership, for applications where electric forklift trucks are demanded".
 The new generation of Yale VT and VF three and 4 wheel electric forklift trucks, where everything’s in the right place. |
Gaurav Anand explained: "The introduction of the VT and VF Series marks an unprecedented step forward in ergonomic design and operating performance for three and four wheel electric counterbalance trucks".
"The Yale VT and VF Series offer a number of 'firsts' for the industry, including a four wheel truck with the smallest turning circle in each capacity, the best combination of lift and travel speeds for high productivity and the most efficient energy consumption over the VDI test cycle" commented Gaurav Anand.
Yale has an unrivalled heritage in the design and manufacture of electric counterbalance trucks and is credited with introducing the first electric powered lift truck to the European market in 1919.
Yale's approach to the introduction of the new models has been founded on this heritage and combines this with the latest ergonomic design, efficient AC power systems and proven solid state electronic controls.
 3 or 4 wheel? The new extended steering axle on the Yale 4 wheel VF model has turning performance similar to a 3 wheel truck. |
When One Size does fit All
Key to the successful design is the operator module. This offers best in class access and a seating position that comfortably accommodates over 95% of operators worldwide, representing a height range from 160cm to those over 194cm tall.
Working in partnership with a world renowned industrial design consultancy from Finland, Yale engineers collated data on the changing size of operators to develop an ergonomically advanced operator working environment that has the lowest step height in the industry with 3 point easy access on to the truck, generous headroom and good forward visibility through the new 'clear view' mast.
The new full comfort seat with integral mini-lever control module, integrated direction switch and horn button has been designed in conjunction with leading seat manufacturer Sears. When combined with the easy to read LCD 'Heads-up Display' and the infinitely adjustable steering column with memory tilt and synchronous steering option, it can be said that everything really is in the right place for the operator.
Research shows that operators can spend up to half their time travelling in reverse. The Yale VT and VF Series has an integrated rear grab handle with horn button as standard and a swivel seat option to help alleviate the impact on the operator when driving in reverse for long periods of time.
e-Balance
The VT and VF electric trucks have been designed to provide the most energy efficient solution at the lowest cost of ownership for the widest range of applications. Whatever the intensity of application, there is a Yale VT or VF forklift truck to meet the exact requirement.
Yale VT and VF trucks allow users to determine the 'e-balance' of performance and energy consumption by selecting either the 'eLo' (Energy Saving) or 'HiP' (High Performance) setting for their specific application.
The 'eLo' setting offers the lowest possible energy consumption in each class (2.02Ah per VDI 2198 test cycle) whilst the 'HiP' setting can be selected for a heavy duty performance cycle or where high productivity is of paramount importance. Within the 'eLo' and 'HiP' settings are four additional operator performance modes for maximum operational flexibility.
 3 or 4 wheel? The new extended steering axle on the Yale 4 wheel VF model has turning performance similar to a 3 wheel truck. |
3 or 4 Wheel?
The new VT/VF Series is available in lift capacities from 1.5 to 2.0 tonnes. Short, medium and long wheelbase chassis accommodate a range of 48Volt DIN battery capacities from 460 - 750Ah and BS battery capacities from 595 - 900Ah all with side extraction option.
The new extended steering axle of the VF model has a class leading AST when handling Euro-pallets. This allows the truck to operate in many existing 3 wheel aisles whilst having four wheel operating characteristics for indoor/outdoor applications.
Global reach - local support
Yale Europe Managing Director, Frank Ulbricht adds: "The new VT and VF series is synonymous with Yale's reputation for technical innovation. It provides the growing Yale distribution network with a class leading product that ensures continued volume growth for their businesses and the Yale brand".
Yale produces 97% of its products for its European, Middle East and Africa markets in Europe, at group manufacturing sites in the UK, Italy and the Netherlands, which all share the latest demand flow technology (DFT) manufacturing techniques and are registered to ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001 Environmental Management standards.
Discover more about the new Yale VT and VF range by visiting www.therightplace.eu or email info@yale.com.
Click here to visit the Yale Europe Materials Handling Shopfront
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