One of the benefits of Forkliftaction's participation in the IFOY awards is that our editor, as a juror, gets access to the detailed test results.

This week, we look at the two finalists in the Special Vehicle category.

Moffett E4-25.3NX

Moffett E4-25.3NX
Worldwide, the demand for clean and quiet deliveries is increasing - especially in populated areas and during the night and morning hours. Hiab-Cargotec Engineering Ireland offers a suitable solution with the Moffett E4-25.3NX.
The Moffett E-NX is the second generation of the world's first all-electric, three-wheel truck-mounted forklift. It's a virtually silent and emission-free alternative to the internal combustion engine-powered transport vehicles used to deliver building materials, food, agricultural products and countless other goods around the world. The vehicle even allows goods to be delivered indoors.
The noise level of the electric truck-mounted forklift is so low that it can be used even in "problem hours" without disturbing residents. In addition, the driver does not need any special hearing protection, which offers a plus in safety because he is more aware of his surroundings.
The low-vibration electronic drive also increases driving comfort, reducing fatigue as well as health risks for the driver. The switch to electric driving also pays off financially. Both fuel and maintenance costs are significantly lower. Hiab-Cargotec calculates an ROI of two-and-a-half to four years. The average lifecycle of a truck-mounted forklift is eight years.
Of course, the battery needs to be charged regularly. This can be done with a separate charger, but also during transport. This ensures that the truck-mounted forklift remains ready for use even during longer distribution trips.
All Moffett e-Series NX machines are equipped with Hi-Connect, which monitors more than 100 machine parameters. Key parameters such as remaining battery capacity, operator safety and service messages are shown on the display. The display also monitors for possible overload.
Safety is a top priority on the Moffett. The product is equipped with both an orange seat belt and a safety gate. Both must be used before the truck can be activated.
During the test, the Moffett E4-25.3NX is whisper-quiet yet extremely powerful. The acceleration is powerful and the driving speed of 10km/h is sufficiently high. It hardly makes a difference whether you drive with or without a load. The lifting speed of 15.5 cm/sec. is easily sufficient for this type of truck.
IFOY test verdict:
With the Moffett E4-25.3NX, Hiab-Cargotec offers an excellent alternative to the diesel-powered truck-mounted forklift, both ecologically and economically. The forklift truck is quiet, powerful and smooth. The E4-25.3NX has a modern design and offers the operator a spacious workplace. The safety equipment is of a high standard. The ability to operate in both semi-open and enclosed environments greatly expands the possibilities of this truck.

Still EXH-S

Still EXH-S-25
With the new EXH-S 20/25 pallet truck series, Still is literally breaking new ground. For the first time, the pallet truck is no longer equipped with tiller steering, but with the EasyDrive steering wheel, which the manufacturer has previously used with the OPX order pickers.
Still developed the EXH-S 20/25 with 2 or 2.5 T load capacity for loading and unloading trucks and for horizontal transport. Even longer distances can now be covered quickly, as the travel speeds have been significantly increased to 14 km/h. The EXH-S 20/25 also has a particularly strong acceleration. This makes the truck ideal for fast operations. In combination with the new steering concept and improved ergonomics, the EXH-S 20/25 opens up a new dimension for fast handling.
In the test, more comfortable handling was noticeable. The EasyDrive steering wheel of the pallet truck takes some getting used to, but the familiarisation phase is very short. All the necessary controls are on and around the steering wheel. The driving program, energy saving and creep speed are also selected on the steering wheel. The entire steering console is stepless and easily adjustable in height.
Safe operation is particularly noticeable in that the hand remains on the steering wheel and the arms do not have to swing to the left or right, as is the case with a tiller-guided truck. This ensures that the operator remains within the contours of the vehicle. This detail is particularly important as the truck width on this Still series is only 720 mm, well below the dimensions of a Euro pallet.
The standing position is generous and the test truck is equipped with a pneumatic suspension platform that can be adjusted to the desired damping with the built-in compressor.
Thanks to its simple operation and higher driving speeds, among other things, the EXH-S 25 with lithium-ion battery not only scores top marks across the board in the test, but also measured the highest productivity in this class by the test team. In terms of energy consumption, the EXH-S scores above average. With the Blue-Q function activated, energy consumption drops by 15% for each pallet movement, although productivity remains high.
The fixed side walls promotes a feeling of safety and the optional foot sensor ensures that the feet stay on board. The space on the platform is so large that not once during the IFOY test was the sensor activated by mistake. If the operator were to leave the platform, the pallet truck would automatically brake to a standstill in a controlled manner.
The storage options in the test vehicle with Li-ion battery are limited. The test truck is equipped with the steel version; the plastic version offers more storage space and is also available for all trucks.
IFOY test verdict:
Still is breaking new ground with the new EXH-S 20/25 pallet truck series. The EasyDrive steering wheel, the pneumatically operated suspension, the choice of three wall configurations, remarkably high driving performance and test results are a highly innovative package. Still has set the benchmark in this class.