In the countdown to the 2019 IFOY awards, Forkliftaction News is sharing the jury findings on each of the finalists. There were three finalists in the warehouse truck category. They are presented in alphabetical order.

Combilift PPT

Combilift Combi-PPT
With the Combi Powered Pallet Truck (PPT), Combilift presents a powerful pedestrian pallet truck series capable of handling loads up to 16 T. Saving space and working safely are key benefits. The IFOY test unit had a maximum lifting capacity of 8 T.

The Combi-PPT is equipped with maintenance-free AC drive, double hydraulic cylinders and double-drive wheels. These allow a compact design with reduced floor pressure while maintaining maximum load capacity. The electronic differential ensures maximum traction and excellent manoeuvrability. The two hydraulic lift cylinders, coupled to the fingertip switch, provide the power and control needed to safely and accurately lift and lower loads. The speed switch allows the operator to choose a steady and very gentle speed.

The IFOY Test team was impressed by the way in which Combilift prevents the chassis from being affected, even under heavy loads. The robust lifting system is designed for smooth, horizontal lifting and lowering using the parallelogram lifting mechanism. When lifting, the load moves backwards to lower the centre of gravity and transfer more load to the drive wheels for stable and safe driving.

The Combilift multi-position drawbar concept is patented in most countries. With the drawbar, the Combi-PPT can be steered and operated like any normal pallet truck. Once the truck has been positioned in front of a rack or machine, the drive wheel can be turned 90 degrees via a button on the tiller. It is then possible to move forward while standing next to the truck and with the tiller placed at right angles, and still be able to continue steering, allowing for safe handling in narrow spaces. The possibility to operate the truck with the tiller arm at 90 degrees takes the operator out of the danger zone, where he might get trapped between the truck and a wall, machine or rack. An additional advantage is that the operator has a clear view of the load and its surroundings. Because he stands next to the truck and not behind it, where a load carrier or product often limits the field of view, he can position the truck accurately and work safely in all circumstances.

As the clear colour display is integrated into the tiller arm, the operator always has a view of all useful operating information, such as the position of the wheels and the battery status. The tiller controls are intuitive, proportional and ergonomic. Heavy loads can be handled safely and smoothly with minimal effort. A foldable operator platform is available as an option for situations requiring longer distances to be covered.

The Combi-PPT is equipped with a side battery change system as standard. Quick and safe battery change is possible, ensuring optimum availability.

The compact powerhouse is significantly more agile and has a significantly shorter turning radius than the heavy forklift trucks that have so far often been used to move heavy and bulky loads. The PPT only needs about 25% of the space that a forklift of that tonnage would take up.

IFOY test verdict: With the Combi-PPT, Combilift brings an unprecedented powerful pallet truck for lifting and moving loads up to 16 T (in case of the IFOY nominee, up to 8 T). The unique 90 degree tiller steering offers the operator a safe position and optimum view of the operation. The accuracy and precision of the Combi-PPT is very high, making it suitable for sensitive positioning with very heavy loads.

Hubtex MaxX

Hubtex MaxX
For handling long loads in narrow aisles and confined spaces, Hubtex developed the MaxX electric multidirectional side loader. The truck has been specially developed for both indoor and outdoor use, as an alternative to the combustion trucks that have been used until now.

With the MaxX series, Hubtex offers a cost-effective electrically driven alternative with some special features, such as the HX steering system and hydraulic level compensation. The patented HX steering system was already used a few years ago for the specials produced by the manufacturer, but is now available for the first time on a series truck. The system enables a smooth change of the driving direction. The time saved per change is approximately 10 seconds. The small turning circles of the four-wheel chassis and the double load wheels ensure minimal tyre wear.

The hydraulic level compensation of the drive wheels ensures constant contact between the four-wheel chassis and the ground. The system reduces vibrations and results in stable and safe handling.

The MaxX is available in various basic variants. The side loaders with a lifting capacity of 3,000 kg are equipped with a 48 Volt drive as standard. The heavier models, with a lifting capacity of up to 4,500 kg, are supplied with either a 48 Volt or an 80 Volt drive. For each variant, several battery sizes are available, both with conventional lead acid and lithium-ion technology. In addition, six standard masts with lift heights up to 7,500 mm are available to choose from, providing a suitable truck for virtually any application.

The IFOY test truck had a 48 Volt drive, with a 930 Ah battery. The truck had a lifting capacity of 4.5 T and was equipped with a three-stage mast.

The step is a bit high and the shallow steps do not make it easy to get on and off. The foot well is ample, but the cabin itself could be a little larger, even though it is spacious for this type of truck.

There is no fixed test protocol for this type of truck, so the IFOY test team limited itself to a driving report on the newcomer. During this evaluation, the advantages of the HX steering system quickly became visible. The truck drives smoothly and the operation is intuitive and enjoyable.

The view of the load and the working environment is excellent, partly due to the high seat, the optimal window layout and the new 'free view mast' with integrated camera in the fork carriage. With this mast, the mast profiles are placed closer together, which clearly improves the view from the cabin, along the mast and on the fork compared to the previous mast design.

Also, the Hubtex Information Terminal 3 (HIT3), which is found in other electric multi-way trucks of the brand, was integrated in the test truck. The multifunction display gives the driver important information such as wheel position, speed or battery status. Optionally, additional auxiliary systems can be integrated.

IFOY test verdict: With the MaxX, Hubtex offers a smooth-running and, above all, easy-to-steer side loader to the market. The HX steering ensures smooth handling and an intuitive way of working. With the easy-to-use steering wheel, fine positioning is always possible. Thanks to the HX system, there is no need to wait between program changes, which increases productivity.

Jungheinrich EVT216

Jungheinrich ETV 216i

The ETV 216i is the latest flagship of the Jungheinrich reach truck series. The truck has been completely redesigned around the brand's own lithium-ion battery and sets new standards in terms of space, visibility and performance.

At the heart of the system is the lithium-ion battery which Jungheinrich puts together itself. This technology is more flexible in shape than a conventional lead acid battery and Jungheinrich makes optimum use of that. The new energy source is not a rectangular block, but has an L-shape. The vertical part of the L is under the seat, the lower side is under the footplate. The whole battery is also more compact, which has a positive impact on many facets of the truck.

To maximise the benefits of the new lithium-ion battery, the footplate is slightly raised. This offers space for a real, practical on- and off-step. The step is clearly visible, has a cleverly rounded shape and is sufficiently deep. The truck also has a variety of storage compartments and trays. Together with optional features such as the panorama roof and various assistant systems, they make working on the new ETV 216i easy and efficient.

Thanks to the new battery configuration, Jungheinrich saves a lot of space, much of which benefits the cabin, which is more spacious. The gain is not only noticeable in the extra foot room, but especially on the seat. The narrow reach truck seat has been replaced by a full-sized forklift seat, including a fully adjustable armrest, which offers good support. Thanks to the concealed battery, the cabin on the mast side can also remain low. This gives the driver a full view of the wheel arms and the working environment.

With the electric steering system, the ETV 216i can be guided very safely and the truck has no problem cornering at speed. The reach truck has unprecedented stability thanks to the extra front weight, which compensates for the lower weight of the lithium-ion battery and gives the truck a better weight distribution and a very low centre of gravity. The additional front weight also increases the residual load capacity.

During the IFOY Test Days it was obvious that the lifting speeds both with and without load, respectively 65 and 86 cm/s, are considerably higher than before. This is due to the higher yield of the lift pump. Together with the increased acceleration and travel speed, the ETV 216i reacts very directly and predictably to all commands.

The li-ion technology makes it possible to actually reuse almost all recovered energy during braking. As a result, the service life is noticeably longer. The measurements show that the ETV 216i in P3 (maximum driving mode) has a practical operating time of six hours. At P1, the practical application time was almost eight hours. Add to this the fact that the lithium-ion battery and the very accessible battery plug allow for trouble-free interim charging, and the truck can reach a full three-shift operation with ease.

IFOY test verdict: With the ETV 216i, Jungheinrich brings an innovative and high-performance reach truck. The completely new design around the cleverly concealed lithium-ion battery offers unprecedented visibility and working space. The truck is highly predictable in operation and effortlessly achieves high performance in terms of both productivity and energy consumption. Jungheinrich has once again set the benchmark in the reach truck segment with the ETV 216i.