Each year, a number of solutions are tested as part of the selection of the IFOY Award winners, and because editor Allan Leibowitz is on the jury, Forkliftaction News gets access to the expert reviews. In the lead-up to the award presentation, we will share insights into the finalists, starting this week with the contenders for the Special Vehicle/Warehouse Truck accolade.

Moffett E5 25.4 NX

The Moffett E5-NX is the world's first all-electric four-way truck-mounted forklift. It is the bigger brother of last year's IFOY winner. 

It is also the first all-electric truck with what the manufacturer calls a "moving mast" that can be extended, making it easier to load and unload trucks from one side. In addition, this design makes it extremely light. Extending the mast is much faster than with comparable vehicles with pantograph masts. This vehicle also has a pantograph, namely on the fork carriage. After the mast is extended, this pantograph brings the fork carriage forward.

The test vehicle was also equipped with the optional Lift Assist, a patented system that tilts two armrests against the side of the load floor. Especially when the load's centre of gravity is further away from the truck, Lift Assist helps prevent tipping. Loads can be set down and picked up more easily and safely at the far end of the load floor. 

The testers are impressed by the nomination, especially the legroom and the position of the pedals. The lack of a brake pedal (the vehicle brakes exclusively via the motor) is not a problem at all since braking force is dependent on the driving speed, so that the driver does not experience any surprises.

Two other advantages stand out: the all-electric truck-mounted forklift guarantees quiet and emission-free operation. This means that the forklift can also be used indoors without any problems, so that deliveries from outdoors to indoors are also possible.

Thanks to its quiet operation, it can also be used in the early morning hours or at night without disturbing the surroundings. In addition, the operator does not need to wear hearing protection. A low noise level also means that the operator is generally more aware of his surroundings. For added safety, the steering speed can also be adjusted.

The four-way concept enables smooth driving, even with long loads and narrow passages. However, the system has been further improved on this truck. For example, the wheels are automatically and electronically controlled into the correct position. When driving sideways, the reverse warning can also be heard, which the testers found annoying, however. 

The lithium-ion battery can be easily recharged if necessary while driving to the next delivery address. In many cases, however, the minimum operating time of six to eight hours is more than sufficient.

IFOY Test Verdict
Following the introduction of the first all-electric, IFOY Award-winning Moffett E4-25.3 NX, Hiab-Cargotec Engineering Ireland has taken a logical next step towards a zero-emission and quieter future for four-way forklifts with the Moffett E5 25.4 NX. Intelligent features such as the movable mast and the patented Lift Assist make work safer and more pleasant for the operator.

Jungheinrich ERD 220i

Until recently, you had to make a choice when it came to ride-on pallet trucks: either go for compact or go for safe or go in the ergonomic direction. With the new ERD 220i, Jungheinrich puts an end to the dilemma of compromise.

Thanks to the integration of the lithium-ion batteries, optionally one or two units with 130 Ah each, the need for a separate battery box is eliminated. This results in a space gain of 300 mm, which is entirely due to the very compact dimensions, optimum operator protection and improved ergonomics.

The suspension of the standing platform can be easily adjusted to the operator's body weight via six switches. The adjustable suspension works effectively to boost comfort. The working position is comfortable and the operator feels much more protected than with a classic pallet truck with a folding platform. The handles provide a good grip and control in any position.

Another innovation of the lift truck is the smartPILOT tiller steering. The electric steering is very intuitive and has a convenient automatic centre position for straight-line travel. The height is adjustable in four positions and the fork and lift mast are also easy to operate with one hand. The new charging interface connects the truck quickly and easily to an external fast charger (up to 300 A). An integrated charger (25 A) is available as an option, offering flexibility at any 230 V socket.

This pallet truck is the first of its type, so there is no IFOY benchmark. Nonetheless, the ERD 220i moves all loads that are also used in regular pallet truck tests easily and smoothly.

The IFOY test truck was the drivePLUS version, and in its most powerful mode (P3) it achieves 11.2% higher productivity than the test average in its class for single handling - the second-highest score ever. Test consumption at 100 pallets is 35% better than the market average. With the maximum battery capacity of 260 Ah, a practical operating time of over eight hours is possible. Longer working times are possible thanks to the possibility of easy recharging. In P2 and P1 working modes, productivity remains high and consumption drops even further.

Looking through the optional, extra-reinforced grey protective grille in the mast sometimes makes it difficult to clearly see the fork tips, which are also grey. A contrasting colour may be less aesthetic, but is perhaps more practical, says the test team. By the way, the ERD 220i is equipped with a transparent plastic screen as standard.

The operationCONTROL assistance system monitors the combination of load weight and lift height at a self-selectable load centre of gravity at 500, 600 or 700 mm. The positionCONTROL offers various options for lift height preselection. Both digital assistance systems proved useful in the double stick test. In this test, a productivity increase of 31% was found compared to the transport of a single pallet. Due to the much more efficient transport, the energy consumption per 100 pallets is also lower. The practical operating time in the most powerful mode (P3) is thus up to eight hours and 36 minutes.

IFOY Test Verdict
Working with pallet trucks is no longer a compromise between safety, compactness and ergonomics. With the new ERD 220i, Jungheinrich sets new standards for a safe, optimally protected and yet super-compact electric pallet truck. The performance is first class and challenges the competition.