 Combilift's four-way forklift meets the challenges at Liebherr's plant in southern Germany. |
Combilift's first-ever 14 tonne four-way forklift and a smaller, four tonne model are working hard at Liebherr's manufacturing facility in Biberach, in southern Germany.
The Biberach site specialises in producing industrial cranes of all sizes and classifications, and drive and steering components for the domestic and export markets.
A massive volume of raw materials and finished product are moved around the site and, previously, the job of conventional sideloaders. However, their lack of maneouvrability and the size of many of Liebherr's products posed a challenge. The heaviest and largest elements for the tower cranes measure 12.43 metres (40.78 feet) by 2.3 metres (7.5 feet) and weigh about 12 tonnes each.
Combilift's four-way forklifts met these challenges and are now in Liebherr's forklift fleet. The four-way trucks work mainly outside. Their large tyres and good ground clearance are suitable for uneven and muddy terrain. The four tonne truck is used for lighter work in the undercover storage area. Its changeover to sideways mode and good visibility from the cab impressed Liebherr.
The Combilifts work on a three-shift basis and load and unload about 90 heavy goods vehicles a day. They keep the dispatch, assembly and paint shop departments continuously supplied with materials. Southern Germany's harsh winters have imposed no disruption as the trucks are able to work in snow and ice.
"It would be hard to find an application that works its trucks so hard. It is a testimony to their robust design and build that they just keep on going," says Combilift's export sales manager in Germany, Ilya Morich.
Morich adds that Combilift's designers specifically used as few sensitive electronic parts as possible and favoured hydraulics and standard components.
As part of its customised handling solution for Liebherr, hydraulic fork positioners and telescopic forks were fitted to the two Combilifts to enable easy handling of the oversized and various dimensions produced at Biberach.
All Combilifts are manufactured by Combilift Ltd in Monaghan, Ireland. The current range now consists of 15 base models with capacities ranging from 2.5-14 tonnes, with LPG, diesel or AC electric power.