Linde has removed the A-pillar on some of its models

Linde Material Handling is offering Roadster versions of its E20 to E35 series forklifts, doing away with the A-pillar to improve visibility.

The German forklift giant says it is using the overhead tilt cylinders of its popular models to do away with the A-pillar "to offer the driver a unique view of the driving path and surroundings, thus providing additional safety benefits".

Overhead tilt cylinders absorb the forces acting on the mast during operation and direct them backwards via the overhead guard frame. This eliminates the need for an A-pillar.

Instead of the A-pillar, a curved steel tube behind the steering column and dashboard serves as a boarding aid and allows the attachment of optional equipment such as a terminal, display for the Linde Safety Pilot assistance system, clipboard or mobile phone.

Since an unobstructed view for the driver is an essential factor for passive safety in forklifts, the new Linde Roadster trucks offer advantages for all conceivable applications, but especially where an optimum field of view is particularly important, according to the company.

The Linde Roadster, first shown at Linde's World of Material Handling 2016 in May, is now available for all Linde E20 to E35 series forklift trucks. The basic technical and performance characteristics are fully compliant with the basic models.