The Ziegler Group, one of Europe’s largest sawmill operators, has renewed its forklift fleet, replacing around 25 of its Hyundai vehicles with new models.

Around 100 forklifts, ranging from 3.0 to 12 T, are currently in operation on six sites. In Plössberg, there are 46 trucks, of which 25 are Hyundai machines.

The Hyundai 70D-9-series and 80D-9-series forklifts are run by changing teams of operators, and see heavy duty in three-shift operations.

They are equipped with a duplex mast for 4,500 mm fork height. The side shift/fork adjuster is standard on Hyundai forklifts, and Ziegler mounts a load backrest on the mast for safety, to protect against falling wood.

Hyundai's 8-tonner with larger 9.00 R20 tyres instead of 8.25-15 tyres is praised for its smoother ride and higher ground clearance.

Ziegler's workshop manager commends Hyundai for its excellent spare parts service: "Parts ordered by 3:30 pm. actually arrive the very next morning on site in Plössberg. I can attest in general to the truly minimal maintenance needs and costs of our yellow forklifts from South Korea. Even installing spare parts takes very little time. And even if any issues arise, there are no problems dealing with Hyundai,” he says.

The new machines were supplied by Hyundai Gabelstapler Süd based in the town of Eberstadt, near Heilbronn.