 The Cat® NR14-25N2 reach truck is the best machine in the market when it comes to user experience. |
The R&D team of Cat® Lift Trucks was assigned to lead a challenging project: renew the Cat® NR14-25N2 reach truck to make it the best machine in the market when it comes to user experience. Some months after its introduction, the team is satisfied with the outcome. Customers' input confirms that they have succeeded in their mission. Industrial design was strongly present in designing the
new Cat Reach Truck. But even a stronger input came from the feedback of customers and drivers on user experience. The R&D project group visited approximately twenty companies in Europe
 Industrial design was strongly present in designing the new Cat Reach Truck |
that use reach trucks in all kind of applications.
Janne Kouri, project manager of the R&D team of Cat Lift Trucks, explains: "Our main observation was that the forklift drivers are all different. Some drivers operate the forklift every day, being top professionals in handling the machine. But there are also small companies with only a few employees, in which the forklifts are operated occasionally. The forklift has to feel good to the driver, whether it is the managing director or his daughter driving the vehicle".
Two new concepts came up when these factors were considered. Easy Access is used for describing two things: getting into the forklift is easy for the driver and for the maintenance person, for instance.
 Responsive Drive System
(RDS) means that the forklift responses to driver's movements. |
The other concept that came up was: Responsive Drive System (RDS). This means that the forklift responses to driver's movements. For example, when the driver pushes the accelerator pedal "quietly", the vehicle accelerates steadily. When pushing the accelerator pedal quickly, the forklift accelerates faster. Therefore the driver is better equipped to manage the reach truck in low speed and in lifting tasks that require accuracy. On the other hand the reach truck also transforms into a very fast and efficient vehicle, thus using its entire performance capacity.
Both concepts have been added to the many features in the design of this
new NR-N2 reach truck range to empower operators. Some examples are: a totally redesigned adjustable armrest, spring-force-optimised fingertip hydraulic controls or, if preferred, an intuitive joystick control option. A wide, unobstructed and comfortable operator's compartment. Convenient grab handles, intermediate step, exceptional all-round visibility, ultra-low seating, exceptional headroom or the angled full colour screen.
 The forklift has to feel good to the driver, whether he drives daily or infrequently. |
The results can be seen in its innovative ergonomics that have granted the
Cat NR14-25N2 a place as finalist in the
Ergonomics category of the Awards for Excellence 2015.
The Awards for Excellence 2015 are organized by the
Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) in UK. The winners will be announced on
Saturday, 28th of February at The International Centre in Shropshire (UK).
For further information on this product range, please visit
www.catlifttruck.com.
Or Contact:Monica Escutia, Manager Corporate and Marketing Communications GroupT: +31 (0)36 549 4328
E: send an email
W: www.catlifttruck.com
SF: Cat Lift Trucks ShopFront