Powerhouse with green drive: The new heavy-duty forklifts from Linde Material Handling (Linde MH) deliver the necessary power for the payload range from ten to 18 tons - and they're purely electric.
One of the impressive features of the twelve new models is their maximum flexibility in the use of the two battery systems lead-acid and lithium-ion. The two battery technologies can be swapped at any time without having to make any changes to the vehicle hardware. This is a truly unique selling point, which also has a positive effect on the secondary recycling of the vehicles. In order to be able to adapt the battery system to different application requirements, there are also different versions for batteries and chargers.
In terms of design, elements of the eight-ton series are taken up in the new, compact series of heavy-duty trucks. The doubled drive, the doubled lifting hydraulics, two batteries, scaled pumps and the decoupled, rubber-mounted cab are all found in the vehicle.
The latter has been significantly improved once again in terms of all-round visibility. The big brother, for example, has been equipped with an armored glass roof, large glass surfaces in the side doors as well as in the front and rear windshields, and a specially shaped counterweight. Thanks to these adaptations, the operator has a clear view of the road at all times, which in turn has a positive effect on safety during operation. In order to relieve the operator when reversing, a seat that can be rotated by 17 degrees, including an armrest, can also be fitted as an option. The orange seat belt with seat belt buckle monitoring ensures even greater safety during operation.
A special drive concept with four motors - two for the left and two for the right wheel - provides the necessary power for transporting the heavyweights. The most powerful model, the Linde E180/900 (18-ton load capacity; 900 millimeter load center), accelerates to a speed of 20 km/h in just ten seconds when loaded.
With the electrification of the largest series, all Linde MH forklifts in the payload range from 1.4 to 18 tons can now be ordered with the most common types of energy. Customers of the goods handling specialist thus have the option of selecting the right drive for their application even in the largest payload class. In developing the large electric forklifts, the company was able to build on its more than 50 years of experience with this drive concept.
Of particular interest to companies in the wood, steel, stone and beverage industries are the E100 to E180 models with 10, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 18 ton load capacities and various load centers.