Get more breathing space with Hyster forklift trucks. As space becomes an increasingly bigger problem for some industrial companies, careful forklift truck selection can provide valuable breathing space to help maintain an efficient and productive operation. Forklift truck manufacturer Hyster can help companies gain more space through more compact and manoeuvrable, high capacity trucks.

Space is a luxury for many industrial companies, particularly in areas where there is a high density of population with high land and rental costs. Business growth, seasonal expansion or inadequately managed facilities may put pressure on a business and contribute to an increasing lack of space. However, relocating the business to bigger premises is usually a last resort, leading companies to address space problems at their existing premises.

"The productivity of handling operations is reduced if space is limited and unsuitable forklift trucks have been specified. Space is therefore a major consideration in the design of all Hyster forklift trucks, but it is not just indoors where space is an issue, it can apply to all varieties of application" explains Peter Madoc-Jones, Hyster Product Marketing Manager.

Timber yards or building materials production sites are prime examples where high capacity lift trucks are needed but where space may be an issue. In general, carelessly driven forklift trucks can cause damage to stock, but in operations where space is limited, companies will see significantly high levels of product damage unless appropriate equipment is specified. Drivers will also need to perform operations more carefully, increasing the time needed to carry out tasks, unnecessarily increasing the hours on the clock.

"In most cases it is not possible to plan a site any differently and the only way to increase space is through selecting a more compact truck that manoeuvres excellently but still offers the lift capacity needed."

The Hyster Fortens range of 1.6-7T diesel and LPG forklift trucks can deliver higher capacity at high lift heights, in a compact chassis design. The 5.0T & 5.5T Fortens models have been engineered to deliver this lifting capacity at a 600mm load centre, rather than 500mm.

"By the time any front-end attachment has been specified, this longer load centre can make a real difference. For example, Hyster can offer an H5.0FT or H5.5FT truck where the alternatives on offer, in order to achieve the equivalent lifting capacity at high lift heights, may be 6 or 7 Tonne trucks with a larger footprint."

In 'bigger' applications where lift requirements exceed 7 Tonnes, space is still an important factor. Hyster's 'Big Trucks' span up to 48 Tonnes and these models offer some of the smallest chassis designs in their class and deliver dependable performance for applications such as metal works, foundries or ports. Launched in 2007, Hyster's short wheel base 18 Tonne truck, H18.00XM(S)-12, has a wheelbase of only 3.5m and still provides outstanding performance and power for the toughest applications. Likewise at 48 Tonnes, Hyster's H48.00XM(S)-12 is one of the most compact in its class with a wheelbase of only 5.38m.

"Visibility is also crucial to help drivers manoeuvre forklift trucks efficiently where space is limited. Hyster's 'Vista' cab is designed to provide excellent all round visibility and is featured across the 'big truck' range, delivering excellent sight of the fork-tips or rearward vision over sloping counterweights" explains Peter Madoc-Jones.

Indoors where space can be extremely tight in warehouse aisles or loading bays, electric and LPG forklift trucks may be specified. The Hyster Fortens range is available in the S-series "Spacesaver" configuration up to 7 Tonnes lifting capacity. Ideal for heavy duty indoor applications, such as paper roll storage, users can gain a high lift capacity truck with an even more compact frame and shorter wheelbase. For example, the standard 2.5 Tonne S-series truck is available on a similar chassis to the equivalent 1.8 Tonne H-Series model, and still delivers the familiar benefits of the Fortens range, such as superior ergonomics, low lifetime costs, dependability and excellent manoeuvrability.

Electric trucks are typically specified to service production lines, load lorries or operate in racking for storage requirements. Hyster's electric trucks offer some of the most compact chassis designs assisted by superior steering capabilities and visibility.

Robert O'Donoghue, General Manager for Hyster Warehouse Products explains "Compact dimensions are not the only way to improve operation in tight spaces. Easy manoeuvrability and all round visibility are essential and it is the combination of all these factors where Hyster products excel." In fact, in 2007, a series of comparative tests were carried out in a realistic, intensive application environment against competitor products. The tests not only showed that the J1.60XMT and J2.00XMT 3-wheel electric models have compact dimensions, but they offer the tightest turning circle of any trucks in their class, exceeding the performance of their closest competitors.