The pressure on companies to increase productivity and minimise downtime has never been greater, with the popular saying 'time is money' having more meaning now than ever. This is where materials handling manufacturers can play a significant part in helping to increase pallet throughput while maintaining or reducing energy consumption and cost.

As a result of customer's demands for ever increasing productivity Yale has responded by introducing a, 'Productivity' model of its successful VL Series electric counterbalance forklift truck. The 'Productivity' model is perfectly suited to intensive applications with long runs and high lifts.
 
Exhaustive testing and competitive analysis in the company's test facilities in Craigavon, Northern Ireland have lead Yale to believe that the VL 'Productivity' model is the most energy efficient, ergonomically advanced and productive electric counterbalance forklift series in the 2200kg to 3500kg capacity, combining the performance of an engine powered forklift truck with zero emissions.

Daniel Heap, Electric Truck Senior Product Development Manager, says: When we carried out the exhaustive testing on the Yale 'Productivity' truck we wanted the test to be indicative of a heavy duty production cycle. A test cycle that was synonymous with many of our customer's production applications. The result was that the Yale VL series 'Productivity' model was up to 22% more productive than the competitive average and up to 15% more productive than its nearest rival. The beautiful thing about the 'Productivity' truck is that it only uses 10% more energy to outperform our competitor's products by up to 22%.

Energy efficiency increased
However if energy consumption is the main driver when considering the purchase of an electric counterbalance truck in the 2200kg to 3500kg capacity range then the ERP VL Value truck in eLo mode is up to 7.5 % more productive and up to 11 % more energy efficient on the standard VDI test track versus the competitor average. When you equate this to the Cost of Ownership per pallet moved based on 1500 hours of operation per year cost savings of between 7% and 9% can be made. The VL range really does cater for all our customers' requirements"

Operator comfort key to delivering increased productivity
Designed to provide the best in comfort and ergonomics the VL series operator controls are intuitive and support the 'Function meets Form' design philosophy incorporated into all Yale models. Increased lift and travel speeds are complimented by the class leading whole body vibration (WBV) levels of 0.6m/s2. By focusing on sound quality and noise levels the VL Value model now has a low 67dB(A) at the operators ear (EN12053). This can be reduced even further to 66dB(A) by specifying the low noise pump option. As a result of the higher top speed and larger hydraulic pump motor the VL Productivity model is just 1dB(A) louder than the standard configuration at 68dB(A).

Designed to reduce repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and to be fully intuitive the vertically and horizontally fully adjustable Yale 'AccuTouch' mini lever module features a cushioned arm and palm rest with fingertip control levers for maximum comfort.

The VL 'Productivity' model also features three point entry for easy on/off access; unobstructed floor space with right-hand access; generous headroom, comfortably accommodating the smallest to the tallest operators from less than 160cm to more than 194cm.

When combined with the recent product enhancements the host of ergonomic features of the VL series contribute to operators being able to stay more comfortable, alert and able to achieve the highest possible productivity levels throughout their shift period.

Daniel Heap, Electric Truck Senior Product Development Manager, says: "Yale understands that operators who work long shift patterns have different operating needs. This is why we pay so much attention to providing them with the most comfortable working environment possible in our lift trucks. As a result, in many cases, productivity can be increased, absenteeism can be reduced and operator costs lowered."