“It is impossible for a Flexi operator to damage loads or pallet racks  when turning so, after a short conversion training, forklift operators are soon able to achieve optimum safe productivity rates,’ says John Maguire.

“This narrow rear axle development across the Flexi range is even more important when travelling at speed down narrow rack aisles. Trucks with wide wheel arches are prone to striking pallet loads on the ground level and these `high speed’ incidents can often lead to major product and rack damage,” he adds.

“In Germany, for instance, the strict DIN aisle security standard for Very Narrow Aisle operation can easily be achieved by the Flexi, as its wheel arch-free design provides maximum security clearance when travelling at high speed down the aisle.”

The Flexi’s `True Radius’ wheel arch eliminating design and minimal use of plastic covers and other easy to damage components, means that repair costs incurred due to truck damage are minimal.  Indeed, thanks to their robust design and easy-to-operate functionality, most Flexis finish typical five year contract hire agreements with zero or minor return costs.

To ensure that all drivers and warehouse operators not only get the best from their Flexi  but work safely, Flexi Training (www.flexi-training.com) offer  a number of on the job, training courses. The courses are approved by HSE through an authorised training board and conducted by factory trained and registered instructors at a user’s premises or at Flexi Training’s centre in Droitwich.

… and easy to stack

To further improve the efficiency of the Flexi range, Flexi Narrow Aisle Ltd – manufacturer of the Flexi range of articulated forklift trucks – has introduced wireless, solid state laser lift height selector technology across its range of very narrow aisle trucks.

The height selector allows the truck operator to pre-set the required pallet storage height simply and efficiently which results in faster throughput and reduced fatigue – particularly in larger, high bay stores.

Unlike other forklift height selection systems currently on the market, the Flexi Narrow Aisle technology does not rely on wires, tapes or other cables to monitor the height of the forklift carriage as it is raised or lowered in the aisle. Instead it uses state-of-the-art laser technology developed in consultation with a leading German sensor-solutions specialist to precisely check the carriage height.

“Traditional lift height sensors have used tape to measure the carriage’s height. The tape becomes stretched and worn and has to replaced, whereas our wire-less system is virtually maintenance free and remains accurate no matter how many times the mast is raised or lowered,” says John Maguire, sales and marketing director of Flexi Narrow Aisle

The system automatically stops a forklift load carriage at the correct height when the operator is performing a pallet put-away or retrieval operation. Importantly, the sensor allows the load to be raised or lowered at the optimum speed – bringing it to a controlled stop at the desired location.

John Maguire added: “Because Flexi articulated forklift trucks enable pallets to be picked and put-away up to 14 metres high they are increasingly used in the high bay warehouse sector. Indeed, some 40 per cent of all trucks we supply are already fitted with high definition LCD CCTV screens to enable the operator to clearly see the load, pallet and racking system at all levels.  The quality of the images provided to the operator allow some customers to carry out remote continuous stock checking.

“The new Flexi Narrow Aisle lift height sensor is an additional piece of technology that will further eliminate operator error, enhance throughput reduce fatigue and, of course, improve safety in the warehouse.”