Only just presented, already under trade fair stress: while the LTX-T 08 could be marvelled at and celebrated in STILL’s pavilion P35, its identical twin was already hard at work on the trade fair site in Hannover. Kühne + Nagel, official logistics services provider to the Deutsche Messe AG, was visibly enthusiastic after the initial tests, and put the truck to use immediately in its vehicle fleet on the trade fair site. The ceremonial handover of the keys took place on Wednesday, 21st of May 2014 during the CeMAT trade fair.

From May 19th to 23rd 2014 the CeMAT, the world’s leading trade fair for intralogistics, has again inspired visitors with a wealth of new products, innovations and presentations. At the same time the LTX electric towing tractor, presented for the first time at the start of the trade fair by the Hamburg company STILL GmbH, a leading supplier of customized intralogistics solutions worldwide, was already enjoying great popularity both in front of and behind the scenes. Because a first truck in the LTX-T 08 series was already in use by KN Expo & Event Logistics, undertaking various courier journeys on the Hannover trade fair site.

Jörn Schneemann, head of Kühne + Nagel’s trade fair department, explains that “Kühne + Nagel has set itself the aim of using efficient, environmentally friendly technology to operate the logistics on trade fair and event sites. Consequently in our opinion the LTX-T 08 is the optimum addition to our fleet, and an event such as the Hannover CeMAT, the world’s leading intralogistics trade fair, offers the ideal starting point for its use.” This is also shown by their use of the 25 STILL hybrid forklifts which KN Expo & Event Logistics has already been operating in its trade fair fleet for more than two years.

The LTX-T 08 three-wheel electric towing tractor, designed for a wide variety of indoor and outdoor transport tasks, is equipped with its own platform for loads up to 800 kg, and can pull a towed load of up to 6.2 t at the same time. Driven by a powerful 48-V three-phase motor, it also achieves high accelerations and a maximum speed of 20 km/h. The new drive system has enabled maintenance intervals to be extended to 1,000 operating hours or 12 months. Schneemann also stresses that “What we particularly appreciate about the LTX-T 08 is that the truck is low-emission and above all low-noise – so it is ideally suitable for delivering to trade fair halls over short distances.” Due to the built-in charger, the battery can also be given repeated interim recharges even without the user-friendly lateral battery change that is provided. This increases the flexibility that is needed especially for trade fairs and events, and makes additional fixed charging stations unnecessary.

The LTX provides outstanding all-round visibility due to the cab’s raised front window and narrow profile bars. Thus from the seat position, the driver has an exceptionally good view of the controls and displays as well as over the whole truck contour. Large windows in the cab roof also ensure optimum upward visibility for driving quickly and safely through gateway entrances and exits. The modern LED lighting design contributes to good vehicle visibility and thus safe operation in parallel with the busy passenger transport on the trade fair site, e.g. due to the daytime running lights incorporated into the distinctive front and the conspicuous rear lights and brake lights. For safe braking the LTX has three braking systems: the wear-free electrical brake with energy recovery when the drive pedal is released, the hydraulic/mechanical driving brake and the automatic parking brake which is applied as soon as the truck is at a standstill.

Andreas Kerkmann, branch manager of KN Expo & Event Logistics Hannover, is pleased that “Our drivers are enthusiastic about being the first that are able to use a truck with the latest innovative technology in the application phase. The truck is user-friendly and manoeuvrable, and has an ergonomic seat position with easy entry and exit.”

Like the driver’s workplace and controls, the cab is based on the highest ergonomic standards of STILL’s RX 20 forklift truck. This means the driver feels at ease immediately and can manage forklifts and tractors equally well. Comfortable driving is ensure by an adjustable height steering column with four height levels and the comfortably sprung driver’s seat with its adjustable backrest, together with the sprung, cushioned chassis. All the switches and control levers are within easy reach from a comfortable sitting position, and via the display and operating unit on the right alongside the steering column the driver has all the information in view at all times and direct access to driving programs, headlights, driving direction indicators, windscreen wipers and much more. At the same time STILL has expanded the display field by adding information from the STILL RampIndicator, a display of the incline or uphill angle to inform the driver about the current gradient or slope of the roadway. To drive down steep ramps the driver can use the downhill assistance, which is also installed as standard equipment. This limits the speed to 4 km/h, thus reducing the risk of accidents. All the models in the LTX series also have the Blue-Q energy-saving program as standard, which allows an energy saving of up to 10% at the push of a button, depending on the use and load.

The official truck handover on STILL’s trade fair stand during the CeMAT 2014. l. to r.: Jörn Schneemann, Head of Kühne + Nagel’s trade fair department, Bert-Jan Knoef, Chairman of STILL’s management board, Andreas Kerkmann, Branch Manager of KN Expo & Event Logistics Hannover, and Uwe Gildner, Technical Manager of KN Expo & Event Logistics Hannover.

Bert-Jan Knoef, Chairman of STILL’s management board, hands over the keys of the first LTX to Uwe Gildner, Technical