Industrial truck manufacturer Linde Material handling is launching a new generation of pallet stackers, L14 to L20 in the capacity range of 1.4 and 2.0 tonnes. Designed either as a pedestrian truck or with a folding stand-on platform the trucks will offer lift heights in excess of 5.30 meters. The new pallet stackers come as standard with a load weighing device, a battery cover for optimum view and a large number of mast variants with up to 33 per cent higher lifting speed. Unique to the market is the folding stand-on platform of the ride-on version. The platform is fully suspended and, together with the tiller head and the folding side guards, forms an operators position that is isolated from the chassis. This means that the operator is isolated from shocks from uneven surfaces increasing the level of comfort.

The Linde pedestrian pallet stackers L14 to L20 and the models with folding, stand-on platform with full suspension and side guards, L14 AP to L20 AP, respectively, are equipped with a powerful, maintenance-free 2.3 kW AC motor, which allows a traction speed of up to 10 km/h. The Linde Curve Assist automatically reduces speed in proportion to steering angle enhancing stability and operator comfort. Unsafe driving manoeuvres are thus prevented and warehouse safety increased. The built-in weighing device, which is active up to 1.50 m lift height, serves the same purpose. It measures the load with an accuracy of +/- 50 kg; the value is shown on the display.

Good visibility , durable materials, many variants

The better the view of the pallet and load, the more confidently and safely operators can manoeuvre the pallet stacker in narrow aisles or in restricted areas. Operators need better visibility and we have given them this with the battery cover bevelled to the front. With lowered forks, the operator can see the fork tips and steer the truck safely around corners and obstructions.

“Soft Landing” of the forks is another standard protective function. This avoids destabilising the load and reduces damage by automatically slowing down the mast before reaching the rack or ground so that the load can be placed gently.

Pallet stackers are considered to be all-rounders in the warehouse. To meet the diverse application requirements, customers have a choice between 26 standard, duplex and triplex masts. Optionally available for applications with high lift height requirements is the “Lift Speed Booster” by which the lifting speed of 0.3 m/s without load can be increased by 33 percent. If ramps and dock levellers form part of the usual working environment, the pallet stacker can be equipped with initial lift to increase ground clearance.

Ergonomic driving, reliable braking
Together with the tiller head and folding side guards, the full-suspension stand-on platform of the AP version forms a solid unit that is isolated from the chassis via rubber-metal bearings. This solution, which is unique in the market, provides enhances driving comfort and effectively protects the operator against Whole Body Vibrations. With an acceleration value of 0.68 m/s2, the WBV figures remain well below the strict standard for the first time. As a result, the operator can work effectively over longer period of time, and is protected against musculoskeletal disorders. Comprehensive development expertise has also gone into the design of the tiller and tiller head. All controls are duplicated, so that the pallet stacker can be operated with either hand. Due to the shape of the tiller head, the operator’s hands are protected at all times.

In order to protect the operator from injury, there should a sufficient operating clearance between the user and the truck at all times. In case of these Linde pallet stackers, this is ensured by the “Safety Speed” function: The driving speed of the stacker is automatically reduced as the tiller approaches the vertical and the operator gets closer to the truck. The truck stops when the tiller moves into the braking zones at its upper or lower end position. The same applies when the operator releases the throttle or changes direction. In such cases, as well as when driving up a slope, the truck brakes automatically and rolling backwards is prevented. For special situations, such as crowded marshalling areas, where the operator can only manoeuvre with the tiller vertically, the stacker can be moved very slowly by holding down the “creep speed” button.

Important information such as load weight, fault codes, operating hours or service intervals, is displayed to the operator on the new, large coloured display. When using the on-board charger, real-time information on the charging process is shown in addition.

There are two different options when it comes to battery replacement. In addition to the standard vertical change, the stackers are also available with optional lateral battery change. In this case they feature a roller channel inside the battery compartment and a lever for battery ejection which aids withdrawal of the battery onto a replacement frame or trolley. In any case, access to the battery is very simple: All you have to do is remove the engine cover.

Linde Material Handling GmbH, a company of the KION GROUP AG, ranks among the world’s foremost makers of forklift and warehouse trucks and is the market leader in Europe. In addition, the company today offers its know-how, gained during decades of developing and manufacturing electric drive systems, to external customers for a wide variety of applications. As an international company, Linde Material Handling operates production and assembly plants in all important regions worldwide, and has a global sales and service network with offices in over 100 countries. In the fiscal year 2014, Linde Material Handling employed approximately 13,900 people worldwide and generated annual sales of EUR 3.077 billion.