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SPECIAL REPORT: ELECTRIC FORKLIFTS
The next level Electric-powered forklifts are growing in popularity amongst merchant businesses, as technological improvements mean the units can offer a growing number of in-use benefits such as reduced emissions and noise without any compromise to performance. PBM reports on the recent launch of Still’s latest RX 60 electric forklift truck.
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ith stricter emissions standards for diesel vehicles, many merchant firms have reassessed their full vehicles fleet to consider more environmentally-friendly and cost-effective alternatives. For numerous reasons, albeit with some notable exceptions, the internal combustion engine remains the default for delivery vehicles yet merchants such as Lawsons and Covers are among an increasing number to have adopted electric forklifts from a number of manufacturers. Furthermore, their duties are not just limited to the relatively more amenable surroundings of the warehouse, but are able to operate outside in the yard as well. Whilst it also has an established portfolio of diesel and LPG machines, Still produced its first electric FLT — the EGS 1000 — back in 1949 when forklifts as a
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concept were a rarity in Europe. Indeed, the company can trace its expertise in electric engineering right back to its inception in 1920 when founder Hans Still established a business repairing electric motors in Spaldingstrasse, Hamburg. Now, in its centenary year, the company has expanded its forklift line further with the launch of the latest member of the successful RX 60 electric forklift truck family. With a load capacity of 3.5 to 5.0 tonnes, the new addition is said to offer benefits not only to those customers who primarily handle loads indoors, but also those which have to transport heavy loads outdoors. In addition to its agility, maneuverability and high driving comfort, the compact 80 Volt electric forklift truck is said to offer outstanding handling performance and high availability — all without exhaust fumes.
Power and performance The Still Performance System is described as standing for “the intelligent linking of all hardware and software components for the lift and travel drive”. As a result, the new RX 60-35/50 has been designed to provide a well-matched package of powerful drive components and sensitive operating functions. Within the series, seven different vehicle variants are available to customers with a