Green power for goods handling

The new Linde X20 – X35 electric forklift models in the 2.0 to 3.5 tonne payload range achieve the performance and robustness of the Linde hydrostats for the first time and combine this with the environmental benefits of battery operation. Together with the likewise new electric trucks for standard applications (Linde E20 – E35), they are based on the same platform as the Linde H20 – H35 IC engine-powered trucks launched at the end of 2019. This ensures shorter delivery times, quickly available options and an almost identical operating concept for the driver.

More and more companies are turning to electric forklift trucks to make their intralogistics as sustainable and climate-neutral as possible. This is because the battery-powered vehicles do not emit any emissions during operation and do not produce any harmful CO2 gases if the electricity comes from renewable sources such as wind, sun or biomass. The only shortcoming of the drive type: in certain applications, internal combustion engines were still superior. “Many of our customers were keen to switch to electric trucks, but didn’t want to give up the familiar performance, ground clearance, robustness, uncoupling and ergonomics of the Linde hydrostats,” describes Björn Walter, Senior Product Manager Counterbalance Trucks at Linde Material Handling. In addition to sustainability, there are other reasons that make the use of electric forklift trucks attractive: self-generated electricity, for example, with which the industrial trucks can be operated cost-effectively, or the quiet engines that avoid noise pollution in the neighbourhood.

In the development of a powerful, robust electric truck, however, it quickly became clear to those responsible for the project at Linde Material Handling that it would not be possible to achieve the desired equivalence by simply increasing the power. “That’s why we decided to design a completely new model series that combines the positive characteristics of our IC engine-powered trucks with the advantages of the classic electric forklift trucks and is ideal for our discerning customers, especially from the industries of building material, beverages, steel and iron, paper, wood and recycling with their tough applications, represents a real alternative,” reports Björn Walter. “At the same time, there should still be an extremely manoeuvrable standard electric truck – equipped with all the new functionalities of the platform concept, of course.” In line with this idea, there are now two Linde electric truck model series in the 2.0 to 3.5 tonne payload range: the standard model, the Linde E20 – E35, and the particularly robust and powerful X series, the Linde X20 – X35.

New equation: E = V

Users can now use the Linde X20 – X35 series trucks for requirements where conventional electric trucks have reached their performance limits. These include, among other things, large gradients to be mastered by the trucks, high handling rates to be achieved on a sustained basis or a lot of dust and dirt.

To achieve this, motors based on synchronous reluctance technology (SRM) are installed in both model series. This improves the efficiency of travel motors and lift motors by up to 5 percent, resulting in corresponding increases in efficiency. Two further technical highlights bring the Linde X20 – X35 up to the performance level of an IC engine-powered truck: firstly, the motors are additionally equipped with neodymium magnets, and secondly, the water cooling of the power modules ensures that the performance can be called up without restrictions over a long period of time, e.g. in multi-shift operation.

Comparative tests according to the TÜV-certified performance test developed by Linde MH delivered two key results: “On the one hand, the Linde X20 – X35 was just as powerful in handling as the Linde H20 – H35, and on the other hand, it performed significantly better in terms of time and costs per pallet handled than all the competitor vehicles,” comments the Senior Product Manager.

Important for outdoor use: the Linde X20 – X35 trucks, like the internal combustion engines, can cope with very uneven surfaces. This is made possible by the long wheelbase, the large tyres and the elastomer ring bearings as shock absorbers on the front axle. They prevent vibrations and shocks triggered by uneven ground from being transmitted to the operator via the wheels. All in all, physical strain is reduced and a consistently high level of performance is achieved for both man and machine. Completely sealed or encapsulated units in the the battery and engine compartment ensure insensitivity to dirt and dust particles. The lithium-ion system developed by Linde Material Handling provides sufficient energy: it consists of differently dimensioned and particularly safe, shock-resistant high-performance batteries and chargers.

Multiple advantages of the platform concept

If an electric truck is needed for indoor use with smooth industrial floors or if narrow rack aisles make material handling difficult, the classic version of the new electric trucks is available. The compact vehicle dimensions of the Linde E20 – E35 models and the combi steering axle developed by Linde Material Handling allow turning manoeuvres with the smallest radius. There is also a choice of different energy options: Lead-acid battery, lithium-ion battery or fuel cell systems. Existing batteries can also be used. A low-lift truck is now all that is needed to change the battery from the side.

Both the electric forklift series and the internal combustion engines of the current model range are based on one and the same platform concept. This means that operators benefit from large viewing windows through the lift mast, to the sides, to the rear and upwards. Just like the weather protection cab with fully glazed doors, most of the other options of the combustion engine are also available for the electric trucks. To ensure operator comfort and productivity in all conditions, the optional fully integrated air conditioning system with eight-nozzle ventilation system provides powerful cooling and heating. The optional “Linde Motion Detection” driver assistance system provides greater safety: sensors register movements in the rear of the truck and prevent the truck from reversing if there are people or vehicles in the area.

The 12XX truck generation also sets standards in terms of operational availability. The maintenance effort of the robust design, which is not very susceptible to repairs, is low; essential assemblies work wear-free. Networked service processes and the new Truck Health Management based on wirelessly transmitted vehicle data help to further increase vehicle availability.

Common parts and mixed assembly create advantages

The platform concept and the resulting larger number of common parts create further advantages: These range from assembly on a common mix belt and thus simpler logistics as well as greater flexibility in the event of production fluctuations, through to the possibility of swapping components between different models and quickly converting rental trucks. All three forklift types have an almost identical arrangement of controls, which makes switching between vehicles hardly noticeable for operators. Last but not least, new options are available simultaneously for all models in a load class. Björn Walter concludes: “Linde Material Handling is the first manufacturer to offer its customers an uncompromising electric truck alternative to the most powerful internal combustion engines on the market!

For more information, please visit: https://www.linde-mh.de/de/