Jungheinrich: One-stop Shop for Tow Train Support

Jungheinrich is premiering a complete tow train system to a world audience at CeMAT 2014 (May 19 to 23 in Hanover). A primary element consists of holistic advice on the efficient, practical use of tractors and trailers as well as the relevant interfaces.

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The new Jungheinrich tow train system consists of tow tractors and trailers, a professional analysis of the application area and a holistic examination of the operating environment before making a recommendation on the necessary materials handling equipment. “This is essential if the use of tow trains in production operations and logistics is to be truly effective,” remarks Dr Rolf-Peter Haelbich, Head of the Jungheinrich Production Plant in Lüneburg, Germany.

Planning a tow train system requires an intimate familiarity with the relevant intralogistics processes. When, where, how often and with what degree of technical outfitting a tow train is operated depends on numerous factors, including the client-specific range of parts. As an established provider of analyses and optimisation recommendations for intralogistical material flow processes, Jungheinrich has expanded its portfolio to include tow train analysis and advice. “Only a holistic analysis of all the interfaces connected with the supply process can guarantee standardised, efficient and flexible material flows via tow trains,” says Haelbich.

This analysis and advice includes identifying the optimum transport routes, analysing all the relevant storage and order picking areas as well as defining the stops with regard to their precise location, the necessary number and the times. This is followed by selecting the appropriate tow tractor and trailer type for the relevant supply process.

Jungheinrich Presents Two New Trailer Types

Fundamental components of the tow train system consist of two new trailers, which the Hamburg-based intralogistics specialist is presenting to an international trade audience at CeMAT 2014. These are the GTP and GTE type trailers.“These trailers enable the simultaneous processing of several transport orders. They make the production process leaner, guaranteeing high provisioning security while ensuring excellent resource utilisation,” comments Oliver Rosenthal, Product Manager for Tow Trains at Jungheinrich.

The robust portal-type GTP trailer from Jungheinrich is designed to transport payloads of up to 1,000 kilograms. Made of high-grade steel plate, the trailers can be fitted with optional all-wheel steering. “This makes steering the whole tow train safe and easy, even in tight spaces,” explains Rosenthal, adding that the GTP trailers were electrically connected to enable “easy and clean energy transmission”.

Portal heights of up to 2,000 millimetres make loading and unloading the trailers both easy and ergonomic. The load to be picked up is pushed under the portal, locked into place and lifted at the push of a button. To unload, the operator lowers the load and pushes it out under the portal arches. Jungheinrich designed the GTP to be loaded and unloaded from both sides, irrespective of whether the trailers are coupled front to front or front to back. According to Rosenthal, this results in “maximum flexibility for designing routes”.

E-frame Trailers: Own Platform for Lifting and Lowering

The GTE type Jungheinrich trailer is an E-frame trailer which can transports loads of up to 1,200 kilograms. The GTE has its own platform for lifting and lowering the load. Clients can choose between a mechanical, hydraulic or electro-hydraulic lift. “The electro-hydraulic lift makes it particularly fast and clean to couple the trailers,” reports Rosenthal. For loading the load is placed on a trolley, which is pushed in to the trailer, lifted and mechanically locked. For unloading the locking mechanism is released, and the load is lowered and removed.

Flexible and Economic Material Throughput

Both trailers achieve a turning radius of approximately 5,100 millimetres (GTP 210) or 4,600 millimetres (GTE) and possess a very high tracking fidelity. “This makes steering the entire tow train, even in tight spaces, safe and easy,” adds Rosenthal. The number of coupled trailers is flexible, so the train capacity can be adapted to the amount to be transported. Rosenthal explains that this feature “makes for flexible and efficient material handling.” Typical applications, for example in production supply operations, consist of tow trains with up to four trailers.

Jungheinrich ranks among the world’s leading companies in the material handling equipment, warehousing and material flow engineering sectors. The company is an intralogistics service and solution provider with manufacturing operations, which offers its customers a comprehensive range of forklift trucks, logistics systems, services and advice. Jungheinrich shares are traded on all German stock exchanges.