Mystery model passes endurance test with flying colours

Duisburg, April 2014 – CLARK Europe GmbH based in Duisburg, Germany intends to further consolidate its market share in the area of warehouse technology with new reach truck models. The manufacturer of material handling equipment is confidently pushing forward with further development work to achieve this: the first prototypes of the CLARK reach trucks SRX14 and SRX16 have already proven their effectiveness in test applications.

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After having developed important core products in the warehouse technology range with its low-lift pallet trucks and high-lift stackers of the PX and SX series, the material handling specialist CLARK is now venturing into the ultimate field of warehousing technology with the introduction of new reach trucks. The CLARK reach trucks SRX14 and SRX16 with load capacities from 1.4 to 1.6 tonnes and lifting heights up to 10.5 metres are poised to cover the important core area of warehouse and internal transport applications. After having been put through their paces in field tests, the first prototypes passed with nothing but positive feedback.

Convincing overall concept

The reach trucks have been incorporated seamlessly into CLARK's proven "Built to Last^©" concept. It stands for robust and functional designs following the principle "as much solid steel as possible and only as much plastic as needed". Here the sturdy chassis made from solid steel protects the most important components where many competitors simply have recourse to plastic parts. The solid construction ensures reliable operation with low service costs over the vehicle's entire life cycle.

The trucks also score highly when it comes to ergonomics: A functional ergonomic concept spares the driver superfluous actions while ensuring that manoeuvring commands can be carried out quickly and safely. This means the driver can concentrate better on his tasks and thus work more productively.

High comfort ensures safety and productivity

Access to the vehicle is safe and easy thanks to a generously dimensioned operator’s step. The operator also benefits from excellent leg space and head room inside the driver's cab. The height-adjustable steering column and spring-mounted Grammer seat can be optimally adjusted to the driver's body size. The spring-mounted driver’s seat together with a dampened base plate also ensures that vibrations acting on the driver are reduced. Thanks to the low dashboard and sophisticated arrangement of mast profiles, chain guide and lifting cylinders, the driver has an excellent view of the fork tips, allowing safe load handling.

Operation via mini-levers ensures easy and ergonomic control of all relevant lift/lower and load positioning functions. All hydraulic functions are easily monitored by finger tip, thereby allowing optimum sensitive control. An optional mono-joystick control is also available, in which all hydraulic functions are grouped together in a joystick.

In addition, the vehicles have tremendous handling characteristics: They are highly manoeuvrable and easily operated thanks to the electronic power steering with exact steering movements. The driver can also toggle between 180° and 360° steering via a push-button switch.

The high-contrast TFT display provides information on all important driving parameters. Both the operator and service technicians can easily adjust performance and maintenance parameters via the display. "We placed great value on ergonomics when developing our new reach truck. This begins with a convenient entry for the driver via a large footstep and comfortable spring-mounted seat. This extends to a stable, adjustable steering column and mini-lever control", allowing him to almost effortlessly perform his shift explains Andreas Krause, Technical Director at CLARK Europe GmbH. "Because whoever feels at ease at the workplace can work productively over the entire shift". Thanks to the convenient and user-friendly equipment of the SRX 14 and SRX16 series reach trucks, a great deal of strain is taken off the driver during his daily work - with obvious benefits to health. Only in this way can he positively influence the handling performance of his work tool.

High productivity with efficient energy use

The new CLARK reach trucks cannot be criticised when it comes to productivity. The travelling speed is 14 km/h, the lifting speed without load is up to 0.7 metres per second (m/s) (with load 0.4 m/s) and the lowering speed with and without load is up to 0.55 m/s. The CLARK designed easily adjustable uprights, specially developed for reach trucks can absorb torsional stresses better, enabling higher residual load capacities at all lifting heights.

The AC technology three-phase motors ensure an especially powerful and low-noise operation. A high level of utilisation is maintained, as there is no need for maintenance-intensive components such as carbon brushes and contactors. In the event of maintenance or repair, quick and easy accessibility to components ensures short downtimes and low follow-up costs. The on-board diagnostics allow the service mechanic to read out error codes via the display, without having to use complex service tools. In view of operating costs, which make up almost 90 percent of the total cost of ownership – in other words when considering the total costs of a forklift truck over its entire service life – this is a significant plus point for these powerful new models.

Regenerative braking, available by releasing the accelerator pedal, changing the direction of travel or applying the service brake, returns energy to the battery.

To adjust the energy consumption to the optimum power requirement as precisely as possible, three different driving profiles can be set: Power Mode for maximum power output, Efficiency for the best mix of handling performance and energy efficiency and Economy for more lightweight applications. This makes every task for the new CLARK reach truck as efficiently as possible. Finally, the braking performance and hydraulic functions can be adapted to operational requirements via the display and/or a laptop.

Tailored to the application

As every warehouse has different requirements in regard to stacking procedures, numerous options are available for the reach trucks, these ensure that the trucks can be optimally adapted to the specific application profile. Optional extras in this context include a fork mounted camera and a lift height display with lift height pre-selection for secure load handling up to the highest stacking level. A retrofit side battery change is also offered so that the battery can be replaced quickly and easily via a roller bed. Also optionally available: a pin-code access for the driver, an automatic centralisation of the forks on the side shift as well as an automatic central adjustment of the forks on the upright with simultaneous forklift inclination.

Besides the new reach trucks, the CLARK product portfolio in the area of warehouse technology also comprises electric low-lift pallet trucks and high-lift stackers as well as high-lift order pickers.