Sub-Zero Hero – The New Hyster® cold store reach truck

The new cold store reach trucks from Hyster® turn the heat up on drivers while keeping components well protected from condensation.

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“Frozen cold stores are among the most challenging warehouse environments, mainly due to condensation and the need for driver comfort,” says Ron Farr, Manager Warehouse Solutions for Hyster. “Rugged Hyster products thrive in extreme conditions like this.”

For cold store applications where the driver needs to be fully enclosed, Hyster has developed a new fully insulated cab for the R1.4-2.5 Reach Truck series (standard width). 

“In permanent operating temperatures down to -30degC, the Hyster truck’s cab can maintain a comfortable interior temperature of 15degC,” says Ron, explaining that a 2KW heater is integrated in the cab door, together with three small grid heaters to the mast side of the cab. There is a choice of five heating settings and it can be used in even colder temperatures but with more limited duration.

To prevent frost on the screen when the truck is being used on an in/out basis, two of the four front screen options are heated, whether glass or polycarbonate. For maximum visibility, the door has a wide view screen and there is a 9.5mm thick impact-tested polycarbonate overhead guard offering excellent visibility when putting away at height. 

For drivers wearing bulky freezer suits and mittens, the door is easy to open and close, there is a low step up, plenty of room to move, a full suspension seat and an adjustable steering column.  The driver can stay warm for a complete shift without cumbersome cold store clothing and can even communicate to other workers using an intercom system without opening the door.

“To prevent condensation build up when entering different temperature zones and to maximise longevity, components have moisture protection with cold-resistant cables,” confirms Ron, explaining that bearings, hoses and chains are also specified for cold store operation. “These trucks are built for extreme temperatures and continue to perform at their peak when many other brands fail.”

There are seven Hyster® Cold Store Reach Truck models from 1.4-2.5 tonnes lift capacity which can reach travel speeds of up to 14 km per hour and offer a fast lift speed of 0.8 metres per second.  Auto-levelling and centering of forks, a height indicator and a visual laser positioning system (down to -20degC) all help enhance operational performance.

“For those with a need to travel through low doors into frozen stores or onto trailers, the Hyster® Reach Truck can even be offered with a lower truck height,” explains Ron Farr, Manager Warehouse Solutions for Hyster.

“Cold stores are often confined, high-density, high-lift operations, so we have also kept mast deflection to a minimum,” explains Ron. “This means that smaller capacity Hyster Reach Trucks can now be used to reach higher heights where larger, more expensive trucks would previously have been selected. In fact the 2.5 tonne model can store a 1.0 tonne pallet at a height of 12.75 metres.” 

Ron Farr concludes “We work closely with our cold store warehouse customers to help specify the correct product for the most intense sub-zero applications.”