For many companies, order picking is a vital link in the logistics chain. The trend towards more and more separate product lines — especially in the retail sector — means that the proportion of goods that have to be picked, is constantly rising. Where once a customer had to be satisfied with just one type of yoghurt drink, he can now choose between different flavours, sizes and special offer formats. For the companies providing the logistics support, this means that the number of picking locations is increasing significantly. As the availability of floor-level pallet locations is often fixed, order picking is expanding into increasingly higher racking levels. That's why it's only natural that Linde Material Handling has extended its range of rising cab order pickers to meet these requirements.
The new "V10" order picker — which is being launched in October 2009 — is designed for loads of up to 1 tonne and lift heights of up to 5.3 m. This corresponds to a picking height of 6.35 m — a height previously unattainable in this class and rounds off the Linde "V series" perfectly. At lower picking levels, the new truck takes over directly from the equally new V08, which is the ideal vehicle for picking heights up to 2.8 m. Upwards from this height, it closes the gap to the V11/V12 high level order pickers, which are designed for high and/or intensive applications up to 11 m.
Modular design for varying customer requirements
The requirements of an order picking application can be very different. That's why Linde Material Handling has developed a modular concept which allows the truck to be tailored to meet individual customer requirements. For instance, there is a choice of three lifting performances: a 3.2 kW pump unit with a maximum lifting speed of 0.19 metres per second, a 4.0 kW pump giving 0.25 m/s lift speed and a 7.6 kW pump unit providing 0.32 m/s of lift performance, Overall lift height and chassis width can also be customised. A chassis that, at 790 mm, is narrower than a europallet aids block stacking.
These 24 Volt machines all have enclosed, maintenance-free AC traction motors and an electronic controller specifically developed for forklift trucks wich offers precise control. Regenerative electric braking contributes to effective and efficient energy use increasing battery shift life.
The battery can be changed quickly and easily to the side via rollers in the chassis, alternatively it can be lifted off by a crane.
Increased comfort and optimum safety
Particular attention has been paid to ergonomics and the safety of picking operations. This is obvious even even as the operator gets onto the new order picker: A low 200 mm step-in height provides safe access to the platform, which has a cushioned floor mat which significantly reduces the effect of shocks and vibrations thereby reducing stress and strain on the operator.
The operator’s physical safety has also been considered. Integrated into the control console are touch sensors that ensure two-hand operation. This prevents the operator operating the truck with one hand outside the protected footprint of the chassis where it could incur injury from racking, loads or other trucks.
Other standard safety features include automatic speed reduction when cornering. The speed of the truck reduces automatically and steplessly in relation to steering angle maintaining stability.
All control surfaces are made from pleasant tactile materials and are both ergonomically positioned and intuitive in use. The well-designed control console features an LCD display in the centre of the steering wheel, which provides the operator with key information such as speed, lift height, steered wheel angle, battery charge level, operating hours and service information - all at the push of a button.
