14.12.2006
Linde model series H14 to H20 round off the lower end of the internal com-bustion engine trucks family
Aschaffenburg, 14 December 2006. - Linde will unveil a new addition to the distinctively designed Linde 39x diesel and LPG trucks family at the LogiMAT trade fair in Stuttgart at the end of February 2007 and Bauma in Munich at the end of April 2007.
According to Linde Material Handling, the new H14 to H20 series in the 1.4 to 2.0-ton bearing load range rounds off the lower end of the extraordinarily successful 39x family. Linde also intends to make a natural gas version available for this bearing load range in around a year from now.
The vehicle is a perfect fit for modern requirements: agile, fast and low-maintenance. And with fuel consumption cut by around 12% in the VDI work cycle compared with its predecessor, the truck also meets the tougher ex-pectations of "intensive users" such as carriers and those who operate in the construction materials, beverages and chemicals/plastics industries. The majority of the enhancements in terms of speed, acceleration and ease of maintenance are achieved through Linde hydrostatic technology with direct drive, engine technology tailored precisely to the truck and, not least, the proven vehicle concept of the 39x family with its overhead tilt cylinders, vibration-reducing isolation of drive axle and driver cabin, and electronic activation of the lift mast functions using a handy operating lever.
The cockpit allows impressive freedom of movement for the user. The area around the arms is 4 cm larger than with the predecessor model, and the high overhead guard provides around 6 cm extra head room. Leg room has been increased by a full 4.5 cm. According to Linde, these enhancements represent great strides in vehicle manufacture. In particular, they ensure that tall or powerfully built people can work much more easily with the truck.
Although designed for lower bearing loads, the cockpit of the new model offers the same comfort as the next trucks up, Linde H20 and H25, which have load capacities of 2.0 and 2.5 tons: all the distances between the seat, pedals, steering wheel and armrest with integrated control levers are the same. Furthermore, steps that are fully visible from above and the grab point on the vehicle frame save time and effort when climbing in and out of the vehicle, and they reduce the risk of injury. Drivers also have the additional benefit of reduced pedal travel, which allows for more sensitive vehicle acceleration. In addition, hydraulic commands are implemented directly and without delay, leading to precise load positioning. The modular design means that the cabin be fitted with various additional features depending on requirements and application conditions, e.g. heater, radio or air conditioning.
A particular feature of the Linde 39x diesel and LPG truck family is also found in the new models: the vibration and noise-reducing connection of the lift mast/drive axle of the driver cabin/chassis; this is noticeably beneficial to both driver and environment. The forces acting on the lift mast are directed via the drive axle to the wheels. As there is no direct flow of force via the chassis, there is no load impact either. The increased lift effect of the overhead tilt cylinders enables thinner lift mast profiles; this increases the field of vision to the front and makes working with the truck even safer. The maintenance-free location of the tilt cylinders on the protector frame makes the design ideal for both user and service technician.
The electronically controlled end dampener also makes it easier for the driver to activate forward and backward lift mast tilts, with no mechanical stop. This protects both the driver and the environment from loud impacts, and the favourable results of protecting the vehicle components are also evident in the operating costs.
The new driving engines form additional key elements of the new vehicle: customers can choose from a 26 kW diesel engine or a 28 kW gas fuel system. Both variants offer high torque at low speeds, economic fuel consumption and low emissions; they also generate a low noise output. In the diesel version, the noise levels the driver is subjected to have been reduced by 3 dB (A), with the LPG version achieving a 4 dB (A) reduction. These enhan-cements mean that if two trucks from the new model series were to be in operation side by side, the noise levels emitted would equate to that of one vehicle from the predecessor model. The electronic tuning of the engine to suit the specific energy requirements of the driving and lifting hydraulics in a given situation ensure better fuel utilisation as well as lower consumption and emissions. To ensure greater reserve capacity in continuous operation where high demands are made in terms of performance, Linde has fitted the diesel truck with a 37-litre tank - 35% larger than before. All LPG trucks are fitted as standard with an open-loop catalytic converter; a closed-loop catalytic converter that ensures almost all harmful substances are filtered out of the exhaust air is available as an option.
The hydraulic components have also been designed and adapted specifically for the truck. The two wheel motors drive the wheels without step-down gearing, which prevents wear. The benefits that this brings for both the driver and operator include: reduced fuel consumption, improved precision control and a long service life. Tedious "inching" when raising a load is not an issue with the Linde hydrostatic technology, as the drive and lift functions are completely separate from one another.
The design enhancements detailed here add up to a reduction of up to 25% in service costs, and on top of this, maintenance flaps offer improved access. Even the wheel motors can be removed individually. The developers placed great emphasis on ensuring that the components are not susceptible to problems from exposure to dirt, and on ensuring dust-tightness.
