Linde Materials Handling has developed an innovative new device for its forklift trucks designed to help operators control their equipment more safely, minimising the risk of accidents and improving overall occupational safety.
The Linde Safety Pilot, launched last year, helps operators ensure that the load lifted on the fork arm does not exceed the approved load capacity. It does this by calculating the load centre of gravity and displaying the load weight currently placed on the fork arms, the current lift height, the tilt angle of the fork arms and the maximum lift height up to which the load may be raised on a display mounted at eye level.
The device helps operators by displaying the information in an image format and the volume of numbers shown is kept to a minimum. This way the operator can quickly identify if they are working in critical areas or if operating errors occur, they receive a visual and acoustic warning, and the truck control unit will actively intervene and regulate the truck functions.
The technology behind the driver assistance system relies on sensors that measure data at different points on the truck and then forward this information to the truck control unit. An electronic load capacity diagram – the cornerstone of the Linde Safety Pilot system – is thus created.
The introduction of the Linde Safety Pilot system is the culmination of many years of development and testing. “Although electronic safety assistance systems like ESC (Electronic Stability Control) are now part of the standard equipment of many passenger vehicles, a solution of this nature cannot be applied in exactly the same format to trucks. This solution will enable our customers to operate their trucks in a much safer and more productive manner while also making forklift trucks more comfortable and easier to drive”, says Harald Will, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Linde MH.
The Linde Safety Pilot system will initially be available for the Linde E20 to E50 electric forklift trucks with load capacities of 2.0–5.0 tonnes. During the course of this year, the system will also be available for the Linde E16 to E20 electric forklift trucks with load capacities of 1.6–2.0 tonnes.
Linde Material Handling GmbH, a KION Group AG company, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of forklift trucks and warehouse technology equipment, and is the market leader in Europe.
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