Hyster says its dynamic new reach truck confirms its position as a full-range manufacturer in the warehouse truck market.

With its range of features, the quality of its design and manufacture and its overall workplace performance, the new R1.4 - R2.5 series, the Matrix, widens the choices open to reach truck buyers in the warehouse and distribution industry, the manufacturer adds.

"As the flagship product in Hyster's new generation warehouse truck range, the launch of the R1.4 - R2.5 reach trucks marks the culmination of three years of exhaustive research and development," comments a spokesman for the UK-based Hyster Europe.

He continues: "Hyster has been able to achieve this giant step forward by designing the new truck completely from scratch, thus being able to incorporate such features as a new mast design, AC technology, 360 and 180-degree flybywire steering, joystick and standard lever hydraulic controls plus many more other enhancing features, providing the operator with a reach truck tailored to his operational needs."

The series provides nine different models, with a range of 1,400 to 2,500 kg capacity with lift heights up to 11.426 m. Options are available for drive-in racking and also cold store applications. The new mast design offers high lift and lower speeds, full residual capacity to 7.5 m; intersection damping facilitates smooth and controlled operational performance.

Ergonomics

Acknowledging that a reach-truck is only as productive as its operator, Hyster has employed state-of-the-art ergonomics to full effect in the operator's cabin, aimed at reducing fatigue and prolonging productivity.

"With the innovative new design, Hyster has been able to create a spacious, comfortable cabin with increased legroom, the three-way suspension seat even takes into account the individual operator's weight and driving position," the spokesman says. "Every feature, from the threeway adjustable steering column, has been employed to tailor the truck to each individual operator's requirements. A low step provides easy access, while easy-to-handle controls gives optimum driving comfort."

The Hyster-designed steer console has a seeataglance multifunction display with a push button performance selection, which allows the operator to set the driving characteristics to suit individual preference or the type of load or application requirements. The steer console also incorporates a password security feature to control driver access, height and weight indicator and also height preselection which has a memory for storing up to 20 different height levels making set operations easier.

AC technology

The R1.4 - R2.5 series is the first Hyster AC-powered warehouse product to utilise the latest technology to create maximum performance levels with minimum power consumption, according to the spokesman. "Together with the CANbus electronic system, this technology gives multi-function capability of operational parameters, service diagnostic information and much more," he says. "Technology allows safety enhancement features to be built in as standard; including automatic slow down on cornering."

"The addition of the R1.4 - 2.5 range confirms Hyster's position as a major player in the warehouse market sector," the spokesman says. "The R1.4  R2.5 completes a comprehensive range of warehouse trucks. It's a range which embraces pallet trucks, stacker trucks, reach trucks, order pickers and very narrow aisle trucks, thus allowing customers to pick the right truck for their particular needs and requirements, all backed by the security of the Hyster tradition for engineering excellence, demand flow technology manufacturing systems and first-class dealer support."

In addition to its warehouse range, Hyster offers a complete selection of counterbalance lift trucks, container handlers and reach stackers. The forklift truck range includes three and four-wheel electric trucks, the Challenger range of internal combustion trucks (from 1,500 to 48,000 kg) and the SpaceSaver range from 1,500 to 7,000 kg. Container handlers and reach stackers are available with capacities from (12,000 - 52,000 kg).