Forklift truck giant Yale Europe has launched its MR reach truck, said to be its most flexible and versatile machine to date.

Yale has designed the new truck specifically to offer cost-saving benefits and higher productivity levels and it is Yale's premier machine within the range.

"At the heart of the new truck is a programme of vigorous product research and development," says Adam Holden of the UK-based Yale Europe Materials Handling. "In the last two years alone, Yale has invested over $40 million to ensure customers continue to receive the best warehouse products and services on the market."

He continues: "The last three years has seen the implementation of a strategic warehouse plan. 2000 saw the launch of the MS stacker featuring the unique family tiller control. In 2001, Yale made significant design, performance and technological advancements to its range of warehouse machines. And this year, the MR reach truck has been launched, spearheading the complete Yale warehouse range.

Andrea Lucchi, warehouse product manager, believes the new truck is just what the materials handling market needs. He says: "We have produced a reach truck that incorporates outstanding levels of flexibility for all applications, and combined it with AC technology for higher efficiency, greater levels of performance and higher breaking torque."

Key to the success of Yale's new MR reach truck, he says, will be the flexibility offered by such a wide variety of models. "There are nine models in total delivering capacities ranging from 1.4 to 2.5 tonnes. The benefits of the ergonomically-designed MR reach truck include 360-degree steering, Yale's Palmtech joystick and AC technology, which all come as standard to deliver unrivalled versatility," he says.

"360-degree steering enables greater driving control and more accurate positioning at the rack face. The machine can be easily changed to feature 180-degree steering (optional) by a simple on-site modification."

He continues: "The Palmtech joystick allows the driver to access all lift functions, forward/reverse and the horn from this ergonomic control. No other supplier offers the benefits of 360 degrees and joystick as standard, it is unique to the industry. "

"AC motors and controls are definitely the way forward for any reach truck, as these machines are really put through their paces and the performance and benefits it gives are unrivalled. This technology provides more choice for the operator in terms of performance and power.

"Electronic fly-by-wire steering, auto regenerative breaking and speed reduction on cornering help to give the MR higher levels of performance around the warehouse. Electronic fly-by-wire steering is adjustable for operator preference and automatically modifies steering sensitivity as travel speeds increase to enhance straight-line travel control.

"Auto regenerative braking is standard across the range and provides smooth, responsive braking instantly as the accelerator pedal is released and increases battery life. Automatic speed reduction on cornering helps to ensure best driving practice around the warehouse and prevent unnecessary damage to racking and loads.

High performance around the warehouse is achieved through powerful acceleration and braking torque, as well as fast travel speeds."

Ergonomic excellence

The cab has been designed for optimum operator comfort and increased productivity and the sliding armrest - which automatically returns to the home position - alleviates the build-up of fatigue in the forearm and makes operation simpler and more comfortable. All operational functions are within easy reach, which helps alleviate the stresses and strains associated with repetitive work.

For optimum support to the shoulders and back, all the trucks incorporate a three-way adjustable, full suspension seat with padded headrest and a large foot-well with low effort, angled pedals gives the optimum driving position.

Interactive console

The interactive console has three preset performance levels - soft, medium and hard - plus a creep speed mode for sensitive manoeuvres, allowing the operator to preset the performance of the truck depending on the task. All of these can be changed on the console by the simple touch of a button.

''As an option, the height pre-selector enables the operator to select 20 preset stacking levels, which makes accurate rack level and pallet selection much easier. It not only reduces repetitive neck movements but also the risk of damaging racks and load. Additionally, height and weight indicators are available on the console as an option,'' he says.

The instrumentation panel provides operators with clear 'at-a-glance' display of all the truck's vital functions and also aids problem diagnoses by an alarm fault display screen.

Finally, an optional four-digit driver PIN code can be entered into the console to prevent unauthorised operation.

Clear view mast

A raised cab has been introduced to enhance visibility, and combined with the hydraulic lift cylinder which has been positioned to the left so the driver is able to see the tips of the fork, facilitating simpler load pick-up and drop.

To enhance visibility through the mast window, Yale has designed angled bracing on the mast and overhead guard, which facilitates simple load pick-up and drop.

Two important mast features include the tilting fork carriage, which retains capacity over a tilting mast design, and the integral side shit, which again retains capacity over a hang on side shift and allows for re-adjustment of fork position at the rack face.

Serviceability/cost

All serviceable components on the new reach truck are easily accessible. A swing-open door allows clear access to motor and drive wheel-related componentary and battery checking is simplified by pressing a battery release switch in the foot well. By reaching the mast forward, the battery is extracted, which also facilitates side battery change.

The series also features CANbus technology, which reduces point-to-point wiring. CANbus allows technicians to access any of the controllers or system computer via a single terminal with handset or laptop to view the alarm history and run diagnostics.

Lucchi adds: "Everything about the truck, every feature, component even the styling has been developed for the customer with their input. Extensive research has been conducted with many operators around Europe to make this the true customer's reach truck."