German manufacturer of lifting equipment Crown Gabelstapler has launched its new generation of AC reach trucks – the ESR 4500 Series – which it claims will redefine the standards of performance.

“Through this launch, the company has managed to achieve two seemingly incompatible objectives – the combination of the highest level of performance with the lowest level of energy consumption,” says a company spokesman.
“It is not enough to have the fastest travel speed, the best lift/lower speed or efficient energy consumption. You need the optimum combination of these factors – together with operator comfort, precise control, safety and reliability. The ESR 4500 Series has evolved to redefine reach performance,” he says.
The traction, lift and steering motors use AC technology to provide a combination of speed and efficiency matched by low maintenance. When comparing the duty cycle, the ESR 4500 moves up to 18 per cent more pallets than other trucks in its class. It also leaves the competition standing in terms of acceleration. The same goes for the lift/lower speed. The ESR 4500 Series can raise a load and lower the empty forks faster than any competitor’s truck, the spokesman says.
In addition to increased acceleration and faster response, the brake system also contributes to efficiency, as energy is fed back to the battery during braking, coasting and reverse travel selection plugging. All-wheel braking provides operator control and confidence, particularly when placing loads at height, he adds.
Operators also benefit from SoftStop, which reduces lift speed 300 mm before maximum fork height, thus avoiding an abrupt stop at the end of the lift stroke. The application of SoftLift allows a smooth start – an ideal feature for delicate loads.
Applying all these technologies in an integrated systems approach enables the ESR 4500 Series to move more pallets per hour with up to 13 percent less energy consumption.
Apart from the performance the trucks, which are low on maintenance, have also improved largely over several other areas that include an ergonomically designed workstation that is combined with unmatched visibility and stability for operating safety.
The ESR 4500 Series is available in 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0 t capacities and features lift heights up to 11.4 m. All models are also available as cold store versions for temperatures down to -30 degrees.