In choosing lifting equipment or any other machines, consideration is normally given to durability, reliability and versatility. Why so?

“The reason and bottom line is that these characteristics redound to greater net profit for the business concern. Machine downtime is not only an irritant to the operation but also eats up a lot of the profit. In some cases, a breakdown of a lifting equipment can mean total shutdown of a production line,” says a spokesman for the Riyadh-based Aljomaih Holding Company.
“Another important criterion in selecting a machine is its versatility. A multi-functional lifting machine, which can be used as a scoop loader, load grabber, bale handler, drum clamp, carton clamp, a crane, or a block clamp, is definitely more advantageous compared to a mono-functional machine. Versatility also eliminates the necessity of buying another equipment for other applications thus saving on investment.
Aware of these realities, TCM has built into its recently launched forklift truck FD-G series a diesel engine with built-in durability features.
“While, the engine’s newly adopted aluminum radiator improves cooling capacity by 18 per cent, the company has equipped the forklift with a sturdy drive train for very hard material handling operation,” says the company spokesman.
 “In addition, the clutch disc is cooled and lubricated by transmission oil forcedly circulated through the oil cooler, contributing to lesser wear and longer life of the clutch disc. A new torque converter is equipped with cooling fins resulting in longer life of the clutch-pack. The upper part of the lift cylinders is filled with hydraulic oil extending the usage of the cylinders.
“Durability has now become a built-in feature, with extra bonuses that include lower vibration level, ample foot space and wider step spaces for comfortable access to the vehicle.
“A lot has gone into minimising fatigue and increase operating ease as well. Light-touch shift control lever enables forward, neutral and reverse shifting easier and the automatic transmission further reduces fatigue. Lighting switch with turn signal switch provides convenient operation and makes for a comfortable and safe driving. The newly-developed reclining seat with side arms and the reputed TCM seat suspension system holds the driver firmly while traveling as well as cargo handling.
“Other features include an outstanding lifting speed. The FD35 and 40, for example, achieves 540 mm/s of lifting speed with load, as well as 550 mm/s of lowering speed without load. These remarkable performances largely improve efficiency of cargo handling,” says a TCM executive.
“Powerful acceleration and quick start-up also contribute to increased operational efficiency. The torque converter truck model is equipped with an automatic transmission for shifting the first and the second gears. Smoother start-up and acceleration by two-speed transmission, as well the automatic gear operation largely contributes to operation efficiency, and remarkable performance at various work sites,” he adds.
“The operator can choose from three travel modes at the flick of a switch. For cargo handling, you may select either H or M-mode, while the L-mode is suitable for climbing slopes”, says Abdullah S Al Ali, general manager of Aljomaih heavy equipment division, the distributor of TCM in Saudi Arabia.
“The added multi-functionality – offered by the various suitable attachments available such as the ram for steel coils, load grab for unpalletised boxes or materials in bags, block clamp for concrete blocks, hinged fork for scoop bucket, hinged fork with winch for building stone or machine parts – packs several machines in one single forklift,” Ali adds.
Aljomaih also represents Iveco, Merlo, Nardi and Case New Holland of Italy, Claas and MTU of Germany, Tacom of Japan, Nokka-Tume of Finland, Perkins of the UK, and Arcusin of Spain. Since mid-2003, Aljomaih has entered into a partnership with US-based Valmont Industries to distribute the Valley centre pivot irrigation systems to the kingdom.
The firm sells a wide range of generator sets and engines; wheel loaders, dozers and graders; concrete mixers, vibratory compactors and asphalt rollers; forklifts and telescopic handlers; marine container straddle carriers and telescopic spreaders; centre pivot irrigation systems and accessories and agricultural equipment to the Saudi market.