General Navigation and Commerce Company (Genavco) – a major supplier of construction, industrial and marine equipment in the UAE – has introduced new improved versions of the ESR 4500 Reach Truck Series from Crown Equipment Corporation, the US-based manufacturer of electric lift trucks.

“The Crown ESR 4500 Reach Truck Series is now available exclusively with the 360-degree Select AC steering system. The system allows the operator to choose between 180-degree and 360-degree rotation of the steer tyre to match driving conditions, experience level or personal preference,” says a company spokesperson.
Whether the driver is operating in confined areas or wide open spaces, fully loaded or empty, at high speed or slow, the 360-degree Select gives him the control and confidence to use the ESR 4500 to its full potential, he explains. If a fixed setting is desired, the system can be locked in either 180-degree or 360-degree mode with password-protected access. A smaller, lighter steering wheel significantly reduces hand and wrist movements.
Another new feature of Crown’s ESR 4500 Reach Truck Series is the hydraulic control option. The newly developed dual-axis control levers improve the operator’s ability to work in cold store applications where heavy gloves are worn. The left lever controls lift/lower and reach, while the right lever governs side-shift and tilt. Dual-axis control levers are standard on trucks with cold store conditioning (without cabin). They are optional for cold store cab models or ambient trucks.
The ESR 4500 Reach Truck Series is produced in the Crown factory at Munchen in Germany and features 1,400, 1,600 and 2,000 kg capacities. All versions offer maximum throughput levels with low energy consumption. A number of features such as AC power, all-wheel braking, one-piece chassis with a rigid mast and carriage matched with operator comfort and all-round visibility, achieve industry-leading performance for the ESR 4500 Series, the spokesman adds.

SP 3400 Series
Another innovative product for the material handling industry is Crown’s new high-level order pickers. The new SP3400 offers a maximum lift height of 9.5 m, which allows an operator to reach to 11.3 m.
“At this height, operators need to have complete confidence in the safety and stability of their equipment, otherwise productivity will inevitably suffer. Our new range of high-level order pickers offers features that ensure complete operator confidence, both on the ground and at the highest elevations,” the spokesperson points out.
All six models in the new SP 3400 Series, which have a range of load capacities between 625 kg and 1,250 kg, also incorporate design elements on both the fixed-fork and lifting-fork versions that provide high levels of operator comfort, which further improves performance. These include a spacious working platform with high-tech features, an anti-fatigue floor mat, exceptional visibility and an extremely stable mast, all of which contribute to increased overall productivity of man and machine.
The SP 3400 Series order pickers have a range of innovative design elements.

Solid foundation
Crown’s unique Load Path Stability (LPS) design gives the SP 3400 a solid foundation and distributes the force of the load evenly from the platform to the ground, the spokesman explains. The special construction of the mast and massive bracing in the power-unit deliver rock-solid stability for the operator when working at heights.
“Unlike other high-level order pickers, the SP 3400 Series uses heavy-gauge steel in the skirt, doors and battery cover to keep as much weight as possible close to the ground,” he says. “The mast’s combination of heavy-gauge and wide outer C-channels and inner I-beams improves front-to-back operator platform stability. Vertical mast braces that are unique to Crown, minimise lateral platform sway making it as solid as possible.”

Excellent driving
The spokesman continues: “All the trucks in the SP 3400 Series have excellent acceleration and a top speed of 12 km per hour. Linear speed control is offered as standard, giving operators smooth speed transition as lift heights change.
“The SP 3400 Series offers optimum braking, even with the platform elevated, by combining motor and friction braking in Crown’s patented intelligent braking system (IBS). The Access 3T Traction Control module continuously monitors lift height, along with other variables, and automatically adjusts to ensure precise braking at all heights.

User-friendly design
“Exceptional visibility is another feature of the SP 3400 Series that ensures a high level of performance. The platform window provides excellent visibility both through and around the mast, its large viewing area allowing better visibility of pick locations and intersecting aisles. Even at lower elevations, the clear view mast provides an unobstructed sightline, allowing operators to easily locate pick items well before they reach them.
“In addition, the trucks provide a user-friendly working environment. The gates on the spacious platform protect operators and are easily opened when necessary. Crown’s premium anti-fatigue floor mat reduces the effects of vibration and standing fatigue and makes it easier for the operator to stay well-balanced.
“The information display provides key status data such as truck operational parameters, steering wheel position indicator, event and service codes, battery discharge indication and wire guidance status. A standard feature on the entire SP 3400 Series is an electronic power steering, which provides smooth and precise operation with minimum effort. Crown’s fixed traction control handle, an integral part of the truck’s four points of solid contact for the operator, offers even more security at heights,” he adds.

Patented diagnostic system
The Access 3 Traction Control includes Crown’s patented diagnostic system to improve serviceability, facilitate maintenance and extend service life. Crown’s InfoPoint system ensures faster and simpler troubleshooting and maintenance without the use of wiring diagrams or service manuals, leading to more uptime for trucks and operators, the spokesman says.
Established in 1945 in Ohio, US, Crown Equipment Corporation claims to be the number one brand of electric lift trucks in the US and the sixth largest lift truck manufacturer in the world.
The company’s full product line includes manual propelled pallet trucks and stackers, power pallet trucks and stackers, sit-down and stand-up counterbalanced trucks, narrow-aisle reach trucks, very narrow-aisle turret trucks, order picking equipment and forklift trucks.