Linde is increasing warehouse efficiencies with a fresh approach to vehicle design.
Combining the advantages of a logistics train and those of a forklift truck, the Trolley Supply Truck is expected to be up to 30% more effective in transporting material to production plants than having two separate vehicles.
While the machine’s control unit and drive unit have been transferred from the company’s modular warehouse equipment system, the bar trolley load unit with steered wheels is completely new.
“Many of our customers have already implemented forklift truck-free production supply via tugger or logistics trains,” said Ralf Knaut, project manager – special solutions at Linde Material Handling.
“This is because trains consisting of tow tractors and trailers are often superior to forklifts, especially in purely horizontal goods transport.
“They are loaded and unloaded from the side and therefore require less space than a forklift truck which is at right angles to the carriageway when setting a pallet down. In addition, the tugger trains can transport a larger amount of material to the assembly lines per journey.
“Both of these factors result in a lower volume of disruptive traffic, a lower risk of accidents and lower costs alongside higher productivity.
“However, existing factory layouts cannot always be adapted to the requirements of tugger train solutions without constraints.
“It became increasingly clear to us that we needed an additional option, something between forklift and tugger train.”
At 4m long, 1.28m wide and 2.36m high, the compact vehicle can maneuver through tight spaces in the warehouse.
