Hyster's new-generation container handlers ... have made their debut in the region.
Hyster enhances regional presence
Leading UK-based truck manufacturer has introduced a series of innovative machines in an attempt to woo the regional market, while appointing a new dealer in Iran.
01 December 2004
Hyster – a global supplier of lift trucks with the most comprehensive range in the industry – has recently announced the appointment of Alperton as its exclusive dealer for Iran.
“Iran, a growth market supported by a varied economic base that includes oil, gas, manufacturing and agriculture, is a new venture for both brands,” says a UK-based spokesman for Hyster. “Following the early acceptance and after having clinched major accounts such as Iran Air and the Safa Group, both partners are confident of the successful distribution of Hyster’s materials handling solutions to an increasing portion of this market.”
Hyster’s range of products includes warehouse equipment, electric and internal combustion counterbalance lift trucks from 1 to 50 tonnes capacity as well as container handlers and reach stackers.
Alperton is a successful and established international engineering business that represents brands such as BMW, Landrover, Rover, JCB and Hyster in international markets and the company already has several years of experience as Hyster’s dealer for Libya.
Refreshing approach
Meanwhile, Hyster has reported advanced orders for its new generation of dedicated container handlers, the H40.00-50.00XM-16CH series, which has recently made its debut in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
“The series has been welcomed by a market where containerised transport is showing significant growth,” says the spokesman. “The new models are designed to deliver high ‘box rates’ and the lowest cost of operation for applications where the priority is fast, productive first row container handling.”
He elaborates: “Hyster has vast experience of big lift truck design, with over 1,000 container handlers already operating in the field. The design of the new series has benefited from this expertise, and can offer a number of new and unique, as well as familiar and proven, Hyster features.
“Some of the distinctive features of the trucks include the central mid-high, rear-mounted position of the drivers cab, leading to superb all-round visibility. While this cab arrangement is quite common for empty container handling machines, Hyster is the first manufacturer to offer this layout for a laden container handling truck. The arrangement allows operators to watch the container during the entire operation without significant head movement, therefore enhancing their comfort.
“In addition, the Hyster ‘Vista’ cab design – already widely acclaimed on the Hyster H8.00-16.00XM series – incorporates several leading ergonomic and productivity enhancing features. These include joystick control of lift, tilt and most spreader functions, air-conditioning, isolation mounts to reduce noise and vibration, and secure and comfortable cab access.
“The dedicated carriage promotes the truck’s agility and productivity whilst its unique design also reduces tyre wear and fuel consumption. Latest engine technology and management systems further enhance overall efficiency. During performance testing, the new series demonstrated 10 per cent lower fuel consumption.
“Drivers also appreciate the exceptional manoeuvrability of the truck combined with the stable ride afforded by the long wheelbase. The innovative counterweight design has minimised the trucks dimensions allowing it to achieve an outside turning radius of 7925 mm.”
“Ongoing field tests confirm high truck reliability, low operating cost, great driver appeal and exceptional handling speed in container-shunting operations – benefits that make the Hyster H40.00-50.00XM-16CH series the ideal, cost efficient solution for a wide variety of container handling applications,” he concludes.
New forklifts
Hyster has made significant changes to its successful H8.00-16.00XM series, which the company claims has been engineered to further increase truck productivity.
The H8.00-16.00XM heavy-duty forklift trucks with capacities of 8 to 16 tonnes, now feature the new TE-10 automatic transmission, which has been developed in close cooperation with leading component supplier Spicer Off-Highway, a brand of the Dana Corporation, and is exclusively available to Hyster, says the spokesman.
The introduction of the new transmission coincides with the availability of the Perkins Tier 2 engine, which means that operators can now fully exploit the latest driveline technology. This is another example of how Hyster is setting new standards in terms of big truck operating characteristics, he adds.
The new TE-10 transmission provides three speeds either in forward or reverse and is fully automatic, allowing ease of operation for the driver and optimum truck performance. However, in order to cope with specific operating conditions, manual selection of the individual speeds is still possible.
The new transmission offers exceptional operational smoothness whilst shifting gears or changing direction of travel. This, combined with further improved inching characteristics, helps secure load handling and improves cycle times.
Together with the new transmission, Hyster has also implemented CANbus technology to transmit system signals between engine controls, the transmission and the instrumentation. CANbus offers simplification of the truck wiring system, as all signals can be routed via a single wire, which aids overall truck reliability and simplification of maintenance.
The new instrumentation panel, which is also CANbus-operated, features engine and transmission maintenance and service code logging and display. The new LED warning lights are longer lasting and are more visible to the operator. The diagnostic and vehicle data systems have also been expanded – transmission and engine service codes are displayed through the truck hourmeter. The transmission pressure gauge has been replaced by a voltmeter and an on-board engine and transmission protection system slows down or stops the truck in case of a malfunction of the engine or the transmission support system.
The engine and transmission protection systems have also been enhanced and they now include additional adjustable parameters, such as engine and travel speeds. This will make it possible to limit the travel speed to a maximum required.
Depending on the application, the new driveline optimisation together with the Perkins Tier 2 engine results in a reduction of the fuel consumption of 5 – 10 per cent, adds the spokesman.
