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Al-fresco workhorses

12th February 2009
Page 49
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Page 49, 12th February 2009 — Al-fresco workhorses
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Truck-mounted forklifts park outside, travel in all weathers, must start first time and shift Loads from cold. We talk to users and manufacturers on what's involved with keeping these add-on items working.

Words: Bryan Jarvis

Truck-mounted forklifts (TMF) are the ideal operating tool. They travel with the load, they're there when you need them and are capable of most jobs expected of them. On multi-drop deliveries, the driver can use them to save valuable working time, while over distances they work flat-out chasing speedy turnarounds.

On the face of it, they're worth every penny of their £25,000 to £30,000 price tag, yet, being stowed on the back of a truck or trailer, they're virtually unprotected from the foul weather and road conditions that conspire to damage them.

The fear among users is that the machine will fail, which will leave the driver with goods that he cannot unload, waiting for an engineer who may not have the right part for it.

A vital factor is regular maintenance on the part of both the operator and the manufacturer. Some buyers prefer to service and maintain their own machines, but the majority of TMF users choose contract maintenance packages tendered by the forklift supplier.

eventually, they may contemplate either refurbishment or renewal.

Whichever it is, regular service appointments are carefully fitted into the operator's delivery schedule, thus avoiding many of the arguments that can arise regarding warranty coverage.

Moffett of the Hiab group has 9,000 Tly1Fs working in the UK, and understands perfectly the need for regular maintenance. It believes the key factor affecting their reliability and longevity aren't the machines' actual work hours, but the hostile salt, grit and road spray environment that they travel in.

The foundation of a long service life is a weekly hose down and regular lubrication, and providing operators pay regular attention to bearings, wear pads, mast chains and pivot/ram pins, it will pay off in terms of reliability and longevity Some Moffett owners opt to service their own machines based on two 'A' and two 13' services a year. However, an increasing number owners choose R&M packages, and some reshape them to suit specific operating conditions.

UK-wide customer service is provided by a team of 21 Moffett-trained mobile technicians who have fully equipped vans and are strategically located throughout the country. For additional support, there are five service engineers based at the company's headquarters in Coventry Importantly, preventative maintenance and R&M contracts include LOLER/PUWER inspections and accident damage repairs. Alternatively, operators have access to Moffett's range of services on a retail basis.

Rental machines are offered to cover the loss of a machine withdrawn from service for maintenance/repair.

A Manitou telescopic Adding variety machines are designed Better known for truck-mounted cranes, Pa!finger for maximum parts also understands the harsh environments that forklifts commonality have to endure and has engineered its Crayler range for maximum reliability.

The Austrian-made Crayler range runs to about 50 variations, with lift capacities from 1.51 to larger 3t heavy-duty, four-way versions. There's also a novel box-mount machine that solves rear overhang problems and fully protects it from weather/salt damage, important features are its enclosed chassis for greater protection from the corrosive road wash and site debris damage, and steel reinforced hydraulic hoses especially over the rear wheel, which is routed for minimal movement.

Forklifts are all given a KTL cathotic paint dip, powder coat and baked finish for a clean finish.

Two sturdy French-made forklifts include the masted Loadmac, which is made to a UK spec and mirrors the others with three-wheel drive, side-moving options and weather protection, while the other, Manitou, uses a familiar telescopic boom design for parts commonality.

Instead of bearings and bushes, the boom just has wear pad sets that require a regular spray of dry lube, and over five to seven years, occasional adjustments.

Other neat features include extra recesses for stowing on a Moffett-mounting vehicle, stabiliser feet, double rollers to help reach a heavier load, ergonomic controls and a clear, flat cab floor. II For further informantion

• Loadmac www.toadmaccom • Manitou www.uk.manitou.com • Moffett www.hiab.co.uktforktifts • Palfinger www.bitt-bennett-eng.co.ukipatfinger


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