Piggyback forklifts at Chloride
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CHLORIDE Automotive Batteries are investing more than V million during the next 12 months to equip their entire fleet wit piggyback forklift trucks, which are carried behind th distribution vehicle.
A NEW UPRATED bogie is to be fitted to the bonneted Volvo N10 6 x 4. The 26-ton T ride bogie replaces the 20-ton unit previously fitted.
The uprated bogie is similar in design to the superseded type but incorporates several features to give the increased carrying capacity. So the offroad gross design weight of the N10 is increased to 32.6 tons. The 1500kg (1.48-ton capacity lift trucks ar completely seif-containe with their own petrol powe unit and can, it is claimed, b unshipped and in use in uncle a minute.
So that they can be used o the highway, the forklif trucks have to be registered i their own right.
To allow the truck to b carried at the rear, the vehicl chassis is shortened and special adaption made t accommodate the truck' forks.
The truck is steered int position behind the vehicl and the forks are located i two channels.
Then, using its ow hydraulics, the truck is lifte clear of the ground. And t retain it in position, two slid out rails are pulled ou beneath it.
Dutch manufacturer
Chloride will be using th system — manufactured la: the Dutch Kooi-Aap compan: — to deliver batteries to it franchised distributors.
These batteries are heav; and, previously, drivers coul, take up to four hours t, deliver a 10-tonne (9.8-ton load. Using the fork trucks thi has been cut to around al hour.
Of course, the lift truck als. has disadvantages.
It weighs around a tor therefore, payload is reduce( And the trucks plu installation cost around £4,00 to £5,000 each.
But for Chloride, handlin heavy goods, the investmen seems a good one.