Handling intelligence

Summary
¦ Barloworld distributes Hyster, Irion and Combilift trucks.
¦ Combilift provides a free, no obligation warehouse design service.
¦ Commander Sideloaders builds 3-8 tonne models and has plans for a 10 tonne version.

When a business approaches us to address their materials handling needs, usually the first question we ask is “why do it that way?”. We try to get businesses thinking differently about their incumbent fleet, with a view that the whole process could, with a little effort, be improved and cost taken out.

Change isn’t always appropriate, but many businesses do explore the possibilities; for example, of one truck doing the job of two or a different mix of truck types. Such benefits may be identified following a comprehensive site survey and process map based on finding the best solution to an application need, rather than relying on what has been done before.

Barloworld’s experience is that many timber applications use fork lift trucks in intense, stop-start, forward-reverse operations which are tough on tyres and brakes. If that’s the case, it’s worth considering Hyster’s Fortens IC range which features the com-pany’s Duramatch transmission. This helps control direction change to reduce tyre and brake wear and bring down maintenance costs. To prevent brake wear further, Hyster’s Fortens incorporates oil immersed ‘wet brakes’ which are also virtually maintenance-free.

Long lengths

The length of equipment in confined spaces may be an issue, particularly in a timber yard or when adding any front-end attachment. Hyster has modularised its Fortens range with a higher lift capacity available on a smaller chassis (available on Spacesaver series). This means, for example, a 9-tonne lift machine can be provided on a 6-tonne chassis.

Some timber applications may require lift capacities over 9 tonnes (Hyster’s range extends up to 48 tonnes), but these specialist machines, which may be operationally critical, aren’t usually easy to replace at short notice. Reliability is therefore essential, particularly in relation to the drivetrain where engine and transmission protection is advised.

The long and heavy nature of timber and timber-related products means they are often suited to being transported by sideloader or multi-directional trucks and this is where Irion sideloaders and 4-way Combilifts come into their own.

Whichever type of truck is decided on, length, all-round visibility, driver comfort, operating performance, parts supply and overall cost of ownership are all key things to look out for.

In addition to the trucks themselves, the equipment solution can include tyres, battery management and various other additional features, such as ATEX fire and explosion protection for trucks handling flammable materials such as wood treatments. A well-planned maintenance programme is also vital, of course.

But how will the equipment really be used, how will drivers perform and what happens during seasonal peaks or when the operation changes?

Telemetry device

Barloworld recently launched a fleet management system incorporating a telemetry device fitted to trucks to help companies understand what really happens to their fleet so they can continually improve overall performance. Data is automatically transmitted daily from each truck to Barloworld’s secure service management system. The system provides analysis and online reports on truck performance such as daily run time, hour meter readings, impacts, maintenance completion and cost of ownership information.

This type of intelligence aids decision-making and helps operators to reduce costs over time, for example, by reducing damage or reallocating assets and maximising contractual hours. It can also enable servicing to be planned around actual run time hours for each truck.

In the case of larger fleets, some businesses find certain trucks are under-used while others exceed contracted hours, leading to penalties. The ‘intelligent’ fleet management service helps businesses take control of their trucks and reallocate them accordingly.

Barloworld is the largest independent distributor of lift trucks in the world with operations covering the UK, Holland, Belgium, South Africa and the US (south-east).

It maintains nearly 25,000 lift trucks in all types of UK industry and has been the UK’s exclusive distributor of Hyster equipment since 1956. It also supplies and supports market-leading sideloader equipment from Irion and Combilift. It has a network of 1,000 support staff including, 500 engineers, nationwide.

For more details visit www.barloworld.co.uk.