DC Velocity - April 2012

Electric end-rider pallet trucks: Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. (MCFA), a supplier of forklift trucks in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Latin America, is now offering the new Jungheinrich ECR 327/336 series of electric end-rider pallet trucks.

The ECR series—available in 6,000- and 8,000-pound capacities—was created for a variety of applications, including order picking, long-distance transporting, and loading/unloading trailers. Designed specifically for the North American market, these trucks are built for speed and productivity, says the company.

MCFA says the ECR series trucks represent the industry’s fastest electric end-rider pallet trucks, able to reach a maximum speed of 9. 3 miles per hour. The end riders feature proprietary AC-controller and optimal programming, which allow operators to accelerate quickly and control the truck smoothly and precisely. The regenerative braking system enables drivers to smoothly transition from traveling in one direction to another, while still maintaining load stability, according to MCFA. This feature is especially beneficial for operators who work in areas that require frequent directional changes. In addition, the motor and high-output controller are designed to help the ECR trucks to perform well on inclines.

According to the company, the ECR series features the thick-est forks in the industry, along with a cast-steel frame and sealed electrical components. The ECR can also be equipped with an optional corrosion protection package that provides a galvanized coating on key components, resulting in greater durability in wet and corrosive environments. The operator platform has a “foot alcove” that allows for a wider stance and helps to ensure the operators’ feet are correctly placed on the platform.

The ECR series end rider is the first product designed by the Jungheinrich Design Center Houston as a result of the August 2009 manufacturing and distribution agreement between MCFA and Jungheinrich AG. (MCFA and Jungheinrich, www.junghein-rich-lift.com)

Portable shelving cart: Creform Corp. has introduced a shelf cart that’s designed specifically for warehouse use and low-volume picking in storage or manufacturing facilities.

Because the shelves feature a solid surface, they can be used for both packaged and loose parts and components. The carts come with three shelves, but additional shelves can easily be added to the structures.

The cart’s design takes advantage of Creform’s ability to bend its 28mm plastic coated steel pipe. The bent pipe forms the side frames and spans horizontally over the top to hold signage for content identification or hanging items from hooks. When extreme weight is a factor, Creform double pipe can be used, which is 68 percent stronger than single 28mm pipe.

The carts measure 50 inches wide by 32 inches deep and can hold up to 600 pounds. They feature four 6-inch diameter casters, two with locking brakes, for easy positioning or transporting to the point of use. The carts can be made stationary by replacing the casters with feet. (Creform, www.creform.com)

Bar-code reader: Cognex Corp. has introduced the new DataMan 300 bar-code reader for high-speed logistics applications such as tote scanning, print-and-apply verification, and carton code reading. The DataMan 300 is a camera-based bar-code reader that reads fixed one-dimensional bar codes.

Cognex says that the DataMan uses its “1DMax” algorithm and Hotbars technology, which increases the decoding speed of damaged or poorly printed one-dimensional linear bar codes.

The company also says that its DataMan product line of bar-code scanners consistently provides higher read rates than laser scanners. (Cognex Corp., www.thelaserkiller.com)

Electric delivery vehicles: Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC) and Enova, a developer of hybrid-electric and all-electric drive systems and components, have launched a program to make electric vehicles more accessible to fleets. The Green for Free program allows fleet executives to purchase all-electric vehicles for the cost of a diesel-powered commercial vehicle. The savings realized through reduced maintenance and fuel costs are then used over a period of time to cover the incremental expense for the technology.

The Green for Free program will use the FCCC All-Electric Walk-in Van chassis powered by the Enova drive system. Fleets with set pickup and delivery routes and whose vehicles return each night to the company depot are ideal candidates for the program. (Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp., www.freightlinerchassis.com) ;