Get Great ROI and Cut Material Handling Costs with TCM Order Pickers
Investing in electric forklift trucks makes great environmental sense, but what are the costs involved? An electric fleet could actually help you cut your material handling expenses, yet there are still some misconceptions about what electric trucks can offer.
Electric Forklifts vs. Diesel Forklifts: Which One is Right for the Job?
As soon as you start investigating forklift trucks for your fleet, you'll see a range of different power options. The market used to be dominated by diesel and LPG (liquid petroleum gas), but now robust, high-quality electric-powered forklifts are easily available.
Key Features and Benefits of the Upgraded PAL Pedestrian Pallet Truck
Brand New to TCM: The SPW and SPR Pedestrian Pallet Stacker
What Is An Order Picker Forklift?
TCM Compact Pedestrian Pallet Stacker Trucks: SPL12-N2 & SPD12-N2
The New Electric-Powered LLR Stand-in Pallet Truck
Designed for internal transport, and with a capacity of 2,000-3,000KG (or 2-3 tonnes) the new TCM LLR is a low-lifter electric-powered pallet truck and is the tool you need for heavy-duty industrial operations. This stand-in pallet truck has a wide variety of ergonomic features and customisable options that allow you to handle loads in different size configurations with ease. The LLR gives excellent all-round visibility, is easy to operate and is designed with safety, efficiency and comfort in mind – the perfect partner for intensive warehouse operations.
How Electrification Can Enhance The Efficiency of Material Handling
Forklift Battery Charging Station Power Requirements Explained
When you’re operating heavy machinery on a daily basis, the risk of danger, injury or error is ever-present. The key to a hazard-free, fully functioning work environment is understanding the correct safety measures and operational requirements that you need to facilitate your workforce. This is particularly important when it comes to electric forklift trucks.
The TCM FHB25-35(L)-F2: 4-Wheel 80V Electric Counterbalance Forklift
The latest addition to our range of electric counterbalance forklifts is here. Our TCM FHB25-35(L)-F2 is a 4-wheel 80V lift truck that has been specifically designed to deliver driving pleasure and increase productivity. Efficiency, comfort and safety are the key elements of this forklift, to ensure your drivers have the best possible vehicle at their fingertips.
With multiple applications, a range of additional options, and a low total cost of ownership (TCO), our newest truck is incredibly versatile and cost-effective.
Keep reading to find out more about the specific features and how your operations can benefit from adding an FHB25-35(L)-F2 to your fleet.
Agile, Intelligent and Automatically Aided
The FHB25-35(L)-F2 is our most agile and intelligent counterbalance truck yet. Built-in systems will automatically match the truck’s high-powered driving and load-handling performance to its changing needs – maintaining fast, but smooth and safe, motion.
As the speed is optimised for each situation, the travel, lifting and lowering actions are neither dangerously fast nor unnecessarily slow, and can even provide an extra burst of torque to avoid loss of speed – which comes in particularly useful when going up ramps and inclines.
Related read: TCM FB/FTB14-20(L)-E3: 48V Electric Counterbalance Forklift Truck
A stability support system is built directly into the FHB25-35(L)-F2, with a simulated differential lock maximising the truck’s grip on slippery surfaces by locking the front wheels to increase traction. This keeps the mast, fork and travel movements smooth – minimising any delays or instability due to swaying. This can be activated automatically at small steering angles or manually via an optional pedal function.
These features can make life far easier for your drivers, raising their productivity and maximising the rate at which operations can be safely carried out.
Totally Under Control
As the FHB25-35(L)-F2 was built with the operator in mind, the controls were designed to be as responsive and ergonomic as possible.
Having full control of the vehicle is vital for operators, as it saves time, reduces fatigue and improves their performance and productivity. The FHB25-35(L)-F2 does this by enabling precise, quick and confident operation for its drivers, even in tight spaces.
The truck is fitted with an ergonomic steering wheel that has a tilt-adjustable column for a comfortable driving position with no need to lean forward, and spring-force-optimised fingertip hydraulic controls on an adjustable, comfortable armrest. This ensures ergonomically perfect hand positioning, anatomical support and free movement.
There is also a dual joystick option, which separates functions, such as clamp opening, to avoid accidental moves. This is especially useful if fingertip levers are too small for operation with gloves. Similarly, the position and angles of the pedals are designed to reduce fatigue for drivers of any height or foot size.
Operator visibility is incredibly important, which is why the truck provides clear all-round vision and an advanced all-wheel steering system for agile manoeuvring, of both the truck and its loads, with minimal effort or strain.
An easy-to-read colour display keeps drivers fully informed, and visibility is further optimised so that drivers can easily see their loads, as well as any racking or obstacles in the area, allowing for accurate positioning of the forks and the truck itself.
Comfortable and Safe
Drivers need to be able to maintain high levels of job satisfaction and performance, so the FHB25-35(L)-F2 includes state-of-the-art comfort and safety features for them to feel secure in their role.
A comfortable, quiet and conveniently equipped operator compartment, combined with the truck’s high safety specifications, provides a confident, stress-free and enjoyable operation for whoever is behind the wheel.
The spacious operator compartment features a comfortable and adjustable seat, a large, flat, uncluttered floor, and plenty of foot and headroom.
The cabin itself can be weatherproofed, with a transparent roof, steel or PVC doors, windscreen, two sliding windows on each side, a rear window, front/rear wipers/washers, a heater, and a deluxe cabin.
Additional safety features include a long grab handle and non-slip step for easy, smooth entry and exit, and standard working lights, such as front and rear LEDs and an automatic reversing light, all of which are protected within the overhead guard structure.
Optional safety lights can also be added to the truck, including red lines, highlighting exclusion boundaries around the truck, blue or red points (front and rear) warning pedestrians of the truck's approach, and amber strobes.
Related read: How Our Electric Counterbalance Range Ensures Operator Safety
Cost-Saving, Efficient and Productive
The highly efficient and durable build quality of the FHB25-35(L)-F2, along with its simple servicing requirements will minimise downtime, maintain productivity and lower the overall total cost of operation – even when undertaking intensive duties in tough conditions.
Despite the truck’s robust construction, maintenance is very simple and it is incredibly energy efficient, reducing the cost of repairs and worn part replacements. A sideways exchange option also speeds up the battery changes.
The use of the truck’s ECO mode can extend the runtime per battery charge, and a Li-ion (Lithium-ion) option with a quick-connect access point increases this even further.
There are many further benefits to powering a truck with Li-ion batteries, particularly for high-energy applications and in round-the-clock or multi-shift working environments. They have a longer lifespan and longer runtime, as well as faster charging capabilities than other battery types.
The low maintenance requirements and the highly efficient and consistent performance of Li-ion batteries will minimise interruptions to productivity and preserve the truck’s residual value – bringing down the FHB25-35(L)-F2’s TCO and making this a very cost-effective solution.
Related read: Forklift Battery Types: Which Is the Most Economical
Choosing the Right Model For Your Operations
The FHB25-35(L)-F2 is available in several different models, with lifting capacities between 2500kg and 3500kg. So whether you are looking for your first electric forklift, you want to add to your current fleet, or you want to upgrade from an existing truck, we have options that can suit your needs.
Our 2.5-tonne versions are available with either a standard or long wheelbase chassis, as are our 3.0-tonne trucks. Finally, our 3.5-tonne option is available in long-wheelbase chassis form, making it ideal for even the most demanding work environments.
To find out more about how the TCM FHB25-35(L)-F2 can benefit your operations, just click here to contact a member of our team. Get in touch with your local TCM dealer today to add our TCM FHB25-35(L)-F2 electric counterbalance truck to your fleet.
Warehouse Sustainability Ideas: 5 Top Tips
The warehousing industry is becoming increasingly aware of sustainability and environmental impact. The logistics side of the supply chain has attracted the most attention, with estimates suggesting it creates between 5.5 and 13% of global greenhouse gas production. However, today's high-tech warehouses come under scrutiny too: carbon emissions from material handling in warehouses and sorting facilities account for 13% of overall supply chain emissions.
5 Common Forklift Driving Mistakes You Shouldn't Ignore
There's no getting around it: unsafe forklift driving can result in serious accidents. The British Safety Council says that 25% of workplace transport injuries result directly from forklift truck accidents, and these injuries can be life-changing.
As an employer, you would be liable for employee medical costs in the event of an accident. These can run from £40,000-£200,000, but legal and other costs can also escalate. That's why it's in everyone's interest to ensure forklift driving safety – to protect your workers, drivers, fleet and your business too.
With that in mind, read on for 5 forklift driving mistakes you shouldn't ignore.
Related Read: The True Cost of Forklift Accidents Revealed
Why Wet-Cell Battery Technology Could Surpass Lithium-Ion
With electrification gaining increasing coverage in the run-up to the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel engines, lithium-ion is a hot topic. However, it might not necessarily be the best solution for your business’ unique operation. Read on to find out why.
3 Future Material Handling Challenges You Need to Prepare For
The challenges associated with material handling are growing, with forthcoming legislation driving change in regard to EU directives, emissions regulations, and fleet electrification. At TCM, we’re committed to helping you navigate that change and prepare for the future.
Everything You Need to Know About Electric Pallet Truck Applications
The Latest Material Handling Industry Trends: TCM Dealer Summit 2019
On 10th April 2019, TCM dealers from across Europe gathered at The Belfry Hotel & Resort near Birmingham to discuss the past, the present, and the future of the material handling industry. TCM also announced some exciting new product launches.
Results From The Material Handling Survey 2017
For the past couple of months, we have been running a survey to inform our upcoming 2017 report on material handling and how the equipment and processes used can impact business productivity.
Whilst we are still collecting responses, a predominant theme so far is a growing awareness to think ‘beyond the truck’ or beyond the legislation when it comes to investing in material handling equipment, and actually consider the business implications that come with a truck purchase.
Costs and productivity are inevitably interlinked. Ongoing requirements like fuel, along with unseen implications on downtime and storage can impact the level of work getting done and the required cost to keep things on track. That can have big implications for businesses.
Let’s take a look at three of the trends from our material handling survey
1. Downtime and non-contract damages are considered the largest hidden costs
When asked what the most prominent hidden costs of a forklift purchase are, the strong majority was with both downtime and non-contract charges or damages. Both feature far higher than the need for extra storage or operators in order to actually run the truck.
It's interesting to note that both of these have significant influence over the levels of productivity in a business, as downtime and damages can severely impact the time a truck can be driving ROI.
2. Lifetime costs are seen as more important than the cost of the truck itself
Lifetime costs of forklifts are seen as more important than simply the cost of the truck itself as 81% of respondents agreed that lifetime costs were very important, compared to only 47% agreeing that the cost of the truck is very important in the buying process. Those that agreed with both could well highlight that this is an emerging trend and shows a move to more educated purchases in the industry.
With these responses in mind, it was telling to see that truck performance and efficiency are the most researched prior to a purchase which links to the total cost of ownership (TCO). Respondents are starting to look to the future when making purchases rather than simply the upfront costs.
Paul Freeman from CAM Forklifts notes that "It is really encouraging to know that end users are recognising that cheaper trucks can be more expensive over the longer term, especially when this can lead to a lack of truck availability and can also create further problems for the clients' operational need, adding to daily running costs.”
3. Truck performance, safety, battery and technology are the most popular innovations
We want to make sure that we are writing articles on topics which really matter to the industry and so are asking respondents to tell us which innovations capture their attention the most. Out of the options provided, truck performance, safety and battery technology are currently coming out on top in some way.
Whilst safety is to be expected when there is a whole host of legislation to be compliant with, the presence of battery technology in that list suggests that people are looking towards the future and potentially considering the now-announced 2030 legislation. Our emphasis on the future there is largely down to the indication from the results that of those interested in battery technology, only 60% are actually using electric trucks as part of their material handling equipment at the moment.
Malcolm Mitchell from Amvar agreed that this is something to be paying close attention to, saying that "battery technology is the number one issue right now in my opinion, and finding energy solutions for our customers is a priority".
Ian Coulman from Carrylift Group said that ''innovations in battery technology are increasing the number of low maintenance options available with innovations such as lithium-ion. These innovations will increase the percentage of users of electric trucks, who will be able to adapt their fleets in line with the new 2030 legislation.''
So what happens next?
Ultimately, doing the research and considering future costs and impact on the business can really save you money. It's good to see that whilst the cost of the truck is (and no doubt always will be) an important element of the purchase, it's certainly not the be-all and end-all.
All of this said, we are looking forward to hearing more opinions to really gain a broad picture of the current state of material handling. The final report will go into more depth on the findings from the survey, seeking to provide advice on the areas which are most needed and you can influence what that actually looks like.
