The new forklifts are expected to generate a saving of over £100k over five years, while reducing carbon emissions by 26.8Kg per day. They will operate across London, Birmingham and Coventry hubs.
The forklifts will be fitted with a hook-on weighing device courtesy of B&B Attachments. The weighing scales are said to offer accuracy up to 0.1% of the applied load. The scales also work with the on-board Linde safety systems to ensure heavy loads over 400KG cannot be lifted above a certain height, further enhancing health and safety and resulting in accident prevention.
All the forklifts will be connected via the Line Connect Access fleet management system, allowing a usage analysis to be sent to the warehouse manager to assess the condition of the fleet along with any crash or accident data which may occur.
The fleet includes ten Linde E25Ls - an electric model with the capacity to complete eight-hour shifts due to its Tensor high performance batteries. The Tensor chargers installed onsite ensure a six-hour charge time.
The E25L has a load capacity of 2.5 tonnes with the ability to lift 2180Kg at 500mm load centre and 1890Kg at 600mm load centre, the maximum lift height is 4230mm.
Part of the delivery includes 60 Linde H18T forklifts. The H18T has a maximum load capacity of 1.8 tonnes and a maximum lift height of 4290mm with the capability to lift 1630Kg at 500mm load centre and 1480Kg at 600mm load centre. With a fuel consumption of 2.1Kg of fuel P/Hr, the H18T can last a full shift without refuelling.
Additionally, Palletline will receive eight Linde H20Ts. The truck has a lifting capacity of 2.0 tonnes and a maximum lift height of 4250mm, and is capable of lifting 1730Kg at 500mm load centre and 1570Kg at 600mm load centre. The H20T uses 1.8Kg of fuel P/Hr and comes with the B&B hook-on weighing device and a camera system to make manoeuvring the truck easier in the confined spaces of the warehouse.
Graham Leitch, group managing director at Palletline, said: “We are currently working with Linde to investigate the use of hydrogen fuel cells in forklifts to further reduce the environmental impact of forklifts whilst at the same time reducing fuel costs.
“Hydrogen is expected to be a significant opportunity for this partnership and we are hoping to be one of the first to introduce a hydrogen fuelled fleet of forklifts in the industry further reinforcing our market leading position in the marketplace.”