Lead-acid batteries have lengthy been the mainstay of forklift design, however now Manitou’s all-new ME Carry vary is taking full benefit of the capabilities of lithium chemistry, delivering decrease energy consumption, simpler upkeep and lowered downtime, all inside a narrower chassis
Making its Bauma Munich debut this 12 months was Manitou’s new ME Carry forklift vary. The OEM capitalised on the rising electrification pattern on the present with a five-model lithium-ion lineup. With load capacities spanning 1.6 to three tonnes, Manitou successfully demonstrated how superior battery know-how can ship the operational efficiency required for para-industrial and paragricultural functions similar to dealing with bricks, processed wooden, viticulture or potato cultivation.
“By way of electrification in off-highway, the present state of affairs is certainly a transition that means that completely different applied sciences coexist. Inner combustion engine volumes proceed to be robust, nevertheless lead-acid volumes have decreased and that is steadily being changed by lithium. As a lithium-native machine, ME Carry is likely one of the key steps for creating lithium competencies. Inside the first months of gross sales, the vary has been overwhelmingly welcomed,” says Jordan Thénier, world product supervisor industrial forklift, Manitou Group.
Versatile energy options
The ME Carry vary’s 76.8V lithium-ion battery system represents an progressive strategy to power storage, offering improved operational flexibility in comparison with conventional lead-acid options. This flexibility is additional enhanced with the twin battery pack configuration choice, as Thénier explains: “Having the ability to get the appropriate battery pack is essential for answering the wants and necessities of our clients and their numerous functions. That’s the reason, on every mannequin, our clients can select two batteries with common autonomy or massive autonomy starting from 18kWh to 47kWh. Relying on the chosen machine and battery couple, the autonomies begin from 3h30 to 7h20 (100%-20% SoC).”
With as much as 5,000 cost cycles, Manitou’s charging technique addresses one of many major issues OEMs face when transitioning to electrical machines – operational downtime. The ME Carry vary helps three exterior charger configurations, 8kW, 10kW, and 20kW, with charging instances starting from 50 minutes to five.5 hours relying on software necessities and battery capability. “Our LiFePO4 batteries have been tailored particularly to our forklifts, they’ve a protracted lifespan together with low consumption, simpler upkeep and lowered downtime. What’s extra, they’re protected with no gasoline emissions when charging or thermal runaway,” Thénier particulars. “We offer an on-board charger and three exterior chargers, starting from 8kW to 20kW, with completely different electrical arrange necessities.”
The elimination of a devoted charging room additionally removes a major infrastructure barrier. “We’ve got designed our ME Carry vary with flexibility on the forefront. Operators can cost the machine at any time when they need for nevertheless lengthy they need, whether or not it’s two minutes or two hours,” provides Thénier.
“Inner combustion engine volumes proceed to be robust, nevertheless lead-acid volumes have decreased and that is being changed by lithium”
Design benefits
The compact nature of lithium-ion know-how allows main mechanical design benefits. The battery pack’s three-fold dimension discount in comparison with standard lead-acid techniques permits for a extra compact chassis design, leading to 30cm narrower aisle operation functionality – a profit in space-constrained environments.
The ME Carry vary additionally provides each three and four-wheel configurations, offering operators with further flexibility to specify optimum options for software necessities. Furthermore, its most lifting peak of 6.5 metres ensures compatibility with commonplace warehouse and industrial storage techniques whereas sustaining the manoeuvrability of the machine’s compact design.
Improved efficiency
The built-in traction system delivers strong motive energy throughout difficult operational circumstances, addressing a typical concern about electrical forklift efficiency in demanding industrial functions. The devoted hydraulic pump motor enhances lifting speeds, whereas noise discount represents one other benefit, with all ME Carry fashions working beneath 70 dB(A). This efficiency stage helps deployment in noise-sensitive environments and considerably enhances operator consolation throughout prolonged durations of operation.
Operator focus
The security of operators and their surroundings stays a precedence for Manitou. The ME Carry vary advantages from the newest requirements, providing enhanced safety for the operator when navigating curves or throughout lifting operations, with cabs which might be immune to falling masses. To see and be seen, ME Carry vehicles are absolutely geared up with LED lighting and dealing lights. Non-compulsory blue lights, further work lights and purple warning strains will also be added across the machine for pedestrian security. A centralised LCD show which is predicated on current fashions, such because the MT 625e telehandler, permits the operator to simply entry very important machine data in a single place.
All ME Carry machines are IPX4 rated and due to this fact rainproof, guaranteeing dependable operation throughout numerous climate circumstances. The easyto-activate electrical parking brake ensures that the machine stays steady on ramps and slopes, stopping unintended or unintentional motion. Acoustic insulation is significantly improved, with a noise discount of 6 dB(A) in comparison with earlier collection. The brand new vary additionally provides larger consolation due to the addition of a suspended seat and non-compulsory heated cab.
“From the panoramic roof window, electrical parking brake, stop-in-slope, pace discount in curve and Grammer seat, to the straightforward step, rear deal with with horn, adjustable steering column and roomy cabin, the pillars of the ME Carry, carried out from the start of improvement to manufacturing, are security, consolation and built-in options,” Thénier says.
“Operators can cost the machine at any time when they need for nevertheless lengthy they need, whether or not it’s two minutes or two hours”
Driving electrical ahead
Trying forward, Thénier highlights how the launch of the ME Carry forklift vary will pave the way in which for future electrical machines from Manitou. “Deployment of our new electrification ranges is likely one of the essential priorities for Manitou Group following the current announcement of our new strategic roadmap,” he says. “We additionally consider that retrofit has an excellent potential, that’s why we’re at present testing a telehandler on a job web site. Each mannequin is now developed with a possible for electrification. Developments will happen based on the maturity of the completely different geographical areas and buyer wants. For positive, the profitable launch of the ME Carry will assist future machines.”
