Man-upmanship
April 1st 2006

Already a market leader for Very Narrow Aisle trucks in the USA and with 10 years experience of manufacturing these specialist units in Europe, Yale chose Manutention to launch its new range of man-up VNA trucks

Encompassing seven new models, Yale's new VNA range proves the company is serious about competing in the important VNA market sector. With lift capacities from 1000 to 1500kg and a maximum lift height up to 16.0m the new trucks represent, says the company, a radically different series of man-up VNA trucks.

Designed for use in European distribution warehouses, the new MTC series features the latest AC sealed motor drive technology, CANbus communication, high visibility pantograph operated turret attachment, ergonomics and operator control options.

Research indicates that whilst there are market differences in types of operation, all warehouse and distribution companies seek high productivity, reliability, good ergonomics, styling and finish, at the lowest possible cost.

VNA product manager Ron Farr said: "Yale Europe has gathered user information and data from across Europe to design and produce seven new models of man-up VNA truck to exceed customer expectations and out-perform the competition".

30kW lifting power

With 30kW of power standard on its higher capacity machines, Yale claims the highest productivity from state-of-the-art technology. Sealed AC motors, powerful acceleration, fast travel/lift speeds and continuous height sensing combine to offer safe, smooth, performance with precise operator control, thanks to the CANbus control system with built-in error detection.

The use of 3 phase AC technology to power the drive, steering and 2 hydraulic lift motors on each truck with positional encodes in each motor, allow real time monitoring of all aspects of the truck's performance and application data under all operating conditions.

Cabin ergonomics

Yale has invested a considerable amount of time and dedicated resources into searching for the 'truth' to explore exactly what operators want from a state-of-the-art VNA truck. The answer is, says the company, exceptional ergonomics, where everything the operator sees and touches is harmonised to create a favourable operating environment. From the large uncluttered floor space to the luxury driver's seat with 20° of side rotation, nothing has been left to chance.

Forward mounted operator controls are adjustable for height, angle and plane, providing the ideal operating position whether working seated, or standing. Every truck function can be controlled without the operator having to reposition the hands. Proportional controls allow absolute control of the truck and turret head, safely performing multiple truck movements simultaneously, under different operating conditions.

Integral pantograph

Hidden in the fork carriage, the integral pantograph allows the MTC series to operate in the narrowest of aisles with maximum side operating clearances.

An optional zero thickness hydraulic fork spreader means that different pallet sizes can be handled without the operator having to leave the cabin.

The specially designed turret head combines the best operating ideas developed by Yale engineers on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, to produce the compact head dimensions with synchronised fork rotation for accurate operation. A constant graphic display shows the operator the fork location as part of the on-board control system.

CANbus networked controls

Benefiting from the latest CANbus electronic communication and control system, the MTC series of VNA trucks from Yale has removed the likely chance of error from malfunctioning components. All sensors, hydraulic actuators and motor controls are networked and constantly monitored for operational efficiency. A built in error detection system ensures that all the truck systems are synchronised, minimising the chance of accidental damage and maximising performance.

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