Linde has widened its range of internal combustion forklift trucks to meet the needs of customers with lifting requirements in the 1,400kg to 2,000kg range.

The move provides further confirmation of the success of Linde’s advanced 39X series, the most popular range the company has ever offered in Australia.

Availability of the exceptional economy, ergonomics and performance of the breakthrough Linde 39X design has up until now been limited to those requiring lifting capacities over two tonnes.

Now Linde has introduced new 1.4 to 2.0 tonne 39X LP gas models powered by a state of the art 1984cc litre engine tuned to provide strong performance with outstanding fuel economy and extremely low emissions.

The new Linde 39X models incorporate the latest material handling equipment engineering concepts. They have a new drive system and a unique mast design packaged in a lift truck, without sacrificing durability.

The fuel savings and performance gains achieved are due to a combination of the H1.6 heavier, H1.8 same weight, H2.0 lighter and the use of a specially-designed, high-torque, low-revving engine.

Independent tests have shown potential fuel savings of up to 40 per cent compared to a direct competitor performing the same duty cycle.

In addition to the low fuel consumption, running costs are minimised through the elimination of expensive and maintenance-dependent parts such as, the mechanical clutch, gearbox and conventional brake.

In typical applications, Linde is recommending maintenance intervals of 1,000 hrs which, when compared to standard intervals of 250 hrs, suggests a significant saving on maintenance.

By refining every aspect of the forklifts Linde has been able to achieve optimum efficiency from the new models powered by the 2.0 litre engine, without sacrificing load capacities.

The new engines are manufactured by VW to specifications provided by Linde which include compliance with the latest emission control regulations. In fact the exhaust emissions of the new Linde 2.0 litre engine are only a fraction of the permitted maximums.

The integrity of the low emission status of the 39X is maintained through its ability to always stay tuned. The electronic engine management systems continuously monitor the state of the engine and automatically adjust parameters to ensure optimum combustion process within the engine. It is not dependent on regular maintenance intervals to ensure low emissions.

Commenting on the introduction of the new 39X models, Linde’s Managing Director, Carl Smith explained that the driver remains the focus.

“The compact nature of the 2.0 litre engine pays off in tangible comfort for the operator. The cabin offers clear space for entry and exit without going through any contortions and the entry step has an access height of just 460mm,” he said explained.

“Linde has achieved noise level reductions which makes these new forklifts quieter than some electric lift trucks on the market.”

The ergonomic focus of the 1.6 to 2.0 tonne forklifts is the Linde Load Control (LLC) system of electronic mast function actuation, which is common to all 39X models.

“LLC dramatically simplifies load handling and sets a new standard for improving productivity through ergonomic factors,” said Mr Smith.

The two control levers for mast, fork and load movement are integrated in a wide armrest that is adjustable vertically and horizontally, resulting in the levers sitting literally at the operator’s fingertips.

The electronic actuation of the hydraulics means that the effort required with either control lever is 85% less than operator effort needed with mechanical levers. The use of proportional hydraulic valves results in very smooth motions that minimise the risk of load damage.

A new control system – Linde Truck Control (LTC) provides the operator with maximum responsiveness and precision in driving and lifting. It also keeps the engine speed at the lowest rpm necessary for each task, assisting fuel efficiency, quiet running and, most importantly, eliminates operator involvement in managing engine speed.

LTC actually monitors the driver’s inputs and adjusts engine speed so that sufficient power will be available – conventional forklifts have load-sensing hydraulics on all truck functions, while the 39X has load-predicting hydraulics.

To improve operator comfort, great attention has been paid to the elimination of vibration. The engines are resiliently mounted to the counterweight, dampening vibration at the source. The mast is mounted directly to the drive axle, ensuring that vibrations from handling of the load are transmitted straight to ground without ever going through the chassis.

Another major advancement is the newest generation of Linde’s hydrostatic transmission. The latest engineering breakthrough in this unique system is in the form of direct drive of the front wheels by the hydraulic motors. The hydraulic motors are of Linde’s own design, and boast exceptional hydraulic efficiency, driving the wheels directly with no need for reduction gearing. No gearing is installed between the motors and the wheels, resulting in better efficiency, reducing fuel usage and substantially contributing to noise reduction.

Top mounting of the tilt jacks on the Linde 39X models increases their structural stability and result in much less flexing of the mast. The use of slim-profile sections combined with the use of a hose cassette, offers greatly improved upward and forward visibility for the operator.