Lead-acid batteries have lengthy been the mainstay of forklift design, however now Manitou’s all-new ME Elevate vary is taking full benefit of the capabilities of lithium chemistry, delivering decrease energy consumption, simpler upkeep and decreased downtime, all inside a narrower chassis
Making its Bauma Munich debut this 12 months was Manitou’s new ME Elevate forklift vary. The OEM capitalised on the rising electrification development 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 expertise can ship the operational efficiency required for para-industrial and paragricultural purposes corresponding to dealing with bricks, processed wooden, viticulture or potato cultivation.
“When it comes to electrification in off-highway, the present scenario is certainly a transition that means that totally different applied sciences coexist. Inner combustion engine volumes proceed to be sturdy, nonetheless lead-acid volumes have decreased and that is steadily being changed by lithium. As a lithium-native machine, ME Elevate is among the key steps for creating lithium competencies. Throughout the first months of gross sales, the vary has been overwhelmingly welcomed,” says Jordan Thénier, international product supervisor industrial forklift, Manitou Group.
Versatile energy options
The ME Elevate vary’s 76.8V lithium-ion battery system represents an modern 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 precise battery pack is essential for answering the wants and necessities of our clients and their numerous purposes. That’s the reason, on every mannequin, our clients can select two batteries with common autonomy or giant 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 main issues OEMs face when transitioning to electrical machines – operational downtime. The ME Elevate vary helps three exterior charger configurations, 8kW, 10kW, and 20kW, with charging instances starting from 50 minutes to five.5 hours relying on utility 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 decreased downtime. What’s extra, they’re secure with no fuel emissions when charging or thermal runaway,” Thénier particulars. “We offer an on-board charger and three exterior chargers, starting from 8kW to 20kW, with totally different electrical arrange necessities.”
The elimination of a devoted charging room additionally removes a major infrastructure barrier. “We now have designed our ME Elevate vary with flexibility on the forefront. Operators can cost the machine at any time when they need for nonetheless lengthy they need, whether or not it’s two minutes or two hours,” provides Thénier.
“Inner combustion engine volumes proceed to be sturdy, nonetheless lead-acid volumes have decreased and that is being changed by lithium”
Design benefits
The compact nature of lithium-ion expertise 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 Elevate vary additionally gives each three and four-wheel configurations, offering operators with extra flexibility to specify optimum options for utility necessities. Furthermore, its most lifting top of 6.5 metres ensures compatibility with customary warehouse and industrial storage techniques whereas sustaining the manoeuvrability of the machine’s compact design.
Improved efficiency
The built-in traction system delivers sturdy motive energy throughout difficult operational circumstances, addressing a standard concern about electrical forklift efficiency in demanding industrial purposes. The devoted hydraulic pump motor enhances lifting speeds, whereas noise discount represents one other benefit, with all ME Elevate fashions working under 70 dB(A). This efficiency degree helps deployment in noise-sensitive environments and considerably enhances operator consolation throughout prolonged intervals of operation.
Operator focus
The protection of operators and their atmosphere stays a precedence for Manitou. The ME Elevate vary advantages from the most recent requirements, providing enhanced safety for the operator when navigating curves or throughout lifting operations, with cabs which can be immune to falling masses. To see and be seen, ME Elevate vehicles are totally geared up with LED lighting and dealing lights. Non-obligatory blue lights, extra work lights and crimson warning traces will also be added across the machine for pedestrian security. A centralised LCD show which is predicated on present fashions, such because the MT 625e telehandler, permits the operator to simply entry very important machine info in a single place.
All ME Elevate 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 secure on ramps and slopes, stopping unintentional or unintentional motion. Acoustic insulation is significantly improved, with a noise discount of 6 dB(A) in comparison with earlier sequence. The brand new vary additionally gives higher consolation because of the addition of a suspended seat and elective heated cab.
“From the panoramic roof window, electrical parking brake, stop-in-slope, velocity 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 Elevate, applied from the start of growth to manufacturing, are security, consolation and built-in options,” Thénier says.
“Operators can cost the machine at any time when they need for nonetheless 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 Elevate forklift vary will pave the way in which for future electrical machines from Manitou. “Deployment of our new electrification ranges is among the major priorities for Manitou Group following the latest 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 website. Each mannequin is now developed with a possible for electrification. Developments will happen in accordance with the maturity of the totally different geographical areas and buyer wants. For positive, the profitable launch of the ME Elevate will assist future machines.”
This text first appeared within the August difficulty of iVT
