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 lowered downtime, all inside a narrower chassis
Making its Bauma Munich debut this yr was Manitou’s new ME Elevate 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 expertise can ship the operational efficiency required for para-industrial and paragricultural functions reminiscent of dealing with bricks, processed wooden, viticulture or potato cultivation.
“When it comes to electrification in off-highway, the present state of affairs is certainly a transition which means that completely different applied sciences coexist. Inside 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 Elevate is likely one of 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 progressive method 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 possibility, as Thénier explains: “Having the ability to get the appropriate battery pack is essential for answering the wants and necessities of our prospects and their numerous functions. That’s the reason, on every mannequin, our prospects 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 major 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 occasions 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 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 completely different electrical arrange necessities.”
The elimination of a devoted charging room additionally removes a big 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 nevertheless lengthy they need, whether or not it’s two minutes or two hours,” provides Thénier.
“Inside 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 expertise allows main mechanical design benefits. The battery pack’s three-fold dimension discount in comparison with standard lead-acid methods 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 affords each three and four-wheel configurations, offering operators with extra flexibility to specify optimum options for software necessities. Furthermore, its most lifting top of 6.5 metres ensures compatibility with normal warehouse and industrial storage methods 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 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 Elevate 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 setting stays a precedence for Manitou. The ME Elevate vary advantages from the newest requirements, providing enhanced safety for the operator when navigating curves or throughout lifting operations, with cabs which are proof against falling hundreds. To see and be seen, ME Elevate vans are absolutely outfitted with LED lighting and dealing lights. Non-obligatory blue lights, extra work lights and pink warning traces will also be added across the machine for pedestrian security. A centralised LCD show which relies on current fashions, such because the MT 625e telehandler, permits the operator to simply entry important machine info in a single place.
All ME Elevate machines are IPX4 rated and subsequently 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 affords better consolation due to the addition of a suspended seat and non-obligatory 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 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 Elevate forklift vary will pave the best way 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 a terrific potential, that’s why we’re presently testing a telehandler on a job website. 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 Elevate will assist future machines.”
