Efficient and Economical Energy Use at German Trade Fairs
RX 70 Hybrid Lift in use by Kühne + Nagel
STILL being used by Kühne + Nagel
Challenge: The use of forklifts at trade fair and convention centres is subject to large swings in demand and, whatsmore, the lifts are implemented in a wide variety of settings.
Solution: A rental fleet from STILL guarantees a transparent expense structure and STILL's numerous locations guarantee full availability anywhere, anytime.
Product: STILL Rentals, RX 70 Hybrid
Kühne + Nagel rents an entire fleet of energy efficient RX 70 Hybrid diesel forklifts for use at convention centres in Hannover, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Nuremberg and Munich.
In contrast to normal shift operation at a manufacturing facility, use of forklifts at the convention centres is subject to large variations in demand and operation times.
Kühne + Nagel branch manager Andreas Kerkmann told us: "For this reason we use rental lifts for nearly 90 percent of the jobs we do. We are able to take on and master a wide variety of jobs and tasks thanks to the transparent expense structure. Regular servicing is absolutely crucial in order to fully guarantee the trucks' full availability at all times. STILL, with its large number of branches and locations, is able to guarantee fast servicing at all of our convention centres."
Oliver Hoffmann, the STILL project supervisor responsible for the rental hybrid fleet adds, "We also manage the individual adjustments needed for special demands." For instance, the trucks were equipped with forks at least 2,000 mm in length, particulate filters for use in exhibition halls, enclosed, heated cabins for outdoor use and the painting of the counterweights in K+N blue.
Gain Energy, Transfer Power
Smooth, Efficient Driving at any Operational HourWhen compared to conventional vehicles, hybrid forklifts such as the RX 70 save almost 1.3 litres of fuel per hour of operation. This leads to lower CO2 emissions. "At 700-800 hours per vehicle, this means a huge potential for savings", continues Oliver Hoffmann. K+N has also rented units which are additionally equipped with particulate filters allowing them to be used in exhibition halls. Another advantage of the fixed rental agreement is that STILL also delivers the vehicles to the desired location on demand.
The RX 70 Hybrid is the first serial-produced Diesel B183counterbalance forklift which works with a hybrid principle using energy recovery and electrical power transfer. If the driver releases the pedal, the truck begins braking electrically and without wear on components. During the process, kinetic energy is converted back to electrical energy (regenerative braking). The energy is stored in high performance condensators, so called ultra caps, mounted at the rear of the vehicle. These ultra caps are able to both collect and release energy quickly.
Blue-Q
The Independent Energy Saving ModeIt is possible to save even more when the energy saving Blue-Q mode has been activated. Blue-Q influences the vehicle's handling properties and automatically disables unnecessary electrical components such as, for instance, the seat heating if the driver leaves the cabin. "This allows for energy savings of up to 20%", says Hoffmann. K+N also installed a new transport guidance system in their rented fleet. This system optimizes, among other things, the paths and routes that a forklift travels during operation. Communication between the forklifts and control takes place using mobile GPRS radio transmitters. "The decisive advantage to this new guidance system is that the dynamic calculations improve processing sequences in real time", explains K+N transport manager Lars Reichelt. Again: less driving means lower fuel consumption and the reduction of CO2 emissions.
