Kammac Takes Delivery of Yale Lp Gas Forklift Trucks

Third party logistics provider Kammac Plc has recently taken delivery of 15 Yale lpg powered lift trucks and other warehouse trucks for its 330,000 square foot warehouse at Knowsley, equivalent in size to five football pitches, as part of a larger supply contract.

Kammac Plc’s large warehouse in Knowsley has 22,000 pallet locations within conventional adjustable pallet racking (APR) to cater for an average of 10,000 pallet movements per week over three shifts.

Mark Davenport, manager at the Knowsley facility with overall responsibility for inbound and outbound logistics for Kammac, said: “Our primary distribution manages the transportation of food items from six UK production facilities to the distribution centre here in Knowsley, whilst the secondary distribution fleet provides transport to major supermarkets and retail outlets.

“Our operators are all very experienced and were instrumental in selecting Yale as the preferred trucks based on the evaluation of the demonstration models trialled onsite in the warehouse.

“Particular emphasis was placed on safe operation of the trucks, as health and safety is a priority for Kammac and the Yale trucks have a number of safety features, like the strengthened overhead guards, which were important for our operation.”

Incoming product is received direct from manufacturers as secure bar coded palletised loads on 1,200 x 1,000mm Chep pallets. Pallets are scanned on arrival and offloaded from dedicated curtainsiders using an lpg powered Yale Veracitor GLP40VX 4000Kg lift capacity counterbalance forklift truck with a double pallet handling attachment for the rapid handling and quick turnaround times needed with 70 trailer movements per day.

The Yale GLP20SXV lpg powered counterbalance forklift trucks delivered to Kammac have been specified from the latest Yale Veracitor VX Series of 1.6 to 3.5 tonnes lift capacity engine powered counterbalance lift trucks. An aid to operator comfort on the VX is the three-point isolated drive train, designed to reduce the noise and rolling vibration associated with truck operations, says Yale. When coupled with Yale’s Continuous Stability Enhancement system (CSE), the suspension system limits steer axle articulation and is reported to offer smoother travel over rough surfaces.

Yale has reduced the diameter of the steering wheel on the VX Series to 30cm and, using the standard spinner knob, the steering can be changed from lock to lock in just four turns. The steering column is also adjustable for tilt, and hydrostatic power steering is fitted as standard.

New E-hydraulic controls on the Veracitor GLP20SVX at Kammac are Accutouch electro-hydraulic mini-levers, with an adjustable armrest incorporated into the design.

At the heart of this VX Series design is the Auto Deceleration System (ADS), available with the Techtronix 100 transmission specified on the Kammac trucks. The ADS automatically slows the truck when the driver releases the throttle pedal by engaging the opposite direction selected clutch pack to reduce the travel speed of the truck, which can be programmed to suit application and operator requirements.

To make changing lp gas cylinders easier, Yale has introduced the EZ-Tank Drop-Down Bracket, which rotates the lpg cylinder into a lower vertical position to simplify replacement and reduce the chance of back strain.

By working together in a spirit of partnership, Kammac and Yale feel they are serving the best interests of Kammac’s customers by finding the most efficient reliable handling solutions.

Confident of a successful relationship, Mark Davenport said: “We have experience of working with Yale on other Kammac sites and are pleased with their overall performance – Yale has provided us with good service and reliable trucks.”

Yale UK’s Lee Jones said: “Yale is pleased to be working with Kammac and is proud to be part of a successful logistics operation, which delivers family favourites like OXO cubes and noodles to supermarket shelves throughout the UK.”

Contact Yale Materials Handling UK Ltd on 01922 745744 www.yale-uk.com

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