Use lift truck option choices to optimise your output and profits
Choosing the right options can turn a great lift truck into the perfect one for your business. After all, every application, operation and user is different. To meet their demands and preferences precisely, and get the best possible results, you need flexibility in your choice of features.
You will, of course, expect good forklift manufacturers to include a generous feature specification in the standard price. However, you shouldn’t pay for things you don’t need. Options lists allow you to select only those which will truly make a difference to your company’s output and profits.
To illustrate this point, we have previously highlighted some options on our Cat® 4.0 to 5.5 tonne electric counterbalance forklifts. Today, let’s look at one of our warehouse truck ranges: the Cat NPV20-25N3 and NPF20-25N3(R)(S) platform power pallets. The options summarised here are just a sample; your local Cat lift truck dealer can tell you more.
The first choice in our platform power pallet truck range is between a foldable or a fixed platform. The fixed platform models are further divided into rear entry and side entry versions. There are three choices of tiller steering technology, which we have described in detail elsewhere. All models have the class-leading Cat emPower tiller head as standard.
Boost your power pallet operators’ productivity
All our power pallet truck platforms are comfortably damped to reduce vibration and strain. Without sufficient damping, vibrations can cause stress, tiredness and fatigue – which affect an operator’s performance. They may even result in sick leave. For the best possible user experience, our fixed platform models have a unique electrically adjustable damping option. Hardness levels are optimised for each user’s weight and preference at the touch of a button. This option brings a cost-effective increase in comfort. It also minimises vibration-related wear on the truck.
Prevent accidents in your materials handling operations
The standard safety specifications of our power pallets aim to avoid accidental injuries and related expenses. Extra precautions available include an optional foot protection feature on our rear entry fixed platforms. It uses a ‘light curtain’ principle. The truck will not start moving if the operator’s foot is on the rear edge of the platform. During travel, the light beam will be broken if his or her foot begins to move off the platform. After a short delay, the truck will slow down and then come to a complete stop.
Save time on routine lift truck operating activities
You can choose between lead-acid and lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery versions of every model. In each case the battery technology is fully integrated with the truck. The Li-ion option has important timesaving and efficiency advantages. These include the possibility of continuous operation, without battery changes, using fast opportunity charging during short breaks. If lead-acid batteries are better suited to your operation, we can speed up their exchanges with two options. The first is a bearing-mounted steel roller bed. To this you may add our quick battery lock, which makes locking and unlocking fast and easy.
Equip the power pallet for your application’s conditions
Our power pallet trucks come with a versatile specification that suits a variety of duties and circumstances. However, for some specific challenges you may need a degree of specialisation.
For example, how slippery are your floors? We offer three types of tyres:
- Vulkollan (fitted as standard) – the best choice for 90% of all applications
- Tractothan – for extra traction on wet, dirty or very smooth surfaces (also used, for instance, where movement between temperature zones causes condensation, or where floors are soiled to some extent with oil)
- Super Grip – for extremely humid, slippery or greasy environments, or where ice is an issue (typical applications include the fish, meat and dairy industries)
A further option on all models is Active Spin Reduction (ASR), which reduces drive wheel spin and wear on low-friction floors.
Adapt to different forklift users and operational needs
For simplicity, you may prefer to stick with the trucks’ standard display, which includes a battery discharge indicator and hour meter. The alternative option of a multifunctional display offers multiple benefits.
One is the ability to set three different performance modes to suit individual users and applications:
- Pro mode is for advanced operators and intensive operations
- Eco mode blends low energy consumption with high productivity
- Easy mode is well suited to learners and sensitive goods handling
The clear graphical display enables greater operator interaction and fuller information on the truck’s condition, faults and actions.
Find out more
Further information on these platform power pallet trucks can be found on our website. Your local Cat lift truck dealer can give expert advice on the best options to optimise your operation.
