Materials handling and equipment company Crown has optimised its WT 3000 series pallet trucks to use battery capacity more efficiently, enabling the forklifts to operate for up to 28% longer on each battery charge.

All WT 3000 Series trucks will now be delivered with this new battery-life optimisation, notes materials handling company Goscor Lift Truck Company (GLTC), which distributes Crown equipment in Southern Africa.

GLTC, a part of Imperial Group, notes that, according to the VDI 2198 test cycle – an acknow-ledged industry standard – the new Crown WT 3000 models run significantly longer on a single battery charge, while maintaining the same pallet throughput.

The run time of trucks equipped with mechanical steering has increased by up to 28%, while trucks with electronic steering showed an improvement of about 9%.

This means fewer battery- recharging cycles are required, which, in turn, increases truck availability and thereby boosts productivity. Depending on the application, this enhanced energy efficiency also means that smaller, less expensive batteries can be used to handle the same workload.

“Crown works closely with its customers to observe and analyse its products in real-world use,” says GLTC MD Darryl Shafto, adding that this helps customers to identify areas and functions with the potential for optimisation, enabling them to further enhance its trucks’ productivity and performance.

Shafto further emphasises that the increased energy efficiency of Crown’s WT 3000 Series is an important step in helping customers further improve their operating margins. He adds that GLTC has, to date, received in excess of 100 orders for the WT 3000 Series pallet trucks from general industry, including fast-moving consumer goods companies. The trucks are used as picking trucks and to transport pallets.

Crown WT 3000 pallet trucks are designed for intensive on-ramp work and high throughput. They are characterised by high performance, reliability, durability and exceptional operator ergonomics. The series includes models with capacities of up to 2.5 t, while customers can choose between mechanical or electronic steering systems, as well as three different operator platform configurations.

Other features include Crown’s FlexRide operator suspension, e-GEN braking system, Access 1 2 3 control system, Entry Bar Safety Switch and quick-exit side restraints.

The WT 3000 Series has also earned numerous awards, including the Universal Design Award 2012 and the Design 4 Safety Award, which was presented at the UK’s leading logistics trade fair, IMHX 2013.

GLTC carries a range of materials handling products, such as Crown, Doosan and Bendi forklifts.