Industrial Automation Magazine India

No compromises ERD 220i redefines triad of compactness, safety and ergonomics

Published on : Monday 10-05-2021

Fixed and spacious standing platform with lateral protection on three sides. 300-millimetre lower L2 dimension for maximum space efficiency.

May 2021 – Jungheinrich presented the new electric pallet truck ERD 220i at its virtual trade fair recently. The forklift truck that is designed for flexible use in the handling warehouse and to load and unload trucks has an L2 dimension of just 1,065 mm and is therefore the most compact truck in its class. Compared to its predecessor, the ERD 220i is more than 300 mm shorter thanks to its new lithium-ion battery concept, which results in a space reduction of approximately 25 per cent. The compact dimensions make the electric pallet truck particularly versatile and agile to drive. Its turning radius has been reduced to just 1,985 millimetres. This creates new free space in existing warehouses and enables precise manoeuvring even in confined spaces. It also allows for completely new concepts in future warehouse planning. "The ERD 220i offers maximum space efficiency. Travel routes require less space and aisle widths can be reduced. This enables us to provide our customers who use the ERD 220i with more storage space on the same warehouse surface," explains Torben Sell, the responsible product manager at Jungheinrich.

Instead of installing a large battery between the platform and forks as has been the case in the past, Jungheinrich has used two battery modules of 130 Ah in the ERD 220i that are accommodated within the truck chassis. The removal of the heavy battery tray offers significant benefits in the truck performance. By doing this, Jungheinrich has enhanced the weight distribution of the ERD 220i in favour of the driving parameters, which is evident in the powerful acceleration and enables driving speeds of up to 14 km/h. The space saved also makes it possible to offer the truck in two spacious platform versions without having to make any relevant sacrifices in compactness and agility. Both platforms have fixed lateral protection panels on three sides and allow for safe driving and comfortable standing. "The ERD 220i is more compact, comfortable and safer than all other forklift trucks in its class. The ERD 220i is redefining the triad of agility, safety and ergonomics with the new battery concept. It makes no compromises and is the forklift truck our customers have been searching for a long time," explains Sell.

Loading and unloading trucks is one of the toughest intralogistics operations for both man and machine. Jungheinrich has therefore developed various features for the ERD 220i to offer increased safety, comfort and ergonomics which also enable greater productivity. The pallet truck recognises as soon as it is in a truck through an ultrasound sensor. This automatically activates the working lights, illuminates the truck and ensures pallets are lifted quickly and safely – this is particularly beneficial in the early morning hours. The truck also reduces the speed to a tempo set by the customer so that the driver is able to get over the threshold between the truck and warehouse without putting unnecessary strain on their back. An intuitive adjustable, weight-dependent suspension on the ERD 220i also helps to make the vigorous travel on ramps easier on the back. The LED light "Floor Spot" was protected and integrated into the side wall as a safety feature that can be ordered ex works and increases the visibility of the truck on its transport journeys in the warehouse.