In addition to lift tables, Janzen Lifttechnik, based in Niederlangen, Lower Saxony, produces column lifts as well as goods and underfloor elevators. Today, lift tables are no longer just about lifting and lowering loads. For example, pallet cages often need to be tilted so that goods can be removed more easily. The company with 20 employees has a high vertical range of manufacture and attaches great importance to permanent quality assurance. From design and steel construction to final assembly, everything takes place in-house. Janzen only uses high-quality components for its standard lift tables, which ensure many years of low-wear operation.

As the market for scissor lift trucks up to a load capacity of 500 kg is dominated by Asian competitors in the view of the company management, the company from Lower Saxony embarked on a new course: Janzen successfully established itself in the 1,500 to 2,000 kg load range - a sector in which there are only a few suppliers. Over the years, customer inquiries for electrically powered scissor lift trucks increased steadily, as the heavy lift trucks were difficult to move by hand. Sometimes it even took two people to position the trolleys with loads. Janzen therefore set about designing his own drive. In practice, however, the effort required proved to be greater than expected. The visit from the Blickle experts came at just the right time. They recognized the problem and suggested the use of the ErgoMove 2000 electric drive system with a transport capacity of up to 2,000 kg.

Moving two tons in a confined space

ErgoMove makes it easy to move heavy loads, ensures ergonomically correct working conditions and increases the efficiency of in-house transportation. In addition to drive assistance, ErgoMove is characterized by a steering and braking aid. As part of a load-bearing structure, the electric drive system offers flawless driving behavior with any trolley weight. Blickle offers the ErgoMove cockpit with one rotary encoder for applications with long straight-line travel. The version with two rotary encoders offers the possibility of easily maneuvering heavy loads even in the tightest of spaces.

Those responsible at Janzen were quickly convinced of the advantages of the system and approved the order. Blickle's specialists succeeded in fitting the ErgoMove control and operating unit to the scissor lift table by slightly modifying the push handle. In addition, the standard polyamide castors previously used were replaced by ErgoMove drive castors and polyurethane swivel castors. Thanks to the excellent cooperation, Janzen was able to obtain the right drive solutions for scissor lift trucks in industrial applications within a short space of time.

Low resistance for quiet running

The decision to opt for Blickle has paid off for the medium-sized company. "Now heavy scissor lift trucks can easily be moved ergonomically by one person. Loads of up to two tons can now be moved by hand using electric drive, brake and steering assistance," explains Stefan Winter, Production Manager at Janzen Lifttechnik. Noise emissions have also been reduced. Previously, hard and noisy polyamide castors were used. Blickle's polyurethane swivel castors are suitable for high dynamic and mechanical loads and have low rolling resistance for quiet running. High-quality components ensure low wear.

Blickle supplied a complete system solution. The package also included extensive safety equipment, which the customer did not have to design and procure independently: The scissor lift trucks are equipped with an emergency stop switch, dead man's brakes, a horn and anti-trap protection. To prevent improper use, the operating handles have integrated hand detection. "In addition to ergonomics, we have also significantly increased safety," says Gerrit Richter, design engineer at Janzen Lifttechnik.