Together with the likewise new electric forklift trucks for standard applications (Linde E20 - E35), they are based on the same platform as the Linde H20 - H35 IC engine-powered forklift trucks launched at the end of 2019. This ensures shorter delivery times, quickly available options and an almost identical operating concept for the driver.

More and more companies are turning to electric forklift trucks to make their intralogistics as sustainable and climate-neutral as possible. This is because the battery-powered vehicles do not emit any emissions during operation and do not cause any_CO2 if the electricity comes from renewable energies such as wind, sun or biomass.

The only drawback of the drive type was that combustion engines were still superior in certain applications. "Although many of our customers wanted to switch to electric forklift trucks, they didn't want to give up the performance, ground clearance, robustness, decoupling and ergonomics they were used to from Linde hydrostats," explains Björn Walter, Senior Product Manager Counterbalance Trucks at Linde Material Handling. In addition to sustainability, there are other reasons that make the use of electric forklift trucks attractive: self-generated electricity, for example, with which the industrial trucks can be operated cost-effectively, or the quiet motors that avoid noise pollution in the neighborhood.

However, when developing a powerful, robust electric forklift truck, the project managers at Linde Material Handling quickly realized that it would not be possible to achieve the desired equivalence by simply increasing the performance. "We therefore decided to design a completely new model series that combines the positive characteristics of our IC engine-powered forklift trucks with the advantages of classic electric forklift trucks and represents a real alternative for our demanding customers, particularly in the construction materials, beverage, steel and iron, paper, wood and recycling industries with their tough applications," says Walter. "At the same time, there should still be an extremely maneuverable standard electric forklift truck - naturally equipped with all the new functionalities of the platform concept." In line with this idea, there are now two Linde electric forklift model series in the 2.0 to 3.5 tonne load capacity range: the standard model, the Linde E20 - E35, and the particularly robust and powerful X-series, the Linde X20 - X35.

Users can now also use the Linde X20 - X35 series forklift trucks for applications where conventional electric forklift trucks have reached their performance limits. These include, among other things, steep inclines to be mastered by the trucks, high handling rates to be achieved on a permanent basis or a lot of dust and dirt.

To achieve this, motors based on synchronous reluctance technology (SRM) are installed in both model series. This improves the efficiency of travel motors and hoist motors by up to 5 percent, which leads to corresponding increases in efficiency. Two further technical highlights bring the Linde X20 - X35 up to the performance level of an IC engine-powered truck: firstly, the motors are additionally equipped with neodymium magnets, and secondly, the water cooling of the power modules ensures that the performance can be called up over a long period of time, e.g. in multi-shift operation, without restrictions.

Comparative tests based on the TÜV-certified performance test developed by Linde MH have delivered two key results: "Firstly, the Linde X20 - X35 was just as efficient as the Linde H20 - H35 in terms of handling, and secondly, it was significantly more cost-effective in terms of time and costs per pallet handled than any of the competitor vehicles," comments the Senior Product Manager.

Important for outdoor use: The Linde X20 - X35 forklifts can cope with very uneven surfaces, just like the combustion engines. This is made possible by the long wheelbase, the large tires and the elastomer ring bearings as shock absorbers on the front axle. They prevent vibrations and shocks caused by uneven ground from being transmitted to the operator via the wheels. All in all, physical stress is reduced and a consistently high working performance of man and machine is made possible. Fully sealed or encapsulated units in the battery and engine compartments ensure insensitivity to dirt and dust particles. The lithium-ion system developed by Linde Material Handling provides sufficient energy: it consists of differently dimensioned and particularly safe, shock-resistant high-performance batteries and chargers.

Multiple advantages of the platform concept

If you are looking for an electric forklift truck for indoor use with smooth industrial floors or if narrow rack aisles make material handling difficult, you can choose the classic version of the new electric forklift trucks. The compact truck dimensions of the Linde E20 - E35 models and the combination steering axle developed by Linde Material Handling allow turning maneuvers with the smallest radius. There is also a choice of different energy options: Lead-acid battery, lithium-ion battery or fuel cell systems. Existing batteries can also continue to be used. A low-lift truck is now all that is needed to change the battery from side to side.

Both the electric forklift truck series and the combustion engines in the current model range are based on the same platform concept. This means that operators benefit from large viewing windows through the lift mast, to the sides, to the rear and upwards. Just like the weather protection cab with fully glazed doors, most of the other options of the combustion engine are also available for the electric forklift trucks. The optional fully integrated air conditioning system with an eight-nozzle ventilation system for powerful cooling and heating ensures driver comfort and therefore high productivity in all ambient conditions. The optional "Linde Motion Detection" driver assistance system provides greater safety: sensors register movements in the rear of the truck and prevent the truck from reversing if there are people or vehicles in the area.

<span "="">The 12XX forklift generation also sets standards in terms of availability. The robust, low-repair design requires little maintenance, and key assemblies are wear-free. Networked service processes and the new Truck Health Management based on wirelessly transmitted vehicle data help to further increase vehicle availability.

Common parts and mix assembly create advantages

The platform concept and the resulting larger number of identical parts offer further advantages: These range from assembly on a common mix conveyor and therefore simpler logistics and greater flexibility in the event of production fluctuations, to the ability to swap components between different models and quickly convert rental trucks. All three forklift types have an almost identical arrangement of controls, making it almost imperceptible for operators to switch between vehicles. Last but not least, new options are available for all models in a load capacity class at the same time. Björn Walter's conclusion: "Linde Material Handling is the first manufacturer to offer its customers an uncompromising electric forklift truck alternative to the still most powerful combustion engines on the market!"