The most common cause of operating errors and accidents at work in the intralogistics sector is the "human factor". This is all the more true as the strain on forklift truck drivers is constantly increasing. The mast of the Linde L14 to L20 series of high lift trucks with a load capacity of 1.4 to two tons lifts goods to a height of more than five meters. If the operator miscalculates the residual load capacity, this can quickly become a safety risk for him or other employees in the warehouse and, in the worst case, the truck can tip over. The same danger exists if operator errors occur when transporting or maneuvering the load.

Linde is therefore developing intelligent assistance systems that take the strain off the driver and provide support in critical situations with warnings or active intervention. Linde Load Management shows the operator all the important data and intervenes to correct safety-critical operating errors. The large color display of the new Linde Load Management system provides the truck driver with visual and acoustic warning signals that make load handling easier and safer. Here he can read the relevant load information: on the one hand the actual weight on the forks, and on the other the current and maximum permitted lift height.

Assistant switches off lifting function

The assistance system also warns the operator if the lift mast is close to the load limit. In this case, a yellow warning symbol appears on the display, while an acoustic warning signal demands increased attention. If the operator continues to lift the mast despite this, the lifting function is switched off, preventing a safety-critical situation. A corresponding warning appears on the display that the load limit has been exceeded. The operator can now no longer raise the mast, but only lower it.

However, to rule out cases in which the lift mast is stuck in the rack with a load at a height of several meters, for example, it is possible to release the lock and lift the load further. To do this, however, the operator must first explicitly confirm the warning. At the same time, a red warning symbol on the display and a repeated warning tone continuously remind the operator that he is moving above the load limit.

The precise information on the load weight and lifting height not only forms the basis for a continuous calculation of the residual load capacity, but also serves to adjust the acceleration and driving speed depending on the steering angle, load weight and lifting height. This protects the operator from turning the tiller too much at high speed or accelerating too much with a raised load, thereby putting the device in an unstable position.

With Linde Load Management, accidents involving injuries and damage to goods and equipment can be avoided and the internal material flow can be made even safer and more efficient. The Linde L14 - L20 high lift trucks are the first and so far only trucks on the market to be equipped with this intelligent assistance system. as