Cover Story: Combilift

Plugging in to Greener Power

COMBI-FSE two directional sideloader

As materials handling manufacturer Combilift points out – switching to electric power is not only good for the environment, but it’s also good for your workforce, your neighbours and your balance sheet.

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hen Combilift was established in 1998, the world was quite a different place. In that year, Google was incorporated as a private company in California and only 9% of households had access to the internet. And in the world of industrial vehicles, diesel power was the default choice for the majority, as it was considered to offer the best performance in demanding working conditions.

Times have of course changed, and the growing demand for electric powered vehicles and equipment has been fuelled by shifting public attitudes towards pollution and more stringent legislation. This has put pressure on manufacturers and companies in a wide variety of industry sectors to “clean up their act” and to focus on more sustainability. The latter is all about taking a long-term look at how you operate, and this will often involve investment in new technology. Switching to an electric fleet from diesel is now a much more attractive option than it once was, and this is down to improved battery performance and technology, which enables ever increasing lift capacities, longer run times and much longer intervals between charging. The latest generation of electric trucks are also versatile and can work indoors and out, which can reduce the overall number of forklifts required and consequently the carbon footprint – as well as operational costs and outlay for insurance, maintenance and so on. So what is good for the planet can also be good for your business.

Wide-ranging benefits

Talking of finances: the initial cost of an electric truck may be somewhat higher than a diesel model, but over a truck’s lifetime the TCO can work out to be better. The soaring price of fuel makes it more expensive than charging batteries, and this has been more of an issue since 1 April this year as it is no longer legal to use red diesel for non-road mobile machinery. As electric powered trucks do not have traditional combustion engines or hydraulic transmissions, there is no longer any need to check and top up engine fluids or lubricants. This results in longer intervals between services, for further cost saving.

But it’s not all about money either. Just as on-street emissions from traffic have proved to be the cause of serious health problems, people need

to be protected from pollution at their place of work. The British Safety Council has called for limits on the amount of exposure to diesel emissions, and an electric fleet obviously improves air quality on site and reduces the potential risks to employees, visitors and customers alike. Timber merchant James Latham is on course to replace all of its LPG multidirectional Combilift trucks with electric ones at a number of its sites. This has resulted in a high level of approval from the drivers, one of whom commented: “there is more space in the cab so more legroom, and when you are working in hot weather, conditions are much cooler and more comfortable as there is no heat emanating from the engine.”

Noise pollution is an underestimated threat to human health, wildlife and environmental quality, and more and more companies are aiming to quieten down their operations by using electric trucks. One of these is Lawsons Timber which operates from 10 sites in London and numerous others across the south of England and the home counties. David Harvey, group transport manager said: “As a lot of our branches are in residential or urban areas, our electric trucks have enabled us to keep noise levels to a minimum for our neighbours – and of course for the drivers and visitors on-site.” At James Latham, quiet operation has also been beneficial as many depots work 24 hour shifts to maximise delivery capacity, so good neighbourly relations can be maintained despite these anti-social hours. Combilift’s CEO and co-founder Martin McVicar says: “We made our first electric C-Series over 18 years ago, and we are supporting our customers in their aims for more sustainable operation by expanding our range of electric powered products. In the last year alone, we added four new electric models to our portfolio, and more than 60% of the trucks that come off the production lines in Monaghan are now electric. As more and more of our customers are opting for electric power it is obvious that they are as committed to sustainability and a circular economy as we are.”

New models

The new models recently developed by Combilift are eminently suited to the requirements of the timber sector. The Combi-XLE multidirectional forklift, which was launched in 2021, has a 5,000kg lift capacity so combines emission-free operation with powerful performance. It benefits from the same features as its original IC counterpart: high ground clearance, large, cushioned front and rear tyres and a spacious cab, allowing smooth operation on semi-rough terrain whilst offering a high level of driver comfort. It incorporates up-to-the-minute technology such as the patented all-wheel traction that reduces tyre wear and load swing and enhances braking. Also included is a newly developed, patented Eco-Steer System which provides a smaller turning radius and improved user experience.

The latest model, which premiered at various trade shows in mid-2022, is the Combi-FSE – a four wheeled, two directional sideloader with 5,000kg or 6,000kg lift capacity. The patented traction system plays a major part in ensuring optimum performance in all weather conditions. Sensors in the front steering axle linked to the innovative Electronic Traction Control system enable the two independent 15kW drive motors on the rear axle to be controlled individually, with the speed of each wheel governed by the steer angle of the front wheels to provide improved steering control for the operator, better truck turning radius and reduced tyre wear.

This new technology, when combined with regenerative braking (which recaptures the truck’s kinetic energy during deceleration and can be used to recharge the batteries to extend battery life), makes for Combilift’s most advanced steering system on its four wheeled trucks to date. The generous glazing of the cab, particularly the roof to floor windscreen, allows the operator to have an excellent field of vison of the load, the machine and the surroundings guaranteeing the best operator visibility of any comparable truck. Martin McVicar adds: “We introduced our first 4-wheel sideloader around 10 years ago after initial requests from companies in the timber sector, and it has since become pretty much a standard solution for those who run intensive schedules which clock up many operational hours. The advancements in battery technology since then means that it was a natural progression to develop this electric model, which will help customers to drastically reduce their carbon footprint.”

C5000 XLE Multi Directional Forklift

More at  www.combilift.com

 All electric fleet for English Woodland Timber

Sussex based English Woodlands Timber (EWT) supplies boards, cladding and a wide range of species such as Oak, Elm, Ash and Sweet Chestnut to the bespoke joinery sectors. It switched to Combilift’s handling solutions from counterbalance trucks and now operates two C4000E trucks together with two 2t capacity Combi-WR4 multidirectional pedestrian stacker trucks.

These have been instrumental in enabling it the company to maximise storage space without needing to expand facilities and to keep pace with the recent 50% growth in business. Equally important is that they are electric, according to Director Ian McNally. “Sustainability is a byword at the EWT woodyard, with solar panels on roofs and charging stations for those who drive electric vehicles. Chippings are used for biomass and other material is recycled into bedding for horses for example. Nothing goes to waste and it is electric power wherever possible here, so Combilifts were therefore the machines of choice, as they are emission free and are also very quiet compared to diesel machines, which is much appreciated by all on site.”