EQUIPMENT REVIEW Forklift designed for centre console market

Anew model of marina forklift, which has been specifically engineered for the growing centre console market, has been designed and built by Marine Travelift. The M4200H (42,000 lb capacity) centre cab Hydro M_Drive forklift was recently delivered to Viking Yachts in Riviera Beach, Florida, for use in hauling the Valhalla line of boats and other craft.

The company has future plans for a rack system at its yard to alleviate the pressure of space constraints and the number of vessels needing to be moved. A marina forklift was the best solution for current needs and future plans.

While designing the M4200H, Marine Travelift put extra emphasis on serviceability, cycle speeds and turning radius. All of the improvements made on this high capacity forklift are also being applied to their M3600H (36,000 lb capacity) and M5200H (52,000 lb capacity) models. A shorter wheelbase, combined with a tighter turn radius, will allow marinas to upgrade without needing to make major infrastructure adjustments. The new M4200H marina forklift comes in either a 140 inch or 129 inch wheelbase and with Marine Travelift manufacturing their own steer axles, it provides an unrivalled turning radius.

Typically, service points are accessed from underneath the forklift, but for ease of maintenance the access points on this unit are topside, making them very easy to access. These high capacity units also come standard with solid tyres as Marine Travelift realised most marinas don’t have compressors capable of inflating to 145 psi, which would be needed on pneumatic tyres. This eliminates any issues with flats and the need to call in an outside company to keep them properly inflated.

A larger engine was chosen for the M4200H model to give it adequate drive speed and power necessary for efficient navigation of any marina or service yard. An additional benefit is the power left over for increased mast, carriage and fork speeds.

The standard centre cab configuration on these high capacity forklifts also moves the operator as far forward as possible, achieved by setting the steering column forward of the front guard rails.