Double pallets handled

Forklift attachments spearhead new product releases from Translift Bendi.These launches follow a raft of innovations unveiled at the end of last year

Forklift company Bendi, is set to raise the competitive bar with the launch of three new models, with forklift attachments playing a key role. The move follows the manufacturer launching a great many products last year including showcasing eight at the IMHX show in November.

The first of the three trucks, the B55 features an innovative attachment that is said to halve handling time and increase productivity.

Working closely with its US manufacturer and partner, Landoll, two new machines have been developed and a lesser known range of machines re-launched; the B55 has been specifically designed for 3PLs and beverage distributors, and a counterbalance standon machine and range of trucks capable of 1370mm aisles that can also handle long loads and be wire guided.

The B55, nicknamed the Bendi Duo, is said to offer 100% increased throughput over present single pallet handlers but in improved aisles. The single/double pallet handling attachment allows two pallets to be unloaded and stacked side by side two at a time using the hydrulically extending outer forks. In addition, the pallet-handler can retract for a slimmer width, restoring the truck to standard Bendi mode with an articulated capacity of 2750kg.

"The real advantage of the B55 is that no reach, turret or other articulated truck is able to work with the double pallet attachment, rotate the load and offer enough capacity to suit the market its aimed at," explains Simon Brown, Bendi's MD. "What's more, the advantage over a counterbalance truck is the reduced aisle size when doing the same job - it's approximately a 50% saving." In contrast, the new counterbalance stand-on truck is a three wheel stand-up ride, compact, rear entry front loader, with a single poly rear drive/steer tire and poly front load tires. It features a short turning radius and a high visibility mast.

The low step height provides access on and off the truck for order picking and load checking.

"This particular truck offers the best of both worlds and remarkable comfort," continues Brown. "Easily removable covers provide easy access to all major components reducing maintenance downtime. The battery compartment, with slide strips, can be set up for left or right removal." The Drexel SwingMast is the last of the three new models. "The Drexel performs like a conventional counterbalance truck, a reach truck, a sideloader and a turret truck," says Brown. It is said to operate in aisles as narrow as 1.37m and is available in 1350 to 5500kg model capacities with three to four stage masts enabling lift heights of up to 9m.

The Drexel can pick up and use any exsisting wire guidance system which lends the truck to replacing VNA machines or acting as an additional truck alongside an existing VNA fleet.

Shifting marketplace "The marketplace will continue to shift and change according to customer requirements. That is a given," continues Brown. "It's therefore our job to facilitate any modifications our customers need to make, whether to enable them to be able to store more in less space or increase efficiency or both." R&D has been an intrinsic part of Bendi's business since it started designing and manufacturing space-saving forklift trucks in 1964. Indeed, Simon's father, Freddy Brown, invented the first ever modern day articulated truck.

"Now, with a growing network of strategic partnerships across Europe, America, Africa and Australasia, Bendi has reaffirmed that product development remains at the heart of its business growth strategy. The company's strategic tie-up with US-based forklift major Landoll has been fruitful and points the way to more joint R&D projects and collaboration globally.

"Working closely with our customers, we keep a keen eye on the industry and work hard to deliver solutions to meet requirements regardless of sector or locality.

"It has never been a one-siz-fits-all market and those manufacturers who ignore feedback do so at their peril," concludes Brown.