Jungheinrich IC trucks offer German engineering at a lower price

What should that mean for forklift buyers? It means that while Jungheinrich trucks were once a bit too expensive for many IC truck users with relatively modest workloads, the Jungheinrich models are now well and truly in the frame.

Arguably previous generations of Jungheinrich counterbalance trucks were over-engineered for these applications. The new ranges (DFG/TFG 316-320 and DFG/TFG 425-435) are said to be general purpose, reliable and rugged trucks that deliver above-average throughput rates with low fuel consumption - all engineered and made in Germany.

What has Jungheinrich done differently?

The new trucks are driven by torque convertors rather than hydrostatic drives. In addition, the new models use Kubota engines (derived from the agricultural world) rather than Volkswagen engines owing their development to the automotive world.

This allows Jungheinrich to trim costs while producing a hardy forklift that can go head to head with other rugged lower cost brands. This will open up new opportunities for Junghenirich in the UK, as well opening a door to greater expansion into emerging markets.

The new generation trucks handle payloads of up to 3,500kg with maximum stacking height of 7.5 metres.

"These industrial engines, tried and tested around the world in heavy-duty construction machinery, already deliver high torque at low revs,” says Marek Scheithauer, Head of Product Management of IC Powered Counterbalanced Trucks at Jungheinrich.

According to Scheithauer, the need for trucks that can operate in harsh operating environments inspired Jungheinrich to apply the latest in-house engineering developments to the new torque converter’s core components. These include innovations to the mast, chassis and steering axle. The counterweight on the new stacker is an integral part of the load-bearing chassis, while the steering axle was integrated in the counterweight.

"The centre of gravity is not only extremely low but also optimally positioned between the axles,” continues Scheithauer. "This lends the forklift truck outstanding stability and makes additional, electronic stabilisers redundant. It translates into high dynamic driving stability and ensures outstanding safety characteristics, both when stationary and on the move.” 

The proprietary Jungheinrich transmission shaft in the new torque converter features an integrated non-wear wet multi-disc brake. Marek Scheithauer states: "Compared with standard drum brakes, wet multi-disc brakes mean almost no service costs.”

Moreover, thanks to the encapsulated design, harsh external conditions do not diminish the performance of the brakes. The high-performance cooling system functions fully even in very high ambient temperatures. The radiator is a single unit made of aluminium. This makes the new torque converters highly suitable for operations in very hot settings and protects them from dust and other harmful environmental factors.

Thanks to the high-grade and rugged components, servicing is fast, easy and economic, requiring minimum technical expertise. The combination of the L-shaped engine bonnet that can be tilted almost 90-degrees and the quick-release side panels provides excellent access to the engine compartment.

The slim steering column offers greater leg room compared with industrial trucks fitted with run of the mill steering columns. The truck operator can easily adjust the comfortable seat to his or her needs and reap the benefits of healthy and fatigue-free stacker operation.  Lots of organisational aids, like beaker holder and clip pad, allow the operator to maintain a well-ordered, uncluttered workstation. 

The new model ranges feature an electric parking brake as standard, doing away with the previous handbrake lever in the cab. The operator simply presses a button to activate the brake. A new lifting mast design ensures improved view of the payload, forks and general working area.