In Europe, the online food and grocery sector is projected to grow from €77.2 billion in 2022 to €133.7 billion in 2027, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6%. This surging demand puts pressure on food distribution operations and food manufacturers to keep up with consumers. As their warehouses become busier, many companies are evaluating which lift truck technologies can help them best meet their operational safety goals.
Each food industry application is different. To find the right solutions, it is important for operations to assess their specific site safety challenges. While the right operator training remains of optimum importance for maintaining safety best practices, Yale Lift Truck Technologies also supports these operations. By matching intralogistics settings with the right electric powered lift trucks and warehouse equipment for their needs, and by providing advanced operator assistance technologies, like Yale Reliant.
Lift truck stability in food warehouses
Part of the Yale Reliant solution is Advanced Dynamic Stability (ADS), an onboard intelligence mechanism that calculates the combined centre of gravity. It uses inputs on the screen and responds to compromised stability as a result of driver practice. It adjusts the speed and acceleration of traction, tilt, and lifting. It can also reduce the range of tilt and lift.
The onboard display tells the operator:
- Travel direction
- Lift height
- Mass on forks
- Tilt angle
- Actual speed
- Allowable speed
The ADS system available with Yale Reliant responds to compromised stability. For example, if the operator does a 180 degree turn with the load tilted back, their allowable speed is automatically reduced.
If the operator tries to do the same 180 degree turn with the load tilted forward just 5 degrees, the allowable speed is less than before. That is because the system recognises that the operator has a load tilted forward. It works to prevent the operator from losing that load.
If the operator engages in poor driving practice, such as lifting the load tilted forward, the lift speed is slowed down and if they try to continue lifting, it will stop completely.
However, when the operator lifts correctly, with the mast vertical or back tilted, full speed and full lift height can be achieved.
Another feature to support stability is that allowable speed reduces as the operator lifts, and at a certain threshold, a ‘soft stop’ is applied. It aims to make this as smooth as possible, helping avoid sudden, jerky movements that can cause instability.
But what if the operator gets distracted when lowering the load to get it into a high shelf, and accidentally pushes forward on the tilt lever? The Yale Reliant Operator Assist System (OAS) recognises that this could lead to instability and reduces the tilt range. It also gives a soft stop helping reduce the risk of losing the load, or worse.
Helping lift truck operators avoid hazards
With confidence that the truck is not in a potentially unstable situation, you can then look to the environment to help the operator further avoid hazards within the application.
Detection Systems respond to obstacles detected in the path of travel, or in close proximity, by slowing the truck. With Real Time Location Sensing or RTLS, you can also create rules for certain areas of your warehouse. Yale Reliant includes different detection systems.
Object Detection (OD)
Object detection can be used on warehouse trucks or forklifts. The LiDAR sensor is located at the front on a warehouse truck and detects anything in its path. On the counterbalance forklift, it is located at the back.
The sensor detects an object and displays this as an orange bar on the display. If it is not in the path of travel, the operator will still have full speed capability. However, if the operator steers towards that object, the system knows that the truck will hit it, so it slows the travel speed down. In reverse gear, the system knows that the operator won’t hit the object in front of it and allows full speed.
This system is not designed to stop the operator, but it would have to be an intentional move by the operator to drive into something when the system has slowed the truck.
When travelling in a warehouse aisle, the sensor detects but does not slow the truck. If the operator steers to the racking, the system recognises they are on a collision course and then reduces the speed. A visual warning is also given.
Proximity detection (PD)
Proximity detection is another helpful feature of Yale Reliant. It works via Ultra Wide Band antennas on each truck which communicate with each other. When they sense each other, they each slow the truck down, helping reduce collision risks. What’s more, they can “see” around corners.
Proximity detection can also work using badges or tags, which can be worn by operators. Trucks will slow down when the wearable tag is sensed. If a pedestrian walks out of the aisle in front of the lift truck, the driver experiences a slow down and the operator’s badge alerts them by vibrating.
Advice for food industries from Yale dealers
The network of independent and entrepreneurial Yale dealers can advise you on introducing Yale Reliant to your food storage or distribution warehouse operations. Our experienced local Yale dealers can help address your specific operational challenges with the optimal fleet of handling equipment and integrated technologies, including operator assistance solutions.
Contact your local independent Yale dealer to discuss your challenges and materials handling equipment needs.
