JUNGHEINRICH TO ADD 'DUO PILOT' CONTROLS TO FUTURE MODELS

The new 'Duo Pilot' driver workstation developments have already been integrated in the latest series of Jungheinrich hydrostatic drive trucks, as well as the Series 4 and Series 5 electric counterbalance trucks.

Stefan Pfetsch, Head of Product and Portfolio Management for Counterbalanced Trucks at Jungheinrich, said, "We want to provide truck drivers with an optimised workstation. To this end we did not go the reductionist route and consider the various parts as standalone components, but instead took a holistic approach to developing a driver-oriented operating concept."

Technical innovations in and around the driver workstation include the new Duo Pilot control unit, integrated in the multi-adjustable armrest, giving the driver precise and responsive control of all truck operations.

The driver can freely configure the new Duo Pilot - just like the further developed Solo Pilot and Multi Pilot controls - to adapt it specifically to the driver and actual truck operations.

Pfetsch claims that this precision steering, combined with excellent all-round view of the payload, further increased the handling turnover rates of trucks equipped with this feature.

New Compact Mast Significantly Improves All-round Visibility
A newly developed compact mast further improves all-round visibility. Chains and hoses now lie inside the uprights and the mast is now even more compact in design.

"This gives the driver an even better all-around view than the excellent view through the mast already achieved in earlier Jungheinrich forklifts," Petsch says.

A completely new interactive driver dialogue system rounds off the new workstation in the latest Jungheinrich counterbalance forklifts. While driving, the multi-function display keeps the driver informed in real time on the status of all situation relevant details.
"The display shows the driver only the information relevant and necessary for the actual situation," adds Pfetsch.

The control panel features freely assignable function keys to activate optional modules, such as driver assistance systems for example. This means even simpler menu navigation, as the driver directly selects the desired module.

"In addition to improving ergonomics this further enhances safety and improves productivity," Pfetsch says.

Apart from the ergonomic aspects, developers working on the new driver workstation focussed on practical detail solution, too. That's why they fitted a generous storage compartment under the arm cushion and a USB port as a power source, for recharging smart phones and other devices.

CeMAT runs from May 19 to 22 in Hanover, Germany, and is one of several CeMAT-branded intralogistics expo events held around the world each year.

Australian availability of the latest Jungheinrich trucks and the Duo Pilot system are yet to be confirmed.