 
Safety first: The new restraint system netProtect effectively protects the driver in case the fork lift truck Tipp over to the side. The innovative solution from Hamburg consists of a fixed bar on the right side of the truck and a motor-driven bar on the left side stretching a protective net after the driver mounts the vehicle.
Free access and leave: Closing and opening of the bar and the net is actuated by touching a sensor beside the display. A programmed function allows requesting the net to open already while the truck is approaching a load. In this case the net opens immediately when the truck comes to a standstill. At a speed above 5 km/h the net closes automatically.
|
|
The Hamburg based Still GmbH, leading supplier for intralogistics vehicles and services, has developed a new restraint system for fork lift trucks called “netProtect”. This safety system has a whole range of advantages: the troublesome fastening and releasing of the seat belt when mounting and leaving the truck has been eliminated. In spite of the device, maximum possible space is available for the driver to move freely inside the cabin. Above this, the sensor controlled operation is outstandingly simple. These advantages make the system very popular with the drivers. This way, the system provides effective protection and reduces the risk for the environment at the same time.
Although all vehicles are equipped with safety belts to meet current standards, every day work shows that they are rarely used. Apparently many drivers have the subjective impression that they have enough time to get off the truck in case it tips over. However, tests have shown that it takes only 1.5 seconds for the truck to tip over – a time much too short for the driver to get to safety in time. On this background, the new Still system is an effective means to keep the driver inside the contour of the vehicle and by this prevent the driver from falling on the road underneath the over head guard.
Full freedom of movement for the driver: despite net and protective bar
netProtect consist of two parts: a fixed bar on the right side of the cabin and a flexible bar moved by an electric motor on the left side. This bar is lowered during travel and it closes the access opening with a protective net. Whilst other solutions available on the market such as bar doors considerably limit the freedom of movement for the driver, Still was able to place the bar far on the outside of the cabin leaving much room for the driver. Above this, the system is not connected to the seat. Closing an opening is not actuated by the parking brake, but by touching a sensor on the display unit. A programmable function allows to “request” opening of the bar already when the truck is approaching a load, i.e. to touch the sensor already during travel for the bar with the net to open automatically immediately at the stop of the vehicle.
In case the driver forgets to close the net when starting to drive, he is first warned by the front display. As long as the bar is not closed, the travelling speed of the truck is limited. At a speed above 5 km/h the net closes automatically.
Optimum solution for order picking
This restraint system is especially suitable for trucks used for order picking. For this kind of job which requires frequent mounting and leaving of the truck netProtect has proven very helpfull. Studies have shown that drivers leave their trucks up to 200 times per day and then come back to their workplace. This value indicates the importance of a restraint system very efficient to use.
Still offers the system for the fork lift trucks RX 20 and RX 60. The successful testing was done at the Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft (HHLA). The intensive tests at the port in Hamburg have shown that the system is very well accepted by the drivers. For the future operators the pricing will also be attractive as it is below the price of systems currently available on the market. |
