Safety first: the new driver restraint system netProtect effectively protects the driver in case the truck tips over. The innovative solution from Hamburg consists of a fixed bar on the right side of the truck and a motor operated bar covering the left side of the truck with a protective net when lowered.
The Hamburg based STILL GmbH, leading supplier for tools and services for intralogistics has developed a new restraint system for counter balance fork lift trucks. The safety device offers a series of advantages for the driver: the perturbing fastening and opening the seat belt when getting on and off the truck is made oblivious. Despite the device the driver has maximum space to move and the operation of the system by a sensor is very simple. These advantages have lead to a high acceptance with the operators. This way the system protects the operator effectively and at the same time reduces the risk for the environment.
According to today's regulations all trucks are fitted with seat belts but in day-to-day work these are rarely used. Many drivers seem to have the impression that there is enough time to leave the truck safely in case it tips over. Measurements, however, have shown that tipping over only takes 1.5 seconds - much too little time to get to safety. Against this background the new STILL system is an effective means of protection holding the driver safely inside the cabin in case the truck tips over. This way the driver cannot be squashed between the cabin roof and the road.
netProtect consists of two units: A fixed restraint bar on the right side of the truck and an electrically moved bar on the left side of the truck. This bar on the left side is lowered and opens a net that covers the opening when the truck moves. While other solutions such as swivelling doors or bars require much space and considerably hinder the movements of the driver, STILL found a solution that allows to place the bars as far outside as possible leaving much space for the driver.
In addition the system is not connected to the seat. Closing and opening is not activated with the parking brake but by touching a sensor beside the display. A programmable function allows activating the opening function already while still driving up to the stop so that the bar will open automatically as soon as the truck comes to a standstill.
Should the driver forget to close the net when starting he is first warned. As long as the bar is not closed the speed of the truck is limited. Above a speed of 5 km/h the bar closes automatically.
The restraint system is especially suitable for vehicles used for order picking. Especially for this kind of work, when the driver has to get on and off the truck frequently the netProtect system is very helpful. Test have shown that operators mount and descend from the truck up to 200 times per day. This shows how important an efficient restraint system is
STILL offers this system for the truck types RX 20 and RX 60. The successful testing was conducted at the Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft (HHLA). During intensive testing at the port of Hamburg the system was very well accepted by the drivers involved. Also attractive is the price of the new system which is below that of older systems.
