Nowadays it’s not unusual for forklift drivers to have a say in the choice of truck purchased, so manufacturers work hard to ensure their comfort, and health and safety, requirements are met. This not only improves working practices, it raises productivity too.

This year Hubtex‘s attention to ergonomics was recognised when its twin-masted picking platform, the EZK20, won the Fork Lift Truck Association Award for Ergonomics.

“The truck is unique in that it allows two men to pick long loads, like worktops and sheet materials, safely and very quickly,” said sales and marketing manager Jim Hammond. “This is comfortable for the drivers as everything is picked at waist height and damage to the product is minimised.” Picking is also made easier by rollers on the safety barrier which allow the product to be rolled onto the truck.

International Decorative Surfaces installed two of the trucks, also known as “The Barge”, last year. To meet the company’s specification, a restraint feature was included to ensure drivers were connected to the platform at all times.

“The potential market for the Hubtex EZK is relatively small but as this truck has the ability to vastly improve the working practices of companies picking long product, it is a very important one,” said Mr Hammond.

Atlet’s original UNS Tergo won a Swedish Design Award and in its latest model, the Forte, it has fine-tuned the ergonomic design. An “infinitely adjustable” seat accommodates drivers of all sizes and, as it tilts automatically, it gives the driver a clear upward view when stacking, improving safety as well as reducing the risk of neck strain. Also, the free-floating armrest and mini steering wheel reduce strain on the shoulders and arms.

R&D investment

Irish manufacturer Combilift reinvests around 9% of turnover in R&D, and ergonomics is considered to be a vital area.

“Given that a driver may spend the best part of an eight-hour shift in the operator cabin, reluctance to invest in this is area is unwise as it can lead to a loss of repeat business, driver dissatisfaction and increased absenteeism,” said design engineer Louth McMahon.

He also identifies poor visibility as a cause of neck and shoulder strain, and a poor layout of the pedals can also put strain on the legs, ankles and feet.

“When a driver is suffering from irritations, no matter how minor, it takes his concentration away and can jeopardise safety procedures,” he said. “It is vital that controls are positioned so they are operated instinctively in an emergency.”

All Combilift models feature a good quality suspension seat with eight adjustable components. The steering column can also be adjusted. The temperature in the cab can be controlled by a heater or cooling fan, and three of the four windows can be opened.

Combilift regularly surveys drivers and models have been developed according to direct feedback from customers. “Operators asked for an improvement in accessing the LPG bottle for replacement so we designed a neat sliding mechanism that takes any possible strain out of this operation,” said Mr McMahon.

Ergonomics are important not just for the driver; Combilift has also ensured that components are accessible to make the service engineer’s job easier and reduce service times.

In designing its truck-mounted and multi-directional trucks for long loads, Loadmac is aware that every inch given to operator space reduces the length of the load. However, managing director Mark Hignett said the company has addressed this problem by tucking the machine under the cab to give “one of the largest cabin spaces in the industry”.

Visibility

He also identifies visibility as one of the biggest concerns. “If I could wave a magic wand I would give all-round visibility,” he said.

Loadmac may not have achieved that but it has improved visibility by including a low profile exhaust and developing a mast that can be pushed forward 12-18in while travelling.

Translift Bendi’s answer to visibility issues is a man-up truck that lifts the driver the 10-12m up to the load. Chairman Fred Brown said the company manufactured the machine many years ago and, after exhibiting a prototype in March, plans to have the first of the new, modern models out next year. “It has the advantage of the driver being able to see exactly what they’re lifting and there is no risk of strain as they don’t have to look up and down,” said Mr Brown.

Meanwhile, Linde‘s E12-E20 counterbalance is the only truck with suspension to reduce whole body vibration. It also stops vibration on the load at height.

“The operator is king,” said product and service support engineer Mark Sullivan. “If he’s comfortable, he will be more productive.”