Description

With the ESR 1200, Crown has achieved its goal of increasing both the customer benefit and the sustainability of the reach truck. To this end, the entire value chain of the ESR was examined and improved in order to achieve environmentally friendly production. This involved not only improving the vehicle itself, but also selecting local suppliers and implementing new production technologies, for example. As a result, transportation routes were shortened, the recycling rate increased and material and energy consumption reduced, leading to an overall reduction in CO2 emissions.

At the same time, Crown has revolutionized the mast concept. The new ESR 1200 offers more stability, fewer vibrations and better visibility for the operator. The up to 21 percent stronger residual capacities and higher lifting heights (up to 14205 mm) also enable a new type of storage layout at the customer’s site for even more efficient use of space. Crown used a clever solution to make the masts more stable and to increase the visibility of the operator at the same time. Instead of adding more material, Crown has used the existing material more effectively. The result is a new, compact pole design based on a unique double T-plus profile. The masts are therefore more stable and at the same time the operator has a better view.

In addition to other product features, such as height-dependent activated line lights, the entire reach truck portfolio has been adapted to offer the right truck for every application. The ESR 1240 is now also available for applications with lifting heights of over 9.5 meters and capacities of 2 tonnes. This downsizing approach allows the trucks to be used with less energy; a previous 2-ton truck can now be replaced by a 1.5-ton truck. The ESR 1200 series is equipped with the Gena operating system and – like the SP 1500 order picking truck or the TSP 1000 narrow-aisle stacker – can be networked with the Crown InfoLink fleet management system.

Innovations

Central innovation are:

• New manufacturing technologies, shorter transportation routes and a higher degree of automation reduce the CO2 footprint in the production of the ESR 1200.
• With higher mast stability, the material consumption could be reduced. This not only allows a better view for the operator, but also a sustainable and resource-saving production of the ESR 1200.
• The innovative and compact mast design allows higher residual load capacities and rack heights up to 14.20 meters. This allows a novel storage layout at the customer and improves the utilization of the storage space.
• Due to reduced mast sway, the operator has more control over the truck even when working at high lift heights, which increases productivity and safety.
• The novel middle mast profile with a double T-plus profile reduces the required weld seams and thus the thermally induced deformations, which means higher stability with a better all-round view.
• The intuitive Gena operating system is Crown’s consistent standard for productivity enhancement for reach trucks (ESR), order pickers (SP, IFOY Winner 2023) and narrow aisle trucks (TSP) and allows individually adjustable truck parameters depending on the customer application.

Market relevance

A megatrend in the logistics industry is the increase of sustainability and the reduction of the ecological footprint. The energy-efficient ESR 1200 offers a holistic solution that enables the operator to achieve higher productivity while reducing energy consumption. Due to the lower energy consumption and the environmentally friendly production of the Crown reach trucks, the warehouse operator can achieve his sustainability goals and reduce the CO2 emissions. Reach trucks are the workhorses of many high-performance warehouses and distribution centers, which are mainly used for the transport, storage and replenishment of pallets. They are among the most expensive vehicles of a forklift fleet. In large fleet sales, reach trucks are considered flagship products that can also promote the sale of other types of forklifts. The growing demand for storage space, for example in distribution centers, and the rising costs for logistics real estate require a more efficient use of the storage space, which can be achieved by more shelf levels and higher storage heights. A more robust mast enables a more efficient use of the storage space, as the operators can work more safely and productively at higher lift heights. The improved product features were combined with a more environmentally friendly production, which increases the customer satisfaction with the ESR 1200. The market potential for reach trucks in EMEA has remained stable at over 30,000 units per year, which underlines the importance of this innovation.

Customer benefits

Sustainability (reduction of the ecological footprint):

• New manufacturing technologies and a higher automation.
• Resource-saving production, less material and raw materials required.
• Fewer weld seams and lower energy consumption.
• With Regen Lowering and Li-Ion batteries approximately 30 percent less energy consumption in use.
• Shorter transport routes and higher recycling rate.

Productivity and mast stability:

• Increase of residual load capacities by up to 21 percent (compared to the previous model).
• Highest mast with a lifting height of 14205 mm.
• Reduction of the elastic mast deflection by up to 36 percent (compared to the previous model).
• The Xpress Lower technology doubles the lowering speed.

Visibility and safety:

• Less mast swinging means more confidence of the operator at high lifting heights.
• More stable mast increases safety.
• The compact design of the mast allows a better view.
• Mast offset allows a clear view of load wheels, forks and pallet.
• The Capacity Data Monitor and the Auto Height Select ensure safe and efficient storage and retrieval at high lifting heights.