JEDDAH, 18 December 2003 — Kanoo Machinery yesterday launched in Jeddah the first of the new generation of computer controlled “fly-by-wire” reach trucks in Saudi Arabia.
The keys to the first two trucks to arrive in the Kingdom were handed over to Bob Curtis, general manager, Kanoo Machinery, by Mike Collins from Hyster UK who flew in for the event.
In front of a knowledgeable audience, the new flagship of the Hyster range of forklift trucks demonstrated the powerful combination of design and computer technology. Though the reach truck is not a new concept, this is the first reach truck designed from scratch and the first ever built using demand flow technology (DFT). The Matrix is built almost to order to meet the specific demands of its operating environment.
“The customer can choose a basic mode that incorporates standard parts and features,” said Ali Abdullah Kanoo, “but the innovative design means that there is a matrix of options that will deliver a product that best matches their requirements.”
Having made a choice of chassis width, frames and capacities, the customer specifies how much and how high he needs the truck to lift. The comparatively compact truck can lift well over a ton up to 11 meters.
A real attraction of the truck is the computer, operated through the control panel. A joystick or free rotating miniature steering wheel and an array of neat levers controls onboard computer. As in modern aircraft, the operator doesn’t physically control any part of the machine - he instructs a computer through the control panel. Ultra-fine levels of control are possible and this allows much safer operation. The trained driver is now safer because of the extra input from technology.
The truck is designed to operate in narrow warehouse aisles. “It allows greater storage and racking density per square meter, a real potential money saver for businesses,” said Jim Elliott, divisional operations manager, who put the truck through its paces. “The new AC drive technology means greater power, and with low servicing and lubrication and zero emission, it’s very eco-friendly.”
Bruce Jay, product support manager, saw an opportunity to bring a new range of skills to the Saudi trainees who will be driving and servicing the trucks. Kanoo Machinery has a very enthusiastic Saudization policy.
“The days will soon be gone where the servicing mechanic is just an electrician or fitter,” he said. Six months in school followed by six months “hands-on” tuition introduces the Kanoo trainees to the elements of mechanical engineering.
“Our trainees now have to be competent electricians, mechanics and hydraulic fitters as well as be familiar with the IT that drives the reach truck. That kind of new knowledge will benefit them and wider Saudi society in all sorts of ways.”
Moving heavy loads presents unique safety problems. The technology built into the machine prevents an operator cornering at high speed, weighs the load and calculates the safety parameters during operation.
“We are set to push back the boundaries of the reach truck and materials handling industry,” said Ali Abdullah Kanoo. “I’m confident that the new technology has a great future here.”
