Palfinger Tail Lifts Germany managing director Stefan Schnier explains that the tail-lift was designed to be environmentally friendly and to solve operational challenges, such as maintaining lift performance even in extreme weather conditions (from -25°C to +60°C).
Key to the tail-lift was the development of Palfinger’s patented E-Drive cylinder, which delivers cleaner energy than conventional alternatives, not least because of its regenerative properties, with up to 63% of energy recovered during loading and unloading.
“The investment in this pioneering technology is ... more than worthwhile,” states Schnier, adding that there are environmental and economic benefits.
“The MBB C 1000 E pays for itself and reaches full amortisation after just four years of use,” he continues.
“After this period, greater economy is realised [because of] the considerable reduction in service repairs and fleet downtime.”
Inhouselogistik Gesundheit Nord, in Bremen, Germany, is an early adopter, using the tail-lifts on hospital duties for food supplies and laundry movements between buildings.
Despite the short distances covered, the three lifts used in the near non-stop operation have reached 31,840 cycles in only nine months – a figure made possible in part due to longer service intervals, in turn resulting from maintenance-free components.
The acquisition of this technology was definitely worth it. We now have high lift reliability in daily operation, along with the benefit of an electromechanical tail lift,” states Michael Dierking , healthcare logistics manager, Inhouselogistik Gesundheit Nord.