Linde has made the performance of its trucks more demand-oriented thanks to the two new eco modes for internal combustion engine trucks with a load capacity of two to five tons. These modes enable the operator to further reduce energy consumption (depending on the application of the truck) and also help to improve safety when the truck is in operation.

Eco mode has already been tried and tested on the Linde E12 to E20 electric counterbalance trucks, which have load capacities of 1.2 to 2 tons. Now, the Linde truck models H20 to H50, which are driven by an internal combustion engine and have load capacities of 2 to 5 tons (diesel and LPG/liquid gas), are fitted with an eco light mode and or an eco mode as standard.

The truck is driven at full power by default. However, if the truck is set to eco light mode, forward acceleration is reduced by three percent and reverse travel by ten percent. While the maximum speed drops to 21 km/h and the nominal speed of the motor is brought down to 2500 rpm. This produces a sound combination of power and energy consumption, for applications where cycle times or confined spaces dictate that full power is not permissible.

Eco mode on the other hand represents maximum energy saving, reducing the power in both forward acceleration and reverse travel by ten percent. This mode also lowers the maximum speed to 21 km/h and the nominal speed of the motor to 2500 rpm. What sounds relatively unspectacular is, in practice, quite remarkable. Thanks to eco mode, energy consumption (in accordance with VDI – The Association of German Engineers) in all three truck series is reduced by 0.1 l/h (diesel) or 0.1 kg/h (LPG). Even more significant are the recorded savings in the forklift truck performance test, certified by TÜV (German Technical Inspection Authority). Reductions of up to 30 percent in diesel/LPG consumption were recorded when eco mode was used instead of standard mode.

By selecting one of the three modes, the operator can therefore adapt the truck to suit individual requirements. If the operator needs to travel for long distances or if the truck needs to be loaded and unloaded quickly, the standard setting is recommended.

Eco light mode, on the other hand, saves on fuel when driving on ramps and inclines, offers effective handling performance on slopes and leads to a noticeable fuel saving when reversing. Eco mode is specially developed for shunting in narrow environments or in areas with increased safety requirements where speeds must be reduced due to the restricted space.

However, it is not only fuel consumption that is saved with the eco modes. Tyre wear and driving noise are reduced, and the risk of an accident when reversing is also decreased. In contrast, the slightly lower handling performance due to the increased time required by the driver must also be taken into consideration. Eco modes are set by service technicians at authorised Linde dealers. The controller in older trucks from the specified Linde truck series can in some cases be retrofitted by the dealer's customer service department.