Linde Material Handling (Linde MH) has designed a new truck for use in very narrow aisles. The Linde K family, featuring a 1.5-tonne capacity rating and a lift height of over 16 metres, will be launched on the market in autumn this year. This enhanced design boasts more convenience options in the cab and the ability to integrate RFID tags for displaying gear safety functions and zone detection. As with all industrial trucks from Linde, the K family was developed in cooperation with the Porsche design team.

The driver's cab is a true innovation: Due to the increasing number of order picker processes in very narrow aisles, the designers paid close attention to improving order picking conditions. The cab has been enhanced with the driver in mind so that pallets on the forks as well as goods on the shelves can be accessed more easily. To make this possible, an optional "tilting barrier" has been developed, helping the driver to grab order picker goods more quickly and ergonomically, including those on the rear shelves. This new option not only ensures the driver's task is completed more quickly, but it also helps to make the whole process much more ergonomic: As they deposit the relevant goods, drivers can brace themselves in the ideal position using the knee supports on the front section of the cab.

The new K truck also features an optional split operating panel. This arrangement allows drivers to work between the two operating panels on their left and right while retaining access to the cabin front. This is especially useful when picking large-volume order items. Thanks to the flexible adjustment options, drivers are also able to control the truck just as comfortably from their seats.

RFID technology provides the truck with yet more functionality. Gear safety functions, such as final gear braking and speed reduction, and zone detection can be configured and modified exactly as required. For example, uneven surfaces and obstacles can easily be integrated as zones in the truck parameters.