At the recent finals of the world's most innovative forklift manufacturers, Still's PXV was neck and neck with the competition. In the test camp, the competitor ultimately prevailed. However, in a project at Liebherr, the PXV excelled in every aspect, achieving reach heights of up to 14.5 meters at extreme heights.
The Hamburg-based company considers this an absolute record. Besides the enormous picking height, the high lifting and lowering speeds, as well as the simultaneous lifting and lowering of the main and auxiliary lifts, are the exceptional performance features of the new forklift. Apart from the astonishing reach, the smooth and continuous lifting and lowering process without any shaking or rattling is particularly impressive. Clear displays and intuitive controls in both lifting and load directions ensure maximum flexibility and the highest level of safety.
Liebherr, founded in 1949 in Kirchdorf an der Iller in southern Germany, is today one of the world's largest construction machinery manufacturers, with over 140 companies on all continents. In 2021, the Group employed more than 49,000 people and generated €11.6 billion in revenue. The hydraulic excavator division develops and manufactures a comprehensive range of high-quality hydraulic excavators, material handling machines, and articulated dump trucks.
In response to rising demand, Liebherr recognized the need for two construction phases for a larger production warehouse in 2019 and 2021. Still planned, supplied, and installed the warehouse and conveyor technology, including industrial trucks.
The range of assembly parts is enormous, comprising 27,000 items. Large and heavy assembly parts are stored in the pallet racking system in the 22-meter-high warehouse. Production orders are picked daily onto pallets and wire mesh containers using eleven MX-X narrow-aisle order pickers. Long and bulky assembly parts are stored separately in a wide-aisle warehouse. Equipped with extra-long swiveling forks, these MX-X pickers are also used to assemble production orders onto special pallets. Jochen Rudolf, Head of Intralogistics at Liebherr Hydraulic Excavators, explains: "With a maximum picking height of 17.4 meters and a 30-ton load capacity per rack bay, we had reached the limits of what was feasible in our pallet warehouse."
Reaching for the sky
To ensure consistent capacity utilization, inventory in the production warehouse is evenly distributed. Thirty employees work in two shifts picking orders according to ABC and FIFO principles. This results in 3,000 retrievals and 2,000 putaways daily. Smaller assembly parts are stored in KLT containers in a shelving system
This warehouse is also enormous, with 12-meter-high shelves and 40 levels. Assembly orders are picked using six EK-X vertical order pickers. The inductively guided vehicles reliably navigate their way when assembling production orders, aided by proven assistance systems.
The PXV vertical order picker is the successor to the successful EK-X. Whether in narrow-aisle or wide-aisle warehouses of industrial companies, logistics service providers, or logistics centers of large retailers, the new vehicle was developed for a wide variety of industries and applications. In field tests, it impressed Jochen Rudolf: "Thanks to the exceptional reach height, we can now pick items at chest height even on the top shelf. The dangerous 'overhead lifting' is finally a thing of the past." Alexander Claus, Product Manager for narrow-aisle vehicles at Still, adds: "With a reach of 14.5 m, the new order picker allows for unbeatable space utilization. Warehouses can expand vertically with our vehicle without sealing off additional floor space."
altitude record
Thanks to modern proportional valve technology, the lifting speed of the PXV can be continuously controlled. Smooth mast transitions not only ensure comfortable operation but also impressive material handling. Cengiz Beckel, team leader for the production warehouse, confirms: "With the now continuous mast transitions, there are no more vibrations or oscillations. Safe travel in the direction of travel ensures that the PXV always maintains an unobstructed view through the lifting mast, even without a free lift."
Switching between operating modes no longer requires pressing a key combination. A sensor automatically switches the controls simply by the hands approaching. This ensures maximum safety at all times. During order picking, the auxiliary lift can be lowered simultaneously with the main lift at the touch of a button using Easy Touch. Rudolf explains: "The assistance systems ensure the correct storage location is reached quickly. Still has specifically programmed the 40 levels of our shelving system into the iGo pilot navigation for this purpose."
Photos: Knehr/Still
Inside the spacious cab, an intelligent storage concept offers ample space for a data terminal, scanner, printer, and other work equipment. Even rounded cab elements have been redesigned with square edges to provide convenient storage for small containers in the new PXV. The finger pinch protection when raising the tilt barrier has also been improved. Numerous details, such as the ergonomic driver's seat with optional tilt technology, proportional seat and footplate adjustment, and the adaptation of all controls to the driver's ergonomics, as well as the panoramic mirror, ensure optimal visibility of the fork tips.
Convenient access to even the last item in the furthest corner is ensured by the side tilting barrier on the driver's cab. The generously sized, shock-absorbing standing platform with integrated presence sensor provides added comfort. Intelligent assistance systems such as iGo pilot and OptiSpeed ensure quick and safe access to the 40 shelves. Further assistance systems for even greater safety and efficiency, as well as numerous equipment options, are available as an individual selection.
Gerd Knehr
