After almost two years of development and testing at selected locations, the time has come: ERDi from Jungheinrich, a completely rebuilt two-storey unit specially adapted for use at DACHSER, can now be deployed at all DACHSER European locations. In the long run, this handling vehicle will become the new technological standard in DACHSER warehouses.
"Thanks to the tight integration of space-saving and weight-saving lithium-ion batteries, we have been able to develop a new vehicle chassis that is significantly shorter than previous lead-acid battery replacement models," explains André Bilz, DACHSER's fleet management team leader . For the first time, a lead-guiding machine has been designed that has a protective, enclosed driver's cab and can also operate in two-meter aisles of DACHSER warehouses. Earlier solutions with the concept of side steering, known as side loaders, did not find a good response among drivers.
Taking into account the wishes of drivers in development
DACHSER and Jungheinrich's development team worked closely together to develop this new type of manipulator. The needs of logistics operators played a major role and their requirements were included in the design. "This new truck meets many driver wishes and represents a major step forward in terms of driver ergonomics, safety and efficiency," says Alexander Bilz.
Jungheinrich's new ERDi truck with integrated lithium-ion battery, which is 30 cm shorter than its predecessor, is currently the most compact truck in its class. The new development will mean a gradual farewell to the side-mounted battery trucks that were previously needed to ensure sufficient energy capacity in multi-shift operation. Deploying units with new, significantly more powerful lithium-ion batteries, which require less maintenance, will require a change in the charging infrastructure, to which DACHSER is currently responding by modifying the charging points in all its operations.
