PRESS RELEASE
January 18, 1995
Heavy Duty Pallet Trucks
To Ease Freight Handling

Two new pallet trucks designed to handle freight more efficiently are being introduced this winter to European and Asian markets by Rapid Lift Scandinavia AB. The Vadstena, Sweden-based firm says its Rapid Royal Viking RVT powered pallet truck incorporates drive and suspension features that give it extra power on gradients and when pallets are stuck. It also makes the machine better equipped to operate efficiently on uneven surfaces. The 500-watt motor on the company’s Rapid Handy motorized hand pallet truck reduces effort when moving heavy loads by hand.

The Rapid RVT’s so-called ”Turbokick” function delivers up to 30 percent extra power when starting on a slope or dragging a pallet free. The truck’s maximum speed of 6-9 kph (which can be programmed before delivery) makes it fast compared with competing models, the company says. To help prevent nasty accidents, an electrical braking system called Progrev automatically increases braking force in direct relation to the throttle position.
Rapid Lift also says it has solved the problem of stability when under way with a suspension system called Gastrack+. ”Normally, the drive wheel is rigid, and you have spring-loaded castor wheels, which makes the truck very unstable, but with the Rapid RVT, the weight is on the castor wheels, while constant gas pressure holds the drive wheel against the surface,” said a company spokesman. Gastrack+ also allows the drive wheel to move 15mm up and 25mm down to follow surface undulations, and because the gas system counteracts bumps, it extends the drive unit’s working life, he adds.
The foldable driving platform has spring-loaded brackets that dampen impact shocks whilst a 12mm-thick platform mat further reduces vibration. These features are meant to save wear and tear on the driver’s joints and back.
With a lifting capacity of 2500 kg, the Rapid Lift RVT is built for heavy duty use. The chassis is reinforced on all sides with 10 mm of steel. ”With other trucks, there is normally only the chassis, which means that after a couple of years on a lorry or at a terminal, they look terrible from the knocks and impacts they receive,” the spokesman said.
Rapid Lift is also introducing a motorized hand pallet truck powered by a 500-watt motor for about one-third the price of a fully powered truck. It says that the Rapid Handy was conceived to bridge the gap in price between fully manual and fully powered trucks.
Company officials suggest that one industry where such trucks would be useful would be electronics, because of the presence of a high proportion of female workers. They also point out that other applications include transporting loads over distances, in tightly confined spaces, or in elevators, where a powered truck would be too large or too heavy.

Captions:
Photo 1
The Royal Viking RVT (L) has a ”Turbokick” function that gives it 30% extra power on demand and ”Gastrack” suspension, which increases stability. Rapid Lift’s motorized hand pallet truck (R) has a 500-watt motor and bridges the price gap between hand-powered and fully powered trucks.

Photo 2:
The Royal Viking RVT has a ”Turbokick” function that gives it 30% extra power on demand and ”Gastrack” suspension, which increases stability.

Photo 3:
Rapid Lift’s motorized hand pallet truck has a 500-watt motor and bridges the price gap between hand-powered and fully powered trucks.

For further information please contact:
Mr Pat Millard - Rapid Product Manager
Lift Truck Distribution Ltd
2a Maizefield
Hinckley Fields Industrial Estate
Hinckley
Leicestershire LE10 1YF
United Kingdom
Tel: 01455 238 472, Fax: 01455 239 576