Marking its 25th anniversary, Combilift says it is ensuring 2023 “will be a year to remember by launching multiple products across various exhibitions on a global scale!” PBM takes a look at two of the company’s recently announced innovations — the new Combi-CUBE and Combi-CB70E.
Making its debut at April’s LogiMAT International Intralogistics show in Stuttgart, the new Combi-CUBE is said to incorporate a host of technological and design features that not only enhance handling procedures but also offer a high level of driver comfort. Immediately noticeable is the electric model’s vibrant new colour — billed as a bold and fresh Combi-green shade, the firm states that the striking livery will contribute to improved safety as the trucks will be easily visible in their operational environment.
A number of ergonomic features include the driver’s position in the centre of the cab, offering generous room and excellent all-round visibility. The angle of the telescopic steering column can be adjusted and the Grammer MSG65 seat, combined with hydraulic cabin mounts “guarantees a comfortable ride.” An adjustable arm rest is mounted to the seat suspension which incorporates a multi-function joystick and an LCD colour touch screen.
Further notable features are the large rear wheel and rubber tyres on all three wheels which means the model is not restricted to super flat floors and is “eminently suitable” for working indoors and out with semi-rough terrain “no impediment to reliable operation.” And for quicker battery changeover during heavy shifts, two new easy-change roll-out batteries are provided.
At Ligna, the international timber and woodworking show held in mid-May, Combilift’s added to its growing range of electric models with the new Combi-CB70E. Said to offer powerful performance, extensive battery life and unrivalled ergonomics, this model — also in the vibrant new Combi-green livery — is reportedly the shortest 7t capacity counterbalance truck on the market whilst also benefitting from multidirectional ability, enabling the versatile space saving handling of both long and bulky loads.
The high-capacity Combi-CB70E features large super-elastic tyres and a compact wheelbase to make it “ideally suited for the operational demands of the timber industry.” With a 7,000kg/15,500lb lift capacity, the unit “benefits from an impressively small footprint as well as exceptional manoeuvrability” meaning that it can easily move bulky loads of timber around in confined spaces.
Occupational health and safety requirements mean that the welfare of the workforce has become ever more important over the years. Accordingly, Combilift’s designers have gone to great lengths to ensure that the latest generation of models are kitted out with top quality components that ensure sophisticated ergonomics for a stress-free in-cab environment.
Features in the spacious cab include, for example, generous glazing for excellent all-round visibility, a tilting steering column, hydraulic steering and the Grammer MSG65 seat. In addition, the Combi-CB70E features a gas strut suspension cab, which uses components such as those found in large scale industrial machinery with cab suspension whilst the newly developed Auto Swivel Seat (available as an optional feature) reduces driver strain by automatically engaging and swivelling the seat and armrest 15° to the right or left to accord with the direction of travel selected by the operator.
The truck also features Combilift’s internationally patented and Red Dot awarded independent electric traction which provides all front and rear drive wheels with 100% traction control. This negates the need for differential lock on slippery surfaces and significantly reduces long load momentum twisting when travelling sideways.
Click here for more information on the new models from Combilift, including feature-packed videos such as the one below:
A version of this article appeared in the July/August edition of Professional Builders Merchant. Click here to view the full issue online, via the PBM website.
