Goscor Lift Truck Company and Imperial Retail Logistics – formerly TFD Network Africa - strengthened their ties recently with the delivery of two Doosan B25S-5 counter-balance electric forklifts each with an innovative battery exchange system. This brings to a total of 45 forklifts that IRL have bought from GLTC in the last 36 months.

An innovative fork-entry slot system, developed by GLTC Cape Town’s John Petrie on both these Doosan machines, enables an operator to drive a forklift into the side of the machines, lift the battery out with the forks and reverse out quickly and efficiently. Petrie says that this system negates the need for the ‘’block and tackle’, a delicate and time consuming operation which can cause damage to the battery tank, steering column, bonnet and overhead guard. . “Storage of batteries is now made easier and safer by allowing a forklift to place batteries on racks or battery stands using standard forks,” Petrie says
In addition to the latest forklifts, GLTC provided a permanent technician on three IRL’s sites in the Cape – and full battery and charger maintenance, leaving IRL to focus on its core business activities while its forklift operations are fully managed by GLTC’s efficient staff on site.

In order to compensate for the new battery tank design and modifications to the truck itself, the battery size has been slightly reduced. Instead of a 756 A/Hour battery, they are now using a 630 A/Hour battery. Each truck has two batteries in operation, so overall running time remains unaffected, the difference being the more efficient battery change-over system. Also, the Doosan B25’s were delivered with multiple batteries because of the need for long-hour usage at Freedom Way.

“Our aim is to lower the total cost of ownership of our equipment and this system goes a long way to achieving this,” concluded Petrie.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT GLTC ON:  010 594 4338 or go to cptsales@goscor.co.za