ErgoMove in use with scissor lift trucks

In addition to lift tables, Janzen Lifttechnik GmbH, based in Niederlangen, Lower Saxony, produces column lifts as well as goods and underfloor elevators. Lift tables are no longer just about lifting and lowering loads. For example, pallet cages often need to be tilted so that goods can be removed more easily. The company, which has twenty employees, has a high level of vertical integration and places great value on permanent quality assurance. From design and steel construction to final assembly, everything takes place in-house. Janzen only uses high-quality components for its standard lift tables, which ensure many years of low-wear operation.

As the market for scissor lift trucks up to a load capacity of 500 kilograms is dominated by Asian competitors in the view of the company management, the company from Lower Saxony embarked on a new course: Janzen successfully established itself in the 1,500 to 2,000 kilogram load range - a sector in which there are only a few suppliers. Over the years, customer inquiries for electrically powered scissor lift trucks increased continuously. The reason: the heavy pallet trucks were difficult to move by hand. Sometimes it even took two people to position the trolleys with loads. Janzen therefore set about designing his own drive. In practice, however, the effort required proved to be greater than expected.

ErgoMove makes it easy to move heavy loads, ensures ergonomically correct working conditions and increases efficiency in internal transportation. As part of a load-bearing structure, the electric drive system offers flawless driving behavior with any trolley weight. Blickle offers the ErgoMove cockpit with one rotary encoder for applications with long straight-line travel. The version with two rotary encoders makes it possible to maneuver heavy loads easily, even in the tightest of spaces.

Those responsible at Janzen were quickly convinced of the advantages of the system. The specialists at Blickle succeeded in attaching the ErgoMove control and operating unit to the scissor lift table by slightly modifying the push handle. In addition, the standard polyamide casters were replaced by ErgoMove drive casters and polyurethane swivel casters.

The decision to opt for Blickle has paid off for the medium-sized company. "Now heavy scissor lift trucks can easily be moved ergonomically by one person. Loads of up to two tons can now be moved by hand using electric drive, brake and steering assistance," explains Stefan Winter, Production Manager at Janzen Lifttechnik GmbH. Noise emissions have also been reduced. Previously, hard and noisy polyamide casters were used. Blickle's polyurethane swivel casters are suitable for high dynamic and mechanical loads and have low rolling resistance for quiet running. The scissor lift trucks are equipped with an emergency stop switch, dead man's brakes, a horn and anti-trap protection. To prevent improper use, the operating handles have integrated hand detection. "In addition to ergonomics, we have also significantly increased safety," says Gerrit Richter, design engineer at Janzen Lifttechnik GmbH.

• Impeccable driving behavior with any trolley weight
• Version with two rotary encoders offers the option of easily maneuvering heavy loads even in the tightest of spaces
• System solution from a single source
• Ergonomically correct working conditions
• Increased efficiency in internal transportation