Above: After simple push button acceptance, the sideloader automatically steers itself into the aisle.
December, 2024- Lidar sensors are key to the latest product advancement from Hubtex, the industry’s first sensory aisle entry assistant for its multidirectional sideloader forklift truck—designed to help minimize damage to the sideloader, guide rails, racks and materials.
Introduced at Fabtech in October, the entry assistant enables enhanced precision when navigating narrow-aisle warehouse environments. As the sideloader is driving near the storage racks, “the operator gets a visual indication at each aisle opening. If the operator wants to enter, they push a button and the machine will automatically steer itself into the aisle,” explains Paul Sartore, director of sales for Hubtex North America.
This new feature is available on any Hubtex Phoenix sideloader. “This patented feature allows the operator to focus on more safety-related tasks, like judging speed, whether a pedestrian is nearby or material might be infringing in the aisleway,” Sartore notes.
TIGHT TOLERANCES
Envision a Phoenix 2840 located up to 20 feet away from—and at nearly a 90-degree angle to the aisle. One press of the button on the vehicle and the light detection and ranging (lidar) sensors will automatically maneuver the sideloader between the racks.
“The Phoenix 2840 series has multidirectional steering; each wheel has its own steering angle. Unlike any other brand, Hubtex has a feature called split axle steering, which helps the machine very quickly and precisely hit the aisle space without touching the guide rails,” says Sartore. The guide rails need only ½-inch clearance from the machine.
Although sideloaders already in service cannot be retrofitted with the automated aisle entry assist system, a new Hubtex equipped with the system is compatible with rack systems that have guide rails.
With the Phoenix 2840, “we will pre-program the aisle entry assistant based on the existing rack system design, guide rail height and other metrics. If a facility is in reasonable condition, with some uniformity, we can install the system,” Sartore says.
When supplied in combination with Hubtex aisle entry recognition, the wheels are automatically aligned, parallel to the aisle and steering control is not required by the operator. This feature also aids in aisle exiting. “The sideloader will exit straight, with less wear and tear on the entry points,” says Sartore. In addition to reducing wear on the machine, the use of aisle recognition can reduce friction (because rollers do not come in contact with the guide rails), thus conserving power.
The Phoenix 2840 multidirectional sideloader can be equipped with auto aisle entry assistance
ERGONOMICS AND VISIBILITY
In addition to auto aisle entry assist, the Phoenix 2840 sideloader the third generation of narrow-aisle, multidirectional products from Hubtex includes several customized options for service centers. Customers can select from eight possible stand-up cabin variations plus three cabin types cross, longitudinal and diagonal seat.
“This redesign allows for standardization, yet provides enough flexibility to put the cabin on either end of the machine to mimic the equipment already in use at a customer facility,” notes Sartore. Hubtex manufactures its own lift masts, ensuring optimal visibility.
Hubtex sideloaders are designed with carriage tilt instead of mast tilt, for additional stability at high lift heights. The full speed mode for the Phoenix 2840 is 5 miles per hour. The customer can adjust the speed setting down to novice mode, if desired. Hubtex sideloaders are electric. “Use of optional lithium-ion batteries are becoming more common in the service center market,” notes Sartore.
Entrance to the aisle is displayed on the Hubtex Information Terminal (HIT).
LOAD MONITORING
To ensure that each load is picked up in the most ecient manner, the next-generation Hubtex Load Manager (HLM) is available on the Phoenix 2840 series. The load manager comes with 199 programmable storage positions. Fork tilt is automatically leveled upon system activation. “With HLM, the operator can pick up or put away material at a preprogrammed position. The forks will automatically stop at the correct elevation, reach, then lift or lower the load accurately in place,” reports Sartore. “This helps avoid mishandling of material above or below the storage position,” he adds. Multiple fork spacing position options are also controlled by HLM.
SAFE OPERATION
In addition to enhancing safety and productivity, the automated aisle entry technology was developed to address the labor constraints of today’s service centers. “We recognize the need for a reduced amount of skills for sideloader operators,” explains Sartore. Simplifying the task of navigating into a narrow aisle storage system makes side-loader tasks a tad easier.
“With automated aisle entry assistance, Hubtex is looking to help customers increase throughput and safety while reducing operations costs, material damage and equipment wear/maintenance,” explains Sartore.
INTEGRATION
In January 2024, the company formed a subsidiary, Hubtex North America, following the acquisition and integration of its U.S. sales and distribution partner. For more than 30 years Hubtex has sold sideloaders throughout North America. “This vertical integration of manufacturing and distribution more closely aligns our product mix and brand identity,” notes Sartore.
The result is streamlined access to sales and service. “We guarantee users a reliable supply of spare parts, top-quality service and flawless production processes,” comments Alexander Baumann, managing director for Hubtex North America. To amp up service in North America, the company has added four new regional factory technicians in the past six months. “We are expanding in the U.S. pretty aggressively,” conrms Sartore.
Lidar sensors enable precise navigation in narrow aisles, with only ½-inch side clearance.
The organizational and technological advancements are paying o for Hubtex. The sideloader introduced at Fabtech was delivered to a customer in Illinois a few weeks after the exposition. “The technology has been tested extensively in Germany,” according to Sartore, who secured additional purchase orders for the automated aisle entry assist feature while at the show.
“The reaction at Fabtech was better than we anticipated. Automated aisle entry assistance is a real game changer for this type of industry and the marketplace,” notes Sartore. “I think we really hit the mark with this one,” he adds. And now, service centers can hit the mark in even the narrowest of aisles.
Hubtex North America, 800/548-2839, hubtex.com
