Concrete Success

Creagh Concrete has taken delivery of the latest 7.0 Tonne capacity Yale Veracitor VX lift trucks for handling pre-stressed and precast concrete products at its Newbridge plant near Edinburgh.

When handling 8 metre long concrete floor slabs weighing up to 4 tonnes each, the drivers operating the Yale Veracitor GDP70-VX counterbalance lift trucks at Creagh Concrete know there is no room for error when loading the waiting trailers that will keep construction sites busy all over the UK.

Handling concrete products is one of the toughest applications for any lift truck, as the abrasive dust can get everywhere. The designers of the Yale Veracitor 6 and 7 Tonne capacity lift trucks know this only too well, which is why the latest Yale GDP/GLP60-70VX with a choice of diesel or LPG engines, is designed for the most intensive operations and demanding applications.

Recognised as one of the most productive trucks in its class, the new Veracitor GDP/GLP60-70VX has power output increased to 74kW at 2200 rpm, increased gradeability and drawbar pull, with peak torque increased by 37%. The result of the faster acceleration, faster lift speeds and higher top speeds is greater productivity measured against the VDI cycle.

Operator protection and comfort was an important consideration for Creagh when selecting the Yale Veracitor VX trucks. The large left hand side grab handle on the overhead guard and the right hand grip on the seat mounting of the truck combined with the optimised step heights of 32 cm, 65cm and 84 cm, provide easy operator entry and exit. The operator floor height at 110cm gives operators good visibility over high loads and the rear counterweight.

Fingertip mini-lever hydraulic controls help to further minimise muscle and joint strain and reduce operator fatigue over long shifts, while the ultra-responsive small steering wheel – which requires only four turns from lock to lock – results in less shoulder stress for the operator. Manual levers are standard on the Veracitor VX Base model for operators who prefer this option.

The Veracitor VX trucks supplied to Creagh Concrete are fitted with full weather glass and steel cabs to give extra protection for the operators, who report the trucks are indeed comfortable to operate in all conditions.

At the heart of the Yale GDP60-70VX is the Cummins QSB3.3 low emissions diesel engine with a choice of two transmissions. The Standard Electronic Powershift transmission provides operators with 2 forward and 2 reverse speeds. The 'Soft Shift Power Reversal' option is ideal for unstable or fragile load applications, whilst it also helps reduce tyre and brake wear. The optional Techtronix 332 provides 3 forward and 2 reverse speeds. Standard features of this enhanced transmission include Auto Deceleration System (ADS), Controlled Power Reversal (CPR) and Controlled Rollback.

The proven Intellix VSM electronic management system, delivers increased throughput and productivity and contributes to reducing maintenance costs. The system enables on-board and PC-based adjustment of the trucks performance characteristics to the application needs and carries out diagnostics of the trucks critical operating functions quickly and efficiently whilst maintaining maximum uptime.

Regional Manager for Creagh Concrete in Scotland, Toby Dowson said: We have only just taken delivery of the Yale lift trucks but were impressed with the specification and performance, and the attention Yale gave to meeting our requirements on-site.”

Creagh Concrete currently operates 5 manufacturing plants and is a major supplier of precast concrete to the construction industry in the UK and Ireland. At its Newbridge plant, Creagh Concrete manufactures an extensive range of precast and pre-stressed flooring systems, as well as customer specified precast concrete staircases.