Yale Materials Handling Corporation has launched a new end rider pallet truck series, designed to help operations boost labor efficiency and increase throughput in order picking, unloading and other warehouse tasks. The Yale MPE060-080VH end riders feature a comprehensive lineup of ergonomic, productivity-enhancing and maintenance-friendly features, designed to address the labor challenges and cost pressures facing supply chains.

The optional extended platform provides over 30 percent more usable foot space than leading competitors and the Ultra Cushion helps reduce shock and vibration, keeping operators comfortable and focused all shift long. The end rider’s Precision Pick feature enables precise bi-directional control of speed and coast functions at the press of a button, allowing operators to easily navigate between pick locations.

“Order picking accounts for 50-75 percent of operating costs for the typical warehouse. What’s more, operator productivity can decline by as much as 30 percent near the end of a shift,” says Chris Murtha Brand Manager, Yale Materials Handling Corporation. “We worked to address these pressures with the new end rider, and it shows. The truck is designed to keep total cost of operation to a minimum and packs a laundry list of features to keep operators focused and productive.”

The new end rider series has already garnered critical acclaim, winning the product of the year award in the lift truck and accessories category from Material Handling Product News. Nearly 3,000 readers cast votes on products across 12 categories, from AGvs and data capture to supply chain software and conveyors. This is Yale’s third such award in two years.

The end rider is designed with extended service intervals of up to 1,000 hours, which translates into service requirements reduced by as much as 50 percent. When service is necessary, the maintenance-friendly design offers quick, secure access to key components, enabling service tasks to be completed in reduced time. LED platform and fork lights can increase operator awareness and visibility in low light or congested areas, like dim storage aisles and dark trailers. This can help avoid unnecessary costs due to product and equipment damage.

The end rider’s Smart Shift bundle enables shortcuts to improve operator efficiency. Operators can raise and lower forks with a single touch, and use the cruise control system to relax over long hauls. The Smart Acceleration feature automatically selects two distinct acceleration profiles based on application, load and task, while Yale Smart Slow Down automatically reduces speed in cornering for improved stability.