Combilift scoops tenth major award  

Combilift, the Irish manufacturer of a wide range of handling solutions, has won its tenth industry award from the Forklift Truck Association for one of its latest products. The 2020 FLTA Awards for Excellence took place virtually on Saturday 10 April, having been postponed from last year due to Covid.

The recently introduced Combi-CBE model – believed to be the world’s first counterbalance design, multidirectional forklift with electric drive on all of its three wheels, was one of the twelve finalists in the hotly contested Innovation Category. According to the host of this year’s Awards, “this is the category that everyone wants to win, as you get to feel incredibly clever.” So Combilift said it was immensely proud that the jury singled it out as the outright winner.

The Combi-CBE features internationally patented electric traction which enables independent control of each of the front and rear drive wheels and guarantees 100% traction control, which negates the need for differential lock when it is operating on wet or slippery surfaces. As the truck drives and steers, the speed and rotational direction of the wheels are controlled independently. Operators benefit from precise acceleration and deceleration control, which significantly reduces long load momentum twisting when travelling sideways. Each electric drive incorporates parking and regenerative dynamic braking for power efficiency and AC drive means that there are no mechanical brushes to maintain or replace.

Combining the benefits of very compact dimensions and the ability to handle long loads as well as pallets, the multidirectional Combi-CBE is a universal truck for multiple applications and offers  cost effective and efficient operation. It also answers growing market demand for powerful and quieter electric forklifts which comply with ever more stringent emissions guidelines. The FLTA commented as follows: “a clever and innovative design, Combilift’s entry impressed the panel with its unique, independent front and rear wheel drive, letting it handle long loads in the tightest spaces while minimising tyre wear.”

Combilift CEO and co-Founder Martin McVicar said, “Innovation is a cornerstone of Combilift’s product development and, given the large number of excellent finalists this year, we would like to thank the FLTA jury of industry experts for recognising our achievements.”