TPT November 2021

I NDUS T RY

Largest Combilift C-Series forklift delivered to UK

COMBILIFT has delivered its largest multidirectional forklift to come off its production lines so far to modular data centre manufacturer BladeRoom. The 30t capacity C30,000 truck is now in operation at BladeRoom’s factory in Gloucestershire, UK where it is ensuring the efficient handling of components for its server rooms, as well as the finished products, which are comparable in size to shipping containers and can weigh up to 19 tonnes at 1,200mm load centres. “The initial challenge for BladeRoom was how to easily, quickly and safelymanoeuvre these large loads in and around the site,” said Rob Perry of HFT Forklifts Ltd (Hereford), BladeRoom’s MHE consultants and Combilift’s dealership in the area. “Fixed cranes would have been too inflexible, and the sheer size of a counterbalance forklift would have taken up far too much space in the manufacturing area. Following the successful operation of the C25,000 over the years and the growing size and weight of the data centres, BladeRoom decided to scale up its newest Combilift.” This is a “second first” for BladeRoom, as it ordered a 25t C25,000 model in 2010, which was at the time the largest C-Series that Combilift had built. This is still in operation at the Mitcheldean factory, along with a number of other Combilift machines of varying load capacities, which handle raw materials such as RSJs and roof structures. BladeRoom’s data centres incorporate computer fluid dynamics to extract the maximum amount of heat with the minimum use of mechanical cooling for a highly efficient cooling system. These pre-engineered, factory built, energy efficient data centres are fully fitted out for immediate use and supplied within a much shorter time frame than that for traditional structures. This minimises customers’ capital outlay and offers the lowest possible operational costs. The C30,000 measures around 5m x 5m, has a wheelbase of 3,725mm and is fitted with a John Deere Diesel 127 kW (170HP) engine, and also incorporates customised features which enable the safe and stable lifting and transportation of BladeRoom’s oversized loads. These include four cameras (one of which is a reversing camera), with two camera monitors in the cab, red danger zone lights and a tilt indicator in the cab display. “It’s a very impressive piece of machinery”, said Mr Perry. “In spite of its size, its 4-way ability enables it to move easily around the manufacturing facility. We are very proud of the fact that HFT was instrumental in supplying the largest Combilift C-Series model, not just in the UK, but worldwide.”

Combilift www.combilift.com HFT Forklifts Ltd www.hftforklifts.com BladeRoom www.bladeroom.com

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NOVEMBER 2021