The right type of vehicle for every warehouse
Nowadays, industrial trucks are specialised for all kinds of areas. But when is a high lift pallet truck actually worth the investment? When is there need for a tractor? And when is a counterbalance truck the right choice? STILL offers a comprehensive range of products to meet the needs of every company, as well as expert advice.
Every warehouse has its own processes, structures and transport routes. Selecting the right industrial truck impacts both efficiency and operational safety. STILL therefore offers a wide range of solutions to meet a variety of needs – from compact warehouse equipment to powerful counterbalance trucks, both manual and automated. The key is to select the right vehicle for your specific needs.
Basic vehicle types
Each type of vehicle has its own strengths and is suited to specific material handling tasks. Understanding these differences and your own processes enables you to make an informed decision about which industrial truck best supports your operational procedures.
Counterbalance trucks
These forklift trucks are the all-rounders of the warehouse and company premises. They can transport loads, move pallets and handle ramps. The range includes compact vehicles for narrow warehouses, as well as forklift trucks with a lift height of over eight metres. STILL offers various models with different drive systems. Electric forklift trucks, such as the RX 20, are designed for indoor and outdoor use, operating quietly and emission-free. For larger loads and lift heights, there is the RX 60, which is also electrically powered. For outdoor use and transporting particularly heavy loads, diesel and LPG forklift trucks are also used in certain cases.
Warehouse equipment
To facilitate internal material flow there is a choice of high and low lift pallet trucks, reach trucks and special order picking vehicles. High lift pallet trucks, such as the EXV, facilitate stacking and storage in confined spaces. Low lift pallet trucks, for example those in the EXH series, ensure fast horizontal transport. For servicing high racks, reach trucks such as the FM-X or FXR are used; these work reliably even in confined spaces. When it comes to order picking, STILL offers vehicles such as the OPX to support warehouse staff in compiling and preparing goods for dispatch. STILL's portfolio includes various operating concepts, from hand-guided, pedestrian-operated trucks for transporting goods over short distances or in confined areas, to models with a driver's seat or platform for transporting goods over longer distances or for longer operating times.
Platform trucks and tractors
Platform trucks and tractors are ideal for transporting goods over medium and long distances within a facility. They are used to move large quantities of material, goods or trailers, for example between production areas or as part of a tugger train. Tractors such as the LTX 50 are designed to pull trailers flexibly and organise material flows efficiently. For longer distances and heavy loads of up to 35 tonnes, models such as the LXT 120 and LXT 350 are available. Unlike pure tow tractors, platform tractors also provide a stable surface for transporting loose goods, tools, and individual components. STILL offers a variety of models to provide the ideal solution for every application, whether it's a compact, flexible tugger train or a powerful tractor for heavy loads and long distances.
Distinguishing features and selection criteria
The wide range of industrial trucks in the STILL portfolio offers many possibilities. Understanding the key features enables you to make an informed pre-selection for specific application scenarios. However, if requirements become more complex or various factors come into play, the value of sound advice becomes apparent. STILL takes a partnership-based approach: the expertise of the sales team complements the customer's knowledge of their own processes, helping to develop solutions that are optimally suited to operational conditions. The selection is based on a number of key features:
- Drive technologies
The operating environment is a key factor in determining the most suitable drive system. Electric models are quiet and emission-free, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. Diesel and LPG forklift trucks are robust and are still used outdoors in some cases. However, electric forklift trucks are now being used here too, as they are now on a par with combustion engines in terms of performance. STILL offers various battery types for its electric vehicles: Lead-acid batteries are suitable for standard applications, while lithium-ion batteries offer advantages in terms of charging times and service life, making them ideal for intensive, multi-shift operation. Vehicles with fuel cells are also available for specific requirements.
- Operating concepts
How the vehicle is operated affects comfort and efficiency in everyday work. Hand-guided trucks, such as the EXV and EXH models, are designed for short distances and narrow storage areas. In contrast, models with a driver's platform or seat, such as the OPX and FM-X models, enable longer operating times and greater comfort.
- Load capacity and lift height
The weight of the goods to be moved and the height of the storage racks determine the required performance data. Compact trucks are designed for light goods and low racks, whereas forklifts such as the RX 60 and FM-X are designed for heavy goods and high storage areas thanks to their high load capacity and lift height.
STILL offers a wide range of customisation and personalisation options for its vehicles. These include:
- Safety and comfort features:
Special safety and ergonomic requirements should always be considered when selecting a vehicle. For potentially explosive areas, equipment with explosion protection is available. Modern assistance systems support drivers and enhance safety. Ergonomic cabins ensure driver comfort, even during long shifts.
- Attachments and special equipment:
If you have to perform special tasks in your business, you will benefit from the option of customising your equipment. Special attachments can expand the range of possible applications, for example for handling special loads or performing specific work processes. The product range includes numerous customisation options.
There are automated versions of many vehicle types:
In addition to manually operated vehicles, automated solutions are becoming increasingly important. Automated industrial trucks, such as the iGo series from STILL, ensure a continuous flow of materials and reduce staff workload. Almost all vehicle types in the STILL portfolio are available as automated versions: from the compact AXV iGo low lift pallet truck and EXV iGo high lift pallet truck, to the FM-X iGo reach truck and MX-X iGo narrow-aisle truck.
Automation can be flexibly adapted to actual requirements. The plug-and-play iGo easy solution makes it easy to operate individual vehicles or small fleets. For more extensive requirements, the iGo systems solution coordinates several vehicle types and integrates them into comprehensive warehouse management systems. Therefore, the STILL portfolio offers the right solution for every warehouse in the automated sector.
Solutions for any requirement
Whatever your logistical challenge, STILL has the right solution for you, whether you need a tugger train, order picker, counterbalance truck or automated transport system. The diversity of our portfolio enables us to tailor our products precisely to your operational processes, creating the basis for efficient and safe operations in your warehouse and on your premises. The overview of the different vehicle types and their features provides an initial guide. However, selecting the optimal solution requires more than basic knowledge; it begins with a detailed analysis of your operational processes and requirements. STILL's consulting services help clarify the key questions: What transport routes are there? How are the workflows structured? What developments are planned? This enables you to identify the vehicles that best meet your needs.
Contact request
Subscribe to the Newsletter !
Always up to date with STILL: Subscribe to the STILL newsletter and we will inform you regularly about interesting industry topics.
