Specialist Irish manufacturer
Combilift has added the Combi-RT Poultry forklift to its range, which has recently been nominated as a finalist in the innovation category at the Forklift Truck Association Awards for Excellence 2012, the UK’s most prestigious forklift truck awards.
Combilift, best known for its range of space saving 4-way forklifts, developed the new product designed specifically for the needs of the poultry sector. Combilift Australia together with its national distributor Adaptalift Hyster recently released the CombiRT into the Australian market to a very positive response. “In the short time since releasing the product in Australia we have already taken 4 orders. There is simply nothing more suited to the needs of poultry farmer than the Combi-RT,” said Chris Walker, Combilift Australia’s national sales manger.
The Combi-RT was designed specifically for the needs of the poultry sector. The design and specific features, offer wide-ranging benefits for producers and operators as well as reducing the stress levels and bio security risk for enhanced welfare of broilers.
Combilift Ltd. Ireland MD Martin McVicar said of the development of the forklift: “Until now, the majority of forklifts used for handling live poultry have been modified versions of mainstream models such as counterbalance or truck-mounted vehicles. After taking the exact requirements of catching, handling and transportation into account, we have developed a purpose built, no-compromise machine that makes the whole process speedier, quieter and more streamlined.”
The Combi-RT comes as standard with a clear-view 3-stage mast with full free lift, and its low profile allows it to work both outside and under the low-level eaves inside the poultry house. Having picked the empty modules from the trailer, the operator can then lower the mast without any loss of speed to take them directly to the waiting catchers, sidelining any danger of the module collecting litter on its base as it travels through the poultry house.
A further benefit of the full free mast is that it minimises any chance of impact damage to door structure, drinker and feeder equipment. The large diameter tractor grip tyres, all-wheel traction with differential lock feature and 300mm ground clearance enable the machine to operate smoothly in all manner of litter conditions. These features, together with a small turning radius contribute to reduced disturbance of litter, which is also advantageous when thinning. The very smooth controls of both drive and mast functions results in gentler and quieter handling of the full modules, again contributing to lower stress levels of the poultry in the modules and the remaining population.
You can watch a video of the forklift in use
here.