Linde Germany Launches 14 Explosion-Proof Electric Forklifts with Load Capacity up to 2 Tons

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 20, Linde Material Handling released a new generation of explosion-proof electric counterbalance forklifts, covering the Linde E14—E20 EX and Linde E16—E20 P EX series, with a total of 14 models. They are available in three-wheel and four-wheel chassis configurations, with a maximum load capacity of 2 tons. The new models are certified for ATEX Zone 1/21 and Zone 2/22, and are designed for battery manufacturing, semiconductors, electronic waste recycling, and other production and warehousing environments where flammable gases, vapors, or dust may be present.

The Linde E14—E20 EX features a three-wheel configuration, designed for warehousing and production areas with narrower aisles; the E16—E20 P EX features a four-wheel configuration, suitable for work areas with more complex ground conditions. The explosion-proof versions use the same chassis and control system as the standard models in the same series. Electronic components are installed in flameproof enclosures, and the enclosure layout does not alter the vehicle's main profile or encroach on the driver's legroom. The explosion-proof conversion work is carried out near the series vehicle production base in Aschaffenburg, Germany.

To meet the requirements for operation in ATEX Zone 1/21, the new models do not directly use the standard drive motor. Instead, they are equipped with dedicated windings with a higher insulation class, and temperature sensors are installed directly inside the motor windings to continuously monitor the motor's operating temperature. This design is used to control the temperature of heat-generating components in explosion-proof areas while maintaining drive performance comparable to that of the standard models.

The new models can be optionally equipped with the Reverse Assist Camera and Reverse Assist Radar. The latter calculates the braking distance based on vehicle speed, fork load, steering angle, and the distance between the vehicle and obstacles, and can automatically reduce speed until the vehicle stops. The AI rear-view camera system can recognize people and ordinary obstacles, and triggers braking and an audible warning upon detecting a person entering the area behind the vehicle.

The vehicles can also be equipped with Linde Safety Guard, which sets automatic speed limits for different areas within a facility. When a forklift enters a predefined ATEX zone, the system can automatically reduce its operating speed; in Zone 2/22, Safety Guard also supports cross-approach warnings between multiple forklifts. Lighting configurations include VertiLight, LED light strips, and Red Warning Lines on the sides of the vehicle body, suitable for narrow, low-light production and warehousing aisles.