Clark industrial trucks have been an integral part of logistics operations at Duisburg Zoo for several years now – from transporting feed and various materials to performing unusual tasks. Clark electric forklifts for example helped to safely transfer three sea cows to their new home in the Rio Negro tropical hall. Now Duisburg Zoo has put a Clark electric forklift truck from the Crossover series through its paces. The Renegade S30XE demonstrated its capabilities not only in the farmyard, but also when transporting feed to the animals’ enclosures.
The diverse range of applications at the zoo, with very different logistical requirements, provided the perfect testing ground for the flexibility, robustness, and versatility of the Clark Crossover series: indoor and outdoor use, different floor surfaces, long transport distances, different load carriers and transport goods, as well as use in wet and dirty conditions. Since the Clark S30XE electric forklift was designed precisely for these challenges, the result was hardly surprising: the Renegade passed the test at Duisburg Zoo with flying colours and proved that the Crossover forklifts can compete with combustion engines in every respect. This is also confirmed by Christopher Grefer, an employee in the technical department at Duisburg Zoo: “In addition to the high performance and robust construction, I was particularly impressed by the very small turning radius of the electric forklift and the many sophisticated safety features, which not only make it easier to work with the forklift, but also reduce the risk of accidents at our zoo.” Another plus point was the automatic fork adjustment. “This allows us to conveniently adjust the forks to the often very different load carriers here at the zoo at the touch of a button,” says Grefer. Duisburg Zoo was also impressed by the 360° camera with AI-based pedestrian detection. The rear-view camera transmits the route and the surroundings behind the forklift directly to the colour display in real time. This means that the driver always has an overview of what is behind the forklift, even when reversing. This increases safety during operations.
The Crossover series could replace combustion engine forklifts
The Crossover electric forklifts are designed to replace combustion engine forklifts, offering similar capabilities in terms of driving speed, working width, turning radius, and climbing ability. The electric forklifts are mounted on the chassis of combustion engine forklifts, ensuring high ground clearance, large tyres, and comfort for outdoor applications on different terrains. The Renegade S30XE used at the zoo had a three-tonne load capacity and was equipped with various features for maximum operating comfort and safety.
The farmyard at Duisburg Zoo plays a crucial role in supplying food to the animals, with the Renegade electric forklift working alongside a hand pallet truck HPT and a high-lift pallet truck WSX16 also from Clark to transport feed and other materials efficiently. The electric forklift performed tasks such as unloading feed from trucks, transporting materials between workshops, and delivering hay to enclosures. Its ergonomic controls, all-round visibility, and shock-free driving style made it ideal for handling various loads and navigating rough terrain. In the hay barn, the Renegade not only had to load and unload the straw for the animal enclosures and the hay for feeding the ungulates in the hay barn but also transport it.
After completing all tests, the zoo staff agree: the Crossover electric forklift is in no way inferior to combustion engine vehicles in terms of performance and comfort. “In all areas of application where we tested the vehicle, it proved itself with high flexibility, robustness, and performance,” emphasise the zoo employees. This means that the Crossover series could become a real game changer in the forklift world.
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