04.02.2015

Stop/start system from Gerken

German access rental company Gerken has collaborated with Ruthmann to develop a stop/start system for its truck mounted lifts.

Until now the truck mount engine runs constantly even when the platform is not being operated/re-positioned. Following a six month trial using 10 truck mounted lifts with working heights of over 40 metres, Gerken’s engineers have developed a system, similar to other start/stop systems, which cuts the power to the engine 15 seconds after the last movement. It then restarts the engine once the operator moves a controller. The starter batteries are constantly monitored to prevent them from being run down beyond a certain level.

Gerken managing director Christian Gerken said: "We are very proud to have taken this system to the production stage. To me it has always been a thorn in the side that fuel is wasted and the environment polluted when the engine is running while not needed.”
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Gerken has developed a stop/start system for its truck mounted lifts

Gerken had has also implemented a number of other environmental/fuel saving initiatives into its business, such as the use of logistics software for its machines and transport vehicles, adding hybrid machines and training its delivery staff in fuel-efficient driving.