Tugs push vehicle bodies between shops

Light commercial vehicle builder has ordered six tugs for moving the vehicle bodies on trollies between the production line, the body shop and the paint shop.

LDV have recently taken delivery of six Nu-Star Power Pushers at their manufacturing site in Birmingham for moving the vehicle bodies on the production line.

LDV design, manufacture and distribute the widest range of light commercial vehicles in Europe and in January 2005 launched the new Maxus range of commercial vehicles, following a £500m product development process.

Nu-Star were first contacted back in January 2003 by LDV Project Engineer Doug Annals with regard to the then confidential new production line, and how they may move the vehicle bodies (mounted on trolleys) between the production line, the body shop and the paint shop once production had started.

As production moved ahead during January 2005, LDV carried out an evaluation of the Power Pusher and its unique (international patents pending) method of operation.

Dale Brown (LDV's project engineer) commented; "The trial period helped us confirm that the Power Pusher would deliver the productivity and health and safety benefits that we envisaged back in 2003 and that the operators could quickly connect to, and disconnect from, the fleet of 70+ trolleys that carry the vehicle bodies".

"The feedback was very positive after the trial and we quickly committed to six of the Power Pushers.

Steve Mather (Nu-Star's technical director) explained; "Our broad consulting experience in both the European and American materials handling markets, means we are quickly able to offer our customers a suitable solution for moving their wheeled loads".

"In LDV's case, the machine is one of our standard models, although we designed a bespoke receiver to fit to all of their trolleys so that any one of the Power Pushers can move any of the trolleys.

The Power Pusher is one of a range of pedestrian operated electric tug units designed and manufactured by Nu-Star in Derbyshire, UK and also Minneapolis, USA for moving wheeled loads ranging from 500kg to over 100,000kg.

All the tug units in the range are self contained with maintenance-free gel batteries, on-board waterproof battery chargers, puncture-proof tyres and programmable control units.

There are no complicated licensing requirements (other than a minimum age of 18 and relevant training) and minimal maintenance requirements.

All the machines are available either to purchase or the increasingly popular option of contract hire.

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