Motion Control & Drives


Revolutionising warehouse operations

June 2024 Motion Control & Drives

With the warehouse industry requiring ever-greater efficiencies, Toyota Material Handling, a division of CFAO Equipment South Africa, has introduced the new Vector A-series Man-Up Combi – an articulated forklift truck that revolutionises warehouse operations, and promises heightened agility, unmatched precision, and elevated safety standards.

The Vector-A series Man-Up Combi features high-rack handling capabilities, and is designed to lift operators up to the level of the racks, allowing for more precise and comfortable handling of goods or order picking from different rack levels.

Stephen Mostert, national technical manager at CFAO Equipment SA, says the introduction of the Vector A-series is yet another innovative solution offered by the company to bolster the efficiency and safety of its customers’ warehouse operations.

“The Vector A-series comes into its own when the lifting gets heavy. With heavy loads, it’s imperative to keep steady, and that’s exactly where the Vector A-series shines. With all models featuring triplex masts, with low collapsed heights and three-way forks, the articulated four-wheel chassis of the Vector A-series boasts exceptional stability during top-line operation, while minimising the aisle space needed for transfers between aisles.”

This contributes to a lighter overall weight, due to decreased counterweight stability needs. When paired with its robust twin-drive motors, it yields unparalleled performance and shortened work-cycle durations. This, in turn, means faster picking times.

In addition, its staggered quadset support wheels not only provide a smoother ride capable of counteracting floor defects, but prolong the lifespan of the polyurethane wheels, quadrupling their life expectancy.

“The unique pivot point of the Vector A-series range allows it to navigate through aisles that are narrower by more than a metre than those required by non-articulated trucks. This facilitates the provision of an additional four pallet positions on each level within an aisle,” adds Mostert. “This allows it to lift heights of over 16,8 m, with a load capacity of 1000 kg in the case of the VCE150A model. In doing so, it unlocks the potential to increase storage height without the need to expand floor space.”


The Vector A-series features Toyota Material Handling’s patented Advanced Lifting System, decreasing the battery energy needed to lift the cabin and load. This allows for up to 30% of the energy required to lift a load to be regenerated during lowering, facilitating two shifts on a single charge.

“Considering that operators spend six to ten hours daily in the cabin, our truck’s design prioritises their requirements,” elaborates Mostert. “With this in mind, the cockpit is designed to offer the clearest possible view in all directions, and incorporates various technologies dedicated to bridging the gap between man and machine by greatly enhancing cabin comfort, while also boosting safety and efficiency.”

Central to this is a large HMI that features a colour touch display for improved interactivity between operator and machine. The interface displays vital information, such as current lift height and navigation, and also fork load, position and direction.

As with all Toyota Material Handling products, safety remains a top priority. The Vector A-series features Toyota Material Handling’s innovative personal protection system (PPS), that not only detects obstructions such as shelving, but also personnel, bringing the truck to a standstill in the case of obstructions. Moreover, the truck features advanced stability sensors to prevent it from tipping over, and also a dual hands-on human detection system that requires the operator to have both hands on the controls to operate.

“With an array of groundbreaking features engineered to optimise efficiency and safety, and bolstered by CFAO Equipment SA’s unwavering commitment to unparalleled support, the Vector A-series Man-Up Combis aim to redefine the South African warehouse sector, ushering in a new era of productivity and prosperity,” concludes Mostert.

For more information contact Darshan Rangai, Toyota Material Handling, +27 86 132 5472, [email protected], www.cfaoequipment.co.za/toyota-material-handling/




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Novel bearing steel next generation of aeroengines
SKF South Africa Motion Control & Drives
SKF continues to re-imagine intelligent and clean rotation with the development of an innovative temperature-resistant, corrosion-tolerant steel called ARCTIC15 designed for aeroengine bearings.

Read more...
Products from maxon
Motion Control & Drives
A wide range of new products is available from motion control specialist, maxon. with a diverse technology portfolio ranging from highly integrated robotic actuators to powerful servo drives and controllers.

Read more...
Actuators for precise hexapod movements
Motion Control & Drives
Aerotech, manufacturer of high-performance motion control and automation systems, is expanding its Automation1 platform. These compact hexapod devices enable the complete integration of six-axis motion systems into existing control

Read more...
SEW-EURODRIVE service centre transforms future of drive repairs
SEW-EURODRIVE Motion Control & Drives
In a momentous step for the local industrial gearbox and drives market, SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa has formally opened a new service and repair facility alongside its headquarters in Aeroton,

Read more...
Strategic system upgrades beat mining obsolescence and drive productivity
Motion Control & Drives
Mining operations are under constant pressure to maintain output while controlling costs. One persistent challenge continues to confront the industry, knowing when and how to upgrade aging systems before they become a liability.

Read more...
Precision meets performance: The ELGD Axes Family from Festo
Festo South Africa Motion Control & Drives
Festo has introduced the ELGD axes family, engineered for the demands of future-focused industries. With cutting-edge guide technology, exceptional rigidity and high load capacity, these axes deliver more performance within the same installation footprint.

Read more...
Condition monitoring in hazardous areas
SKF South Africa Motion Control & Drives
SKF is further strengthening its condition monitoring offer portfolio by a newly developed hazardous area version of its Microlog Analyzer dBX portable vibration analyser.

Read more...
Rip-and-ship solution speeds up nuclear decommissioning project
Motion Control & Drives
When removing steam generators from decommissioned nuclear reactor buildings, the most economical method is to remove them in one piece. Mammoet was commissioned by Framatome to support with the removal of four steam generators from PreussenElektra’s Nuclear Power Plant Unterweser in Germany.

Read more...
WearCheck turns the focus on friction modifiers
Wearcheck Motion Control & Drives
One of the most important features of a lubricant is the reduction of friction between two surfaces.A dditives like friction modifiers are added to perform this function. Wearcheck turns the focus on friction modifiers

Read more...
SEW-EURODRIVE transforms drivetrain uptime
SEW-EURODRIVE Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
The DriveRadar IoT Suite from SEW-Eurodrive is an ideal solution for industrial condition monitoring. This powerful ecosystem of intelligent sensors, edge devices and cloud-based analytics ensures that customers have full visibility and control of their operations.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved