Aprolis Equipment Distribution will supply a Carer A180X electric forklift truck for an offshore wind manufacturing facility near Scotland’s Port of Nigg, supporting the handling of large undersea cable drums.
The high-capacity forklift has been engineered to transport cable reels weighing up to 16.68 tonnes, measuring 3.2 metres in diameter and 1,760 mm wide. The truck will move empty reels into the production facility before transporting fully loaded cable drums through the manufacturing process and around the site.
Designed specifically for demanding industrial applications, the all-electric Carer A180X combines dual AC drive motors with a high-capacity battery to deliver strong performance, extended operating time and lower emissions. Additional features include pneumatic tyres for improved stability on uneven ground, generous ground clearance, a lateral battery extraction system for rapid battery changes, a rear-view camera, automatic parking brake and speed reduction when cornering.
Working alongside its regional support partner, Aprolis carried out detailed site surveys and application assessments before introducing several bespoke modifications to suit the customer’s cable handling requirements. These included specially adapted forks with 45-degree chamfered tips and additional reinforcement to safely handle the unique load profile of the cable drums.
The company will also provide operator familiarisation and driver training to support safe and efficient commissioning.
“From the outset, this project was all about collaboration,” said Andy Armitage, Sales Manager at Aprolis Equipment Distribution. “Working closely with our local support partner and the customer, we carried out detailed site visits and assessed the exact specification of the cable reels and operational requirements to ensure we supplied the right solution for the application.”
Unlike many manufacturers that have adapted diesel forklift platforms to electric power, Carer has specialised exclusively in purpose-built heavy-duty electric forklifts since 1976, making the A180X a suitable solution for customers seeking high-capacity, zero-emission material handling equipment.
