Seventeen seconds is all it takes to change the battery of a Jungheinirch EFG electric counterbalance lift truck, according to MCFA, which is the distributor and manufacturer for the truck in North America.

The reason why is a new battery-changing technology that Jungheinrich developed for the automotive industry in Europe. To recharge their lift trucks, users needed to use overhead cranes, but that didn't work well with the EFG, which provides access to the battery from a side compartment. In response, Jungheinrich developed a unique way to extract the battery from the truck: automatic side battery extraction.

To extract the battery, the operator opens the side compartment, unplugs the battery and presses a button, which causes a track to extend out from the truck. The battery then automatically comes out down the track. At that point, it is possible to use an overhead crane to lift the battery out and then replace it.

During the entire extraction, the employee remains behind the side compartment door, which ensures his or her safety. Although the technology was first implemented in Europe, it has since been modified for the U.S. market. It was introduced this week at the ProMat show in Chicago.

MCFA was also showcasing the Jungheinrich ETR 345 pantograph reach truck, which was launched in July 2014. The ETR 345 was designed by Jungheinrich for the U.S. market and is manufactured completely at MCFA's manufacturing facility in Houston.