Combilift is celebrating nearly three decades of its original multi-directional forklift; the C-Series. The C-Series’ multi-directional capability provides an ideal solution, allowing operators to move long loads sideways with control and stability, while navigating tight spaces and narrow doorways. For nearly three decades, the C-Series has transformed the site operations and the way the company used to handle long loads. It has also shortened unloading times and improved safety for operators, pedestrians, and passing vehicles. The milestone underscores the machineโs role in redefining material handling for industries that manage timber, steel, pipe, and other lengthy products where conventional forklifts struggle with maneuverability.
An additional safety feature is the forklift’s integrated platform, which has further enhanced load stability when handling long products. Operators can safely support lengthy stillages during transport, reducing the risks associated with moving oversized loads and making the entire process more controlled and efficient. โWe know that itโs a lot safer, once you get the load on the platform, you can sort of relax almost. You’ve got that stability of it being on the rest beds,” says Operator Tony McManus. The platform reduces load swing and deflection, which is critical when moving through doorways, around racking, or across uneven yard surfaces. This design focus has helped sites maintain tighter aisle widths without compromising throughput or safety protocols.
โI never expected we’d still be using the same forklift nearly three decades later. But itโs a testament to the build quality of the machine as it’s still running after 28 years,โ says Managing Director Paul Kelly. Routine checks of oil, coolant, hydraulics, tyres, and greasing have helped keep the machine operating reliably, while major repairs have been rare throughout its 28-year lifespan. The longevity points to structural durability in the chassis, mast, and multi-directional steering system, which are subjected to constant load cycles in industrial environments. Preventive maintenance schedules and operator training have extended service life and reduced total cost of ownership for long-term users.
The success of the original C-Series led J.G. Kelly Supplies to expand its fleet with additional Combilift products, including other Combilift models, such as the pedestrian Combi-CS and an Aisle Master in their Limerick warehouse. The company continues to highlight Combilift’s ability to tailor equipment to specific operational requirements rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution. โCombilift are very good at having a look at what you need and then they can tailor the product to suit you. We had the height of the mast and weight limit tailored to what we needed in our Combi-CS,โ says Kelly. Customization covers mast height, lift capacity, fork configuration, and platform dimensions to match building clearances and product types.
Multi-directional forklifts like the C-Series address a core challenge in yards and warehouses that store long and bulky goods. Traditional counterbalance trucks require wide turning circles and often need to travel with loads extended forward, creating visibility and collision risks. By moving sideways, the C-Series keeps the load within the machineโs footprint, improving operator sightlines and reducing the space needed for turning and positioning. This capability allows facilities to increase storage density by narrowing aisles and stacking higher, while still maintaining safe access for loading and retrieval operations.
The integrated platform and rest beds are central to the C-Seriesโ reputation for stability. When handling steel sections, timber packs, or prefabricated frames, the load is supported along its length rather than cantilevered on forks alone. That reduces stress on the mast and hydraulics and limits load movement during acceleration, braking, and cornering. Operators report greater confidence when moving through mixed traffic areas, and sites have documented fewer product damage incidents and near-misses since adopting multi-directional equipment. The design also simplifies unloading from trucks and racks where overhead clearance or adjacent stock limits fork approach angles.
Nearly three decades of continuous operation illustrate how purpose-built equipment can outlast multiple standard forklift replacement cycles. For J.G. Kelly Supplies and other long-term users, the C-Series has become a benchmark for reliability and adaptability in long load handling. The continued expansion into Combi-CS and Aisle Master units shows how fleets evolve as storage layouts, product mix, and throughput requirements change. Combiliftโs focus on application-specific engineering has helped operators reduce manual handling, improve yard safety, and maximize usable floor space while maintaining the original C-Series in daily service after 28 years.
Image Courtesy: Window and Door
