Since delivering its first pair of catering lift vehicles in 1998, officials at DOLL have sought to improve the design of its vehicles to enhance safety and user-friendliness.
Doll offers highloader vehicles for catering, cleaning and medical functions. Its catering highloader models include the X-Cat S 16 ft, X-Cat M 20-24 ft and X-Cat L, which is compatible with the Airbus A380.
In 2013, DOLL produced its first catering highloader for the US market and in the same year introduced the ecat, a fully electric highloader in the 18-ton weight category at inter airport Europe in Munich.
Recent updates to its catering highloaders include the Safe Approach System (SAS), Operating and Control System (OCS) and Remote Diagnostic System (RDS).
“In our research and development department, 35 engineers create intelligent details and complete solutions for the vehicles of tomorrow – driven by the mission of being one step ahead,” said Volker Ott, key account manager, North America, at DOLL. “This is where we design and bring to life innovations and solutions that not only have the potential to enhance our customers’ day-to-day working lives, but that also set new standards in engineering, steel construction, mechanics, hydraulics, pneumatics and electronics.”
DOLL SAS offers an intelligent 3D sensor system that complies with the standards specified by IATA AHM 913. Ott notes DOLL SAS actually surpasses AHM 913 standards.
“The DOLL SAS system uses a 3D camera to detect the distance between the vehicle and the aircraft in real time. At the same time, the sensor system reliably detects any object that enters the danger area and triggers an automatic stop of the vehicle at 0.5 meters of any potential obstacle,” he explains. “In addition to the camera images, the large display in the driver’s cab also provides the operator with information via symbols and plain text messages.”
DOLL OCS is designed to provide user-friendliness and driver support.
“Based on intelligent CAN bus technology, this system is designed to help you monitor and control your vehicle simply and safely,” Ott says.
Ott notes a two-hand operation system prevents unwanted operating errors; illuminated buttons with confirmation messages on display provide simpler operation; key information is clearly shown on the color display; and precise operating instructions offer an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide.
DOLL RDS allows company representatives to deliver service wherever a customer is located.
“Through our remote system, we can access systems directly, repair the fault and get your vehicle up and running again in no time. This wouldn’t be possible without the intelligent CAN bus wiring that we install in all of our vehicles as a standard feature,” Ott says.
In use in Germany and throughout Europe, as well as in the USA and other locations globally, DOLL’s catering highloaders are built on conventional truck chassis, so gasoline, diesel or propane engines can be offered, according to Ott.
Additional features include a reliable design and weight-optimized steel structure; a bolted auxiliary frame made from fine-grained steel; an electro hydraulically extendable canopy to protect employees and passengers; and a safety shoe for monitoring the height level between the platform and the aircraft.
Full size, half size or low cab configurations are available, as required. The vehicles offer an aluminum platform with extendable side walls and roller shutters in a range of sizes.
The box can be raised up to the loading ramp height without supports; the side door is automatically locked in raised position; and an audible signal sounds in the driver’s cab and box when the supports are lowered. The platform barrier can be safely unlocked from a distance of 120 mm.
In the event of a failure, the complete hydraulic system can be operated manually via hand pump or electric emergency pump.
“Thanks to our many years of experience, the vehicles offer excellent quality and very high reliability,” Ott says. “Should problems nevertheless arise, they are quickly remedied. We have, on the one hand, RDS to help at a distance, and on the other hand, a very fast service so that we can come on site at any time.”
Ott notes the type of aircraft being serviced and the cooling unit required to keep food at safe temperatures are additional factors that must be considered when selecting a catering truck.
DOLL supplies a user and maintenance booklet with every truck, which provides a clear maintenance plan. If these points are followed, a unit could be in service for as many as 30 years, Ott points out.
“We are working every day to make the operator’s day easier,” Ott says. “Thanks to the market-leading innovative assistance systems SAS and OCS, the operation of the vehicle is very simple, but still very safe, so that no damage can occur to the aircraft or the personnel.”
