Toyota expands electric forklift range

Toyota Material Handling has announced the addition of the 8FB four-wheel counter-balance forklift and 8FBR reach truck to its 8-series equipment range.

Toyota says the new units offer improved efficiency, productivity and safety compared to the previous 7-series models.

There are five 8FB forklifts from 1.5 to 3-tonne payload and nine 8FBR models from one to 2.5-tonne payload.

According to Toyota, key advantages of the new 8-series models include longer operating times and battery life, reduced electricity consumption, further updates to Toyota's System of Active Stability (SAS) safety technology and the availability of Toyota's I-Site fleet-management tool as a factory fitted option.

Toyota Material Handling's product manager, Glen Ryan, says the forklift upgrades deliver benefits for both the customer and the operator, including improved ease of operation, ergonomics, features and safety.

"The new forklift range has a more sophisticated design and features, while the new reach trucks have 10 per cent faster operating time and use less electricity thanks to new AC drive motors and efficient new hydraulic system,” he says.

"All the new models have Auto Turn-speed Control, for greater safety when turning with a load and Anti-rollback control.

The Auto Turn-speed control automatically controls the optimum turning speed according to the lift height, load weight, and turning radius. If necessary, the system will slow the forklift or reach truck to the appropriate rate of turning.

"The 8FBN now features Slope-Sensing Auto Power Mode which will increase the power to climb a ramp; it improves driving performance and productivity,” Ryan adds.

The 8FBR range also has the latest iteration of Toyota's System of Active Stability, known as SAS-R, for stable turning and load-handling operations. It locks the suspension at lift heights over 3m, for optimum longitudinal and lateral stability.

Additional safety features include an anti-rollback function, a front-assist brake system on the reach trucks for stable braking, and traction control for added safety on slippery surfaces.

"These models have option of a factory fitted blue LED light, which shines on the floor behind the machine when it's reversing, to warn pedestrians there is a forklift present,” Ryan says.

"These models have three-mode regenerative braking, for smooth deceleration, stopping and switchback, and to boost battery recovery.

"They also have a deluxe multi-function display, with weight indicator."

In addition, the 8FB and 8FBR feature several new functions that optimise battery life, including Auto Power-Off, Power-keep and Power-select.