Australian market leader Toyota Material Handling has launched two new battery electric warehouse models - the 8FB four-wheel counter-balance forklift and 8FBR reach truck ranges.
The new 8-Series FB and 8-Series FBR forklift ranges offer improved efficiency, productivity, operability and safety compared with the superseded 7-Series models.
There are five 8FB forklifts from 1.5 to 3.0 tonne payload and nine 8FBR models from one to 2.5-tonne payload.
Key advantages include longer operating times and battery life, reduced electricity consumption to save charging costs, further updates to Toyota's industry leading 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, Toyota product, Glen Ryan, said the forklift upgrades delivered benefits for the customer and 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 ten per cent better operating time and use less electricity thanks to new AC drive motors and efficient new hydraulic system" he said.
"All the new models have Auto Turn-speed Control, for greater safety when turning with a load and Anti-rollback control.
"Auto Turn-speed Control automatically controls the optimum turning speed according to the lift height, load weight, and turning radius . Therefore if necessary it 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."
Glen Ryan said the 8FBR range 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 three metres, for optimum longitudinal and lateral stability," he said.
"Additional key safety features include the Anti-rollback feature, Front-assist Brake System on the reach trucks for stable braking even if the drive wheels lock up 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.
"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, Toyota has introduced added features to optimise battery life, such as Auto Power-Off, Power-keep and Power-select functions.
Toyota's new 8FB battery electric four-wheel counter-balance forklift