Back in October, we gave you a sneak preview of some of the exciting new products rolling out in 2022 from Toyota Material Handling. This month, we’re going to take a closer look at two of the new arrivals, the 48v and 80v Electric Pneumatic Forklifts.
It’s true that Toyota has been fielding an 80v electric pneumatic for some time now, but options were limited to weight capacities between 4,000 to 11,000lbs. With growing demand from customers and a renewed commitment to green technology, Toyota expanded the line so that it now covers capacities from 3,000 up to 17,500lbs, almost perfectly in line with the Internal Combustion Pneumatics line-up. Now, no matter what operations you run, there’s an emissions-free solution ready to step outside and get the job done. The new kid on the block, the 48v electric pneumatic, handles lighter duty tasks comparable to Toyota’s own Core Internal Combustion Pneumatic forklifts in the 3,000 to 4,000lb range. Meanwhile, the 80v Electric model choices now span from 5,000lbs up to a whopping 17,500lbs! Toyota wasn’t content to simply slap on a new coat of paint and call it a day. In order to accommodate the wider range of capacities and features, the 80v Electric Pneumatics have been redesigned inside and out, with the largest of the new chassis affectionately dubbed “The Beast”.
Under the hood, the electric pneumatics sport both AC lift AND drive motors. The use of AC over DC increases the efficiency, especially when coupled with regenerative braking. All that power will take you up to 11.8mph travel speed and a lift speed of 96fpm in the 80v. The lighter 48v tops out at 12.4mph travel speed with an 84.6fpm lift. A big advance of AC motors is that there are no brushes or commutator. What that means for you is lower repair costs as you won’t have to worry about worn down motor components. All of this is housed under a rugged steel body, capable of withstanding the rigors of daily use outdoors. Speaking of which, to make sure these electric forklifts are truly ready for the elements, they receive a full suite of weather protection measures such as boot covers for the tilt cylinders, rust treatments, sealed mast rollers and a whole lot more. Then they were run through a series of tests designed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to simulate situations such as heavy rainfall, power washing, etc. just to ensure that the parts that need to be dry stay that way.
The tires are treaded solid pneumatics that can be brought to a halt easily thanks to wet disc brakes. These brakes utilize a liquid cooling system that protects when discs even when brake fluid is depleted. This results in a stopping system that lasts much longer than traditional brake set ups and operates more quietly. Additionally, an automatic parking brake will engage when the forklift comes to a complete stop. This is key when working on inclines.
The driver compartment can be configured to accommodate your area’s weather situation. For instance, if you’re in the Pacific Northwest, you might want a fully enclosed cabin with full windows and wipers to deal with the rain. You can even include climate controls for heat or cold. Inside, you have a standard multi-function display that keeps you informed of everything from operating time to battery capacity. The display also gives you the ability to control the speed or select a performance mode that fits your job’s specific needs. The mini lever controls, mounted to a cushy armrest, reduce the amount of movement needed. This helps reduce operator fatigue and repetitive motion-based injuries.
If you’ve been thinking about making the switch to electric forklifts, now is a great time to give them a second look. With the expansion of the line, you’re bound to find one that’s right for you, whether it’s for assisting your vineyard during Crush or lifting aluminum billets at your production facility. If you want to see one in action, contact our sales team and schedule a demo. Our knowledgeable staff can help you choose the Electric Pneumatic that’s right for you.
