Cascade is pleased to announce the release of the E-Series Forward Bin Dumper.
Ideal for agriculture and food processing industries, this easy-to-use series features:

• Reliable bin retention
• Increased rotation (135º)
• Bolt-on forks for easy maintenance
• Reduced effective thickness
• A dual drilled frame for class 2 and 3 mountings

For more information on the features and benefits of the Cascade E-Series Forward Bin Dumper, click here.

Being in a warehouse, and running forklifts through multiple shifts a day can be an extremely taxing job. You need to take time to charge and let them cool down, which in busy operations can be difficult. Now, with the emergence of lithium-ion batteries, opportunity charging is becoming more popular. But what is it?

What is Opportunity Charging?

Opportunity charging is available for forklifts with lithium-ion batteries and lead-acid batteries but is much better suited for LiB. With this method, the batteries can stay in the truck for multiple shifts while being charged. It also takes advantage of breaks to charge the forklift. This means, when your employees are on lunch, taking a break, or switching shifts, the forklift can be plugged in and charged. When the operator returns, the forklift will have enough juice until the next charging opportunity. While opportunity charging is still available for lead-acid batteries, it can have some negative side effects, such as shortened battery life, and increased maintenance requirements. Whereas lithium-ion batteries, it can actually extend the overall life, and there is no need for increased battery maintenance.

What type of Warehouses Utilize Opportunity Charging?

While opportunity charging is best used for multi-shift warehouses, you can schedule a warehouse consultation with your Toyota Forklift dealer to see if it would be beneficial for your business. But in a single shift cycle, you have plenty of time to allow the forklifts to charge when the shift is over. In a multi-shift cycle, you don’t have the benefit of time, so opportunity charging can be extremely helpful in reducing downtime.

Considerations for Opportunity Charging

Now that you know the basics of opportunity charging, you might be open to the idea. But before you can move any further, make sure you take these things into consideration:

• Will your operation benefit from opportunity charging?
  • As we talked about before, opportunity charging is typically for multi-shift operations. See how much time passes between each shift break and if you find that some forklifts have downtime while you wait for them to charge, opportunity charging may be beneficial.
• What kind of charging stations do you have?
  • Opportunity charging does require a specific charging station, so you won’t be able to use the same charging station as you used for your lead-acid batteries. This is an initial investment that your company will need to consider before they make a decision.
• Contact Dillon Toyota Lift if you have any doubts!
  • We can be an excellent resource if you’re thinking about changing to lithium-ion batteries and opportunity charging. We will be able to help you understand if your business needs to make a change, as well as the proper location and process for when the changes are made.

Keep in mind, opportunity charging won’t work for every operation. 

In order to take on the most demanding jobs, you need the right equipment. Tough outdoor applications, construction sites, lumber yards, and even indoor/outdoor warehouses are included. Toyota’s Core IC Pneumatic puts stability and power in your hands. Explore some key advantages of Toyota’s Core IC Pneumatic Forklift.

Benefits of a Core IC Pneumatic Forklift

PNEUMATIC TIRES 

When it comes to tires you have to consider your working conditions. When working outdoors or on uneven terrains, pneumatic tires are the best fit for the job. Pneumatic tires are most similar to those found on your truck or car and can be air-filled or solid depending on the application. The advantage of pneumatic tires is their ability to absorb uneven terrain, providing a smoother, less bumpy ride. They have a thick tread, which provides traction through loose surfaces such as gravel.

OPERATOR COMFORT  

Operating a forklift in uneven terrains and demanding environments can be tough on operators. The Core IC Pneumatic provides operators with key ergonomic features to keep them comfortable and efficient throughout their work day. With an LCD multi-function display to display performance and operational data, a premium comfort seat, load-sensing power steering, 11.8” steering wheel, and other dash-integrated features, your operators have everything they need at their fingertips. Each of these ergonomic features delivers a smoother ride and more efficient working time.

SYSTEM OF ACTIVE STABILITY 

Toyota’s System of Active Stability™ springs into action when operators encounter unanticipated loads and speed conditions. An active control rear stabilizer senses potentially dangerous turning speeds and widens the forklift’s center of gravity to decrease potential lateral tip-over. Plus, active mast control automatically limits operator actions that could cause forward or backward tipping. Thus, protecting your operator, products, and forklift.

BUILT TOUGH

The Core IC Pneumatic provides more durability for heavy, harsh conditions, more power for big loads, and more grip for uneven surfaces. Welded, roll-formed pillars provide maximum operator protection without compromising visibility. A stamped steel hood, sealed air intake, and moisture-resistant electrical connections extend the life of the forklift. While a rugged mast channel design limits mast deflection at high load capacities.

Toyota’s Core IC Pneumatic Forklift gives you the capability to knock every item off your outdoor to-do list.

In material handling, high productivity and efficiency is the goal. We know the needs of your operation are unique and frequently changing. You need a reliable and flexible forklift to help you get all of your heavy lifting done quickly and efficiently. That’s where the Core IC Cushion Forklift comes into play to make your job easier. This industry-leading forklift is useful in a multitude of industries ranging from manufacturing to retail.

The cushion tires make this forklift ideal for indoor operations. Between the cushion tires and its tight turn radius, this forklift is maneuverable in tight indoor spaces. If you need to get the job done in a plethora of settings, this forklift is the solution that continues to make an impact.

Core IC Cushion Forklift Advantages

UNMATCHED STABILITY

The revolutionary System of Active Stability (SAS) comes standard on all new Core IC Cushion Forklifts. This system detects potentially unsafe turnover situations and expands the forklift’s stability footprint, keeping your operation steady on the ground. This dynamic system is unique to Toyota forklifts, helping to keep operators, forklifts, materials, and facilities a safe place for operation.

ACTIVE MAST CONTROL

To help keep the forklift steady, load weight and mast height is monitored by the forklift to keep balance when dealing with heavy loads lifted high. With Active Mast Control, unsafe actions that could lead to forward or backward tipping are automatically limited, saving time and materials.

STRONG AND NIMBLE

With its 6,500 pound load capacity, this internal-combustion forklift can move large and heavy loads, while also fitting in tight spaces. Since the Core IC Cushion Forklift is most commonly used in indoor spaces, we know every inch of space is highly valuable. The compact frame allows this forklift to maneuver in aisles as small as 12 feet wide with its tight turning radius. With smaller aisles, you can fit more inventory and increase your operation’s efficiency.

IDEAL OPERATOR COMFORT

Since forklift operators spend their workday at the wheel, Toyota sought out to make their workplace a comfortable one. With a premium seat and ergonomic design, you’ll look forward to driving this forklift, every single shift. Power-steering that is load sensing and the 11.8” steering wheel makes maneuvering large loads more manageable. The standard LCD multi-function display provides performance and operational data with easy QR diagnostic codes to keep your operation functioning at its highest capacity.

If you know forklifts, you know the Core IC Cushion Forklift is a reliable truck that will get the job done, time and time again. With the power and lifting ability of internal combustion combined with the finesse of indoor maneuverability, this forklift serves operations with unmatched potential. You know Toyota forklifts are the leaders of moving things forward and the Core IC Cushion Forklift will impress you, load after load. 

Do you find yourself needing to move tires, coils, pipes, and lumber in your operation? These are just a few of the large loads that heavy-duty attachments are capable of lifting, loading, and transporting with ease. Learn more about how these can help increase your efficiency and productivity.

Toyota Heavy-Duty Forklift Attachments

TELESCOPIC BOOM ATTACHMENT

Toyota’s High Capacity Adjustable Wheel Base features a telescopic boom and an extendable counterweight, making moving large and awkward loads much easier. An additional feature that makes the High Capacity Adjustable Wheel Base an attractive option is the remote control. There is an easy-to-use remote control option that can be added to the truck that allows the operator to control all functions of the forklift, including the counterweight extension at the touch of a button. The Remote Control option allows for easy and precise movement of large loads like industrial machinery and engines.

COIL RAM AND COIL-TAPERED FORK ATTACHMENTS

Coil Rams are similar to carpet poles but have a shorter boom with a larger diameter. This attachment is fitted with a heavy-duty backplate and a profiled end that makes the coil ram a dependable option for loading and transporting steel coils, concrete tubes, and various types of pipes. Due to its versatility, the Coil Tapered Fork Attachment often times makes for a popular alternative. Coil Tapered Fork Attachments come with the same dependable features as the Coil Ram while allowing the operator to transition between material handling needs more efficiently.

TIRE HANDLER ATTACHMENT

While regular forks can fulfill a variety of different handling needs, sometimes there is a need for a specialized attachment such as the Tire Handler. Sure, regular forks could move tires if need be; however, it may not be the most efficient method if you are moving them regularly. The tire handler attachment allows the operator to move more tires quicker, and reduce the risk of potential damage to the product. Regular forks could puncture the tires, but the Tire Handler utilizes a clamp that significantly reduces the risk of puncture damage.

Pipe Hold Down Clamp

Pipes and logs are only a couple of materials that make for easier and more secure handling with the Pipe Hold Down Clamp. This attachment features arms that are mounted on top of the carriage and then clamp down on the cargo to keep it from tipping or rolling off of the forks, and potentially damaging the cargo. Additionally, it provides excellent operator visibility that allows for easy loading and unloading. When the operator isn’t utilizing the clamp option the arms can be positioned vertically for more versatility. For tips on securely transporting cargo such as pipes, be sure to read this blog on preventing damage to heavy loads.

Paper Roll Clamp

Paper is among the most delicate products being handled, and therefore it oftentimes requires a specialized attachment such as a paper roll clamp. To help reduce the risk of damage to the product, these attachments can be outfitted with various pads to meet your material handling needs. While it’s called a Paper Roll Clamp, paper is not the only product it is capable of transporting. Various types of pipes and tubes, such as concrete pipes, can also be transported using the Paper Roll Clamp. Tilt Control, rotation, and pressure control are just a few of the available features on the Paper Roll Clamps, with some models having a handling capacity of 20,000+ pounds.

Every organization strives for operational efficiency and these attachments are just a few options that allow for increased efficiency and productivity when it comes to lifting large and heavy loads.

While their use is rising in popularity, many common misunderstandings still surround electric forklifts. Electric forklifts are low-emission vehicles powered by an electric battery that also serves as the counterweight. Toyota Electric Forklifts can utilize either lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries, depending on the need of the buyer.

If you open yourself up to the idea of utilizing electric forklifts, you can see how the following misconceptions are easily dismissed.

Electric Forklift Misunderstandings

ELECTRIC FORKLIFTS DON’T OFFER THE SAME PERFORMANCE AS AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE FORKLIFT.

One of the most common misconceptions associated with electric forklifts is that they do not provide the same high-level performance as internal combustion (IC) engine forklifts. However, specific electric models are made to operate with similar performance to internal combustion forklifts.

High voltage electric models are equipped to perform comparably to their IC counterparts. Higher voltage translates to more power, meaning you can benefit from increased travel, lift, and acceleration speeds. Built with a lift capacity ranging from 4,000-11,000 lbs., the Toyota 80V Pneumatic forklift has the strength, speed, durability, and reliability needed to perform in tough environments such as concrete and oil and gas, while minimizing emissions.

COST OF OPERATING AND MAINTAINING THE EQUIPMENT IS TOO EXPENSIVE.

Another misunderstanding about these lifts is that operation and maintenance costs are too extravagant. In addition, some view the upfront cost of the forklift battery to be too costly.

However, over time they require less maintenance due to having fewer components than their IC counterparts. These lifts can also have a longer lifespan, allowing owners to maintain and use their forklift for longer periods of time.

To maintain an IC forklift, items such as filters and oil will need to be replaced with use. However, electric forklifts do not have these components, which can reduce maintenance and labor costs. Electricity also typically costs less per kilowatt-hour to operate, resulting in a reduced cost of operation. This can lead to significant ROI for your business.

ELECTRIC FORKLIFTS CANNOT OPERATE OUTDOORS.

The misunderstanding that electric forklifts cannot operate outdoors may stop many businesses from purchasing them. Many industries, including construction, general manufacturing, and block and pipe, need forklifts to work outside while carrying heavy loads.

Toyota produces specific forklift models that can operate indoors and outdoors, like the 80V Pneumatic Forklift. It offers low-maintenance and low emissions while supporting rugged, outdoor, traditionally IC applications.

ELECTRIC FORKLIFTS CANNOT LIFT AS MUCH AS INTERNAL COMBUSTION FORKLIFTS.

Not only is this incorrect, but it can hinder buyers from converting their fleet from IC to electric. Toyota electric forklifts have a lift capacity of up to 40,000 lbs. And they are designed and tested to safely lift their maximum capacity to a designated lift height, similar to their IC counterparts.

Electric forklifts continue to grow in popularity and are being utilized in a variety of industries. 

A Toyota Reach Truck for Indoor and Outdoor Applications

Do you spend most of your day outside in a lumberyard or inside a rugged warehouse? Maybe you are required to work inside and outside? Many material handling trucks are not equipped to work indoors and outdoors or durable enough to work in a rugged indoor facility. You may think that a quick trip outside is harmless but repeat use of indoor trucks outside is not only harmful to your operators, but also your trucks. The buildup of dirt and debris and exposure to elements like rain and snow can wreak havoc on forklifts and their components, which leads to more downtime for repairs. Submitting your operators to the outdoors without proper protection can lead to reduced productivity or bad operating habits. It is vital to protect your trucks and operators for whatever environment they will be in. This is where Toyota’s Reach Truck products can assist with its indoor and outdoor capabilities.

Toyota’s Moving Mast Reach Truck products maximize productivity, performance, and efficiency. With an indoor model as well as an indoor/outdoor model, there is a truck to fit your needs. Each model features a right-hand control unit and an optional air-ride suspension seat to maximize productivity and comfort. Operators can customize performance and operating characteristics to meet their needs while also getting continuous updates on lift height, load weight, and fork alignment on a touchscreen display. Both indoor and indoor/outdoor models promote operator comfort and functionality to support productivity shift after shift.

MOVING MAST REACH TRUCK

The Moving Mast Reach Truck has lift heights up to 42.5 feet and a 5,500 lb. lifting capacity. Innovative ergonomics and technology offer clear and precise control for fast, smooth handling shift after shift. With an innovative mast design, a tilting cab, and an optional transparent roof, operators can maintain visibility at high lift heights. The Moving Mast Reach Truck features the tilting cab to reduce the risk of operator strain in repetitive high-level applications. It improves the visibility of the load so the operator can see the fork tips when elevated without moving their head.

INDOOR/OUTDOOR MOVING MAST REACH TRUCK

The Indoor/Outdoor Moving Mast Reach Truck excels with lift heights up to 24.5 feet and 3,500 lb. lifting capacity. The Indoor/Outdoor Moving Mast Reach Truck features weather protection options such as overhead and mast-direction windows, additional side windows, fan heater, and a fully enclosed cab with a door to support operator comfort in outdoor environments. This Reach Truck offers unmatched versatility due to the diameter of its large rubber pneumatic tires, high ground clearance, and multiple weather protection options. While reaching high and heavy loads can be challenging, the Indoor/Outdoor Moving Mast Reach Truck maintains a clear view with an optional panoramic roof and unique mast design, maintaining upward visibility and minimal load view obstruction.

Toyota’s Moving Mast Reach Truck products are capable of handling your most demanding challenges in warehousing, manufacturing, distribution, factory, retail, food storage/processing, and even cold storage applications. Its unmatched versatility, performance capabilities, and operator comfort contribute to keeping you going shift after shift. Whatever your needs may be, indoor or outside, these Reach Trucks are built for you. 

Do you ever wish you could easily access products on the second level of your warehouse racks? Well, now you can. Toyota’s new Low Level Order Picker comes equipped with an elevated hydraulic operator platform that gives the operator quick and effortless access to the second and, in some cases, third level of racking for countless productivity. Learn more about how Toyota’s Low Level Order Picker can help increase your warehouse efficiency.

Benefits of Toyota’s Low Level Order Picker

PRODUCTIVITY, REIMAGINED

Toyota’s new Low Level Order Picker can travel while elevated and simultaneously travels and lifts/lowers, allowing the operator to get from pick to pick quickly and efficiently. Optional hands-free lowering further enhances productivity by providing a foot-operated pedal to lower the platform. With the added load tray feature, operators are provided additional assistance when picking multiple cases at an elevated height. In addition, this lift is designed with single, double, and triple fork lengths that deliver flexibility to handle up to three pallets simultaneously.

SMOOTH TRAVEL, SHIFT AFTER SHIFT

Additionally, this warehouse warrior comes equipped with a powerful AC drive motor that provides a smooth, efficient operation while minimizing downtime. It also comes with fewer wearable parts, high energy efficiency, and less periodic maintenance to reduce downtime and operational costs so you can stay on the move.

COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT

At Toyota, we focus on delivering comfortable and intuitively designed equipment to help you carry the load. The Low Level Order Picker comes equipped with a new platform lift to help reduce the vibrations transferred to the load and operator. Additionally, there is a 21” spacious operating compartment with plenty of room for picking, entering, and exiting the forklift.

Deciding which warehouse solution is best for your operation can be difficult, but we’re here to help. 

he three common enemies of drive and load wheels for warehouse products like Reach Trucks, Order Pickers, and Pallet Jacks are: heat, debris, and poor floor conditions. Here’s what you need to know about these enemies in order to decide on the best solution and overcome them in your unique operation.

HEAT

Compression in these types of wheels creates heat. As the wheel rotates, the portion contacting the floor is compressed, and then when that part is no longer touching the floor, it expands back to its original shape. You can see an example of this by looking at the tires on your car. This expansion and contraction create heat. If this heat builds up enough, it creates cracks in the load wheel compound or causes the bond between the wheel compound and the wheel hub to release. As surprising as it may seem, this heat buildup even occurs in freezer applications.

Higher durometer compounds are the most common way to battle the heat. A higher durometer number means the wheel is “harder,” so it resists compression. Less compression equates to less heat. Trucks that move constantly generate more heat in the wheels, so they benefit from higher durometer wheels. The trade-off is that harder wheels have a rougher ride and usually cost more to purchase. The diameter of the wheel also plays a part in this heat equation. Larger diameter wheels do not have to spin as fast as smaller diameter wheels, so the compression cycle is not happening as often in a given distance. This is why drive tires can outlast load wheels on a given truck, even if they are the same compound.

DEBRIS AND POOR FLOOR CONDITIONS

Debris exists in many customer operations as a by-product of the work environment. It may be due to poor housekeeping or due to a process that generates a lot of debris in the area where operators drive; but it is a load wheel killer. While debris can shorten the life of any forklift tire, load wheels tend to suffer the most.

Good housekeeping practices are the best form of eliminating load wheel damage from debris. Debris such as a piece of pallet stringer, or a rock from the outdoor yard, can keep the load wheel from turning. In the case of a forklift or pallet jack, though, there is a drive motor strong enough to keep the equipment moving while that load wheel slides along the floor. This creates a flat spot on the load wheel. If the debris is small enough for the load wheel to roll over, the heavy load on the forks often presses the debris into the load wheel material. Eventually, there isn’t enough space for both the debris and the load wheel compound, forcing the load wheel to come apart.

Good housekeeping is essential because even the smallest debris can seriously damage your wheels — regardless of its brand name or durometer.

LOAD WHEELS

Load wheels are one of the most often overlooked aspects of warehousing products that can cause headaches when not configured correctly. The standard load wheel is frequently selected, assuming that it is a “one size fits all” solution. Understanding and using the correct load wheel for the application can significantly reduce your downtime and increase your productivity.

Reach Trucks:

As mentioned before, heat and debris are enemies of drive and load wheels. Reach trucks have the unique opportunity to increase the diameter of the load wheel. This reduces heat by reducing the number of rotations the wheel has to make over a given distance. The increased diameter also allows the wheel to roll over debris easier, reducing or eliminating the cause of flat spots. On the Toyota Reach Truck, there is an option for a 10-inch tall load wheel to accomplish this solution. Keep in mind that with such tall load wheels, you will need either wider baselegs to straddle the load or lift the loads up and over the load wheels to keep the pallets from coming in contact with them.

Pallet Trucks:

One type of wear unique to pallet trucks is “coning.” This is when the load wheels wear into a cone shape, usually with the edge closest to the outsides of the forks being the most worn. Frequent, tight turns can cause coning. This is especially noticeable when the floor surface is more abrasive. The best way to combat coning is to use load wheels that have been split into sections. This allows the outer portion of the load wheel to spin faster than the inner portion during a turn. This reduces the scuffing that causes cone-shaped wear. This is available as a triple load wheel on the Toyota Center-Controlled Rider, End-Controlled Rider, and Large Electric Walkie Pallet Jack. The Toyota Electric Walkie Pallet Jack is available as a dual load wheel.

Stand-Up Counterbalance Trucks:

These trucks do not have load wheels. They are included in this list because the steer wheels on these models can suffer from the same heat effects as load wheels do. On a Stand-Up Rider Forklift, the steer wheels carry the heavy counterweight when there is not a load on the forks to counterbalance. Customers who have light loads or frequent trips across the warehouse with empty forks can experience the same type of heat-related failures as a reach truck customer with load wheels. For this reason, the Stand-Up Counterbalance has steer wheel compounds ranging from a soft rubber to a hard polyurethane. The hard polyurethane tire will have a rougher ride but will not heat up as easily in applications that do a lot of driving with little to no weight on the forks.

DRIVE WHEELS

Drive wheels (aka Drive Tires) deal with similar heat and debris issues as load wheels, with the addition of needing to provide traction for acceleration, braking, and steering. When needing to find the best fit for an application, this makes the trade-off into a three-way consideration, instead of the two-way consideration of the load wheel. Generally speaking, traction takes priority of the three factors. Floor conditions will play a big role in determining how much of a priority traction takes.

Drive wheels may have to function on smooth floors with moisture or dust making traction difficult. The floor may be abrasive, providing high traction, but also increasing wear on the tire. There may be ice on the floor, but in a food environment where a metal-studded tire would not be acceptable. In order to provide the best possible solution for the customer, a variety of drive tires are offered. The below list describes a few of the available options, but there are more types available through factory installation and aftermarket sales.

DRIVE WHEEL TYPE

Rubber Wheels

Pros: Smooth ride, good traction on a variety of floors.

Cons: Soft compound means easier heat buildup in applications that are always moving.

Smooth Polyurethane Wheels (Varying durometers and compounds)

Pros: Non-marking, various compounds allow for a customized balance of ride quality vs heat resistance.

Cons: Requires better floor conditions for traction. Smooth, dry floors or mildly abrasive floors are best.

Siped-Polyurethane Wheels (Smooth polyurethane tire that has diagonal razor cuts in the traction surface)

Pros: Provides better traction in slippery conditions than a smooth poly tire, while retaining heat resistance benefits.

Cons: Razor cuts in the poly material reduce the tire’s life if driven on a dry or abrasive floor. Potential reduction in traction on smooth, dry floors due to reduced surface area.