The use of LP, CNG, gasoline, and diesel forklifts can provide an increase in efficiency and higher ROI for many different types of operations. Whether moving material between manufacturing steps or increasing throughput in a warehouse, Toyota offers a wide variety of pneumatic tire and cushion tire gas-powered forklifts to fit your needs.

Facility design is one of the most important factors in protecting against the harms of exhaust, but a few key ventilation precautions can greatly reduce the risks from emissions.

But as with any piece of heavy machinery or equipment, proper precautions have to be taken to ensure people are protected from residual impacts of their use. In the case of LP, CNG, gasoline, and diesel forklifts, exhaust fumes can be harmful to employees and products if proper precautions aren’t taken. Facility design is one of the most important factors in protecting against the harms of exhaust, but a few key ventilation precautions can greatly reduce the risks from emissions. Here are a few reminders that you can use in your own facilities or bring to your supervisor’s attention.

Warehouses Need Proper Ventilation, Too

In fact, OSHA reported that most complaints of symptoms like dizziness and headache related to LPG forklift use came from warehouses. Performing a proper audit of your warehousing air flow can help to alleviate the possibility of harm from fumes to both people and products. If you run or work in a facility that requires both manufacturing and warehouse storage operation, then it’s important to remember to ventilate both areas.

Forklifts in Enclosed Areas can Lead to Ventilation Problems

Many operators have to use forklifts in very tight areas, sometimes for long periods of time. Long exposure to fumes from an LP, gasoline, CNG, or diesel forklift can lead to the possibility of health hazards. When working in spaces like semi-trailers, within the confines of materials that can’t pass air (think cotton bails), or small rooms for storing specialty products, taking breaks is required. Understanding how to offer proper air flow to these areas by opening windows and vents and providing fans can help limit risks. And according to OSHA standard 29 CFR 1912.12(a)(2), operating forklifts onboard a ship requires special precautions to ensure the right levels of oxygen are present in tight spaces.

Weather Can Impact your Ventilation

When things get cold outside, we tend to want to keep heat in. But when you close your windows, doors, or vents, you also have to account for the fumes that might fill your forklift-operating areas. Make sure staying warm doesn’t come at the expense of fume exposure.

Toyota’s full line of material handling solutions help our customers get the job done, no matter how large or small the task. Whether you’re looking to acquire your first Toyota or want to expand your fleet of Toyota forklifts, use these videos as a guide to determine which product is the right fit for you.

Internal Combustion Forklift Official Videos:

The Mid IC Pneumatic is ready to help you tackle a wide variety of outdoor challenges.

The THD High-Capacity IC Pneumatic offers massive power, lifting up to 125,000 lbs.

Electric Forklift Official Videos:

The Toyota Core Electric Forklift offers great versatility and maintains high levels of productivity with its fast full-load travel speed.

The 3-Wheel Electric Forklift leads the industry in travel speed and run time and can fit into the narrowest of aisles.

The Stand-Up Rider Forklift offers unique dock-to-stock capabilities that make it one of Toyota’s most adaptable products.

The 80V Electric Forklift is built to handle rugged outdoor work in changing weather conditions and offers a green alternative to IC forklifts for outside applications.

Electric Pallet Jack and Stacker Official Videos:

The Electric Walkie Stacker offers a reliable and efficient warehouse stacking solution for the busiest of spaces.

The Electric Pallet Jack is an ideal solution for unloading and loading trailers while making mid-distance runs quicker and easier.

Reach Truck Official Video:

The Reach Truck allows operators to navigate narrow aisles and feel secure in fork placement when placing and pulling pallets from high racks.

Request a quote, parts or contact us today!

Keeping a warehouse running smoothly and productively is one of the biggest challenges facing business operators across a wide variety of industries. Whether you’re moving pallets full of food, large stacks of tires, or other materials ready for distribution, choosing the right forklift can mean a world of difference in levels of productivity.

Toyota’s line of electric material handling equipment is wide-ranging and includes forklifts, electric walkie pallet jacks, electric stackers, order pickers, and reach trucks. All of these options increase your uptime because of low maintenance requirements, drastically cut the fuel cost of your fleet, and produce no fuel exhausts (which keeps your employees healthy and your goods clean). 

With lifting capacities ranging from 2,000-12,000 lbs., Toyota offers an electric option for almost any warehousing application. Here are just a few options that help make Toyota your full line supplier of material handling equipment.

Core Electric Forklift:

The Toyota Core Electric Forklift is one of the most versatile products available for your warehouse needs. Offering a 6,500 lb. lift capacity and the ability to navigate 11 ft. aisles, the Core Electric is a must-have for operations in large warehouse spaces.

Stand-Up Rider Forklift:

The Toyota Stand-Up Rider Forklift is a warehouse solution for highly mobile operators. If your warehouse applications call for operators to constantly get on and off their forklift, the Stand-Up Rider might just be the right fit in tight spaces.

3-Wheel Electric Forklift:

The Toyota 3-Wheel Electric Forklift lets your operators maneuver tight aisles effortlessly. It can operate nimbly in spaces under 10’ because of its zero-turn radius and compact manufacturing.

80V Electric Pneumatic Forklift:

With its rugged design, The Toyota Electric Pneumatic Forklift is capable of withstanding harsh conditions when warehouses have both indoor and outdoor needs. Built to do similar work as its IC Pneumatic counterparts, these machines allow all-electric fleets to stay that way.

Electric Walkie Pallet Jack:

For mid-distance runs that require more speed and power than a standard hand pallet jack can provide, Toyota’s Electric Walkie Pallet Jack offers operators the flexibility they need to tackle many warehouse challenges. It also gives their backs a break from manual labor, keeping them working, happy, and healthy.

Electric Walkie Stacker:

For your short and mid-distance warehousing needs that require stacking capabilities, the Toyota Electric Walkie Stacker offers an alternative when a full-sized electric forklift just isn’t necessary. It’s ideal for light-duty stacking in busy warehouses.

Order Picker:

The Toyota 6-Series and 7-Series Order Pickers offer easy solutions for your order retrieval needs. With their compact engineering, our order pickers can navigate in very narrow aisles allowing for more efficient warehouse design.

Reach Truck:

With Toyota Reach Trucks, expanding warehouses can grow up instead of out. When you can reach high to several levels of warehouse racks, you efficiently use your space leading to increases in revenue and ROI.

Still not sure what warehouse forklift to choose? Here’s a quick reference by industry:

For more information about Toyota electric warehouse products contact us or request a quote

We understand that forklifts and palletized goods go hand-in-hand. But not all loads fit onto pallets, and we understand that, too. Some loads are bulky, oddly-shaped, and far too heavy to be lifted using a regular sit-down, stand-up rider, or walkie forklift model.

Over the years, Toyota Forklifts has evolved its product line to include some of the most robust, high-capacity material handling equipment on the market. The Toyota Heavy Duty line is built for big jobs.

And big jobs come in all shapes and sizes.

We’ve got massive machines that can move fully-loaded containers. Our High-Capacity Marina Forklift can lift boats – yes, boats – in and out of the water using its unique, galvanized marina forks. These machines take on some of the heaviest, toughest jobs out there – but there is still some uniformity to the loads they move.

The Forklift Rigging Boom Attachment

Why forks and a rigging boom attachment? We’re glad you asked!

When there isn’t uniformity to the stuff you’re moving, you need a solution as unique as the loads you’re lifting. The time may come when you need to move large machinery, molds, or dies in a variety of different locations or warehouse spaces. It can be challenging to move such odd-shaped loads safely and efficiently – especially indoors, where space and maneuverability limitations make jobs unsuitable for cranes or other traditional rigging apparatuses.

Imagine a forklift that can take on the added challenge of rigging materials. That’s where the Toyota High-Capacity Adjustable Wheelbase comes into play. With its hydraulically-powered, multi-stage telescoping boom, it offers the rigging capabilities that can handle unwieldy, oddly-shaped loads that other high-capacity trucks can’t.

Your load may require just the use of the standard boom attachment, which can be easily installed or removed and can be stored on portable stands until it is needed again. Other times, you might need just the forks without the boom attachment. But some loads require the boom attachment and the added support of the truck’s forks. Whatever your high-capacity lifting need, the Adjustable Wheelbase offers the versatility to take on the task.

The Unique Counterweight of the Toyota High-Capacity Adjustable Wheelbase Rigging Forklift

When you think of large industrial equipment, “flexibility” is probably one of the last words that comes to mind. You won’t see our trucks doing cartwheels or walking a tightrope anytime soon – but that doesn’t mean we can’t be masters of flexibility, in the non-traditional sense, with the High-Capacity Adjustable Wheelbase leading the charge.

We know that facilities are growing increasingly tried for storage space, and big trucks that lift several tons aren’t known for being small. But the Adjustable Wheelbase gives you the best of both worlds. With a horizontally-adjustable counterweight that extends with just the push of a button, this truck allows for load capacities up to 80,000 pounds. Then, retract the counterweight with another click of the button to move through tight spaces and store the forklift compactly when not in use.

The High-Capacity Adjustable Wheelbase models are also equipped with removable counterweight slabs, which can be great for rental companies that need to move this truck from place to place. Removing these slabs reduces the overall truck weight, giving you more transportation options.

A Rigging Forklift with Remote-Control Access

Did you ever play with a remote-control car growing up? Well, imagine using a remote control on this rigging forklift beast.

It’s not quite the same as steering a small car around your living room floor, but it can control functions such as lifting and lowering, traveling, and extending the forklift’s counterweight.

This control is built with operator comfort in mind and equipped with a waist/shoulder strap for added comfort so that your operators are focused on the task at hand: ensuring each load is lifted properly and transported safely.

A High-Capacity Rigging Forklift with Today’s Technology

Taking the Toyota High-Capacity model lineup to the next level meant equipping our products with the latest forklift technology. The MD4 seven-inch touch screen display provides advanced diagnostics, performance details, and other vital forklift information right at your fingertips.
With the extendable counterweight of High-Capacity Adjustable Wheelbase, you’ll have more control over capacity options, and the MD4 display is right there with you, calculating the truck’s estimated lifting capacity at each configuration.

Some additional features of the MD4 Display include:

• In-house programming capabilities
• A pre-operation checklist
• Customizable features such as auto-engine shutdown times and password protection
• Onboard diagnostics and wiring diagrams
• Operator and service manuals

A Specialized High-Capacity Rigging Forklift Built with the Toyota Promise

Not all Toyota Forklifts products are – well, forklifts. As a full-line material handling solutions provider, we build specialized equipment for a variety of lifting and material transportation needs. Extend your reach with AICHI E-Series Scissor Lifts, maneuver around airplanes with one of our tow tractors, or add automation to your facility with a Toyota Automated Guided Vehicle.

This rigging machine is one of many unique Toyota products, and it is proudly assembled in the United States to take on tough challenges. And because this is a Toyota, you’re promised a product produced with innovative design, a commitment to safety, and attention to detail.

Plus, when you invest in Toyota, you’re promised the top-of-the-line support and product expertise from the largest North American dealer network, in the industry. Toyota Certified Technicians always come prepared with Toyota Genuine Parts that will keep this high-capacity rigging forklift up and running.

For more information about the High-Capacity Adjustable Wheelbase forklift and our other product offerings for unique applications, contact us or request a quote!

A forklift is a hefty investment, no matter what the case. When you buy a Toyota forklift, you get a powerful basic and powertrain warranty to help bring you peace of mind. Let’s take a look at Toyota Forklift’s basic and powertrain warranty options.

A Breakdown of Toyota Basic Warranty Offerings

No-Cost Basic Forklift Factory Warranty: ITA Class 1, 4, 5 & 6 Forklifts

With this warranty, you’ll get one year or 2,000 hours, whichever occurs first, on all Factory Installed Options, with the exception of tires and batteries on battery powered forklifts

No Cost Powertrain Warranty: ITA Class 1, 4 & 5 Forklifts

This warranty covers three years or 6,000 hours, whichever occurs first, of coverage on engines or electric drive motors, transmission, differential, and drive axle.

No Cost Basic and Powertrain Warranty for ITA Class 2 Trucks 

• Basic coverage: one year or 2,000 hours.
• Powertrain coverage: two years or 4,000 hours, whichever occurs first.

No Cost Basic and Powertrain Warranty for ITA Class 3 Trucks

• Basic coverage: four months or 750 hours.
• Powertrain coverage: one year or 2,000 hours, whichever occurs first.
• Class 3 exception: Floor Runner and Tugger models have a Basic coverage of one year or 2,000 hours and a Powertrain coverage of two years or 4,000 hours, whichever occurs first.

Toyota Basic Warranty and Planned Maintenance: A Winning Combination

A warranty plan will give you the peace of mind you need to run your operation. However, if you want to take your warranty assurance one step further, consider Toyota Forklifts’ Planned Maintenance offering to

1. Help you reduce the cost of repair and equipment downtime by catching problems early.
2. Help you keep your operators safe with regular inspections, with one flat-rate labor fee.
3. Keep variable maintenance costs down, as they’ll only be incurred with the actual replacement of parts. Travel time is often negotiated within the PM contract.

Common Toyota Basic Warranty Mistakes

When it comes to purchasing an expensive piece of forklift equipment, making a mistake is the last thing you want to do. Here are some common forklift warranty mistakes and some tips on how to avoid them:

Not considering a forklift warranty at all. Warranties can have a bad rap, but not considering one at all may end up costing you in the long run. Ask yourself if you can you afford the cost of an expensive repair. If not, consider a warranty. It might just save you a headache and a lot of money.

Not requesting a forklift service inspection. Your local, authorized Toyota dealer can conduct a brief service inspection and help you decide if a problem can be submitted under warranty back to Toyota, or if there is a simple fix that can be done onsite.

Not exploring all of your forklift warranty options. Most equipment comes with a basic warranty, but an extended warranty can offer you additional peace of mind. Most extended warranties can be purchased with or without a planned maintenance (PM) plan, so make sure to ask about all of the options available to you.

Think of an extended warranty as insurance. It’s there if or when you need it.

Not buying an extended forklift warranty within the timeframe. Extended warranties must often be requested within 30 to 60 days after the forklift’s date of first use. Don’t lose the chance to purchase a warranty by waiting too long.

Toyota Forklift Factory Warranties

We understand that a forklift is a big purchase. That’s why Toyota forklifts are protected by industry-leading warranty plans are designed to protect your investment for years to come.

Making the right choice when investing in material handling equipment is very much caught up in it’s cost. While Toyota encourages buyers to take an approach that accounts for overall cost of ownership, we understand that initial investment is one of the most important factors to your business.

How Much Does a Forklift Cost?

While prices vary, most new mid-sized forklifts cost between $20,000 – $50,000. Depending on size, you’ll spend anywhere from $15,000 -$100,000+ for a new forklift.

Forklift Pricing Factors

When it comes to pricing your forklift, remember this:

The higher the capacity, the more expensive the forklift will be. Just like homes, the bigger the forklift, the more expensive it’s going to be. It’s a good idea to know exactly how big you need your forklift to be so you don’t spend more than you need to.

Consider the manufacturer. Not all forklifts are manufactured the same. The better the quality, the better the long-term value.

The long term cost is more important than the upfront cost. When you’re thinking about buying an inexpensive or used forklift, look into what it can end up costing you in the long-run. Sometimes, paying a bit more upfront pays off.

Don’t forget to add in operating costs. The cost of the forklift isn’t the only one you’re going to incur. When you’re buying your forklift, think also about how much it’s going to cost to operate it.

Ask about extended warranties. If a part goes bad on your forklift, your warranty will pay for itself in a hurry. Yes, warranties are an extra cost, but they’re well worth it when something goes wrong.

A forklift is a huge purchase and it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into before you start. Just remember, it’s about much more than the sticker price.

Lead acid batteries are one of the most neglected pieces of equipment in material handling. Low water levels, corrosion, and electrolyte spillage are common issues that need to be monitored on a daily basis, but one practice that tends to be forgotten is the equalization charge. So, what is an equalization charge? I’m glad you asked!

What is an equalized charge on a forklift battery?

An equalization charge occurs when the battery is purposely overcharged after a full charging cycle. Essentially, you are charging the battery at a higher voltage than it is typically charged to help remove built-up sulfate and balance the voltage of each cell.

Why perform an equalized charge on a forklift battery?

If you don’t equalize your lead acid batteries, this sulfate is going to build up over time until it decreases the battery’s capacity. This buildup will effectively reduce your maximum run time, leading to more battery swaps or more time spent opportunity charging throughout the work shift. The voltage imbalance has a similar effect. Batteries work by using multiple cells that are connected in series to provide a certain voltage output. When you have varying power outputs in each cell, your overall battery voltage is reduced and your battery becomes discharged more quickly.

When should I perform an equalized charge on a forklift battery?

Equalization charges should be performed as suggested by the battery manufacturer, but many companies equalize their batteries over the weekend due to the long charging cycle. A full charge cycle is around eight hours for a standard lead acid battery and the equalization charge can be around an additional three hours. Equalization intervals will vary depending on your specific application, type and size of battery, and average operating hours.

How do I perform an equalized charge on a forklift battery?

First, you need a charger capable of equalization, as not all battery chargers have the same capabilities. Dillon Toyota Lift is here to ensure you have the proper charging equipment for all of your forklifts. Some battery chargers will automatically equalize the batteries. This capability is more common in more sophisticated systems on smaller products such as electric walkie pallet jacks. Toyota’s 8HBW23 model, for example, automatically equalizes each battery cell during normal charging.

For batteries that do require manual equalization, be sure to follow all instructions provided by both the battery and the charger manufacturer to ensure you are following the appropriate steps for proper equalization. Equalization charges typically require longer cooldowns than normal charges due to the higher amount of voltage. Allow enough time for cooldown prior to using a battery that has been recently charged.

Original Post:  Trinton Castetter, Product Marketing Specialist, Toyota Material Handling, USA

Marked advancements in technology have made it possible for autonomous vehicles to become a distinct reality.  Today, many different types of equipment such as AGVs and industrial robotics are used to handle monotonous tasks such as building and horizontally transporting pallets. The next logical step in this transition is to automate stacking and storage of products, something that current AGV models are incapable of performing.

Toyota’s new automated 3-wheel electric, on display at ProMat 2019, was built to do just that. Natural features navigation allows the truck to learn the layout of your facility and continually update mapping of the facility over time – no costly reflectors or wearable magnetic tape required. And the ability to operate the truck manually when needed adds a valuable level of versatility that is ideal for developing facilities and those that are just beginning their journey into automation.

Although this forklift is still in the design phase, it is an initial step in a series of technological advancements planned by Toyota to bring fully integrated automation solutions to the forefront of the material handling industry.

Also on display at ProMat 2019 were Toyota’s center-controlled rider AGV, automated moving mast reach truck, and mouse tug-cart AGV. Seeing these machines in action demonstrates how a real-life application can benefit from multiple different types of automated equipment handling horizontal and vertical placement of pallets in a facility.

Toyota’s strategic partnership with Toyota Advanced Logistics allows for a comprehensive solution that marries advanced systems and robotics with forklifts to maximize efficiency at the parcel level. Also on display at ProMat 2019, a palletizing robot that can build pallets for forklifts to pick up and move to their next destination. This is just one example of how an integration between traditional and automated material handling solutions can benefit your business.

Though you likely won’t see any super heroes using forklifts as a means to thwart crime anytime soon, automated forklifts meeting all or most of your material handling challenges may not be as far away as you think.

Whether you are just beginning to automate some of your material handling processes or you are looking for advanced solutions to complete tasks, our Warehouse Solutions team is here to help you carry the load.
 
Original Post: Trinton Castetter, Product Marketing Specialist, Toyota Material Handling

The excitement surrounding the acquisition of a new forklift for your operation is something to be celebrated. We at Toyota are equally excited to help you achieve your goals, and that’s why we work hard to manufacture industry-leading forklifts with legendary reliability. But we also recognize that your forklift success is about more than just the occasional acquisition of a new forklift. Instead, you have unique needs, success measurements, and pain points that need to be addressed throughout the entirety of your forklift’s lifetime.

The Toyota 360 Support promise isn’t just an aftermarket tool for purchase. It’s our promise to integrate with your problems and to help you find material handling solutions wherever possible. When you invest in a comprehensive aftermarket services program with Toyota 360 Support, make sure you’re taking full advantage of that promise and challenge us to fulfill it. You can bet we’re up the task.

Asking Your Toyota Technician

Not only does Toyota promise a four-hour guaranteed turnaround time on maintenance requests, not just anyone will be looking at your forklift. Rather, Toyota Certified Technicians who have been trained on Toyota forklifts, using Toyota Genuine Parts, and comprehensive Toyota dealer training techniques will handle the job. Don’t hesitate to ask your technician about the mechanical operation of your forklift or any efficiency questions you have about its internal function. They are there to help.

Utilizing the Toyota Dealer Network

The extensive Toyota forklifts dealer network is one of the major benefits to all of our customers and an integral part of the Toyota 360 promise. Don’t think of your Toyota forklift dealer as a company there to sell you forklifts. Instead, think of it as a group of people using their collective experience to help you tackle material handling challenges and increase operational efficiencies. We’re most successful when you’re successful, and a partnership built on mutual success is the foundation of the Toyota 360 support promise. From parts needs or warranty claims to consultations regarding proper forklift selection, forklifts’ functionality, capability, or current state of operation, your dealer is there to help with Toyota 360 Support.

Toyota Genuine Parts are the Core of All Repairs

Genuine. It’s that feeling of certainty when you expect fulfilled promises. If the Toyota dealer partnership is the foundation of the Toyota 360 Support promise, then Toyota Genuine Parts are how we deliver on it. Toyota forklifts lead the industry in overall value. Part of that overall value is the sum of the forklift’s Toyota Genuine Parts. And that’s exactly what Certified Toyota Technicians use as part of the Toyota 360 Support promise.

At Toyota, we know that you need more than just a forklift solution. You need solutions to complex operational challenges. Your success is within reach. Our promise is to provide the comprehensive support you need to achieve it.

Original Post:  Jake Stewart, Digital Copywriter, Toyota Material Handling, USA