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. 

Columbia’s Expediter is the productivity specialist in our industrial lineup. Versatility is the bread and butter of this model, making it the favorite of many rental customers who serve a vast array of customer types. If you have a wide variety of indoor transportation needs, the Expediter is built for you! Let’s dive into the many areas the Expediter can serve your team for maximum productivity.

Transportation

The Expediter provides your team with efficient transportation and an increased range of work. With a speed of 8.5 MPH, the Expediter travels at about 3 times the speed of walking, so in large, indoor facilities, utilizing the Expediter to cover more area in less time is a no-brainer. Beyond speed, the Expediter also provides the range for your team to cover miles at a time with a fraction of the fatigue that walking would impose, making for a more productive workforce. With its standard fold-down seat, the Expediter quickly provides space for a second seat to move personnel comfortably and quickly. Facilities like convention centers, distribution warehouses, or hospitals can be daunting to traverse, but the Expediter provides abundant efficiency and range so you can keep your focus on work. 

Payload/Towing

While Columbia’s Payloader is the burden-carrying specialist in our lineup, the Expediter packs a punch with its compact profile, allowing you to haul equipment and even tow up to 1,000 pounds! While equipped to transport a second passenger, the Expediter’s back deck is also engineered to carry your team’s heavy equipment with a total payload capacity of 750lbs. In a perfect merging of attributes between the Payloader and Chariot, the Expediter provides rugged power in a smaller frame for tighter spaces and maximum versatility.

Custom Solutions

As with many of our vehicle models, we’re ready to curate the Expediter with your team’s specific needs. We want your Expediter fleet to be ready for work upon arrival, so we offer the option for a built-in, durable toolbox on the back deck, where you can store loose equipment safely. You can also equip the Expediter with an extended deck, different steering wheel designs, an enclosed cab, a safety light, large stand-up handrails, and much more! Additionally, our team is always ready to innovate custom solutions for your unique needs, and the Expediter is the perfect model for versatile features!

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. 

Columbia’s Industrial lineup meets the requirements of numerous tasks for distribution centers and warehouses. Models like the Payloader, Expediter, and Stockchaser serve key purposes for material handlers. Not only are they built for specific tasks, but the versatility offered will streamline your fleet to maximize efficiency in your warehouse. Combine these adaptive and intuitive models with Columbia’s resources for innovation and customization and you’ve got a fleet-building ability you’ve only dreamed of!

Versatile Forklift Alternatives

Columbia’s industrial vehicles are engineered to close the gap between your forklifts or larger vehicles and a simple dolly or cart. While forklifts embody the performance needed for many jobs, their bulky profile can prove dangerous in congested, narrow spaces, especially with the compromised visibility of a forklift operator. Additionally, you may find limitations in maneuverability with traditional forklifts. That’s where Columbia comes in. Our lineup is designed to fulfill the tasks that forklifts may not complete. Whether you are adding maneuverable compliments to your forklift fleets or replacing them entirely, Columbia has you covered!

Stockchaser

The Stockchaser’s DNA is built on maneuverability through small aisles while providing maximum cargo space and capacity. The large deck can be utilized for your heavy loads or for stacking/sorting products efficiently. If the Stockchaser fills your needs for a narrow vehicle, you can also utilize it for your towing needs with a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds! 

Expediter

The Expediter punches above its’ weight class, and is capable of much more than you might think! Though space is limited, versatility and productivity are maximized with the optional flip-down passenger seat, rated capacity up to 750 pounds, and towing capacity up to 1,000 pounds!

Payloader

The robust Payloader offers maximum power in Columbia’s lineup and seamlessly bridges the gap between your forklift fleet and your smaller machinery or manual handling equipment. When you’re moving goods horizontally, the Payloader is the ideal, safe vehicle with more visibility offered than bulkier material handlers. The Payloader is offered in several configurations to address your specific requirements, but with maximum rated load capacities of up 4,000 pounds and up to 18,000 pounds towing capacity, you’ll be hauling your largest loads, all while maintaining greater maneuverability than your traditional material handling equipment. 

Build Your Perfect Fleet

With decades of experience providing flexible material handling solutions, Columbia’s lineup has evolved to be intuitive to the general needs of warehouses; however, if you find additional demands for your team's fleet, Columbia’s Custom-Engineered Solutions program is ready to cater a fleet to your exact work! From minor options or features, to completely customized equipment storage

New here? Let us introduce you to one of the best kept secrets in the industry. Not so new or maybe a part of the Columbia Vehicle Group fan club? Let's touch base on what's so special about this transportation workhorse.

Created with versatility in mind, Columbia’s Journeyman is truly Built For Work. Out performing all of its competitors and holding the longest run time in the industry, the Journeyman has the curb appeal for every application, whether it be for a luxury resort or for large scale manufacturing. With an incredibly smooth ride, the Journeyman’s  suspension provides the ergonomics necessary to keep you moving comfortably all day long across various tasks.

Why do we know you’ll love the Journeyman? Because it comes loaded with so many standard features! From the 4-wheel hydraulic braking system and automatic parking brake to the integrated rear bumper, radial tires, and 3-point safety seatbelt, the Journeyman is packed with features straight off the line, making you feel like you're driving a full sized vehicle. 

To help light your way, the Journeyman comes equipped with high/low beam headlights, tail and brake lights,  emergency flashers, and dome light. Self canceling turn signals allow you to safely indicate your direction. Charge your Journeyman with ease using the on board charger. Simply plug in to any available standard outlet between stops.

Do you need a street legal LSV vehicle? Equipped with a rear-view camera, the Journeyman’s got your back. Add on a drop-side cargo box or our ever-popular rear-facing back seat option and watch how easily your guest transportation vehicle turns into the most important grounds and maintenance support vehicle in your fleet. And with 8 different seating configurations, the Journeyman allows you the ability to customize your vehicle to accommodate whatever your passenger seating needs may be. Carrying just two passengers or 8, Journeyman’s AC drive allows you to do so without loss of power while getting you where you need to go. Even uphill! Both ways. In the snow. 

Columbia’s Journeyman is more than your everyday golf cart. With its mixture of standard features, vast capabilities, and competitive pricing, the Journeyman represents something unlike anything else on the market - a tremendous value! Visit Columbia’s Journeyman Page to set up a vehicle demonstration and learn even more about what the Journeyman can do to increase your productivity today!

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. 

Have you ever heard the saying, “good things come in small packages?” As you probably know, the size of something does not always properly indicate its value. The same is true for warehouse equipment. You don’t necessarily have to have the largest, most powerful lift truck to have a productive and efficient operation.

In fact, Toyota’s new Enclosed End Rider Pallet Jack is a petite powerhouse designed to take your warehouse productivity to the next level. Not convinced? Discover the key features of Toyota’s Enclosed End Rider and how it can help maximize your warehouse productivity.

Advantages of the Enclosed End Rider

POWER STEERING

Toyota’s Enclosed End Rider Pallet Jack is designed with power steering, which helps to lessen the amount of operational effort, leading to improved output and comfort shift after shift.

STEEL ENFORCED DUCTILE IRON UNDERCARRIAGE

Designed with a steel-enforced undercarriage and stainless pins for reinforced strength to handle the heaviest of loads, the Enclosed End Rider is the perfect lift truck for delivering an impeccable performance so you can get the job done. Additionally, this lift truck comes equipped with a lift height travel interlock option that helps to reinforce proper operator training to keep the forks raised when traveling over docks and uneven surfaces by limiting travel speeds when the forks are lowered.

PROGRAMMABLE PERFORMANCE SETTINGS

This powerful lift truck also comes equipped with programmable performance settings to allow you to program various levels based on your operator’s experience level. This way, your operators can feel comfortable and confident operating the forklift through your warehouse.

AC DRIVE MOTOR

In addition to power steering, the Toyota’s Enclosed End Rider Pallet Jack also comes equipped with AC Drive Motors. The AC Drive Motor delivers precise and controlled travel for better acceleration, quiet operation, and overall smoothness of travel, so you can experience increased uptime and productivity shift after shift.

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. To learn more about Toyota’s Moving Mast Reach Trucks and optimizing indoor and outdoor capabilities

Pneumatic Electric Forklifts

When thinking of forklifts capable of working outdoors, many will be quick to mention an IC Pneumatic forklift. However, what is often mentioned less is an outdoor electric forklift. These forklifts are just as efficient and environmentally friendly.  The Toyota Electric Pneumatic Forklift is an excellent alternative to IC Pneumatic products and has many incredible benefits that can take one’s fleet to new heights.

Benefits of Pneumatic Electric Forklifts

1. REDUCED EMISSIONS WITHOUT SACRIFICING POWER

Choosing to go with an outdoor electric forklift over an IC product has multiple advantages. One of the most significant being reduced emissions. Electric forklifts are just as powerful as their IC counterparts due to new technology. The Toyota Electric Pneumatic Forklift has the ability to lift up to 11,000 lbs. and can be utilized for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

2. EASIER ON YOUR OPERATORS

Going electric for your outdoor forklift also means that it can be less noisy and produce fewer vibrations. It can take a toll on your operator if the truck is too loud, increasing fatigue and possibly reducing worker productivity. If you find that your associates are experiencing this, switching to an Electric Pneumatic truck may be a solution.

3. LOWER MAINTENANCE COSTS

Electric forklifts, in general, are cheaper to run from an energy standpoint and can help save on fuel costs. Electric forklifts also have fewer moving parts, which can help save on maintenance and service in the long run.

While IC Pneumatic forklifts are still a great choice, having an electric option to choose from can be beneficial for many operations.