At Toyota, we understand the importance of maintaining a highly productive operation all while instilling a culture of safety in your facility. You need to be able to move product quickly while keeping your operators comfortable and secure. To help you accomplish all of your business’s goals, Toyota has designed the latest technologies to help you keep your eye on the prize and move your operation forward. Enter Toyota Assist. Toyota Assist is a robust family of features and options that work together to actively or passively assist certain operations in regards to operability, productivity, or situational awareness.

It is our goal to bring you individualized material handling solutions to help your operation reach unparalleled success. Let’s dive into the different aspects of Toyota Assist and how they may be able to help you take your operation to the next level.

Operator Benefits of Toyota Assist

LOAD HANDLING

At Toyota we don’t just meet the bare minimum. We go beyond what is expected and put the operator at the forefront of our work. At the core of the many safety elements built into our forklifts is our proprietary System of Active Stability™ (SAS). This revolutionizing and industry-leading forklift technology minimizes the likelihood of tip-over, reducing the risk for operators and those around them. When the system detects a situation that could lead to instability, it instantly engages the swing lock cylinder to stabilize the rear axle – changing the forklift’s stability footprint from triangular to a rectangular shape.

PUTTING YOU IN CONTROL

While some operators are content with using the same bells and whistles they’ve grown accustomed to over the years, there are many new technologies available that may make their lives easier, as well as make the tasks more comfortable. Toyota’s EZ Fingertip Controls put productivity at the forefront by placing all hydraulic controls in an ergonomic pattern that can be reached with minimal hand movement. Thanks to an included horn button and forward/reverse directional switch, operators can conveniently maintain one hand on the steering wheel while allowing the other hand to control all necessary functions outside of braking and travel. This intuitive design helps with operator comfort, and controls can be customized to manipulate up to five hydraulic functions, including clamp release interlock.

AWARENESS HEIGHTENED

While moving products from point A to point B is important, Toyota has engineered state-of-the-art stereoscopic vision technologies that can assist operators in identifying pedestrians or objects behind the forklift during a shift. The SEnS Smart Environment Sensor™ (SEnS) pedestrian detection system uses stereoscopic vision technology to assist operators by differentiating between some pedestrians and objects, and providing visual and audible alerts within the detection zone. Along with SEnS, the 360 camera system gives the operator a bird’s eye view of your forklift to assist in navigating tight environments. SEnS is available as an add-on kit that can be retrofitted for select existing and new Toyota forklift models.

In addition to SEnS, Toyota has developed the Smart Environment Sensor Plus® (SEnS+), which not only detects pedestrians or objects behind the forklift, but it limits the movement of the forklift by automatically slowing down the equipment when pedestrians and/or objects are detected. With dynamic zoning, SEnS+ adjusts the range of detection based on the speed and steering direction of the forklift. If the forklift is moving faster, the zone is expanded to account for potential, upcoming obstacles further away, up to 32 feet.

LOGICALLY PRODUCTIVE FOR PRECISE PICKING

At Toyota, our solutions are loaded with features to tackle your unique tasks and keep your operation moving forward. Toyota’s Lift Logic option is a productivity-enhancing solution for the most demanding, high-throughput, order picking applications. Lift Logic continuously monitors the height of the forks, and adjusts speed accordingly. This allows for the maximum speed appropriate for any height in its range.

Adding these features to your equipment can offer many long-term benefits to your operation. While meeting current demands can feel like a daunting and difficult task, it doesn’t have to be. We’re here to make life easier.

Get a Helping Hand this Harvest Season

Our customers in agriculture know that the right attachment can be a crucial piece of equipment when you need to move high volumes of product quickly. Cascade attachments are built for both speed and reliability, with an extensive selection available that can improve efficiency in agriculture applications. Whatever you may be harvesting, Cascade can help you make the most of your busiest times of the year.

See the 20G Ag Rotator in action here:Cascade offers several attachments for handling agriculture bins, the latest solution being our 20G Ag Rotator. The 20G offers a built-in hold down mechanism and fast 180-degree rotation function, making it the perfect tool to quickly invert bins easily and accurately, such as when dumping bins of produce. High visibility through the bin hold-down gives the driver excellent line of sight and enables fast and effective loading and unloading. The 20G Ag Rotator is built for speed and is a great way to achieve increased efficiency in your existing workflow. It is compact enough that it doesn't impact net truck capacity, allowing you to handle more without investing in a larger truck. On top of it all, it's an economical solution for expanding your capabilities during busy times of the year. Designed especially for the agricultural industry, the 20G is a great tool to have on your side when harvest season is here.

See the 20G Ag Rotator in action here:

For larger loads, Cascade offers a range of 360-degree rotators to satisfy higher capacities, which are even capable of inverted loading with our standard rotator forks. These forks are easily adjustable without tools to provide flexibility throughout your product line. Rotators are available with bin retainer options to ensure that your material handling is fast and effective. Rotators, including the 20G, can be outfitted with a variety of fork sizes to satisfy your needs.

For a different approach to handling agricultural bins, Cascade also offers Forward Bin Dumpers. These durable attachments can easily accommodate various bin heights and, with their forward-oriented dumping mechanism, may better serve your workflow needs - perfect for fruit, vegetables, nuts, and more. Bin Dumpers are available with standard carriage mounting or as a Quick Fork Mount model for fast and easy installation, allowing you to increase your forklift's capabilities while remaining seasonally flexible.

Cultivate Productivity with Cascade Solutions

Cascade Multiple Load Handlers are another popular solution that can dramatically increase the throughput of even a single forklift. By adjusting the fork spread of a Multiple Load Handler, an operator can easily handle either a single load or many loads at once. The high quality engineering of these attachments makes them an energy-efficient solution that yields longer run times and larger cost savings than others. Various configurations of the Multiple Load Handlers are available - including single-double and single-double-triple configurations, plus options for fork length and load backrest height - to ensure that there's a model to match your needs. With fast and simple operation, the versatile Multiple Load Handler makes it easy to move high volumes of product and maximize your speed on any forklift. In some cases, the equipment needs of Cascade customers come and go depending on seasonal demands of their market. This is especially true in agriculture. Cascade rentals are a great way to enjoy the benefits of a Cascade attachment without committing to a full purchase. Cascade offers a wide range of rental solutions for your convenience with short-term rentals for seasonal fluctuations, long-term rentals or rent-to-own options available. Rental equipment is well maintained and offers the same great performance you would expect from an attachment of your own. Contact your Cascade representative to find out what rental programs are available in your area.

From Seed to Crop to Market

Cascade has many solutions to improve the efficiency of your operation, with options that address not only harvest season, but the wide range of applications throughout the agriculture industry like food processing, distribution and more. We offer attachments for both indoor and outdoor applications, as well as those that operate in extreme temperatures, hot or cold. From Layer Pickers to Push Pulls, Telescopic Forks to Mobile Weighing, Cascade has the tools for effectively handling bagged goods, super sacks, pallets, crates, slip-sheets, and more. Cascade products are built with the highest quality materials and use innovative designs that stand the test of time. Our unmatched after-sale support allows our customers to focus on production instead of worrying about equipment. In addition to our vast catalog of standard attachments, we offer customization options that guarantee a solution that fits your needs. Contact us today to talk with a knowledgeable Cascade representative and let us find the right solution for you. Read more on Cascase News

One of the main reasons that Toyota has gained the reputation for having the highest quality forklift in the industry is that the buying a Toyota forklift means you’re also getting a Toyota engine. Years of engineering Toyota’s world-renowned 4Y engine and all of our other engines means our internal combustion forklifts are unmatched.

How does a Toyota Forklift Engine Work?

Every Toyota IC forklift engine has the same basic functionality. Toyota Certified Technicians are trained in this process so they can more easily understand the exact point of need when maintenance is required. Here’s an inside look about how an IC forklift engine works.

An ignition battery and gear-driven starter forces the engine to “crank over,” starting the internal combustion process. The carburetor mixes a combustible, liquid fuel with air and injects it into the cylinders through a valve. Within the cylinder, the piston is attached to a rod, which in turn is attached to the crankshaft.

Mechanical energy is produced when the spark plug introduces a spark to the compressed fuel/air mixture, igniting the explosion. The explosion drives the piston and rod down in the cylinder. Because of the way the crankshaft is designed, it will convert the downward energy of the piston and rod to the mechanical energy (RPMs).

A series of these cylinders are connected to the crankshaft in the block. The block contains other mechanisms, like the cam shaft, which uses the RPMs to open and close the valves in precise timing sequence. This mechanical energy also drives the alternator or generator (found mounted to the engine and driven by a belt) which supplies current to the forklift’s electrical components. Additionally, the electricity produced in this way is used to drive the power steering and lift/tilt hydraulic pumps.

From Forklift Diesel Engines to Gasoline, Toyota Has Forklift Engine Fuel Types Covered

Internal combustion engines come in four main types, each categorized by the type of fuel they burn. Deciding between them depends on your specific forklift application and operational strategy

• Forklift gasoline engines use the same fuel as an automobile.
•  Forklift Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) engines run on a gas that occurs naturally. LPG is commonly used for gas grills.
• Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) engines use the same fuel supplied to homes and businesses to power stoves, furnaces and other appliances.
• Diesel engines use diesel fuel, a lower grade fuel not as refined as gasoline and therefore, not as combustible.

Each type of fuel provides different advantages that will then impact the operation of the forklift. Consider the below list that shows which forklifts can come equipped with forklift diesel engines and CNG engines and ask your locally authorized Toyota dealer about what choosing one can mean for your operation.

CNG Options:

• Core IC Cushion(up to 6,500 lb. capacity)
• Core IC Pneumatic(up to 6,500 lb. capacity)

Diesel Engine Options

• Mid IC Pneumatic (8,000-11,000 lb. capacity)
• Large IC Pneumatic (13,500-17,500 lb. capacity)

Diesel Engine Only:

• High-Capacity IC Pneumatic(22,000-125,000 lb. capacity)
  • Shorter load centers available in LP

Knowing the Difference between Forklift Engines – The Toyota 4Y Engine and More

But which engine comes in each of our forklifts? The below guide will help you understand the differences between each Toyota forklift engine. But one thing that’s consistent across every forklift engine we produce? Expert engineering.

Four forklift engines are distributed across our internal combustion line

4Y Forklift Engine
Core IC Cushion | Core IC Pneumatic

1ZS Forklift Engine
Core IC Diesel Pneumatic

1FS Forklift Engine
Large IC Cushion | Box Car Special | Paper Roll Special | Mid IC Pneumatic | Large IC Pneumatic

1KD Forklift Engine
Mid IC Diesel Pneumatic | Large IC Diesel Pneumatic

But what exactly is the difference between these forklift engines that come in each of these models? Here’s a breakdown of each to help you choose the best available option.

Toyota 4Y Engine

The Toyota 4Y Engine was introduced in 1986, and it has been one of the industry’s longest lasting, most durable forklift engines ever since. The 4Y Engine is unique in that it is the cleanest engine in the industry, and its emission standards rival the emission standards of any competitive internal combustion engine.

• The Toyota 4Y Engine is extremely efficient, which makes it tolerant of extreme temperatures. From outdoor applications in Minnesota, to paper mills in Georgia, this engine runs smoothly.
• Due to its compact design, this engine works well in Toyota’s Core Products, such as the Core IC Cushion and Core IC Pneumatic.
• It is common to find Toyota Forklifts operating with 4Y Engines that have run for more than 30,000 hours and haven’t had a major overhaul.

Here’s deeper dive into how the Toyota 4Y Engine functions:

Toyota 1FS Engine

The Toyota 1FS Engine is based off the well-known 3Z diesel engine. It’s a robust powerhouse that can handle your toughest jobs.

• The 1FS is built with special electronics that all lead to better fuel efficiency and low emissions.
• Special measures have been taken (including a smaller engine footprint to help reduce the under-hood temperature, which leads to durability and longevity.

Toyota 1ZS Diesel Engine

The Toyota 1ZS Diesel Engine powers the Toyota Core IC Diesel Pneumatic, with less displacement than the previous model for lower emissions and fuel costs.

• The 1ZS is a 3-cylinder inline engine.
• The Toyota 1ZS requires no exhaust maintenance.
• This engine is a tough 53 horsepower with 128 lbs./ft. torque.

Toyota 1KD Diesel Engine

The 1KD Diesel Engine has been developed for the Toyota Mid and Large IC Diesel Pneumatic Forklifts. The 1KD is a four-cylinder engine that helps decrease fuel consumption and emissions.

• This engine is turbo charged which provides advantages including superior power and efficiency.
• With this engine model, horsepower and torque have significantly increased while fuel consumption has significantly decreased.
• The current 1KD engine has approximately 20 fewer internal moving parts than the previous model, making it easier to maintain and own.

Takeaway Reasons to Trust Toyota Forklift Engines

Need a few quick reasons that Toyota forklift engines lead the way? Here a few quick take aways:

Contact Us for more information about any Toyota forklift engine or to request a quote

Cascade manufactures a variety of products that enable the conventional forklift to become a more versatile and efficient material handling tool. Cascade offers a full line of products that enable a lift truck to pull, push, clamp, lift, sideshift and rotate practically any load imaginable.

Cascade designed the 20G Ag Rotator specifically for seasonal use in agriculture

Features:

• 180 degree rotation to quickly dump or invert a load and immediately return to the pick-up position.
• Compact build doesn't decrease the net capacity of lift trucks, so your customers handle more without needing to invest in a larger truck.
• High visibility through the bin hold-down gives drivers excellent line of sight for reliable, accurate operation
• Hydraulically operated bin retainer designed to securely clamp on top of the bin and hold it in place while rotating. 
• Good torque performance ensures smooth, positive rotation of the load.
• Designed for handling plastic, wooden and metal bins used in the agricultural market.

Options:

• Multiple fork lengths
• Rotator may be ordered with or without a bin hold-down

View the 20G Ag Rotator with Bin Hold Down Spec Sheet HERE

Toyota Forklifts lead the industry with innovative designs and top-of-the-line customer support. At Toyota, safety comes standard, and we spend time each day developing ways to keep everyone in your facility protected, healthy, and productive. We start with the top safety concerns and ask, “what can we do to improve our engineering to help make people safer?” It’s part of our culture of continuous improvement. We’re always pushing ourselves toward what next. And it’s what led us to develop the best safety features in the industry.

Innovative Forklift Safety Features: System of Active Stability and Active Mast Control

Toyota’s forward-thinking engineering is what helps make Toyota Forklifts some of the safest forklifts on the market. Asking the tough questions, we found that tip-overs and falling loads were some of the most common causes of forklift accidents. So Toyota engineers went to work, and, in 1999, introduced the System Active of Stability, which comes standard on most Toyota forklifts. In conjunction with Active Mast Control, Toyota engineering is a must for the most safety-conscious operations managers.

• System of Active Stability (SAS): The SAS is unique to Toyota forklifts. While many stability systems are reactive, Toyota’s SAS is a proactive system that takes approximately 3,000 readings per second to ensure operator safety. Because of this proactive approach, SAS recognizes when factors could put the forklift at risk and automatically stabilizes the lift using the innovative swing-lock cylinder to prevent a tipover.
• Active Mast Function Control (AMC): AMC is also unique to Toyota forklifts. This system recognizes dangerous tilt speeds when lifting payloads and slows the speed of the mast to prevent tipovers.

Innovative Forklift Safety Features: Other Toyota-Engineered Safety Features

But Toyota’s safety innovation does not stop at these unique features. We employ safety-first thinking in all of our manufacturing, developing the best solutions for features that seem common. The unique-Toyota approach? Safety always in manufacturing:

• Orange Forks: It seems so simple, but optional orange forks on our lifts prevent accidents and loss of products by assisting visibility during placement. Accurate fork placement helps prevent against spilled payloads that can be dangerous for forklift operators and other associates.
• Horn: All forklifts are required to come installed with a functioning horn.
• Rear Horn with Grip Assist: Toyota offers an add-on horn placed behind the operator on the overhead guard support leg. This ergonomic design allows operators to honk while they are turned and viewing the workspace behind the forklift.
• Seatbelt: Toyota forklifts come standard with a seatbelt. We also offer orange seatbelt upgrades to increase visibility and ensure proper usage of this highly-important safety feature.
• Overhead Guard: This safety feature protects operators from falling objects. The single component welded construction improves rigidity and safety while design considerations such as the 45 degree angle of the front cross beam improves visibility for operators moving pallets at height.

Making the Best Use of Forklift Safety Features: Using a Safety Checklist

These innovations in engineering are excellent and can lead to increased safety in your facility. But the best way to make sure your forklift is in optimal working condition is to use a forklift safety checklist as part of your daily walk around on your forklift. Here’s one example of those features on your Toyota Forklift that would benefit from routine checks.

Making the Best Use of Forklift Safety Features: Fork Safety Best Practices

All Toyota forklifts are engineered with safety in mind. That includes every part of the forklift, including one of the most important parts: the forks. But no matter how well a forklifts is engineered, using them appropriately is the responsibility of the operator. The forks can represent a problem area if used inappropriately. Be sure to regularly use a fork caliper to inspect the forks and employ the following best practices:

• Low and slow. Anytime you’re moving, keep your forks no more than six inches off the ground and move slowly through the warehouse. Be careful not to drag your forks on the ground, however, because that can shorten the lifespan of your forks.
• Carefully maintain your forks. Make it a habit to check your forks every during every inspection and maintenance cycle, as designated in your operator’s manual. If your forks appear to be bent, it’s time to replace them.
• Stick with your load capacity. Don’t ever try to push your load capacity. Remember, your forks are only made to lift as much as your forklift says they are and trying to lift more could result in dropping a load.
• Only use your forks to lift. Your forks are made to lift and that’s it, so don’t try to push things or pry things open with them. Using your forks irresponsibly could cause damage making them vulnerable to dropping loads.