Meet the Expediter!

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! Are you ready to skyrocket your team?s productivity? Rely on the Expediter to serve in whatever areas of work challenge you.

5 Ways to Maximize Forklift Safety

As a piece of essential warehouse equipment, forklifts are everywhere. There are currently around 1,000,000 forklifts helping businesses stay organized, and productive throughout the United States. They are one of the most powerful tools in improving efficiency. However, with great power comes great responsibility. Forklifts can be hazardous, and the cause of expensive citations, workplace accidents, injuries, and even death. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), forklift violations are consistently one of the top 10 violations costing businesses about $135,000,000 every year. OSHA also estimates that forklifts cause of approximately 110,000 accidents annually. Of these, about 35,000 resulted in serious injuries, and about 85 accidents resulted in death. Any workplace that uses forklifts should emphasize forklift safety. Promoting forklift safety will prevent costly violations and accidents. Here are 5 ways to optimize forklift safety: 1. Make sure all employees are educated and properly trained and certified Studies show that proper training and education is a great deterrent of accidents. Employers should develop and implement a training program based on the general principles of safe operation, the types of forklifts used in the workplace, the potential hazards in the workplace, and the general safety requirements of the OSHA standard. According to OSHA, with these training policies, about 70% of forklift accidents could be prevented. Additionally, operators must be properly certified per OSHA regulations. OSHA requires forklift operator to be certified in a two-phase training course: a classroom-style training and test, and a hands-on evaluation. Only trained and competent operators can be permitted to operate a forklift. You can find all the necessary information about training and certification here . 2. Understanding your forklift?s load capacity and the Stability Triangle Many forklift accidents happen because the operators are not knowledgeable about how much their forklifts can carry. In fact, tip-overs due overloading is a leading cause of forklift accidents. So, understanding your forklift?s load capacity is extremely important. A forklift?s load capacity is found in two places: on the data plate of the forklift, and in the operator?s manual. This capacity refers to a balanced load carried on the stated load center. It can change depending on the attachments used, the height of the lift, and the length of the load. Forklift attachments are anything that is attached to the front carriage or attached to an attachment on the forklift. Generally, as you add attachments to the forklift, the load capacity decreases. Lift height also affects load capacity. Forklifts with high masts will have lower capacity as the lift height increases. The length of the load changes load capacity as well. The longer the length of the load is the lower the capacity. With a load, the center of gravity of the forklift is at the center of the triangle. But as you add more weight to the forks or raise the mast with a load, the center of gravity shifts to the front of the triangle. Moving the center of gravity out of the Stability Triangle by adding too much weight or adding weight in the wrong places can cause tip-overs. 3. Perform daily inspections and regular maintenance Maintaining your forklift is not just a great way to extend the life of your forklift, it is also one of the best ways to ensure forklift safety. Regular maintenance safeguards your forklifts against problems that go beyond the normal wear and tear. OSHA requires daily inspections to be performed at the beginning of each shift. If a forklift is equipped with a safety device, the device must be in good working order otherwise the forklift should be tagged out of service until it can be repaired. These daily inspections also help operators identify operational issues so they can be addressed before they become bigger problems or lead to accidents. By keeping your forklift in optimal working condition, you will have a safe operating experience. 4. Be aware of your work environment A lack of awareness in the workplace can be detrimental not only to the products you are moving but also to your employees. Many accidents occur because the operator or someone in the forklift?s vicinity is not paying attention. Practice mindfulness by paying attention, keeping an eye on where you?re going, using your alarms to alert others of your presence, ensuring your loads are balanced and within load capacity, and driving safely. These five simple actions can prevent accidents and save lives . 5. Store your forklifts properly Another way to promote forklift safety and prevent accidents is to store your forklifts properly after use. They should be parked on a flat surface. Engage your parking brakes. Make sure your forks are flush to the ground. The forklift should be turned off, and the keys should be removed from the ignition.

HOW TO DECIDE IF LIB OR LAB IS RIGHT FOR YOU

As environmental considerations and fluctuating oil prices continue to push consumers toward alternatives to traditional internal combustion engines, material handling operations increasingly look toward electric equipment solutions. In operations that utilize forklifts, far more electric units are now sold than those powered by internal combustion engines. Electric forklifts now make up nearly 70 percent of all trucks sold, and with increasing demand for electric power comes a need to provide a solution that provides all of the benefits of traditional engines without a loss in productivity. Lead acid batteries have been a capable but imperfect solution for years, and they continue to dominate the market today. It is estimated that lead acid batteries power 90 percent of electric forklifts in operation . But a new player has emerged on the scene in recent years and is revolutionizing the way some companies do business. Lithium-ion battery (LiB) technology represents the next generation of forklift technology, and LiB market share in electric forklifts is expected grow significantly in the coming years. But while LiB technology offers unique benefits , these batteries don?t make sense for every operation. You can use a new metric ? Equivalent Battery Usage (EBU) ? to help you decide if making the shift to LiB batteries is best for you. EBU measures the number of cycles customers typically use their lead acid batteries per day. A common threshold for determining whether LiB makes sense for your operation is 1.6 times per day. If your operation?s EBU is above 1.6, LiB could be a potential fit for you. If it falls below 1.6, however, it probably makes more sense to continue using lead acid. Typically, multi-shift applications are above the 1.6 EBU threshold ? so any customer operating their equipment for more than one shift per day is a good candidate for considering LiB technology. The reason LiB doesn?t make sense for every customer today is simple ? the high upfront cost, and the high variability in return on investment. LiBs are more expensive than lead acid batteries, and they?re best used in high-throughput applications ? such as distribution facilities, retail, and paper industries.

TOP 3 REASONS TO REPLACE YOUR FORKLIFT

Your forklifts put in work day-in and day-out moving product and lifting and moving your business forward. The day will come when you lose time and money because the truck isn?t running as efficiently anymore. It may be difficult to pinpoint this time, but below are a few indicators that you may need a replacement forklift. WEAR AND TEAR OF A FORKLIFT Has forklift maintenance become a case of continual troubleshooting and increasing costs to keep your forklift running? If prolonged heavy use of your forklift fleet needs regular repairs, it may be time to consider replacing the equipment. When paying for continual repairs, the effect on the bottom line goes far beyond the cost of replacing worn bushings or repairing the electrical components in a drive motor. You may need a replacement forklift if you have some of the following repair needs: Hydraulic leaks Clogged fluid lines Worn chains A mast that won?t lift Battery problems Unbalanced suspension Steering difficulties LOSING TIME, LOSING MONEY When you experience downtime for any unit in your forklift fleet, the cost is much more than parts and labor . You also need to factor in lost productivity and the costs of idle time for operators when their equipment is being repaired. When lost profits due to delays in product movement are taken into account, the total financial impact of an older forklift can easily extend into the thousands of dollars? per hour! Keeping spare lifts on hand is not an optimal solution due to the overall increase in operating costs. Neither are quick replacements. While lower in initial costs, they can create an endless cycle of unplanned repairs that negatively impacts your business. Retiring a forklift may be necessary if this is affecting your material handling operation. AVOIDING UNEXPECTED EVENTS Poorly maintained equipment can lead to an accident or injury, which may be avoided through regular inspections and up-to-date regular maintenance . If your forklift is starting to show signs of wear and tear, it may be time to retire or replace your forklift. If you want more information on forklift?s useful life, download our forklift management guide, ? Is it Time to Upgrade Your Forklift ??

Meet the Stockchaser!

Columbia's Stockchaser is our lineup's most compact industrial vehicle. While it has some well-known uses, the Stockchaser offers surprising versatility. To help convey these many functions, let's dive into three specific jobs the Stockchaser excels in. Compact Material Handling The Stockchaser is best known for its maneuverability while maintaining the ability to carry your heaviest of loads. Whether you navigate a warehouse, distribution center, or any other tight space, the Stockchaser will make your job easy. Not only does the Stockchaser boast an impressive 66.5-inch turning radius, but curated options like a stepladder for reaching higher shelves will ensure that you?re equipped in every facet for maximum efficiency. Transporting Passengers While Columbia?s Stockchaser is most commonly used in industrial spaces, it?s also the perfect vehicle for indoor guest transport. With the Stockchaser Transport package, you?re equipped with a comfortable, compact vehicle to serve up to six passengers. Our Stockchaser Transport is perfect for your hospital, airport, or any other sizable indoor space where your guests need to be given a pleasant, timely ride. Versatile Towing While we?ve gone through the Stockchaser?s most well-known uses, this Columbia model still boasts impressive capability in another function that is often overlooked or under-utilized: towing. The Stockchaser?s base model comes standard with a towing capacity of up to 1000 lbs, but this can be upgraded by 600% with the towing package! While Columbia offers other robust models that are built to handle the heaviest of loads, the Stockchaser is the perfect compact vehicle for towing through tight aisles or in any other limited space!

Meet the Payloader!

Columbia offers an extensive lineup of electric utility vehicles, for both commercial and industrial uses. One of the most common customer needs is the ability to carry and tow large loads, without compromising maneuverability or ease of use, and the Payloader fits the bill! Columbia's Payloader is incredibly powerful and versatile. Whether your needs are simply to carry heavy loads, transport personnel, tow, or a combination of these functions, the Payloader can be curated into the ultimate solution. Let's dig into some of the unique functions that the Payloader has taken on for our customers: Carrying Cargo: Any industrial utility vehicle lineup needs a burden carrier workhorse. Columbia's Payloader takes on that role with ease, as it boasts a 2,400lbs standard rated capacity that can be upgraded to 4,000lbs, more than enough for carrying heavy loads of crane rigging equipment at DAB Constructors in Florida! Refuse: The Payloader's large deck and versatility make it the perfect candidate as a refuse vehicle for custodian services. Your team will be impressed with the performance and ease of use provided by the Payloader refuse options. Santa Monica College relies on our Payloaders to maintain their beautiful campus year-round! Towing: The standard payloader outfit offers a 6,500lbs towing capacity; however, the super duty payloader boasts a towing capacity of up to 18,000lbs! This capability can be utilized for virtually any towing requirements your team may have. Columbia?s Payloader was entrusted to tow sixteen wine barrels at Kosta Browne Winery in California - a job that would have been extremely tedious and frustrating without a robust electric vehicle to handle the job! Passenger Transport: While the Payloader is best known for excelling in carrying cargo and towing loads, it offers incredible opportunities in transporting personnel and guests. Because of the Payloader?s increased capacity, it can transport people quickly and efficiently, without adverse effects on performance. The University of Oregon rests easy on game day knowing the dependability of the Payloader won?t let them down!

Benefits of MyToyota Store Account

Have you ever heard the saying, ?knowledge is power?? When it comes to optimizing and managing your fleet, the more information you have to make well-informed decisions, the better. The MyToyota Store is Toyota Material Handling?s e-commerce website that will arm you with all the knowledge you need to effectively and efficiently run your business. And the best part is, it?s completely free. Searchability The MyToyota Store is equipped with an intelligent search tool that allows you to search for unlimited parts using a model or serial number. From there, you have the ability to view which parts are available, the price, and even add them to your cart to order- all at the touch of a button. Equipment Access In addition to unlimited search capabilities, this robust site allows you to view equipment assigned to the addresses on your account, giving you the ability to stay up-to-date on all of your equipment, repairs, and more via MyFleet. Exclusivity with Features and Functionality Not only will you be able to register for an account for free , but the MyToyota Store will alert you so you?re the first to know about new features and functionalities when it comes to your Toyota forklift fleet. Personalized Account Your account is personalized just for you, giving you the ability to view order history and reorder parts and equipment at the touch of a button. Visit the MyToyota Store to register or log into your account. View original post here

Toyota's Milestone Forklifts

Here at Toyota Material Handling, we endeavor to produce great products to serve our customers. For more than 50 years, our forklifts have supported a variety of industries. Along the way, we have celebrated many milestones and commemorated several of these special moments with forklifts, which are on display on campus in Columbus, IN! The First Toyota Forklift sold in the U.S.A. This Toyota Forklift was the first truck sold in the United States in 1967. It was sold to a grape harvester in California, and was in operation for almost 25 years before being tracked down. It took another five years to negotiate returning it to Toyota?s campus and included the trade of a brand new forklift to replace Mr. Anderson?s 30-year old forklift. This truck serves as a great reminder for us here at TMH of where we started, and how far we?ve come. 1 st Toyota built in Columbus, IN In 1990, Toyota Material Handling started manufacturing lifts here in Columbus, IN. This blue and orange 5-series forklift was the first to roll off the line on May 10, 1990, memorializing a start to manufacturing trucks in the United States. The Columbus, IN facility was originally established to support North American requirements, but today, this facility is builds forklifts which are shipped all over the world. 1 st Toyota Designed in Columbus, IN While this truck looks like a normal forklift, this 8-series 1-ton electric forklift was the first model that was completely designed, engineered, and manufactured at our North American headquarters. 25 th Anniversary of Toyota Assembled in the USA Toyota has been assembling forklifts in the USA since 1990, and we created this special design, that resembles the U.S. flag, in May of 2015 to celebrate 25 years of manufacturing in the United States. We have produced over 750,000 forklifts in North America, and we continue to enjoy our strong partnerships throughout the country. If you see a Toyota forklift working in your local community, chances are, that forklift was assembled here as well. Toyotas 50 th anniversary In 2017, TMH celebrated their 50th anniversary of the first Toyota forklift sold in the U.S. by assembling a golden forklift. It was a special celebration for dealers and associates here in Columbus, IN. The Columbus plant was the first Toyota forklift factory outside of Japan to produce material handling equipment and now produces approximately 180 forklifts a day. When speaking about the special day, Brett Wood said: ?Fifty years represents a golden achievement in the U.S. and today we honored the Associates, the dealers, our suppliers, and the community who supported TMHU?s journey to this major milestone. This ceremony underscored our legacy here in the U.S., but it was also designed to give a glimpse into the future of Toyota Forklifts? ongoing leadership and growth in the rapidly changing material handling and logistics industry.? Veteran?s Day Forklift In 2020, Toyota Material Handling manufactured the Veteran?s Day forklift to show our appreciation to all veterans. This camouflage truck even has a dedication plate on the back with the names of over 50 TMH associates who have served or are currently serving our country. This was just a small tribute from Toyota to show how much we appreciate everything our veterans have done and will continue to do moving forward. Toyota Material Handling values the men and women who use our products to complete their daily work. We strive to respect them by delivering safe, efficient, durable and cost-effective products that help them, ?Carry the Load.?