MARCH 2024
Data capture and the ability to access and share it is becoming increasingly important to customers, Kossow said. Providing simple things like real-time, hour meter tracking is crucial for companies that don't always know how many hours are on their forklifts. “It's hard to set up preventative maintenance cycles when you don't know how many hours are on the forklift,” he said. Telematics solutions can also help operators quickly find a misplaced truck and record any impacts. Having real time visibility into any excessive impacts is a benefit to the company’s leadership.
Hyster Tracker™, for example, can also offer a wide range of other capabilities, such as controlling operator access to equipment, confirming pre-shift checklist completion, and monitoring engine, transmission, hydraulic and electronic functions to help maximize uptime. A fleet management process, like the program offered by the Hyster fleet management team, can also leverage telemetry and other data to help companies protect slim margins and optimize their lift truck fleet.
MyToyota is a comprehensive online platform offering a suite of digital solutions for managing a fleet of forklifts. It provides 24/7 access to insights about your business and fleet, catering to the needs of companies operating anywhere from a single forklift to thousands across multiple locations. With MyToyota, companies can streamline their operations and material handling equipment by utilizing tools to manage fleet size, order and reorder parts efficiently, and track equipment locations and financial information. Additionally, the MyFleet component within MyToyota allows for easy management of fleet details online, enhancing operational productivity and oversight.
Newer technologies also help in other ways, such as reducing tip-over risk. For example, Hyster’s A Series offers robust standard features, such as the innovative Dynamic Stability System (DSS). Standard on these models and completely maintenance-free, DSS uses sensors to continually monitor truck status. When it detects the truck exceeding designated thresholds, DSS automatically implements measures like limiting truck speed and hydraulic function to help minimize the risk of forward and sideways tip-overs.
“As operators push to get the job done, DSS lends them a helping hand, automatically reinforcing their training,” Warren said. “It gives visual indicators, audible alerts and automatic performance adjustments for stable travel.”
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From internal combustion to electric
According to Kassow, electric power is “tipping the scales” in North America, accounting for 70% of the annual industry lift truck sales. “CARB (California Air Resourced Board) has absolutely advanced the conversation,” he said. “It's a factor in decision making, certainly in California, but it's also being adopted by a number of other states, whether it's the identical protocol or similar.”
In general, Warren echoed, operations in industries such as wood products that have long relied on internal combustion engine (ICE) power for their forklift fleets are increasingly considering the shift to electric-powered equipment.
“While the shift from diesel to electric forklifts is on the more distant horizon for businesses with tight margins like wood pallet manufacturers or repair and recycling companies,” Warren said, “many are still likely to be considering a shift to electric equipment at some point in the future.” He noted tha CARB has introduced regulations for the state that would require a transition to zero-emission forklifts by 2038, and the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) requires a tax surcharge to be paid on the purchase, lease or rental of heavy-duty diesel equipment.
Lithium-ion powered forklifts are strong candidates for the future of these operations because they can deliver power similar to internal combustion. Unlike lead-acid batteries, Lithium-ion powered units maintain consistent power delivery with no performance degradation as the battery charge is depleted and they recharge quickly.
For example, the Hyster® J40XNL and J50-60XNL models, which are sit-down counterbalanced lift trucks built around a factory-integrated lithium-ion battery, are strong zero-emission alternatives for applications both indoors and out. The sealed, integrated lithium-ion battery on these trucks can fully charge in less than 1 hour, requires zero maintenance and gives off zero emissions in operation and no off-gassing during charging.
Dependable, durable and engineered with ergonomics in mind, the Core IC Pneumatic Forklift can maneuver nearly any typical material handling load. With a lift capacity range of 3,000-6,500 lbs., the Toyota Core IC Pneumatic forklift is the premier material handling solution for most outdoor applications.