Toyota Material handling, USA Inc. (TMHU), Irvine, Calif., USA, this week unveiled its new 8-Series lift trucks designed to meet applications associated with the pulp and paper industry. The new lift trucks, which offer 8,000 – 15,500 lb lifting capacities, also include a new 12,000 lb standard counterweight, box car and paper roll special option. Powering the new lift trucks is a newly designed 3.7-liter, 4-cylinder engine built by Toyota Industries Corp.
The new 8-Series standard, box car, and paper roll models offer several features specific to the paper handling industry. To meet the paper industry's need for damage-free roll handling with maximum efficiency, factory-installed paper roll clamps are available in a wide range of configurations to handle multiple diameters, weights, and types of paper. To ensure proper operation, a clamp release interlock system built into the control valve works to help prevent accidental activation of the release lever. In addition, an automatic clamp leveling feature allows the operator to quickly level the clamp vertical to the paper roll with the touch of a button.
Toyota's paper roll special model offers a shortened wheelbase, load distance, and right angle stacking. These dimensional changes make the paper roll special lift truck more nimble and compact to maneuver in and out of the tight spots found inside of rail cars and in confined work environments around paper mills. The new 8-Series paper roll special counterweight is built with a cast iron enclosure specially shaped to reduce paper roll contact. This design modification provides a number of lift truck benefits including: better weight distribution, a lower center of gravity, and improved truck stability.
A number of improvements increase the lift truck's cooling performance to keep the engine running at optimal temperatures, including integrating an externally mounted hydraulic oil cooler, increasing the radiator size by 55% to provide a larger cooling surface for heat dissipation, a larger diameter cooling fan, and developing a cast iron rear frame that creates a wind tunnel effect to optimize heat extraction from the engine compartment. Additionally, a new engine protection system works to automatically reduce the engine's output if the coolant temperature rises to potentially damaging levels. Fully stamped steel plate side panels, plate-iron front tire fenders, and water-resistant electrical connectors are all designed to increase productivity when working in adverse weather conditions and corrosive applications. An accumulator option significantly reduces shock loading which, in turn, works to increase the life of mast and attachment components and lower the likelihood of product damage associated with poor warehouse floor conditions, Toyota notes.
The 8-Series' gas engine is 20% more fuel efficient than the previous V6 engine used. Also, in designing the 8-Series lift truck line, ergonomic improvements were made to the floor space, entry step, operator seat, curvilinear overhead guard, and LPG tank bracket. Newly designed operator assist grips accommodate operators of all sizes, while a four-way adjustable full suspension seat with anti-cinch seat belt mechanism allows operators to choose their ideal position to work comfortably. The new lift trucks also feature Toyota's System of Active Stability™ (SAS), which helps reduce the likelihood of lateral and longitudinal tip-overs. In addition, a standard technician programmable travel speed control system allows plant managers to limit the top speed of the truck without reducing performance of the hydraulic functions.
More information is available online.
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