Toyota Rolls Out New Line of Heavy Duty Forklifts

You could call them the monster trucks of forklifts.

Toyota’s new line of high-capacity vehicles is designed to lift up to 80,000 pounds. That’s strong enough to lift an entire 18-wheeler semi-trailer truck … that is fully loaded. Talk about power!

Obviously, not every operation needs forklifts this big and powerful. But an increasing number of businesses do, including intermodal yards that work with heavy cargo containers, marina operations that lift boats in and out of the water, industrial operations that need to lift and move very heavy machinery from place to place, and more.

Toyota Forklifts Offer Versatility

When you are dealing with jobs that big, it’s often difficult to predict the shape and configuration of the payload to be lifted. That’s why Toyota equipped its heavy-duty forklifts with an adjustable wheelbase that can extend from 36 to 48 inches, as well as cushioned tires that can handle the weight of up to 40 tons even when its forks are fully extended.

The vehicles also feature a stacked plate counterweight and a low-profile design to improve maneuverability. Then there is the rigger boom attachment that allows for additional load support, a two-speed hydrostatic transmission for optimum power, and even a 7-inch on-board full-color multifunctional touch-screen control center.

Called the MD4, the futuristic control center provides diagnostics and performance details while allowing for pre-operation checklists, auto-engine shutdown, password protection, and operator and service manuals. It even has the capacity to include customizable buttons so you can design your own touchscreen functions.

Big Toys for Big Boys

But wait, there’s more!

Some models also offer an optional wireless remote control that lets operators drive these huge machines from outside of the cabin. You can steer, move, and even lift the forks from a safe distance away, eliminating the need for secondary spotters for high-value moves.

The controller resembles the same type of remote control unit you would use to drive a radio-operated toy car around the floor or a track — only this time it operates a mammoth forklift capable of lifting an entire rail car. The controller itself comes complete with a convenient shoulder strap to reduce operator fatigue and improve stability and control.

Toyota has always been an innovation leader within the forklift industry. This new line of super-sized vehicles takes the company’s tradition of excellence, performance, and reliability to a whole new level.

You may not always need 80,000 pounds of lifting capacity power. But when you do, it’s good to know that Toyota is in your corner.