Archive for February, 2023
Why Buy a Toyota Electric Forklift?
As part of its climate change mitigation efforts, California plans to lead the nation in transitioning all new forklifts away from fossil fuels and towards zero-emission models. The California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) proposed legislation would require businesses to swap traditional forklifts, such as propane or diesel models, for electric ones that produce no harmful emissions.
The proposed legislation is coming up quickly – CARB plans to ban sales of all new forklifts that are not zero-emission by 2026. Click here for the latest updates from CARB.
Many California businesses are now getting ahead of CARB’s proposed zero-emissions mandate by adding electric forklifts to their fleet. If you’re a first-time electric forklift user or you’ve been using them for years, let’s consider why purchasing a TOYOTA electric forklift is better than buying another brand.
REASONS TO BUY A TOYOTA ELECTRIC FORKLIFT
1. Electric Solutions for Every Application
Toyota Electric Forklifts fit a wide variety of applications. Toyota has an electric solution for every task, from the 3-Wheel Electric for efficient material handling to the Toyota Reach Truck for operating in narrow aisles to the Toyota Large Electric to easily tackle even your heaviest task. Toyota also sets itself apart by providing electric-powered models for indoor and outdoor use.
2. Outperforms the Competition
Toyota’s 3-Wheel Electric Forklift has quickly become the industry leader in electric forklifts, setting a high bar with 15 percent greater energy efficiency and up to 23 percent speedier travel than other brand models. It also outperforms the competition in lift/lower speeds by 8 percent faster on average.
In addition, Toyota’s 3-Wheel Electric Forklift is easy to maintain and has a 40 percent longer battery life than the competition. No wonder it is a top seller in Toyota’s forklift line.
3. Industry’s Most Expansive Reach Truck Lineup
Last year, Toyota launched a historic twenty-two new forklifts and material handling products – the most extensive product launch in the company’s history. The launch consists of 12 new reach truck models – giving Toyota the most expansive reach truck lineup in the industry.
Toyota’s Reach Trucks are designed for safety, efficiency, and productivity. They feature padded floor and brake pedals, high visibility overhead guard, and padded lean points to make using the lift for extended periods safe and comfortable.
4. Powerful Energy Options
To keep up with customer demands, Toyota Industrial Energy Solutions provides various energy solutions designed for your needs, ranging from reliable and affordable lead acid batteries to cutting-edge lithium-ion power sources. Click here to read FAQs about forklift batteries.
5. Quality Built In
From a single forklift to an entire fleet, Toyota’s quality, durability, reliability, and value are built-in thanks to advanced technology and the world-renowned Toyota Production System. In addition, Toyota designed and built AC drives and pump motors to provide industry-leading run time and performance. Click here to learn about the benefits of using an AC-powered electric forklift.
6. One-Stop Shop for Forklift Parts
Toyota is also your one-stop shop for Toyota Genuine Parts and parts for your entire fleet of material handling equipment. Our extensive cross-reference database gives us access to millions of parts numbers and competitive supply sources. Whether you need tires, brakes, or forks, we can find them faster than the competition.
7. Toyota 360 Support
Toyota 360 Support represents Toyota’s promise to be your partner while buying, owning, servicing, and eventually replacing the material handling equipment when the need arises. Click here to read FAQs about Toyota 360 Support.
SAFETY IN A TOYOTA ELECTRIC FORKLIFT
8. Safety Innovation
Safety is essential for your employees and your bottom line. OSHA’s $afety Pays tool will tell you exactly how much a workplace injury could cost your business. The calculator breaks down the costs of 40 types of injuries and illnesses and shows the direct and indirect costs. And to drive home the importance of safety to your bottom line, the tool calculates the additional sales revenue you would need to generate to cover these costs. 
Toyota introduced the world’s first and only System of Active Stability (SAS). The system electronically monitors the forklift’s operations to help reduce the likelihood of lateral and longitudinal tip-overs. Toyota’s SAS comes standard on most Toyota forklifts, including the popular 3-wheel and core electric models. Click here to watch SAS in action.
Proximity sensors are another important safety device to help prevent collisions by detecting objects in the forklift’s path. Toyota’s all-new SEnS Smart Environment Sensor™ (SEnS) pedestrian detection system can assist operators in identifying a pedestrian or object behind their forklift during a shift. SEnS uses advanced technology and proprietary algorithms to distinguish between these obstacles. Click here to learn more about Toyota’s SEnS system and other must-have safety devices for your forklift.
When you’re purchasing an electric forklift, the allure of an inexpensive option can be tempting. However, investing in a high-quality Toyota electric forklift from us comes with everything mentioned above and more. Click here for seven ways we can help your business beyond forklifts. 
Let us know if you’re in Los Angeles County and need help deciding when to add electric forklifts to your fleet. Our sales consultants can provide expert advice and answer questions about CARB’s proposed zero-emission mandates.
What To Know About Toyota’s SEnS Smart Environment Sensor® (SEnS)
Toyota has long been a leader in safety innovations. Since 1999, Toyota has equipped most of its forklifts with the Toyota System of Active Stability (SAS) to protect operators in potentially hazardous situations. SAS is a Toyota-engineered safety system comprised of 10 sensors, three actuators, and a controller that monitors the forklift’s operations and automatically takes protective action when needed. Recently, Toyota launched the SEnS Smart Environment Sensor (Toyota’s SEnS) to protect both forklift operators and pedestrians.
According to a recent study by EHS Today, nearly all (97%) working Americans said feeling safe is important in determining where to work. However, the same study also found that only half (55%) of working Americans feel their employer has made more effort to ensure their safety than in previous years.
If you want to attract and retain employees, looking for ways to make your workplace safe is more important than ever. Let’s look at how Toyota’s SEnS Smart Environment Sensor (SEnS) and SEnS Smart Environment Sensor Plus (SEnS+) can increase the safety of forklift operators and everyone around them.
TOYOTA’S SEnS SMART ENVIRONMENT SENSOR (SEnS)
How does the SEnS Smart Environment Sensor® (SEnS) work?
A SEnS Smart Environment Sensor, designed and engineered by Toyota, uses advanced technology to help operators identify a pedestrian or object behind a forklift. The sensor uses proprietary algorithms to distinguish between the two.
How does SEnS alert a forklift operator about a pedestrian or object?
If within a detectible range, a buzzer and four indicator lights alert the operator when a pedestrian or object is within a certain range of the forklift’s rear.
Does SEnS let a forklift operator know if the pedestrian or object keeps getting closer? 
Yes, the frequency in which the warning lights blink and the buzzer sound increases as the pedestrian or object enters a zone closer to the forklift’s rear.
How far away can SEnS detect objects?
SEnS can detect objects up to 32 feet away.
How many zones can be programmed with SEnS?
Customers can program up to three detection zones with different audible and visual alarms for each zone.
How do I get SEnS?
SEnS is available as an add-on kit for select Toyota Forklifts.
Which Toyota Forklifts are compatible with SEnS?
The following Toyota Forklifts are currently compatible with SEnS. Forklifts already in use can be retrofitted for this product or added to new models.
- 3-Wheel Electric Forklift
- Core Electric Forklift
- Core IC Cushion Forklift
- Large IC Cushion Forklift
- Core IC Pneumatic Forklift
- Mid IC Pneumatic Forklift
- Large IC Pneumatic Forklift
- Box Car Special Forklift
- Paper Roll Special Forklift
Can I see SEnS in action?
TOYOTA’S SEnS SMART ENVIRONMENT SENSOR PLUS (SEnS+)
What is Toyota’s SEnS Smart Environment Sensor Plus™ (SEnS+)?
The SEnS Smart Environment Sensor Plus (SEnS+) is an operator-assist system featuring truck slowdown.
How does SEnS+ work?
The Smart Environment Sensor Plus™ (SEnS+) camera has been exclusively designed for forklifts to detect objects and pedestrians in the detection range. The system supports your operation by notifying the operator with a warning buzzer and warning lights. Audible notifications have three distinct levels based on the distance of the obstacle.
In addition to the system notifications, the system can control the traveling speed and slow down the truck for pedestrians and objects in specific conditions.
Which Toyota Forklifts are compatible with SEnS+?
The following Toyota Forklifts are currently compatible with SEnS+. This technology is only available on new forklift models.
- 3-Wheel Electric Forklift
- Core Electric Forklift
Are these systems compatible with any business?
SEnS and SEnS+ work with multiple input voltages and fit a variety of applications. Contact us to set up a demo and a complimentary site visit.
How Toyota Assist Can Help You Accomplish Your Business Goals
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 regard 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 a 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. Our authorized Toyota Forklift Dealers are available to help you. Reach out to your local authorized dealer for more information.
Author: Tara Holland, Social Media and Communications Specialist, Toyota Material Handling
The original content is located here.
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