TMHE launches Toyota Traigo 48 

Combining intuitive operation with compactness and power, the all-new Toyota Traigo 48 range from Toyota Material Handling Europe (TMHE) offers businesses 10 new models to fit their specific electric counterbalanced forklift needs.

Available in 3-wheel and 4-wheel models, the Traigo 48 is engineered to satisfy customer demands in Europe’s largest electric forklift market segment, 48-volt forklift trucks. The new models have a fresh, modern design that gives them a family ‘look and feel’ in line with the Toyota Traigo 24-volt family, as well as the new Toyota Tonero engine-powered range.

The Toyota Traigo 48 is the most compact Toyota 48-volt truck ever. The range consists of 10 models – six 3-wheel models, and four 4-wheel models – with load capacities ranging from 1.5 to 2.0 tons. All trucks feature unique Toyota technologies, including the Toyota System of Active Stability (SAS) and Toyota AC² power. The range will be built according to the strict quality standards of the world-renowned Toyota Production System (TPS) at TMHE’s ISO 14001-certified plant in Bologna, Italy.

As part of TMHE’s environmental commitment, the Toyota Traigo 48 has been designed to limit environmental impact throughout the four product life cycle stages: development, manufacturing, operation and recycling. The Toyota Traigo 48 is engineered for years of clean, energy-efficient operation, and is 99% recyclable at end-of-life.

As part of the development process for the Toyota Traigo 48, TMHE conducted extensive market research to determine what key factors European customers consider when choosing 48-volt forklifts.

“Based on our research, the Toyota Traigo 48 has been designed to give European customers exactly what they are looking for in an electric counterbalanced forklift – safety, productivity, durability and driveability,” says Anthony Nadalin, TMHE Product Marketing Manager Counterbalanced. “And by offering the Traigo 48+ formula approach – with special formulas in the areas of safety, productivity and durability – Toyota Material Handling Europe ensures that our customers can choose the 48-volt model or models that meet their specific business requirements.” 

Safety

Safety is a cornerstone of Toyota Material Handling’s products, and the Toyota Traigo 48 is no exception. Every model features SAS, an exclusive Toyota technology designed to actively promote forklift safety. By helping to protect the operator and load when the truck is driving, turning and lifting, SAS intuitively provides advanced technological support for safe operating practices. Key SAS features include the new SAS speed reduction when cornering feature for 3-wheel models, which offers excellent lateral stability when turning. For 4-wheel models, the SAS swing lock cylinder provides excellent lateral stability for safe operation. Other new features that support workplace safety include a low dashboard for excellent visibility of the fork tips, a maximum drive speed setting to help enforce workplace speed limits, and a wheel indicator that shows the position of the wheels at a glance to support safe driving habits.

For applications involving load handling at height or loads of many different weights, or when speed limits are in place, the Traigo 48+ Safety formula provides maximum drive speed reduction and acceleration reduction with lifted loads. The load weight indicator allows drivers to easily check the load weight, while the mast tilt indicator allows monitoring of the mast tilt angle. A horn built into the armrest affords easy access in case of emergency, and the emergency push button in the armrest offers quick access and easy power shutdown.

Productivity

For maximum productivity and performance, the Toyota Traigo 48 range features the exclusive Toyota AC² power system. Toyota AC² is built around new Toyota 48-volt motors and controllers developed together for optimal compatibility, resulting in higher drive and lifting speeds. In addition, the ‘Accel-off’ braking function delivers smooth braking performance. The ‘car pedal’ layout of the operator pedals provides an intuitive driving experience for fast, efficient operation. The new, highly compact chassis design gives Toyota Traigo 48 an exceptionally compact turning radius for optimum product fit in confined areas.

For applications that require frequent driving in reverse or operation outside or on uneven floors, the Traigo 48+ Productivity formula provides a rear assist grip with horn button and swivel seat for ergonomic, highly productive operation when driving in reverse. Hydraulic cushioned forks cradle the load for better productivity and smoother operation on uneven surfaces.

Durability

The Toyota Traigo 48 will be produced using TPS in order to deliver consistently excellent standards of Toyota quality and reliability. For all Traigo 48 models, wet disc brakes are standard for excellent braking performance even in tough conditions. The new, rugged exterior body design resists damage, while the maintenance hour meter promotes maintenance planning – increasing reliability and uptime.

For applications that involve exposure to corrosive environments, or operation by many different drivers, the Traigo 48+ Durability formula provides a fully oil charged lift cylinder to prevent lift cylinder corrosion. Shockless landing cushions the forks to avoid impacts when the forks are lowered to ground level. A shock sensor records impacts during operation, helping to promote good driving behaviour and avoid unnecessary repair costs.

Driveability

The Toyota Traigo 48 is highly compact, for easy manoeuvring and excellent fit even in confined areas. Its ergonomic design includes a low, wide step and a new large driver entry assist grip for easy access to the truck. The new slimline adjustable steering column and small (300mm diameter) steering wheel allow comfortable driving, while mini-levers provide fast, accurate, ergonomic load handling. A new, easy-to-read digital display offers detailed operational information at a glance. All of these features, together with low vibration levels, help to reduce driver stress and fatigue and support greater productivity.

“The Toyota Traigo 48 combines advanced technologies with excellent design in our most compact 48-volt truck yet,” Anthony Nadalin says. “Unique Toyota technologies like the Toyota System of Active Stability and driver-friendly features such as car pedal layout deliver intuitive operation and provide optimum product fit even in compact spaces and demanding applications.”

The Toyota Traigo 48 is one of the final steps in TMHE’s ambitious two-year programme to renew the heart of its product range. Over the past two years, TMHE has launched four major product ranges in addition to Toyota Traigo 48: Toyota Tonero engine-powered forklifts, BT Levio powered pallet trucks,
BT Staxio powered stackers and BT Reflex reach trucks. These four new ranges – together with Toyota Traigo 48 – address 70% of the European materials handling market in terms of units sold. The 10 models in the Toyota Traigo 48 range are targeted to more than half of the European electric counterbalanced forklift market.

“As part of the world leader in materials handling, Toyota Material Handling Europe has the unique ability to offer customers distinctly European solutions that draw on Toyota’s global resources and expertise,” says Andrew Elliot, TMHE Executive Vice President Marketing. “The many new models that we are bringing to the European market today target many different applications and industries, but they all carry the same dedication to quality and value that makes customers stronger together with Toyota Material Handling.”

The Toyota Traigo is available in the following models: