Forklift Mast Terminology Explained

Just like a 2-door car can also be described as a coupe, the most common forklift mast types have interchangeable names. Before you buy or rent a forklift, it’s important to know the various names for different types of forklift masts.

Already an experienced forklift buyer? Feel free to scroll past the first part of this article and test your knowledge of forklift mast terminology.

Should I Buy A New or Used Forklift?

Given an unlimited budget, who wouldn’t choose a shiny new forklift with the newest technology and all the accessories? But as Mick Jagger famously sang, “you can’t always get what you want…but you might find you get what you need.”

But therein lies the question. Does your business need a brand-new forklift? Or would a used one work just as well?

Why the Polaris PRO XD is the Most Reliable Work UTV


You can now buy, lease or rent  the Polaris PRO XD from TMHNC in the Bay Area, Sacramento, Fresno or Salinas. These new vehicles set the standard for durability, productivity and safety in work UTVs,

When to Lease Vs Buy an Electric Forklift - 3 Questions to Ask

One of the many decisions you’ll make when investing in a new piece of equipment is whether to buy or lease. A big part of that decision is the forklift's battery and what it will eventually cost to replace it.

A forklift battery should last a single-shift operation for five to eight years. Proper care and maintenance can extend battery life up to ten years, but they don't last forever. The average cost to replace an industrial battery is about $6,000 (give or take $1,000). Contact your rep for a more precise quote. 

If you’re unsure whether to lease or buy an electric lift truck outright, consider:
- How many hours will the forklift will be used each year?
- What is the operation’s current / future cash flow?
- Can the forklift be well-maintained by staff?

Want Truly Clean Floors? Use Professional Cleaning Equipment


The recent health crisis has caused schools, offices and retail spaces to rethink what it means to have a healthy and safe environment. Because our shoes are one of the dirtiest things we encounter every day, floors are a key battleground for preventing disease transmission.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends regular cleaning followed by disinfection, but do you know the difference between cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting?  Read on to learn:

  • What these terms mean
  • CDC-recommended cleaning and disinfection methods for floors
  • How to choose the right floor cleaning equipment
  • Why hot water is essential for killing germs and getting truly clean floors.

Product Review: Toyota Diesel Forklift

Product Name: Toyota 1ZS Diesel Forklift
Manufacturer: Toyota Industrial Equipment
Interesting Features: Tier IV Final Emissions Compliant
Lift Capacity: up to 6500 lbs  for the 1ZS engine,  higher capacities available  with other engines
Notable feature(s): Multi-function digital display with onboard self-diagnostics, rear pillar assist grip with horn button, swivel seat and ergonomic steering wheel knob.
Price Range:  Starting at $30k
Value for the money: Excellent

Best for:  Any operation that needs clean diesel power outdoors.
Toyota's 1ZS  diesel engine is ideal for the agricultural industry because it meets Tier IV final emissions standards.

Not recommended for: Indoor use

View current inventory:
New diesel / internal combustion forklifts
Used diesel / internal combustion forklifts

When To Use a Reach Truck vs. a Forklift

When businesses need to maximize space and speed, Toyota reach trucks deliver. Reach trucks are commonplace in medium to large warehouse and distribution centers across the Bay Area, greater Sacramento and Fresno. They’re also widely used in food and beverage distribution. 

If your business has narrow aisles (or plans to convert to narrow aisles), a reach truck can do the same job as a forklift, but in a narrower space. With a reach truck, operators can now easily position pallets into racks 37 feet high thanks to Toyota’s most recent product release. 

As an added bonus: businesses in California can get paid to charge electric equipment. Use the quarterly payment to help pay for new electric equipment or invest in other opportunities. 

Forklift Capacity - How Much Do You Need?

If the
data plate on your forklift says its rated capacity is 10,000 lbs, that doesn't necessarily mean you can lift any load weighing less than 10,000 lbs. The load dimensions, placement, weight distribution of the load and any forklift attachments affect your lift truck's true maximum capacity.

Today's blog post will answer the questions:
- What is rated capacity vs. net/payload capacity
How much can a forklift actually lift?
- What is load center?
How to choose a forklift with the right capacity

Forklift Review: Toyota Electric Stand-Up  Rider

*Originally published in 2017. Toyota Material Handling plans on launching a new SR1 stand-up rider in 2022 that has a load capacity up to 5,000 lb. Learn more about electric forklift options here

Product Name:  Toyota Electric Stand Up Rider 
Model Numbers: 8BNCU15-16.5, 8BNCU15-18.5, 8BNCU18-16.5, 8BNCU18-18.5, 8BNCU20-18.5, 8BNCU20-21.5
Lift Capacity:  3,000 – 4,000 lbs.

Notable feature(s): Dock-to-stock flexibility, 10 ft. narrow-aisle navigability, 36-Volt electrical system, AC drive and lift motors, side stance operation for intuitive forward and reverse travel, lift heights up to 23 feet, can support multiple shifts.

Options: integral sideshift, cold storage conditioning, reverse steering (operator facing away from forks), full free-lift 2, 3 or 4-stage mast, auto fork leveling (aka 2-way mast tilt centering), digital load weight display.

Price Range: $34k - $45k 
Value for the money: Excellent 

Get Paid to Go Electric
California’s Air Resource Board (CARB) provides cash incentives to businesses that choose electric material handling equipment. Read about CARB’s LCFS program

Read on for pros and cons of Toyota's Stand-Up Rider Forklift...

Floor Scrubbers: Disc Versus Cylindrical

Today’s post will review the differences between autoscrubbers that use disc scrubbing heads versus cylindrical brushes.

Disc Scrubbers: Generally speaking, disc scrubbers are two, flat pads or brushes that turn at 300 RPM while water shoots between them. Depending on the brush, these machines can shine floors, remove scuff marks, strip wax, or used as tile cleaning machines. Generally speaking, the walk-behind floor scrubbers you see are typically disc scrubbers.

Cylindrical Scrubbers: A cylindrical scrub brush system will (wet) sweep small debris into a removable tray while also washing the floor. Two rod-shaped brushes turn in opposite directions. The rear brush turns backward and kicks small debris into a hopper behind the scrub head. Optional side brooms provide greater debris capture. Cylindrical scrub brushes turn much faster than disc scrubbers (600-800 RPMs) .

With cylindrical scrubbers, there’s no need to pre-sweep. Eliminating this extra step make cylindrical scrubbers a smart choice for large spaces such as warehouses and parking garages.

Read on to learn the benefits of disc versus cylindrical floor scrubbers for a variety of applications. 

When to Buy a 3-Wheel Forklift vs. Stand-Up Forklift

A question we hear fairly often is, “should I buy a 3-wheel or a stand-up forklift?” The price range for these two products is similar, $30,000- $40,000. Both forklifts are:

  • An excellent value for the money
  • Have a low-maintenance AC motors 
  • and have a max lift height of 23 feet. 

So how do you choose the best lift truck for your operation?

In this article, we’ll compare Toyota's Stand-up Rider Forklift (8BNCU15 8BNCU18 and 8BNCU20) to Toyota's 3-Wheel Electric Forklift (8FBE15U-20U, 8FBES15U and 8FBEH18U) so you can make an informed buying decision.

Forklifts for Food Processing and Warehousing


Fast turnaround, frequent wash-downs, cold storage and corrosive fluids are just a few reasons food processing facilities and warehouses require superior material handling equipment. Sub-standard or unreliable machines can cause spoiled product, lost productivity and expensive repairs.

Downtime is something every material handling operation wants to avoid, but for food processing operations downtime is a dirty word. In today’s article, we’ll look at some of the best material handling equipment available for:
- commercial food processing
- cold storage warehouses
- food and beverage material handling

Pallet Jacks and Trucks Electric Vs. Manual

Pallet jacks are a must-have for most warehouses. They save time, are easily to maneuver and go where large forklifts can’t. In today’s post, we’ll review the pros and cons of manual and electric pallet jacks - also known as pallet trucks and hand forklifts.

How Much Does a Forklift Cost?

A typical forklift, like the one you see in most warehouses, should cost anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 depending on capacity, tires and fuel type. As a general rule, the acquisition price of an electric forklift is roughly 50% higher than a comparable Internal Combustion (IC) lift truck. While this difference might seem extreme, the majority of customers today are seeing the ROI of an electric over its useful life is significantly greater than this price gap.

The acquisition price of a forklift is directly related  to its capacity. The higher the capacity, the higher the acquisition cost. In this article, we’ll review what goes into a forklift’s sticker price and other important factors such as cost of ownership.

 

Taylor-Dunn Electric Utility Vehicles for Outdoor Landscaping

With locations in Sacramento, Fresno, Salinas and the East Bay, TMH has many customers in the agriculture business. Over the years, we’ve noticed an increasing number of companies asking for efficient electric utility vehicles.

Manufacturers like Taylor Dunn offer electric vehicles with rugged chassis and clearance designed for outdoor applications like orchards, farms, gardens, vineyards, nurseries and large private estates. Here are some customer favorites:

7 Reasons to Choose a GEM Versus a Golf Cart

Let’s be honest, golf carts weren’t made for industrial or commercial applications. They were made for leisurely drives around a golf course.

For light duty applications, such as transporting passengers and light cargo, a golf cart may be fine. But for heavy-duty applications that require transporting cargo, covering long distances, and/or traversing steep or rough terrain, you’ll want the suspension strength, clearance and braking capacity of a commercial electric vehicle like a GEM.

With a GEM, you can drive on-road or off-road with confidence. You won’t have to worry if your vehicle’s brakes are strong enough to stop a heavy load going down a steep grade, or if all your tools and supplies will fit securely.

Generally speaking, a NEV such as a GEM is a better choice (versus a golf cart) for: shuttles and tours (especially those that cross city streets), indoor / outdoor hauling, park maintenance, and patrol / security applications.

Review: Polaris GEM  Golf Cart

Product Name: Polaris GEM eL XD
Manufacturer: GEM by Polaris
Interesting Features:  Can be made street legal up to 25MPH
Price Range: $12,999-$34,999 (depends on options)  
Value for the money:  
Good
Recommended for:  Any application with large distances to cover - the bigger the better. This vehicle is popular with universities, airports, large warehousing, and corporate campuses that cover multiple city blocks. It's also good for maintenance departments, or general contractors in major cities. The eL XD also works great in state parks because it performs well in cold or warm weather.

The GEM eL XD can be operated on many streets with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less. But be sure to check local laws regarding street use and vehicle equipment requirements. 

Review: Toyota 3-Wheel Electric Forklift

Product Name: Toyota 3 Wheel Electric Forklift 
Model Numbers: 8FBE15U-20U, 8FBES15U and 8FBEH18U
Lift Capacity: 3000 - 4000 lbs.
Notable feature(s): Extreme maneuverability, standard wet disc brakes
Price Range:
$27,000 - $34,000  
Value for the money:
Excellent
Optional Features:

Mini levers ergonomic controls
EZ Control joystick
Blue safety light for pedestrians
Rear assist grip with horn button

Best for: These forklifts are uniquely suited for narrow-aisle warehouses (or any operation with limited space) and barrel operations in wine caves. These machines can turn in less than their own length! Every winery needs one...

Not recommended for: The only downside to these lifts is that they are harder on dock leveler plates and generally require the next weight capacity up.


View current inventory:

Warehouse Slip Trip and Fall Injury Prevention


In California,
slip-and-fall accidents are the number one workplace injury.
  • 22 percent of incidents resulted in 31+ days away from work
  • 85 percent of worker’s compensation claims were attributed to employees slipping on slick floors
  • In California, injury settlement payouts from slip and fall lawsuits range from $40,000 to more than $12 million

Cal/OSHA receives more than 20,000 slip and fall injury reports each year, a staggering amount when you consider clean, dry floors can prevent many slip and fall incidents. Slip trip and fall injuries are especially common in warehouse and distribution center environments where:

  • Pallet fragments and other debris create hazardous conditions
  • A distracted worker carrying a box or pick list can overlook an obstruction in their path
  • A visiting staff member wearing leather-soled dress shoes may slip on a dusty floor

The best way to keep your floors safe for employees and visitors is with cleaning equipment designed for warehouses and distribution centers - not mops and brooms.

FSMA Requirements: Why Clean Floors are Essential for Food Processing Plants


The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Compliance and Certification are designed to prevent foodborne illnesses. Unfortunately,
bacterial contamination remains a leading cause of FDA recalls.

Food contamination from Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes has actually increased in recent years - from 28 percent of food recalls to over 31 percent. With all the rules and requirements, how is this still a problem?

How to Choose the Right Floor Scrubber Machine

Drop the Mop! Save Time and Get Cleaner Floors With a Power Scrubber. Sticky sodas and greasy drips create a safety hazard for employees and make a poor impression with customers. Things run better in a clean environment, but it can be hard to maintain.

Even low-traffic hallways accumulate a surprising amount of grime that can’t be removed with a mop; break rooms and lobbies are often twice as bad. Maintaining floors with a mop and elbow grease is time-consuming and just can’t get floors as clean as a floor scrubber machine.

All Terrain and 4WD Forklifts for Farming and Agriculture


Rough terrain forklifts can help farmers and nursery operations improve productivity and gain a competitive edge. A 4 Wheel Drive or all-terrain forklift reduces labor costs while speeding up production. A palletized inventory can also increase storage space and keep things organized.

Advantages of Floor Cleaning Machines vs. Manual Cleaning

Brooms and mops may seem like a smart way to save money, but for many businesses, the labor costs associated with manual cleaning are far greater than buying an industrial floor cleaning machine. To put it bluntly, just because you're saving money on equipment doesn’t mean you’re saving money.

Commercial cleaning equipment can eliminate dirt, dust, grease and grime in a fraction of the time it takes someone to sweep or scrub the area manually. Today’s auto-scrubbers and industrial sweepers are whisper quiet, have long-lasting batteries and eliminate the safety hazards associated with mops and brooms.

Time is money, and if you have a large area to keep clean, mops and brooms are inefficient. They also:

Industrial cleaning equipment can quickly pay for itself. Learn more about the advantages of using a commercial floor cleaning machine versus manual cleaning with a mop or broom:

Comparing the Cost to Rent, Lease or Buy a Floor Sweeper or Scrubber

A clean floor is the sign of a professional operation. Though more expensive than a mop or broom, floor scrubbers and sweepers give your business that professional look with less time and elbow grease. Not to mention, they leave your floors much cleaner!

In this article we’ll look at different types of floor sweepers and scrubbers and the best application for different types of units. We'll also compare the cost to rent, lease or buy a floor sweeper / scrubber.

How An Industrial Floor Cleaning Machine Can Pay for Itself

Ask any manager who’s dealt with a major incident or received a fine - nothing is more expensive than regret. Unfortunately, it can be hard to convince decision-makers to invest in new equipment to prevent accidents.

Understandably, managers are focused on improving profits. Shrinking budgets and (what can seem like) competing priorities can cause conflict between EHS managers and other decision-makers, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Industrial floor cleaning machines offer protection against fines and worker injuries and can pay for themselves through reduced labor costs. Commercial cleaning equipment is like  an insurance policy that also improves the bottom line.

Read on for more ways to get buy-in for an industrial floor cleaning machine purchase. Keep in mind, we can bring any equipment to your location for a free demo - including ride-on and walk-behind sweepers and automatic scrubbers. Toyota Material Handling Northern California (TMHNC) serves the Bay Area, Salinas and The Central Valley from Sacramento to Fresno.

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