Development of Environmentally-Friendly Forklift Lift Trucks

The newest model internal combustion lift truck “GENEO (8FG/D)” now comes equipped as standard with an electronically controlled fuel injection system and a three-way catalytic muffler. Compared to our previous model lift truck, CO emissions have been cut by nearly 57%, and NOx and HC emissions have been reduced nearly 99%. Thanks to these improvements the exhaust gasses are cleaner and they already meet the new exhaust gas emissions standards for gasoline powered vehicles*1.
Also, the use of an electronically controlled throttle has reduced fuel consumption by nearly 15%, which greatly improves the environmental performance.
In addition, operating noise has been reduced through the adoption of sound insulation and absorption measures, as well as a mechanism to prevent fork operating noise. Improvements to the paints used and the use of lead-free solder have lead to huge reductions in lead and hexavalent chromium. In every respect this is an environmentally-friendly product that should contribute to the reduction of environmental impacts throughout its lifecycle.

*1 2007 Japanese domestic special vehicle exhaust gas emission regulations

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Diesel-Powerd Hybrid Forklift 88-7FD 3.5ton

Diesel-Powerd Hybrid Forklift 88-7FD 3.5ton

TICO Original Hybrid System

Fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions are significantly reduced thanks to the new proprietary hybrid system specifically developed for lift trucks, which efficiently combines an engine, electrical motor and battery. Adopting the series hybrid method for driving and the parallel hybrid method for loading/unloading, the system optimally matches the movement of the engine and motor depending on the task to achieve outstanding efficiency. This hybrid system enables not only engine rotation control but also energy regeneration when decelerating, achieving an approximately 50% reduction in fuel consumption compared with our 3.5-ton diesel engine lift truck. Cutting CO₂ emissions throughout its lifecycle by almost 45%, the lift truck runs cleaner while possessing high power.

*1	In-house testing parameters
*2	'EcoPLAS' (in-house LCA system   LCA：Life Cycle Assessment)

Ecologically Conscious Engine

It's equipped with the IDZ-III engine, which has a proven track record in the 1- to 3-ton lift truck lineup. While maintaining high reliability, the engine is controlled not to use the overload range as much as possible, curbing smoke generation and thus featuring excellent environmental performance.

Lower Noise Levels

The hybrid system achieves a smaller engine displacement volume while optimizing engine rotation depending on driving or loading/unloading operations. This makes it possible not to raise engine rotation unnecessarily, thereby reducing noise.

*3  In-house testing parameters (dB(A) ratio)

MHI Markets World's First Engine/Battery Hybrid Forklift Trucks | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Tokyo, October 5, 2009 - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has developed the world's first*1 engine/battery hybrid forklift trucks with 4.0 to 5.0 ton rated capacities. Domestic marketing of the new "GRENDiA EX Hybrid" models began today. By integrating a lithium-ion secondary battery developed in-house and high-efficiency motors with small-size, low-exhaust- emission diesel engines that comply with new emission regulations, the company has realized outstanding environment-friendly, fuel-efficient performance: approximately 39% greater fuel efficiency than the standard internal-combustion powered trucks. Initially the GRENDiA EX Hybrid will be available only in the domestic market.

"GRENDiA EX Hybrid"

The world's first hybrid forklifts with on-board lithium-ion battery adopt “series & parallel” *2 for travel mode and “parallel” operation*3 for lifting. The power train consists primarily of the lithium-ion battery, a diesel engine, two induction motors and inverters. By employing the series & parallel method and its high-capacity lithium-ion battery, MHI has successfully downsized the engine while maintaining truck performance equal to earlier models. The combination not only improves fuel efficiency significantly but also contributes greatly to reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by slashing engine displacement by one-third. The GRENDiA EX Hybrid is MHI's first product to be equipped with its proprietary lithium-ion battery, which the company is currently preparing for full-scale commercial production.

The GRENDiA EX Hybrid is the hybrid offering in the internal-combustion engine-powered GRENDiA EX series, with 3.5 to 5.5 ton rated capacities, which MHI began marketing this summer. In addition to enhanced environmental friendliness and higher fuel efficiency, the hybrid models also feature a rigid frame design, powerful workability and high maneuverability achieved through parts sharing with the GRENDiA EX, the base model. Incorporating various additional functions, the hybrid models realize the high level of safety, efficiency and easy maintenance required for engine-powered forklifts in this class.

The new hybrid models feature MHI’s proprietary Mast and Travel Interlock System, a risk reduction system, and a digital speedometer as standard equipment. MHI further offers users maintenance cost reduction support through optional Fleet Management Services (FMS), under which the company proposes customers the optimal fleet deployment based on comprehensive analysis of specific operating conditions and maintenance costs.

As environmental concern increases globally, today demand to reduce environmental influences is increasing sharply in the industrial-use vehicle market too, as indicated by the fact that battery-operated models now comprise the majority of domestic forklift truck sales. However, in the category exceeding 4.0 ton rated capacity, which requires powerful lifting, internal-combustion engine-power forklifts have remained dominant.

In light of the current market trend, MHI now offers new hybrid models that provide uncompromised durability and economic efficiency while simultaneously responding to the world’s call for significant reduction in energy consumption and CO2 emissions, all accomplished leveraging the company’s existing components already proven in its battery- and engine-powered forklifts.

Following the introduction of its new hybrid forklifts, MHI now intends to step up its proactive marketing activities in the diversifying forklift market, as a way of enhancing customer satisfaction.

Notes:
1.  Based on MHI survey at end of September 2009.
2.  A method that enables driving of the wheels either by engine only, battery only, or engine and drive motor simultaneously.
3.  A method for operating the hydraulic pump by engine and lifting motor simultaneously.
Major Specifications of GRENDiA EX Hybrid

Model	FD40N Hybrid	FD45N Hybrid	FD50N Hybrid
Maximum traveling speed (km/h)	21	21	21
Rated capacity (kg)	4,000	4,500	5,000
Hybrid system (traveling)	Series & parallel
Hybrid system (lifting)	Parallel
Engine	Diesel engine with 3.3 liter displacement
Motors	Induction motors: 10kW x 2
Battery	Lithium-ion secondary battery

STILL RX 70 Hybrid wins Federal Ecodesign Award

Ecologic responsibility and efficient turnover do not go together? The Hamburg based manufacturer of warehouse trucks proves the exact opposite these days! With the new RX 70 Hybrid diesel truck, the Hamburg based intralogistics company consistently follows the path toward minimised energy costs and low CO2 emissions.

The RX 70 Hybrid is the first series-produced counter balance truck worldwide, using the principle of energy recuperation in combination with an electric power transmission. To provide a powerful but yet energy-efficient drive, the truck combines two systems to store the energy:

STILL RX 70 Hybrid wins Federal Ecodesign Award

STILL RX 70 Hybrid wins Federal Ecodesign Award

A conventional tank for the diesel fuel and a system to store electric energy deploying Ultracaps. Every time th

Ecologic responsibility and efficient turnover do not go together? The Hamburg based manufacturer of warehouse trucks proves the exact opposite these days! With the new RX 70 Hybrid diesel truck, the Hamburg based intralogistics company consistently follows the path toward minimised energy costs and low CO2 emissions.

The RX 70 Hybrid is the first series-produced counter balance truck worldwide, using the principle of energy recuperation in combination with an electric power transmission. To provide a powerful but yet energy-efficient drive, the truck combines two systems to store the energy:

STILL RX 70 Hybrid wins Federal Ecodesign Award

STILL RX 70 Hybrid wins Federal Ecodesign Award

A conventional tank for the diesel fuel and a system to store electric energy deploying Ultracaps. Every time the drive pedal is released, the electric brake converts the kinetic energy into electric energy which is then stored. The Ultracaps take up the energy flowing back from the system and can immediately release it again.

This system of energy recuperation, combined with the most efficient way to use the internal combustion engine taps into potential energy savings and allows saving up to 15 percent of the fuel compared to an RX 70-35, depending on the work cycle.

Used Trucks

Used Trucks

With this technology STILL has made another important step towards an ecologically responsible and efficient management of materials.

e drive pedal is released, the electric brake converts the kinetic energy into electric energy which is then stored. The Ultracaps take up the energy flowing back from the system and can immediately release it again.

This system of energy recuperation, combined with the most efficient way to use the internal combustion engine taps into potential energy savings and allows saving up to 15 percent of the fuel compared to an RX 70-35, depending on the work cycle.

Used Trucks

Used Trucks

With this technology STILL has made another important step towards an ecologically responsible and efficient management of materials.