Choosing the right forklift is like playing Goldilocks.
You don’t want one that’s too small or too big. You need one that’s just right. Yet, finding that perfect mid-range forklift can be a challenge when reviews focus on the extremes. Truth be told, most businesses don’t need the biggest and the baddest. They need a forklift that can handle their loads, keep their team safe, and operate all day.
That’s where the Toyota 48V electric forklift (8FBH25) and 80V electric forklift (8FB30) stand out.
These outdoor electric forklifts fall right in that middle range where they have enough power to handle most operational loads but are not so large as to waste space and resources. That middle-of-the-road power, paired with uncompromising standards, makes them perfect for indoor/outdoor operations such as retail, building materials, and general warehousing.
Read on to take a deep dive into what makes these two models exceptional choices for most businesses.
Whatever forklift you choose must be capable of doing the job.
That makes performance the first sorting criterion. Retail, building material warehouses, and general warehousing all require forklifts that can handle a variety of loads while operating continuously throughout the day. That’s a tall order for some forklifts.
Toyota electric forklifts can handle it.
The Toyota 8FBH25 (48V) and 8FB30 (80V) fall in the middle of the Toyota electric forklift line. They feature lifting capacities of 5,000 and 6,000 lbs, respectively. With that strength, they can easily tackle the loads most businesses throw at them.
That strength comes paired with regenerative braking.
The regenerative braking system activates whenever the operator takes their foot off the accelerator. The system reclaims kinetic energy from the forklift's forward momentum as the truck slows and returns it to the battery. This extends the fork truck's uptime, ensuring you can work longer between charges.
Likewise, smart features like load-sensing power steering only engage when necessary, further reducing the load on the forklift’s battery.
Once you’ve narrowed your list to forklifts that can do the job, you want one that protects your team and facility.
Non-seatbelt use is a major factor in many fatal forklift accidents.
Still, some operators skip the seatbelt in a misguided attempt to improve productivity. That makes it management's responsibility to enforce compliance. To assist, a high-visibility orange seatbelt is standard on both the 8FBH25 and 8FB30. High-visibility seatbelts make it easy for managers to ensure seatbelt compliance at a glance.
Finally, Toyota’s System of Active Stability (SAS) protects both models throughout each shift.
The SAS includes active mast control and active turn speed control. Both kick in whenever the system senses potentially dangerous situations. SAS’s combined systems then work together to stabilize the forklift and load, potentially preventing a serious accident.
Safety features like these ensure the 48V and 80V electric forklifts are among the safest forklifts on the market.
A forklift can run only as long as its operator can stay in the seat.
That makes ergonomics no small consideration when choosing the best forklift for your operational needs. Industries like warehousing put a lot of working hours on their forklifts, meaning operators must spend extended periods in the driver’s seat without discomfort or repetitive stress injuries.
Ergonomics is a key focus in the design of all Toyota electric forklifts.
Noise and vibration are also factors that affect operator comfort and safety.
The 48V and 80V are both low-noise and low-vibration models. These features keep operator stress and fatigue low while also reducing noise pollution in your facility. Not only does this create a more aesthetic environment for your staff, customers, and neighbors. It also means the 8FBH25 and 8FB30 can operate comfortably both indoors and outdoors, making them more versatile and protecting your whole team.
With these ergonomic features, your operators can work all shift without falling victim to the dangers of fatigue.
As we mentioned at the beginning, choosing the right forklift is like playing Goldilocks.
The fit has to be just right to get the most out of your investment. That's where we can help. Our experts offer a complimentary electric evaluation to help you understand your needs and select the ideal Toyota electric forklift for your specific requirements.
Let us help keep your warehouse moving forward.
The Lilly Company serves customers throughout Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and eastern Arkansas. Contact a forklift expert online or by phone 844-LILLYCO (1-844-545-5926) with any questions you may have.
Visit one of our Toyota branches across the mid-South.
Arkansas – Jonesboro
Alabama – Dothan, Irondale, Mobile, and Montgomery
Mississippi – Tupelo and Richland
Tennessee – Jackson and Memphis
Further Reading
The Toyota 80V Electric Pneumatic Forklift Product Review
Convert Your Forklift Fleet to Lithium-Ion Batteries: What You Need to Know
Why Toyota SEnS Makes So Much Sense