TCM Corporation, owned by Hitachi Construction since 2005, has been delivering a steady flow of new battery electric products over the past 4-5 years.

It began with the release in 2004 of its AC powered 4-wheel battery electric counterbalanced forklift and since then it has introduced quite an array of modern battery electric materials handling products including its range of 3-wheel counter balanced forklifts.

As demand for cost efficient and environmentally friendly forklifts increases worldwide, TCM has renewed its efforts to redesign and upgrade its already modern range of battery electric products. Its latest offering is the new Series-8 reach truck that now replaces its very successful Series-7 reach truck that was introduced in 2004.

This Japanese manufactured stand up reach truck designated FRHB-8, incorporates many features in a smart and modern looking design. Superior performance and economy is delivered via an AC drive motor and regenerative braking system that delivers 9 hours run time on a single battery charge.

This is an improvement over the previous model of approximately half an hour, based on 55 per cent rate of work efficiency. Improved maneuverability is provided via two new features; a newly designed auto suspension lock system and a slip control system.

The new model has had the operator compartment redesigned to further improve comfort and safety has been enhanced with an interlock system on lifting and travelling and password entry. Damien Garvey, national sales manager for NTP Forklifts Australia who are the Australian distributor for TCM forklifts said, "the TCM 7 series reach truck was a very popular model with our customers. It was extremely reliable and offered excellent battery life.

I have no doubt that the new series 8 will offer the same benefits but also with a few more features to improve safety and productivity." Garvey added, "Another aspect to this range is that it can be ordered in a 4 directional configuration. This is where the front castors have separate motors and can pivot 90 degrees so the unit can move sideways down an aisle or through a door way.

This was available on the 7 series as well and we found it very popular with glass, metal and pipe handling companies who are constantly jostling with elongated materials."