Durban-based materials handling equipment specialist Big Lift Trucks (BLT) has added cushion-tyre industrial trucks, which have a tight turning radius and are suitable for use in warehousing, to its range of Taylor industrial forklift trucks.

BLT product manager Clinton van den Berg says the new Taylor XC series encompasses cushion-tyre lift trucks, which have been designed to fit into narrow aisle spaces for unhindered operation in warehouses and storage yards.

The cushion-tyre trucks provide significant lift capacities in compact spaces where manoeuvrability is limited, ensuring efficient productivity in all applications, he says.

This series has full reversing and modulated powershift transmission, with inching and electric roll shift control. Wet disc brakes, which are internally force-cooled and hydraulically actuated, offer more dependable stopping power than the old-style drum brakes.

The cooling system incorporates three coolers for the standard liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) engine, a transmission cooler, an engine coolant cooler and a separate brake and hydraulic oil cooler.

The XC series has a propane gas-injected, low-emission engine, with an oxycatalytic converter. For trucks with the optional diesel engine, a charged air cooler is installed.

New design features of this generation of cushion-tyre trucks include high-load nonmarking poly tyres, a tilting operator seat, a hinged dash panel, removable floorplate hinge-up engine doors for easy access to the drivetrain and a bolt-on counterweight with single bolt removal for ease of service. Heavy-duty swing-out/flip-down mounts enable easy removal of the LPG tanks.

The standard mast, which can be easily and safely removed, has a two-stage tele- scopic design. Different mast styles with various lift heights are also available. Lift and tilt cylinders have chrome-plated rods and self-adjusting packing. For increased operator visibility, these tilt cylinders are low-mounted.
A simple, easy-to-use joystick, which is combined with a comfortable armrest, is more efficient to operate than multiple levers and also reduces operator fatigue. The parking brake is mounted on the transmission and is operated by a dash-mounted button control.

Canbus technology, which is standard in the XC series, gives the operator and mechanic the relevant data on all major engine functions.

The 12 V electrical system includes a 105 A generator. Circuit breakers are used instead of fuses and all wiring is number- and colour-coded for easy identification during maintenance.

Standard features of the XC series include work lights and taillights, turn signal indicators, two key-actuated amber strobe lights, an electric horn, forward and reverse alarms, an operator fan, panoramic view mirrors and a fire extinguisher.