TMH Torque
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1800 425 438
Esperance Freight Lines, part of the Freight
Lines Group, commissioned six internal-
combustion 2.5-tonne payload Toyota 8FG25
forklifts and a battery-electric 8FBN25 forklift at
its Welshpool (Perth) depot.
The new Toyota forklifts replace a fleet from
another manufacturer.
The latest order means Esperance Freight
Lines has bought 22 Toyota forklifts in the
last three years for its depots in Esperance,
Geraldton and Kalgoorlie.
Previous orders included 2.5 and 3.0-tonne
payload internal combustion machines, and an
8FBN25 battery-electric forklift.
Managing director Michael Harding said his
father, John Harding, founded the company 25
years ago and its first Toyota forklift purchase
would date from that time.
“The Toyotas are good and reliable forklifts,”
he said. “I’m a hands-on person and the most
important purchase factors for me are that the
forklifts are economical and that the operators
like using them.
“That is a good measure of their operability and
means fewer hassles in day-to-day usage.”
Michael Harding said Toyota Material Handling
Australia (TMHA) supports the forklifts in the
various company depots through its branch and
agent network.
“They have service agents around the state that
look after our forklifts at Esperance, Kalgoorlie
and Geraldton.
“TMHA at Kewdale (Perth) will service the
forklifts at Welshpool and I’m sure that the
service will be good.”
Michael Harding said his father founded the
business in 1991. “He sold the company to my
brother-in-law and then I bought it back,” he
said.
TMHA WA major accounts manager Russell
Dickson said the latest order with Esperance
Freight was won in a highly competitive tender
process.
“Machine reliability, high levels of operator
comfort and lower costs to maintain the fleet
were key factors in Toyota winning the order for
the latest seven machines,” he said.
“Toyota’s strong record of service back-up was
also important in securing the order.”
Russell Dickson said Esperance Freight Lines’
first Toyota purchases would have been
through previous dealer LiftRite Toyota, before
the factory-owned company Toyota Material
Handling Australia was formed in 2005 to sell
and support Toyota, BT Lift Truck and Raymond
material handling products nationally.
“Our service department strives to provide
excellent levels of product support for all our
customers,” he said.
Toyota’s 2.5-tonne payload 8FG25 is one of the
top selling counter-balance forklifts in Australia
and widely used in the transport industry.
“The popularity of the Toyota FG forklift range
is based on proven reliability that just keeps on
going in all environments, giving our customers
excellent performance, service and good value
for money from a proven brand they can trust,”
Russell Dickson said.
The award-winning 8-Series Toyota forklifts
have a number of leading safety features,
including Toyota’s System of Active Stability
(SAS) technology that helps prevent tip-overs.
Other safety features include an Operator
Presence Sensing system that stops the forklift
from moving unless the operator is correctly
seated at the controls, while the Active Mast
Function Controller can sense instability,
thereby limiting the mast angle and speed
according to the height and weight of the load.
The 8-Series also offers a large, easily
accessible workspace with a wide foot area, a
tight turning circle for improved manoeuvrability,
ergonomically designed controls, excellent
forward visibility and a comfortable and fully
adjustable operator restraint suspension seat
with added lumbar support.
The fuel-efficient Toyota engines are tuned to
minimise noise levels in enclosed environments.
They have Toyota hydraulic valve lifters to help
lower engine noise and reduce maintenance
requirements.
TMH Torque
I
16
1800 425 438
WA freight company switches to
Toyota forklifts at Perth depot
A thrivingWest Australian freight company has re-equipped its Perth depot with
seven Toyota forklift trucks.
