World class BYD forklifts take on Europe’s established brands

BYD’s new line-up of forklift trucks doesn’t just outshine the competition in terms of their extraordinary battery technology – they have also been specified to compete with the most sophisticated materials handling solutions on the market in terms of build quality and performance, too.

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The range of forklifts being unveiled by BYD Europe on its stand at CeMAT 2014 (Hall 25, Stand C21) comprises three electric counterbalance forklifts and a powered pallet truck.

The three counterbalance forklifts – the CPD20, CPD25, and CPD35 - all featuring BYD’s advanced Fe (lithium iron phosphate) battery technology – come with 2,000, 2,500 and 3,500kg lift capacities respectively. All are supplied with full free lift, triplex masts as standard for work at heights of up to 4,750mm. 

The new BYD counterbalance forklifts have been specially designed for Europe, and are built from high quality materials with robustness and durability in mind and all incorporate a range of features designed to enhance safety, maximise driver comfort and raise productivity.

Specified to compete directly with the most advanced materials handling solutions on the European market today, the new BYD counterbalance range includes the latest safety features: handbrake warning, integrated mast tilt function that helps keep loads stable and secure at all heights, and BYD’s active stability control system automatically monitors and manages truck speed during cornering, helping to avoid any risk of a load spill or truck roll-over.

Equipped with the latest AC drive technology, BYD forklifts offer precise, controllable power at all times. Programmable performance characteristics including acceleration and top speed ensure the trucks can be perfectly matched with the limitations of any operating environment or operator skill level.

Regenerative braking, also supplied as standard, helps to recharge the battery while working, while easy access to the key truck components combined with low-maintenance features such as oil-immersed brakes minimises the downtime and costs involved in routine truck servicing.

With a build quality and finish matching that of other more established brands and an ergonomically designed operator cabin that ensures drivers remain comfortable, fresh and focused at all times on the task at hand, the BYD counterbalance forklift truck range offers a pleasant, productivity-enhancing environment for even the most demanding of drivers.

All BYD forklift trucks are available in two versions: Basic and Comfort. Basic is the standard version and comes with a semi-suspension seat, traditional levers for control of hydraulic functions and a single, centrally-mounted mast cylinder full free-lift. Comfort models, aimed at those carrying out intensive work and long shifts, feature twin hydraulic cylinders to provide a clearer central view through the mast, as well as a full suspension seat to maximise operator comfort and fingertip, mini-lever hydraulic controls that minimise the hand and arm movement required for lifting and lowering operations.

With a maximum speed of 20km/h, the BYD counterbalance forklift trucks are extremely agile to perform high productivity loading and unloading tasks, while their excellent manoeuvrability means they are also well suited to the restricted space found in many industrial environments. Turning radius of both the CPD20 and CPD25 is 2,020mm, for example, and the trucks will easily cope with operating in standard aisles just 3,645mm wide, subject to pallet dimensions.

All the BYD electric counterbalance trucks are powered by BYD’s unique, maintenance-free Fe (lithium iron phosphate) batteries, with the CPD20 and CPD25 featuring a 200Ah, 80 volt version and the CPD35 fitted with the 400Ah 80 volt battery as standard. More powerful batteries up to 600 AH are available as option.

A range of options makes these remarkable forklifts even more versatile, including higher capacity batteries, duplex and triplex masts that provide maximum lift heights from 3,000mm to 6,850mm and a full steel heated cabin. The forklifts can also be supplied in individual corporate colours. 

CBD20 powered pallet truck

The CBD20 powered pallet truck is a 2,000kg capacity unit with a flip-down platform that allows for both pedestrian and ride-on operation.

The CBD20 is equipped with a unique, extremely user-friendly external charging port that minimizes the time required to recharge the pallet truck.

Folding sidebars help protect the driver in ride-on operation with integrated support panels making it easy for them to find a comfortable position on the platform. BYD’s electric power steering system, meanwhile, makes for light and accurate control via the truck’s ergonomically designed tiller arm, whether walking alongside or riding on the machine – ensuring safe and precise truck movements and keeping operator fatigue to a minimum.

With a turning radius of just 1,650mm and a top travel speed of 5.5km/h (6km/h unladen), the CBD20 is ideal for a range of applications including vehicle loading or unloading via a loading dock and general pallet movements around the warehouse, including in and out of ground level storage positions.

World first

The Chinese-made BYD forklifts are believed to be the first full range of industrial forklifts in the world powered exclusively by lithium iron phosphate battery technology, but while this is undoubtedly what sets them head and shoulders above every other lift truck on the market, the range also compares very favourably with other modern brands in terms of basic specification and equipment levels.

“What makes the BYD range so compelling, of course, are the many benefits of its lithium iron phosphate battery technology – but even leaving this to one side, the new line-up of trucks will be a serious contender for any lift truck fleet that values safety, efficiency and productivity,” said BYD Europe Forklifts Director, Javier Contijoch. 

“There is no penalty to be paid in terms of equipment reliability or capability by those seeking to take advantage of the Fe battery’s numerous benefits,” added Contijoch. “On the contrary, with a level of specification and quality that matches anything else on the market and the benefits of the Fe battery technology on top, the real question is: why would a fleet manager consider buying anything else?”