Linde now has Hydrostats from 22,000 to 40,000 lbs. Very compact. You should contact the local dealer.

jim p komatsu haven't tear apart maybe in us. i'm selling Komatsu for a year and no complaints at all. We are exporting from japan maybe this is the reason? No brake problems and nothing. We sell all trucks with 3 year 3000 hours warranty as we now nothing will happen. Komatsu is a durable mechanical machine which works for years without any problems. Ofcourse other Brands are good too but you should check the serviceability of the brand plus the technical service reliability.

carlos - I've never heard of that brand but I'll definitely look it up! Thanks for the feedback!

Wow! Thanks jimp for the down-n-dirty feedback :) That's what I need, someone to tell me just how it is!

you should log on to www.techni-contact.co.uk, it's got al sorts of accessories for your trucks that might interest you
try this page: http://uk.techni-contact.com/familles/accessories-for-trucks.html

For that capacity, I believe that what you`ll need is a Kalmar. More or less all the brands have machine for that capacity but Kalmar is right for the job.

newbee, DO NOT BUY THE KOMATSU!!!!!!! I will give you 2 customer names, unless you like have $15,000 brake jobs. Komatsu product is suffering rite now, plus the structure at the factory has really fallen apart. I was a dealer for the last 4 years, they have lost all the good people, poor quality, way behind the ball on product developement...

Hi Everyone! Do you ever have a hard time making a decision about something and then something happens to make it all crystal clear?

Well, Komatsu came back with a quote for us today. Let's just say that we don't have to worry about any more opinions of their product....WOW! 30% higher than the competing quotes.

With that capacity need...go with a Hyster. I have always had great luck with Hyster and they truly are big truck experts!

Good Luck!

I can provide many brands forklift and spareparts with high quality low price.
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Newbie - Komatsu has successfully sold and marketed the EX Series trucks for over 15 years in the USA (longer overseas). The EX20 is the "newest" model in the EX Series. Wet disk brakes are a option on the -7 Series and next year the -8 Series will be out.

If you need more info you can call Komatsu Forklift USA, Inc in Covington, Georgia contact info available at
www dot kfiusa dot com

Richard, Thanks for the feedback!!! We typically don't load anything over 24" long but Komatsu just introduced a new series to compete in the heavy duty weight class called the EX20??? series. So we're kinda skeptical about trying out a new line. The other issue is, we've heard that getting service for Komatsu can be pricier than Taylor & the other players. Again, thanks and any additional thoughts are welcome.

Komatsu USA only has trucks up to 35,000# capacity. I don't know much about their bigger trucks but typically the bigger Japanese trucks don't hold their value very well. They also are usually equipped with drum type brakes rather than air or wet disc brakes.
Most buyers of bigger trucks are more learned consumers than users of smaller trucks, thus they are more interested in quality, creature comforts, and price is probably 4th of 5th on the list instead of 1st. That is proven by Taylor being the #1 seller in this class.
You might also want to check how long your loads are because if they weigh 40,000# and are longer than 48", you will need to get a truck that is rated at 36" or 48" load center. Most Japanese trucks up to 35,000# capacity are only rated at 24" load center.
If I were you, I would stick with the major players- Taylor, Linde and Hyster. I am biased but I think that you will find that the Linde trucks offer the best "driving" truck.