I think Robe is right KION who own Linde have seen a opportunity to strengthen there business buy increase their market share in other markets , Around 78% of KION turn over is in Germany and France. I think tho they have made a mistake by going down the torque converter route they should look at developing a more cost effective hydrostatic truck. By cost effective i mean at a entry price that is equivalent to a torque converter truck.

If you were to strip out the cost and say what is the best product on the market the Hydrostatic truck will always win either Linde or Junghienrich 2,500 kg truck are the best in the market. The Linde 8,000kg truck is the best by far in the market , and the inovating rotating driver seat on the X39 is one of the most important developments in the last twenty years. This has come about because Linde have a hydrostic transmission this could not work on a torque converter truck.


The forklift market is now starting to see a change like never before and companies are no longer looking at just their home market but the global markets. You will see a different picture of the forklift market by 2020 some names will go some new names will get stronger Like Uni Carrier but they will be only around five companies that will control around 80% of global turnover

Linde N. America tried to enter the torque converter truck market (4 to 6 lb cushion & pneumatic ICE) in 2001 with an OEM private lable agreement with Komatsu Forklfit USA. The trucks were called the TQ series. This program died the death of a ragged doll. Most units went into the dealers rental fleet.
As I recall Linde & Komatsu were working on some sort of owner ship program at the corporate level but that fell apart at teh seams as well.

Why are they even bothering!? Because of the 3 major world markets for materials handling linde might have a 2% stake in North America? Increase that number only slightly and that makes them the number 1 supplier in the world, not a bad place to be, no?
And these torque converter trucks are likely only going to be released in emerging markets with no emissions standards, everything needs to be teir 4 on this side of the pond now

People really need to look in to the full lifecycle cost of a truck, not just a tempting low sticker price.

I know of some companies in UK that refuse to even test drive a torque convertor truck as they just don't want them due to increased lifetime running costs.

I don't know why Linde is even bothering with the North American market, sounds like a waste of money & could even do damage to there brand image in Europe.

After driving & looking after hydrostatic trucks for many years there is no way I would want to go back to a torque convertor & hydraulic brakes.

The North American market doesn't like the idea of a forklift that has such a high initial buy in, even of it does have a low cost of ownership, My guess is that linde is releasing a torque converter truck because they want the #1 spot, the only way they are going to grow is by breaking into the North American market and emerging markets like china, they only way they are going to do THAT, is if they have a truck with a more competitive initial buy in, but that's just my opinion

Not a fan of torque convertor trucks with hydraulic brake systems, sounds like a backward step from Linde.

Unless of course if the US market just don't like / get the idea of hydrostatic trucks.

For me Linde make the best IC counterbalance trucks on the market, very rare I see a broken one in my workshop & never had any issues with the hydrostatic system on one either.

Mast and rear axle look lindes own. Transmission and front axle is Graziano TXL 25 or 30, or something very similar. Brake shoe brakes, no oil cooled brakes.

From what i have herd Linde are to develop a new 8,000kg -
12 ,000 kg torque converter truck and also torque converter trucks for North america. Step backwards because the old Linde 10,000 kg - 16,000 was not as good as the new one. Why go torque converter when you are saying hydrostatic is better and has lower running cost. What are Linde now saying that torque converter is better or is it a step backwards for linde

manitou has the same lifting mast as LINDE an the same steering axle built by HC with janmar engine

Kion the owner of Linde also owns Baoli which is manufactured in china. This product has powershift transmission.