Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks has unveiled a next-gen diesel counterbalance forklift, with the United Kingdom distributor defending the “unfashionable” but proven power source.

Announcing the launch of Mitsubishi GRENDiA diesel counterbalance forklifts in 2 T to 5.5 T capacities, Stewart Gosling of RDD, the UK distributor for Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks, says diesel forklifts are the perfect workhorse for many sectors.

“There are many demanding industries like builders’ merchants, block and brick manufacturers, emergency fencing suppliers and others where customers buy diesel trucks outright and then run them for 10, 15, or even 20 years,” Gosling says. 

“Amortising them over such a long timescale means they offer exceptional value for money, with outright purchase a very attractive option.  

“As for running costs, diesel really comes into its own in these applications. Recent hikes in the cost of electricity have closed the gap between diesel and electric very significantly and with equipment today expected to work harder and longer a typical electric forklift would need to be supplied with two or three batteries.”

According to Gosling, diesel also overcomes power-supply issues where electricity companies can’t or won’t upgrade the supply to more remote industrial premises. 

This causes problems with charging batteries, especially with the latest lithium-ion solutions that require 60 amp/hour supplies, which many businesses cannot support.

“There’s also the obvious but undeniable advantage fact that diesel trucks never need to go on charge so they can be operated through the longest shifts and always be 100% available,” Gosling says, adding that diesel forklifts were cleaner than ever since the introduction of Euro Stage V regulations on emissions.  

Gosling says key features of the new GRENDiA diesel counterbalance forklifts include advanced common rail technology, diesel particulate filters and oxidation catalysts along with exhaust gas recirculation valves to reduce noise and cut fuel consumption as well as emissions.