Two Hyster-Yale Materials Handling Inc operations introduced technically similar electric rider forklift series in separate 13 May announcements.

Hyster Co launches its E80-120XN electric rider forklift series as a new generation resulting from customer and operator inputs in the automotive, paper and manufacturing industries. Jonathan Dawley, president of Hyster Distribution, says: "We had a great product available but gathered valuable feedback on how to make it even better."

Bill Pfleger, president of Yale Distribution, says Yale Materials Handling Corp’s new ERC080-120VH lift truck series can meet and exceed application requirements for warehousing, retail and industrial environments. "The time for converting from internal combustion engine (ICE) trucks to electric lift trucks is now," he says.

Models under each brand have a lifting-capacity range of 8,000 lbs.-12,000 lbs. (3,600 kg-5,400 kg), have undergone rigorous testing verifying they are as durable as ICE forklifts, and come with power-assisted wet disc brakes that can reduce operator braking effort by 40%.

The forklifts incorporate advanced ergonomic technologies, including adjustable suspension driver seats that can help reduce operator fatigue.

Hyster Co and Yale Materials are parts of Nacco Materials Handling Group Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling Inc, of Mayfield Heights, Ohio. Nacco Industries Inc spun off Hyster-Yale into a separate, publicly traded company on 28 September.