Yale Lift Truck Technologies has expanded its budget UX line of forklifts with two new lithium-ion counterbalance forklifts.

The new models, the three-wheel ERP32-40UXTL and the four-wheel ERP30-70UXL, are designed for use in retail stores, warehouses and home centres.

The three-wheeler is available in the 3,200 lb. to 4,000 lb. (1.5 T to 1.8 T) range and the four-wheeler in the 3,000 lb. to 7,000 lb. (1.5 T to 3.2 T) range.

“While warehouses have a long history of utilising electric lift trucks, lead-acid battery power has typically been the default option for occasional to average duty cycle applications, where usage simply did not justify the investment in lithium-ion,” says John Santiago, Yale’s director of counterbalance product planning and solutions. 

“With these new UX models, Yale is making lithium-ion more accessible, and in doing so, delivering on our mission to engineer lift truck solutions that seamlessly integrate advanced technologies and address the demands of today’s warehouses.”

The lithium-ion battery eliminates the need for a battery changing room, can fully charge in about two-and-a-half hours and can be opportunity charged during operator breaks to maximise equipment availability during shifts. 

Lithium-ion produces zero tailpipe emissions and also supports productivity by providing consistent power delivery and requiring zero battery maintenance.  

The Yale UX line initially launched in 2020 and was expanded in 2021 with the addition of electric walkie trucks and again last year with multiple lead-acid battery-powered models.