6/1/2020 How to Read Toyota Forklift Model Numbers | Toyota Forklifts

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HOW TO READ TOYOTA FORKLIFT MODEL

NUMBERS
By: Trinton Castetter
Posted: 2 years ago
Read Time: 10 min
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I’ve visited plenty of customers who call their Toyota forklift a nickname like “Big Orange” or
“The Boss” to be able to easily identify it from other forklifts in their eet. These nicknames
are great when communicating internally, but knowing and understanding your forklift’s
model number will help you communicate more effectively with people externally, like your
Toyota dealer or other company locations. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Wouldn’t it be
great if there was a simple way to help you understand those seemingly complicated Toyota
model numbers?

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6/1/2020 How to Read Toyota Forklift Model Numbers | Toyota Forklifts

Well look no further, because here’s your comprehensive guide to Toyota Forklift Model
Numbers! Request a Quote 1 
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As with most products, Toyota model numbers are a combination of letters and numbers
with each one having its own meaning. Once you understand the general sequence and
meaning of each of these characters, you’ll be able to identify “Big Orange” as a THD2200-24
with pneumatic tires and 22,000 lbs capacity at a 24” load center.

Ready? Let’s get started.

Toyota Forklift Model Numbers up to 17,500 lbs.

There are two general model number formats for Toyota forklifts which are split up based on
forklift capacity. The rst format covers models with base capacities up to 17,500 lbs.

(https://s3.amazonaws.com/toyotaforklifts/content/20180206150347/ModelNumber.png)

*Rated capacities should always be checked on the forklift data plate, which will be speci c
to your forklift’s con guration

As you can see in the diagram above, most models begin with a number signifying which
model series it belongs to. For example, an “8” means that this forklift is an “8-series” model.
Since model numbers are sequential, a higher number generally translates to a newer model.

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The model series is followed by a series of letters, the rst of which designates the category
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of the industrial vehicle. A “B” after the model series designator indicates the forklift has 
baselegs, which is commonly seen in model numbers for reach trucks and walkie stackers. 
The remaining explanations are pretty self-explanatory.

The third character in the model number indicates the type of drive or fuel type:

“G” indicates it is powered by a form of gasoline.

“D” stands for diesel powered.

“B” stands for battery powered.

On Class III products, a “W” in this position indicates that the forklift is a walk-behind
unit.

For Class I products, an “N” designates that the forklift has a narrow chassis, which
commonly indicates that the product is a stand-up, counterbalanced model.

The next character indicates a unique construction and is not present on all models. A model
with cushion tires has a “C” in this position, and the lack of a letter “C” means that the forklift
has pneumatic tires.

One tricky character here can be the letter “E”, which can mean the truck is a 3-wheel electric
or an end control rider model. The difference is easily distinguishable by looking at the entire
model number. Any model with an “F” in it is a forklift and any with an “H” are hand operated.
So an “8FBE15U” is a 3-wheel electric model and an “8HBE30” is an end controlled rider.
Three-wheel electric models also have optional pneumatic tires, so you can’t rely on the
model number alone to determine tire type in this case.

The next letter is generally a “U” signifying that the forklift was built in the United States. If
there is no “U”, it means the forklift was built somewhere outside of the United States. There
are some models where an “S” actually appears before the “U”, which indicates the vehicle
has a short chassis. An example of this would be the 8FGCSU20. As of 2013, Toyota began
placing the “U” at the end of the model number with the launch of the mid and large IC
models built in Columbus, Indiana. This trend will continue to occur going forward.

Last, but not least, is the base capacity indicator. There are some exceptions, as noted
above, but generally the number represents base capacity in tons with one decimal place. So
a “25” here would indicate that the base capacity is 2.5 tons or 5,000 lbs. Tonnage is
sometimes rounded due to the fact that two numbers for tonnage are used. Be sure to
always refer to your forklift’s data plate for capacity information related to your speci c
forklift con guration.

Toyota Forklift Model Numbers above 15,000 lbs.

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6/1/2020 How to Read Toyota Forklift Model Numbers | Toyota Forklifts

The second model number format applies to Toyota’s THD model lineup with capacities of
15,000 lbs and above. Request a Quote 1 
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(https://s3.amazonaws.com/toyotaforklifts/wp-
content/uploads/2018/02/08150146/ModelNumbersTHD.png)

*Rated capacities should always be checked on the forklift data plate, which will be speci c
to your forklift’s con guration

THD models have four unique designators, beginning with the model designation. “THDC”
means it is a cushion tire IC model while “THDE” means it’s a cushion tire electric. “THD”
alone means that it is an IC forklift with pneumatic tires. Pretty simple, right?

The next part of the model number represents the truck’s base lifting capacity in pounds. All
you have to do is multiply the number by 10 (or add a zero to the end of it). So “2200” means
the base capacity is 22,000 lbs and “12500” means the base capacity is 125,000 lbs. As with
the lower capacity models, be sure to always refer to your forklift’s data plate for capacity
information related to your speci c forklift con guration.

The third designator indicates a special construction with “S” indicating a short chassis
model and a “B” indicating a box car special model with a special, compact counterweight.

Finally, the last part represents the load center or the container handler type if it’s a port
equipment model. A dash followed by two numbers tells you the truck’s load center for its
rated base capacity. For example, a “-24” means the base capacity is rated at a 24” load
center. A dash followed by an “E” tells you it’s an empty container handler model, while an “L”
stands for loaded container handler, and an “R” stands for reach stacker. The number
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6/1/2020 How to Read Toyota Forklift Model Numbers | Toyota Forklifts

following an “E” or an “L” is the maximum container stacking height for the container handler.
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The number following an “R” states the maximum lift capacity of the reach stacker for the  1
third row. 
And that about does it! Hopefully you understand a little more about how Toyota’s model
designations work and can begin identifying characteristics for all of your forklifts.

Trinton Castetter
Product Marketing Specialist, Toyota Material Handling, USA

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