Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks announced  a new series of 8,000-12,000 lb. capacity diesel pneumatic tire forklift trucks. The FD40N1-FD55N1 Series features a new diesel engine that provides a 21.6% increase in fuel efficiency. The engine, which is designed to meet the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Tier 4 Final emissions standards, also offers increased performance and reduced emissions levels. “We’re committed to providing customers with hardworking and reliable forklifts that deliver exceptional value,” said Lucas Dumdie, product line manager at Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks. “This latest diesel pneumatic tire forklift truck model provides a lower overall operating cost by reducing maintenance and fuel consumption, while providing customers with increased productivity and performance.” Including a new Tier 4 Final diesel engine was a key component in the update of the FD40N1-FD55N1 Series. These new diesel-engine forklift trucks offer customers a variety of productivity-enhancing features and cost-savings benefits including: 

• Reduced Maintenance. Equipped with a Perkins^® 854F engine, this class-leading engine operates without requiring any ash service. The reduced maintenance lowers the overall cost of ownership and increases value and reliability for the customer. The engine also features low-noise levels, which helps to reduce operator fatigue throughout the shift.
• Improved Energy Efficiency and Higher Performance. The diesel particulate filter (DPF) on the new FD40N1-FD55N1 automatically regenerates during normal operation, eliminating work cycle interruption, even at low engine speeds. The diesel-powered engine also features a 21.6% improvement in fuel consumption, in addition to the 90% reduction in particulate matter and the nearly 50% reduction of NOx.
• Flexible Options. The new series also offers options to further enhance productivity, such as wet-disc brakes, which includes auto-deceleration and controlled rollback to slow and control the forklift. As an added benefit, the braking system doesn’t use the transmission for braking, helping to prevent premature component wear. Other productivity-enhancing options include a low noise kit to help reduce operator fatigue and cab options that help protect the operator from harsh outside elements.
• Tier 4 Final Engine. Tier 4 Final is the final level of the current regulatory schedule on diesel exhaust as implemented by the EPA to govern diesel particulate and NOx emissions. Advanced technologies have been incorporated into the new series’ Perkins 854F diesel engine to meet Tier 4 Final regulations. In addition to lowering the amount of Particulate Matter or “soot” that is released into the environment, the new engine also enhances the lift truck’s overall performance and reliability, while also exceeding Tier 4 Final emissions requirements. 

The FD40N1-FD55N1 series of forklift trucks are the first Mitsubishi forklift trucks to feature a new Tier 4 engine with several additional internal combustion products planned for 2013 and 2014.