Go green with GRENDiA

The need to reduce our environmental impact is now more urgent than ever. Within the materials handling industry there is an unprecedented focus on the reduction of emissions for internal combustion engines, which is reflected in the latest legislation from Europe.

It’s meant major redesign projects for every forklift manufacturer but for Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks, it has been an opportunity to deliver significantly greater fuel efficiency as well as a lower carbon footprint.   

Mitsubishi GRENDiA LPG models use up to 40 percent less fuel than many competitor trucks, while maintaining their industry-leading high performance. Over time this can lead to savings in the thousands.

New standards require new solutions

At the start of 2019, Euro Stage V emission standards came into force for all engine powered forklifts below 37kWs, which for the first time includes both liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and diesel vehicles, to comply with new lower emission levels regardless of their engine size.

This has significant implications for anyone looking to purchase forklifts in the next year.

The good news is that the Mitsubishi GRENDiA LPG counterbalance forklift range is already designed to meet these demands. The series includes GRENDiA ES 1.5–3.5 tonne models and larger GRENDiA EX 4–5.5 tonne models.

The name GRENDiA means “Green Diamond”, as the range sets a high standard in environmentally friendly performance, making it the ideal choice for businesses looking to upgrade their forklift fleet whilst keeping regulations in mind.

Cleaner operations

The design team at Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks recognised a requirement for a safer, greener forklift over 15 years ago. Since 2004, GRENDiA LPG models have been fitted with a closed-loop, three-way catalytic converter as standard, which reduces hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions. Not only are these gases bad for the environment, but they are lethal to staff, particularly carbon monoxide — a colourless, odourless gas that’s difficult to detect. It can be a silent killer on your site.

But you needn’t worry with the GRENDiA LPG series, as the catalytic converter also eliminates 95 percent of dangerous NOx gases — making it one of the cleanest models, if not the cleanest model, on the market. Importantly, the presence of the catalytic converter means that the GRENDiA LPG range fully complies with Euro Stage V emission regulations, so you can be confident that your fleet is working in accordance with the law.

But engine output is only part of the story. A significant factor in the emissions equation is the dust that comes from tyres, brakes and transmissions.

Small particles, big issue

Although LPG forklifts produce extremely low emissions, the rugged environments forklifts operate in pose other dangers to staff and equipment. Consider, for example, the cyclone effect often produced by forklifts, where the fast-moving parts of the engine suck up dirt and dust from the floor (much like a modern vacuum cleaner).

However, the dust particles are not captured as with a vacuum cleaner, but scattered into the air as the forklift moves around. Dust then lands on stored products, or worse, is breathed in by your workforce. Every time a truck is used, the airborne dust concentration is increased, and this can have a devastating effect. As well as discomfort and damage, dust can cause serious health problems for people who work with it every day. Issues like asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or even scarring can all arise from prolonged exposure to dust.

In short, this:

stops this:

Mitsubishi forklifts are designed to overcome these kinds of challenges. They are robustly constructed and rigorously tested to ensure high stability, rigidity and protection, which is why all GRENDiA models include a crucial feature: a belly plate with sealed rear wheel arches.

This physical barrier under the truck stops dust from being sprayed around, and protects the engine from tiny particles that can grind away at bearings, pistons, cylinders and valves. Over time dust can clog the engine causing it to wear out faster, leading to breakdowns and downtime. But thanks to the belly plate, GRENDiA engines are shielded from debris, including larger items that can do serious damage, like pallet fragments and stray shrink wrap. Sealing off the bottom of the truck in this way not only helps to ensure a longer engine life, it also allows you to protect your stock from residual contaminates and reduces the risk of your staff ingesting harmful dust.

Of course, dirt is unavoidable on any site. Because of this, the air intakes on GRENDiA models, which clean the air before it’s used within the engine, are positioned high up, away from the dust on the floor. Unlike conventional filters, these don’t become clogged, and will also last longer, cutting the requirement for servicing and further adding to truck’s excellent value for money.

Minimal maintenance

All Mitsubishi forklift trucks are built to last. We are one of the only manufacturers to design our own industrial engines, giving high power at low revs and engineered for durability. This contrasts with the majority that utilise a car-derived engine with fragile rubber timing belts, which as we all know can be catastrophic when they fail. Every part is designed to be robust against wear and tear — from the frame, body and mast, down to the smallest bearing. Rapid Access features throughout the trucks allow these parts to be quickly and easily located, thereby speeding up daily checks and servicing, and ensuring maximum operation time. 

Minimal maintenance also means minimal costs on upkeep and repairs. Combined with their greater fuel efficiency, GRENDiA LPG models have lower running costs across the board.

To further minimise operating costs in the short-term, and to protect against nasty surprises in the long-term, Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks offers five years’ protection for every major component — eliminating unplanned bills and guaranteeing complete peace of mind. So not only is GRENDiA the environmental option, it also makes great economic sense.

Focused on the future

Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks has a reputation for providing solutions to real-world requirements, which is why our designers have gone above and beyond to help companies work smarter and more sustainably. They appreciate that customers face multiple, often competing, challenges; balancing the need to work at peak efficiency and drive down running costs… all while meeting ever-changing legislation.  

But these demands can be met and overcome with the GRENDiA LPG range. The model is proof that Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks has the ingenuity, dedication and foresight to produce a forklift capable of reducing the owner’s carbon footprint whilst still delivering outstanding quality and reliability.

During these times of uncertainty and regulation changes, it helps to have peace of mind. Choosing the GRENDiA LPG series provides you with a forklift that is already adapted for cleaner operations, meaning you needn’t worry about your emission targets. Plus, it offers the best levels of productivity and fuel economy on the market, so you don’t compromise on performance.

By reducing component replacement, maximising efficiency and minimising emissions, the LPG range benefits the planet as well as the operator and the employer, making GRENDIA a truly “Green Diamond.”

Discover what GRENDiA LPG can do for your operations. Visit www.mitsubishi-forklifts.co.uk or call the Mitsubishi Greenline on 0845 3713048 today.