No-frills forklift focuses on simplicity, service

Lift truck makers these days offer vehicles with an astonishing array of capabilities, options, and technological enhancements, but not everyone needs all these bells and whistles. Some just want a basic, affordable counterbalanced truck.

One truck that's specifically designed for such operations is the Utilev line of 5,000- and 6,000-pound capacity diesel and LPG forklift trucks, which were introduced in select U.S. markets in early May. (Utilev plans to expand throughout North and South America.) The manufacturer calls the vehicles "an economical, uncomplicated solution" for light- to medium-duty operating environments and for companies that use their lift trucks intermittently and may not need "advanced functionality." "Simplicity" is the key word when it comes to components, specifications, and maintenance, the manufacturer says. All trucks feature a standard, limited 12-month/2000-hour warranty.

What makes these forklifts different from other basic, lower-priced trucks on the market (besides their unique powder-blue paint job)? Utilev is a division of NACCO Materials Handling—parent of Hyster and Yale lift trucks—and the new forklifts are serviced by NACCO's experienced, nationwide dealer network. The company is betting that its record of product and service quality will draw customers and alleviate any concerns about service and parts availability, which reportedly has been a problem with some other low-cost nameplates, including some of the Chinese makes that are aimed at a similar market.

For more information, visit www.utilev.com.