Crown Equipment introduces new IC forklift for all-weather, heavy-duty market

Crown Equipment Corporation today unveiled a new internal combustion (IC) Class V pneumatic tire forklift designed to eliminate the frequent maintenance, excessive downtime and shortened lifespan that limit operator productivity in heavy-duty outdoor forklift applications.

The Crown C-5 Series pneumatic model is equipped with an industrial John Deere Power Systems (John Deere) engine, a dual open-core radiator that offers independent engine and transmission cooling, a long-lasting power brake and solid pneumatic tires as standard features. Crown says the forklift, which is available in capacities ranging from 4,000 pounds to 6,500 pounds, can deliver a lifespan up to two times longer than comparable IC forklifts and can lower scheduled maintenance checks by 87 percent.

“When we entered the IC market in 2009 with the Crown C-5 Series cushion forklifts, we were responding to our customers’ requests for more durable and productive IC forklifts that were easier to maintain,” said Jim Dicke III, president, Crown Equipment. “Now we are solving similar problems for the Class V market with the Crown C-5 Series pneumatic model. The unique challenges of indoor and outdoor heavy-duty applications require a different type of forklift than what the market has grown accustomed to using. The breakthrough features of the Crown C-5 will change a pneumatic forklift operator’s expectation for performance and productivity.”

The 2.4-liter John Deere Power Systems engine features a cast iron head and larger, more robust components that are designed for industrial applications. The truck’s low-end torque is the most powerful in its class, with 12 percent more low-end torque than the leading competitor, according to the company, and improved performance during acceleration, working on ramps with load, and pushing heavy loads.

Durability is improved through the self-adjusting Crown power brake, which has fewer moving parts and a 90 percent larger brake pad surface than traditional drum brakes. This translates into a lifespan that can be three times longer and requires 93 percent fewer maintenance checks.

“Rough terrain and heavy loads such as lumber, stone and clay have challenged the confidence of the best forklift operators,” added Andy Smith, marketing product manager, Crown Equipment. “Standard features on the Crown C-5 promote operator confidence in the toughest applications such as manufacturing, recycling centers, and brick and lumber yards. Durability starts with a robust steel frame that serves as the forklift’s backbone. Performance is improved thanks to the John Deere industrial engine, dual open-core radiator, a self-adjusting power brake, and solid pneumatic tires that negotiate a wide array of uneven surfaces.”

Customers seeking to improve fleet optimization and overall fuel efficiency may leverage information obtained through the Crown InfoLink® wireless fleet and operator management system. InfoLink allows managers to quickly identify and prioritize issues around compliance, impact and equipment performance. InfoLink works with Crown eSmart™ Accurate Fuel Tracking, which is a standard feature on the Crown C-5, to gain access to fuel data by operator, truck, performance level, fleet and location. Crown eSmart also alerts operators when fuel levels are below 16 minutes.

This technology increases productivity by reducing the time spent unnecessarily changing fuel tanks or being stranded during transport, according to Smith. And, performance levels of the Crown C-5 can be set easily via the on-board display to conserve fuel in Economy Mode or improve throughput in Productivity Mode.