TOYOTA Exhibits Latest Line Of Tow Tractors At Aviation Industry Expo

Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc.(TMHU) displayed their new line of tow tractors at the Aviation Industry Expo, held March 18-20, 2008 at the Dallas Convention Center in booth number 2313. The Expo attracts thousands of aviation professionals and focuses on aviation maintenance, ground support, safety, fixed base operator (FBO) services and more.

Toyota showcased their newly launched heavy-duty AC electric tow tractor product line specifically designed to meet the growing demand in the airline industry for more baggage handling and material handling equipment that can stand up to long runs and very high cycle operations.

"With our new line of AC electric Toyota tow tractors, we felt it important to exhibit these products at the leading show for the ground support industry," said Shankar Basu, president and CEO of Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A. "Toyota tow tractors are built with the aviation industry in mind and use many components that have been proven in our lift trucks during our 41 years of operation in the U.S."

AC Electric Tow Tractors Address Air Quality Needs

AC Electric tow tractors are growing in popularity for ground support equipment operations where air quality or meeting government fleet average requirements are a factor. Toyota's electric tow tractors, available in 3,300- and 4,000-pound drawbar pull capacities, feature a powerful AC drive system that delivers more runtime per battery charge, maintains higher levels of performance throughout the work cycle and is virtually maintenance free. The tow tractor uses Controller Area Network (CAN-bus) communication technology to provide precise, fast and reliable control of all truck functions with fewer electrical components; and it comes fully-equipped with a digital display offering hour meter, performance parameters, battery discharge, diagnostic information, and built-in analyzer.

The AC electric tow tractor line boasts industry-proven MOSFET controller technology, which offers excellent acceleration and top travel speed - loaded or unloaded - as well as smooth speed control. A Power Keep function allows the electric models to maintain their battery charge longer than standard DC-powered tow tractors, helping to increase productivity.

Three forms of regeneration have been built into the design of the electric tow tractors to recover energy for extended battery performance: an accelerator release system (coasting); a shift directional lever from the forward to reverse operations (plug braking); and a brake pedal depression system. To also prevent unnecessary battery drain, an automatic shut-off feature turns the vehicle off after 30 minutes of idle time. An emergency battery disconnect lever has been strategically placed to allow the operator to easily disengage the battery while remaining seated.

Diesel Tow Tractors Meet Long Operational Demands

Also on display at the Expo, will be Toyota's diesel tow tractor models, available with 4,400- and 5,500-pound drawbar pull capacities. With a powerful 2.4 liter Toyota 1DZ-III diesel engine, these models provide the power to overcome the challenges of hauling large loads at high speed over long distances and up steep ramps and grades. Plus, with fast traveling speeds and a small turning radius, these high-performance tractors bring outstanding maneuverability to any worksite.

The new Toyota 1DZ-III diesel engine used in the 2TD20 and 2TD25 tow tractors has been certified to EPA's Interim Tier IV standards, which results in 26 percent less particulate matter than today's required Tier III levels.

Additionally, an optional steel cabin offers greater operator comfort and productivity for working in extreme weather conditions. A single pin drawbar quick-release hitch is a standard feature that enables the operator to release carts without having to leave the seat, further increasing productivity. Other hitch options are available to meet specific application requirements.

Durability Operators Can Rely On

For the toughest of worksite applications, Toyota tow tractors feature a rugged unibody design with a bolt-on counterweight that ensures the unit can withstand years of heavy use. Items such as inset headlights and high-mounted tail lamps for better protection and longer life are provided to keep impact damage to a minimum. To guard against common obstacles in harsh work terrains the power steering cylinder and steering mechanism are mounted within the frame of the vehicle. Toyota's tow tractors offer a tight turning radius industrial front axle that not only make them ideal for operation around airplanes, bag rooms and other ground support equipment, but also provide long life to steering components.

Ergonomic Features Offer Operator Comfort

In response to the strenuous work activities involved for ground support equipment operators, Toyota's AC electric tow tractor models are designed with the user's comfort in mind.

An ergonomic layout of the operator's compartment offers enhanced visibility of the meters and gauges. The electric-powered tractors feature an integrated back-lit, liquid crystal multifunction digital display, which provides the operator with access to a broad range of programmable functions including: password-protected performance parameters; a time and date feature; parking brake and battery capacity indicators; and a brake fluid and overheating warning system. The IC-powered tractors feature an integrated instrument console that has an hour meter, fuel & coolant temperature gauges, and a full complement of warning indicators. Both tractors feature an infinitely adjustable steering column and feature Toyota's standard hydraulic power steering system to increase operator comfort by reducing stress to the operator's arms and upper body.

About Aviation Industry Expo 2008
Aviation Industry Expo is owned and produced by Cygnus Expositions and is part of the Cygnus Aviation & Transportation Group, which includes the leading industry publications Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Airport Business, and Group Support Worldwide. Cygnus Expositions is a division of business-to-business media leader Cygnus Business Media. For more information, visit www.AviationIndustryExpo.com.

About Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc.
Celebrating more than 40 years of established operations in the United States, Irvine, Calif.-based Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc.,(TMHU) has been the number-one selling lift truck supplier in the U.S. since 2002 and currently offers a full line of high-quality lift trucks and tow tractors sold under the Toyota brand. Built on a reputation of excellence, Toyota remains popular due to its quality, reliability and durability. Quality is the hallmark of Toyota's world-renowned Toyota Production System practiced at all Toyota manufacturing facilities, including Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing (TIEM) in Columbus, Ind.

TIEM, and all Toyota manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Canada, comply with the ISO 14001 standard from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and have been honored for their environmental management systems and dedication to continuous improvement.

Toyota's commitment to excellence in customer service extends nationwide. Sixty-eight authorized Toyota Industrial Equipment dealers, with a total of 188 dealership locations throughout the United States, offer comprehensive customer service support, including one-stop shopping for both new and Certified Used lift trucks, parts, service and financing. For more information on TMHU, please visit www.toyotaforklift.com.

SOURCE: Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc.