Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review Vol. 47 No.

2 (June 2010)
21

GRENDiA EX New-Generation Internal Combustion

3.5–5.5-ton Forklift Truck

General Machinery & Sp e c i a l

Ve h i c l e H e a d q u a r t e r s

The new-generation GRENDiA EX forklift truck with a capacity of 3.5–5.5 tons has just
been released. This new series offers not only environmentally friendly design, but also operator
friendly maneuverability and builds on the outstanding performance of the previous series,
which was well received in the lift truck market. The new series closely resembles our highly
acclaimed 1–3-ton GRENDiA forklift trucks.

|1. Environmental friendliness

Complying with the 2008 emission regulations in various countries required only minor
changes to our popular and reliable Mitsubishi S6S engine that is used in industrial vehicles. To
achieve the same level of environmental friendliness, some competitors had to make major engine
changes that required the development of expensive common rail systems and intercoolers.

|2. Lineup change

Conventional lift trucks were developed for use outdoors in relatively unrestricted areas.
However, the growing trend toward streamlined logistics and narrow aisles has increased the
demand for smaller models. The GRENDiA EX 3-ton model has a turning radius that is
significantly smaller than that of the previous model (Table 1).

Table 1 Overall dimensions of 3.5-ton class lift trucks

Conventional
3.5-ton model 3.5-ton model
Overall length 4,140 mm 4,070 mm
Minimum turning radius 2,735 mm 2,575 mm
Wheelbase 2,000 mm 1,850 mm

We have also introduced a 5.5-ton model for the first time that is well-suited for streamlined
logistics and is capable of handling tasks that previously required a 6-ton model. Table 2 compares
the specifications of our 5.5-ton model and conventional 6-ton models.

Table 2 Overall dimensions of 5.5- and 6-ton lift trucks

Conventional
5.5-ton model 6-ton model
Overall width 1,460 mm 1, 990 mm
Overall length 4,580 mm 4,860 mm
Minimum turning radius 2,935 mm 3,310 mm
Wheelbase 2,150 mm 2,300 mm
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|3. Operator-friendly maneuverability

3.1 Low level of noise and vibration
We improved the engine and transmission mounts to reduce the level of noise and vibration.
This resulted in a noise level of 79 dB(A) for our EU model, which is the best in its class and
superior to the 81-dB(A) noise level of the previous model (CEN equivalent noise level at the
operator’s ear) (Figure 1 ) .

Conventional brake Sealed wet disk brake

Figure 1 Noise level Figure 2 Wet multiple disk brake

3.2 Reduced operator effort

Conventional lift trucks use a vacuum booster brake system for the service brake and a
lever-operated mechanical brake for the parking brake, just like many passenger cars. The
GRENDiA EX uses a full hydraulic brake for the service brake and a new button-operated
hydraulic brake for the parking brake. This reduces operator effort and ensures sufficient braking
force even on the 5.5-ton forklift.
3.3 Brake longevity
Forklift brakes are used very frequently during load handling operations in the narrow aisles
of storage areas. As a result, they require maintenance much more frequently than the brakes of
passenger cars. The GRENDiA EX provides a maintenance-free sealed wet disk brake as an option.
This braking system eliminates any downtime for brake maintenance (Figure 2).
3.4 Error prevention
The Integrated Presence System is a new feature on GRENDiA lift trucks. This interrupts
vehicle motion and stops load handling operations when the operator leaves the lift truck seat. The
GRENDiA EX is also equipped with an automatic parking brake for risk reduction. This activates
only when the forklift stops on level ground. An effective solution to torque converter transmission
power system problems due to frequent changes in travel direction before coming to a complete
stop has yet to be developed. The GRENDiA EX provides a function called flex control as an
option to reduce the load on the power transmission system during sudden changes of direction
(Figure 3).

Figure 3 Flex control

|4. Fresh appearance

The series features a fresh new appearance that shares several features with the GRENDiA
1–3-ton models, which have been popular since their introduction in 2003.
 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review Vol. 47 No. 2 (June 2010)
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|5. Main Specifications

Table 3 shows the main specifications of the GRENDiA EX.

Table 3 Main specifications

Electronically controlled (fuel injection) Diesel engine powered truck
Model gasoline engine powered truck
FG35NT FG40NT FG45NT FG50NT FG55NT FD35NT FD40NT FD45NT FD50NT FD55NT
Rated capacity kg 3,500 4,000 4,500 5,000 5,500 3,500 4,000 4,500 5,000 5,500
Load center mm 600 600
Maximum lift mm 3,000 3,000
Free lift height （mast overall
mm 150 160 150 160
height）
Lifting Loaded mm/s 570 490 550 470
speed Unloaded mm/s 600 520 610 530
Lift speed
Lowering Loaded mm/s 500 500
speed Unloaded mm/s 500 500
Mast tilt Forward/ Forward deg 6 6
Performance

angle backward Backward deg 12 12

Loaded km/h 22 21.5 21.5 21
Travel speed
Unloaded km/h 22.5 22
Maximum tractive
Loaded N 38,500 37,500 37,500 36,500 37,000
force
Maximum gradability Loaded ％ 32 29 26 23 22 31 28 25 23 21
Minimum turning circle radius mm 2,575 2,730 2,760 2,890 2,935 2,575 2,730 2,760 2,890 2,935
Minimum Single tire mm 2,285 2,365 2,385 2,440 2,465 2,285 2,365 2,385 2,440 2,465
aisle width
at Double tire mm 2,465 2,530 2 540 2,600 2,630 2,465 2,530 2,540 2,600 2,630
intersection
Minimum aisle width for right
mm 4,220 4,380 4,410 4,560 4,610 4,220 4,380 4,410 2,560 4,610
angle stacking
Overall length mm 4,070 4,200 4,240 4,530 4,580 4,070 4,200 4,240 4,530 4,580
Single tire mm 1,415 1,460 1,415 1,460
Width
Double tire mm 1,780 1,780
With mast lowered mm 2,170 2,250 2,170 2,250
Overall
With mast raised mm 4,130 4,290 4,130 4,290
height
Head guard mm 2,250 2,250
Thickness x width x
Forks mm 50X150X1,070 60X150X1,220 50X150X1,070 60X150X1,220
length
Width of outside-to-outside forks mm 300～1,190 300～1,190
Main specification

Front overhang mm 577 582 602 577 582 602

Wheelbase mm 1,850 2,000 2,150 1,850 2,000 2,150
Front wheel
mm 1,175 1,175
（single tire）
Tread
Front wheel
width mm 1,310 1,310
（double tire）
Rear wheel mm 1,180 1,180
Minimum Mast mm 150 150
under
Center of wheelbase mm 227 227
clearance
8.25-15- 8.25-15-
Single tire 300-15-18PR 300-15-18PR
12PR 12PR
Tire size
Double tire 7.50-12-12PR 7.50-12-12PR
Rear tire 7.00-12-12PR 7.00-12-14PR 7.00-12-12PR 7.00-12-14PR
Weigh

Weight of Single tire kg 5,820 6,230 6,730 7,200 7,530 5,880 6,290 6,800 7,260 7,600
truck Double tire kg 5,940 6,310 6,820 7,290 7,620 6,000 6,370 6,880 7,350 7,680

Brake system Hydraulic Hydraulic

Brake

Brake
Parking brake system Hydraulic Hydraulic
Engine model name TB45 S6S
kW/rpm 72.0/2,450 57.5/2,300
Rated power
ps/rpm 97.5/2,450 78.0/2,300
Engine

Nm/rpm 280/1,200 260/1,700

Maximum torque kgm/rp
29/1,200 26.5/1,700
m
Displacement cc 4,500 4,996
Fuel tank capacity ℓ 87 105 87 105