Test: Jungheinrich TFG 425 – World truck meets expectations

World truck meets expectations

Recently Jungheinrich increased its internal combustion truck range with a new series of diesel / LPG trucks with torque converter. Each diligent workers with a technique that can easily be serviced all around the world and for sale at an attractive pricing. The test underlines these objectives. Our 2.5 ton LPG test truck is also pleasant to use, efficient and productive.

A few years ago it was quite a difficult task for the German manufacturer to build a real Jungheinrich diesel / LPG forklift which is easy to maintain, regardless of where it is used in the world, and still be competitive in performance and pricing compared with the main competition.

The premium brand is aware that worldwide uncomplicated forklift trucks with diesel or LPG engine and torque converter still remain very popular and until recently they had no adequate answer. The hydrostatic Jungheinrich trucks for heavy-duty and fully continuous tasks are to advanced and priced accordingly for deployment in for instance Uzbekistan and some users cannot simply perform their tasks with an electric truck.

Right balance

After a solid development path Jungheinrich recently released the answer to that problem: the series TFG / DFG 425, 430 and 435 trucks with 2.5, 3 and 3.5 tonne lifting capacity. Somewhat simpler build, but at heart still a real Jungheinrich. Likewise, our test truck TFG 425 LPG engine, with triple 4,700 mm mast and some optional items such as a glass windshield, BlueSpot safety light and upward pointing exhaust  on the counterweight. The truck looks solid, but certainly not graceless.

The materials used are robust and of high quality, but the whole design is kept quite simple. This predicts a trouble-free operation and long life.

Spacious workspace

Of course, we submit the test vehicle to a brisk practice test. The entry and exit of our test truck is spacious enough and coated with a solid plastic with anti-slip profile. It provides access to an equally large base plate with thick rubber mat reduces vibration and noise. The foot space is spacious enough to easily reach the three pedals (inching, braking and acceleration). The inclination and spring pressure of the pedals is just right for pleasant operation.

The Grammer seat is properly adjusted and the accessibility of the mechanical levers on the bulkhead is fine. The controls are as robust as the rest of the truck and ensure an accurate mast and fork operation. The version with mechanical levers is standard. Meanwhile, all other operating concepts (SOLO, DUO and MULTI-PILOT) including armrest are also available for this truck series. The mast itself has been redesigned with a highly-optimized view. Our test truck is equipped with the triple mast version with free lift and integrated side shift. The mast has an efficient damping and is virtually torsion-free.

Safe and easy

The direction lever of our Jungheinrich TFG 425 is placed at the slim, stepless adjustable steering column and conducts the operation of the torque converter and gearbox. When leaving the truck, with switched on direction lever, the system is automatically set back into the safe neutral position. Starting the truck and operating the mast functions can only be done when the driver is seated. A warning signal sounds when leaving the truck without activating the parking brake. The parking brake is electric and controlled with a switch.

The electric parking brake will hold the truck 100% in place and the normal brake is also impressively powerful. The system consists of wet disc brakes and is virtually maintenance free, thanks to the closed housing and the lack of brake linings.

Maintenance friendly

Low maintenance costs are the main aspect for the DFG / TFG series. The accessibility of engine and torque converter are excellent. The hood opens wide and the two side panels are removable without tools. Also, removing the base plate is a matter of just a few seconds. We just need to unplug the switch from the accelerator pedal. Underneath the bonnet we see a reliable power source in the form of the Kubota engine (both diesel and LPG). It’s running remarkably quiet and performs smoothly. The benefit of this universal industrial engine is worldwide availability of any required spare parts. Furthermore, the closed cooling system and high degree of oil filtration ensures a carefree deployment, even under heavy, wet or dusty conditions.

Productivity and fuel consumption

And then the performance. Our LPG truck is remarkably robust and rigid and is adequate to control. This makes the truck predictable, because as a driver you know exactly what to expect. The robustness is partly due to the quality Solideal Xtreme solid rubber tires. They give the truck a high degree of stability, but this also leads to some truck rattling on brick roads and uneven terrain, especially when driving with unloaded forks. The powertrain of our TFG in this test works quiet and smoothly. Overall the whole package leads to an above-average productivity. The fuel consumption is relatively low and in line with the high Jungheinrich standards over the last years. By comparison, the average fuel consumption of the competitors in this class is about 8% higher.

Conclusion

The Jungheinrich TFG 425 makes its promises come true. It really is a vehicle for the global market. Uncomplicated, robust and well equipped with the qualities you expect from the Jungheinrich brand. The truck is easy to maintain and performs well above average. Some details are open for improvement: such as a missing paper compartment and perhaps mast damping at ground level and at maximum lifting height and a handle on the inside of the rear roof pillar. Also we would like to move the exhaust to the left side of the counterweight so that, when reversing, the driver has better visibility backwards. By default, the truck is provided with an exhaust which opens underneath the counterweight. In that case this critical point, of course, plays no role anymore.

Pluses

  • Easy to operate
  • Stable and predictable driving behaviour
  • Performance

For improvement:

  • Mast damping at ground level and at max
  • Exhaust pipe on the right side

Tags:

Andersom test, Forklift, Forklift test, Jungheinrich, LPG, Test, TFG 425

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