Battery-Powered Forklift Named World Ag Expo’s Top 10

Every year, World Ag Expo showcases the winners of its Top-10 New Products Competition during its Feb. 12-14, 2019 event in Tulare, Calif. This year, an all-electric loader designed for the agricultural industry was among the ten products picked by a panel of farmers, ranchers and industry professionals.

For 2019, the promoters said a “large and impressive field of cutting-edge, cost-saving, and resource-managing products were submitted for the contest by exhibitors.”

XL Lifts, a Ventura, Calif.-based dealer of zero and low emissions forklifts, will introduce the Wiggins Ag eBull lithium electric forklift during the event. The company said it is the industry’s first commercialized large-capacity lithium electric forklift designed for the agricultural industry manufactured in the United States.

The Wiggins eBull has a capacity from 30,000 to 88,000 lb. and is designed to use 12- and 14-pallet attachments for the produce industry. The forklift uses fast-charging lithium ion batteries, so they can run continuous shifts, said the company, and downtime is further minimized with built-in on-board Level 1 and 2 charging and a DC quick charge option.

The new loader, along with the other nine winners, will be noted on show maps, marked with “Top-10 Winner”flags at the show and recognized at an awards session during opening ceremonies on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019.

The competition is conducted by the International Agri-Center in conjunction with World Ag Expo. The event reportedly draws more than 1400 exhibitors and an estimated annual average of 100,000 individuals from 70 countries.