Before you buy a Kalmar DCG160 Container forklift truck in Uganda

by Edwin

As the name suggests, it has a 16-tonne capacity, with a 600mm load centre.

It stands out as bright as any fire engine, and in some lights you may mistake it for a Ferrari - imposing without being obnoxious.

The carriage and fork attachments are matte black with thick cylinders. It’s a tough-looking machine on the outside but with a sensitive interior.

Those familiar with Kalmar forklifts throughout the years will recognize much in this new ‘G’ series machine. Both preceding ‘D’ and ‘E’ series forklifts had the same chassis and mast and are almost identical in structure.

When you’ve got a good product why change it? Well, no product is perfect so you keep what you like and improve where you can. The two main areas where this ‘G’ Series forklift has evolved is in the CANbus and in the cab.

Click here to buy a Kalmar DCG160 forklift truck or Kalmar forklift spare parts in Uganda

Buying foreign used Kalmar DCG160 forklift truck from a local car bond in Uganda

In case you choose to buy a foreign used Kalmar DCG160 forklift truck from a car bond makes life a lot easier to acquire yourself a vehicle. There is basically no need to go to Japan or order for the vehicle from Japan or any other part of the world. In short one just walks to the car bond and arrange for a purchase and within a short time, the car is paid for and handled over to you as the owner.

However, you can also find that some trucks have only cleared the cost, insurance and freight (CIF) fees only. So it would mean that if you want a Kalmar DCG160 forklift truck then you will have to clear the rest of the taxes. You can find the CIF of the Caterpillar GP35NT Empty Container forklift truck 1999 (that’s up Kampala from Japan) to be around $ 7,000 or more for latest models in very good condition.

However, the cost of the CIF can change due to year of manufacture, condition of the car, mileage and the dealer. Now the Kalmar DCG160 forklift truck is more expensive as compared to most the cars we have discussed. In general, the Kalmar DCG160 forklift truck can cost you around UGX 120,000,000 or even more for a premium class.

Importing a foreign used Kalmar DCG160 forklift truck from Japan

Now this is different from buying from forklift from the car bond here in Kampala. Some people prefer to import their own forklift truck directly from Japan or from any other part of the world. You have to follow a procedure similar to the one stated below.

Search and select forklift truck to buy from Japanese Used Car/truck Portal Websites or from any other part of the world. Send Inquiry for price, condition, etc of the truck. The dealers will respond you directly by Email.

Watch out for fake e-mails as many scams may con you for money. After that you negotiate with the Japanese dealer for a price that fits your budget.

Request for a proforma invoice, place your order and make payment which may be either through bank wire or VISA. The seller will inform you about the following things like the Payment Confirmation, Shipping Schedule, B/L copy, Original Document and then you receive the order in this case the forklift truck.

Click here to buy a Kalmar DCG160 forklift truck or Kalmar forklift spare parts in Uganda

General Kalmar DCG160 forklift truck reviews and features in Uganda

Engine and servicing
The Kalmar DCG160 forklift comes with a choice of engines - Cummins or Volvo and, breaking it down further, customers can choose either the 3A, 3B or 4 Final.

We’re looking at the smaller option, the Cummins 3A (129kW).

Service interval is 500 hours and the good stuff is accessed by manually cranking up the cab which takes one minute of arm pumping. You can opt for an automatic system, if you don’t fancy a workout.

The regularly accessed filters are all within easy reach from the top. You’ll only need to go underneath to change the brake caliper pads and drain the oil (although you can option a hose that drains the oil out to a point behind the back wheel).

Interestingly there’s no cooling fan on the front of the engine; you’ll find the fan when you go round the rear end of the machine.

It’s externally placed, hydraulically driven and will only run at the speed that is required — a fuel saving measure.

The wiring harness is pre-wired for all possible standard options, the plugs ready and waiting.

The Cummins stage 3A engine should do the trick for most, and it displayed good torque on the test drive.

Click here to buy a Kalmar DCG160 forklift truck or Kalmar forklift spare parts in Uganda

Cab
Another feature Kalmar is proud of in their ‘G’ Series range is the new spacious ‘EGO’ cabin. There’s no steering column going down to the floor, which gives extra leg room.

A useful feature is the ability to adjust the position of the steering wheel with ease, whether it be up and down or front and back.

There is a fabric, low-back seat today but one can opt for a high-back, leather seat instead if desired.

On the right is what’s known as the ‘canoe’ which is an armrest that houses all the mini-levers and controls that you’ll use. The gear-shifting stick is positioned to the left of the wheel.

The canoe on the Kalmar DCG160 forklift is able to float forwards or backwards, and the levers can tilt towards your palm. These features mean the cab can be set-up for each operator’s size and preferences, and then easily adjusted when a new person jumps in.

You might be alarmed to find no overhead guard except for a 6mm sheet of Lexan. Don’t get me wrong, I trust Lexan completely but there’s something a little unnerving about being physiologically exposed to the dangers from above when trapped inside a forklift cab.

More comforting was the thick, laminated glass window which provides great visibility out the front, side and rear of the forklift.

However for me the real highlight for me was the air-conditioning. I will happily work weekends for any boss that buys me a forklift with air-conditioning.

Operators have a tough and repetitive job, and deserve all the comfort they can get.

Click here to buy a Kalmar DCG160 forklift truck or Kalmar forklift spare parts in Uganda

Performance
Confession time. I’ve never driven a 16-tonne forklift before. I didn’t tell Price this as I roared out into the yard in his brand Kalmar DCG160 forklift.

Our inexperience was actually a blessing, because I wanted to see how a new driver would react to this specific machine. Well, you will love it when you get into the seat.

The DCG160 accelerates smoothly, beginning slow, as you would expect, but getting up a good head of steam fairly quickly.

But what impressed me was its ability to stop in a hurry, without fuss. It didn’t lurch forward when called to halt or throw me around in the seat.

It does wonders for driver confidence knowing a machine like this will yield so willingly to your commands.

One feature I would have liked to have seen is a parking brake that comes on automatically when you lift your foot off the accelerator, as it wants to roll if not held to the ground with the brake pedal.

Lifting is slower than a smaller forklift, of course, but is smooth and reliable.

On reaching full height the mast gives an almighty jolt, which shudders the entire machine, reminding you of the sort of weight you’re dealing with here.

A damping function when approaching full lock here would be welcome.

The turning circle is much tighter than you would expect for a machine or this size, and unlike a 2.5-tonner you never feel as though you might tip the thing over.

Vision in all areas is excellent; they’ve even thought to position the window wiper blade a third of way along the window — strange when you view it from the outside, but perfect when you’re in the cab, as it becomes lost in the mast.

Click here to buy a Kalmar DCG160 forklift truck or Kalmar forklift spare parts in Uganda

Alternatives of Kalmar DCG160 forklift truck in Uganda

We have Toyota forklifts, Hyundai forklifts, Crown forklifts, Kamatsu forklifts, Caterpillar forklifts are among the predominant alternatives.

Availability of the Kalmar DCG160 forklift truck spare parts in Uganda

Spares are affordable and they can be accessed from local dealers of forklifts in Kampala. At least you will get the necessary help from them.

Reasons why people buy the Kalmar DCG160 forklift truck in Uganda

Kalmar DCG160 forklift truck is a heavy-duty forklift mainly designed and used to lift and shift heavy containers like at ports, factories, warehouses, loading and loading containers on and off the trailers.

Click here to buy a Kalmar DCG160 forklift truck or Kalmar forklift spare parts in Uganda

Our verdict

Like everything European, you’re going to pay a bit more. But are you paying for quality with the Kalmar DCG160 forklift? The answer appears to be yes, especially when you analyze the components separately.

From carriage to engine to windows and everything in between, there’s no skimping.

You’re buying a modern machine with a CANbus system that will take some learning for service technicians, but could well save your bacon at some stage.

The focus is versatility, problem solving and being able to add options as painlessly as possible.

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