In facilities with mixed forklift brands, vehicle-agnostic retrofit technology fits better than options sold by a single truck manufacturer. Retrofit units such as UWB proximity systems, AI cameras, impact sensors and access control mount on electric, diesel and LPG trucks of different makes and ages, so one system and one set of reports covers the whole fleet. Warnings can be added to almost any truck. Automatic slowdown is the exception: it depends on a CAN-bus or speed-control interface, so it may be available on newer trucks and not on older ones. Ask suppliers for a truck-by-truck compatibility list.
The full guide is Retrofitting forklift safety systems on a mixed fleet, covering compatibility checks and phasing. OSHA 1910.178(a)(4) requires the manufacturer’s prior written approval for modifications and additions that affect capacity and safe operation, so confirm with each truck maker before wiring into drive or hydraulic controls.
Plan the rollout by truck group: start with the trucks that run the most hours in pedestrian areas, verify installation quality on each make, and keep spare units for the oldest models. Check that the supplier can service every brand on site and that updates do not depend on the truck dealer.