Description

Nichiyu FBT13P, FBT15P, FBT18P, FBT20PN Service Manual

I’ve been turning wrenches for 28 years. ASE Master. Six bays in San Antonio. I’ve seen what happens when a tech tackles a hydraulic pump rebuild without the factory procedure. Seals go in backwards. Gear backlash is off. Someone gets hurt. That’s why you need the real OEM document, not some aftermarket translation that guessed the torque values. This 154-page Nichiyu FBT13P, FBT15P, FBT18P, FBT20PN Service Manual is the actual factory book from Nippon Yusoki Co., Ltd. — the people who built the truck. It covers the 70 Series electric lift trucks, and it’s organized the way a technician thinks: system by system, with the safety warnings printed right where you need them.

Look at the table of contents. It starts with “Safety work” and then goes straight into General, Front axle (drive), Rear axle (steering), Tire, Steering linkage, Brake linkage, Hydraulic system, Cylinder, Mast, Motor (Traction, hydraulic, EPS), Electric parts, Laser pointer, and Wiring (diagrams). That’s 14 sections of factory-level detail. Section 2 covers the front drive axle — if your FBT13P or FBT15P is making noise on acceleration, you need the disassembly sequence and the proper shim specs. Section 6 is the Brake linkage. I’ve seen guys miss the parking brake adjustment because they used a generic spec. This manual gives you the true OEM settings. Section 7 is the Hydraulic system — gear pump type, as noted in the file name. That’s your hydraulic pump removal and rebuild procedure, step-by-step, with the exact tools required. Section 8: Cylinder — lift cylinder, tilt cylinder, auxiliary. Section 10: Motor — traction, hydraulic, and EPS motor. And Section 14: Wiring (diagrams). If you’re chasing a short on a FBT20PN, you need the actual wiring diagram, not a redrawn one.

Page 1 lists the models: FBT13P, FBT15P, FBT18P, and FBT20PN. Page 2 opens with a blunt warning: “Most accidents happen due to the disregard of basic safety rules or precautions.” The Japanese engineers who wrote this know that a forklift service manual isn’t a novel. It’s a safety document. They use triangle and square marks for DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION, and NOTE. I tell my guys: read the safety section first, every time. That’s on page 2. Then the rest of the manual is built around that mindset.

Safety Warnings That Keep You Alive

This isn’t a liability waiver. It’s a real hazard identification. The manual states that maintenance without adequate knowledge may cause “inadvertent accidents.” It also says if you don’t understand a procedure, get guidance from someone who does. That’s rare in aftermarket books — they assume you already know. The factory manual doesn’t. It’s written for personnel with “sufficient knowledge and technical expertise” but it doesn’t skip the basics. It assumes you have standard shop facilities and tools. If you don’t, you shouldn’t be doing this work. For general knowledge on Manual Transmission, that’s a different subject entirely, but the front axle section here covers gear backlash for the drive train.

7 Systems Covered: What You Actually Get

From the TOC: Front axle (drive), Rear axle (steering), Steering linkage, Brake linkage, Hydraulic system, Cylinder, Mast, Motor. Each section has its own torque table, clearance specs, and disassembly/reassembly order. The Hydraulic system section (section 7) covers the gear pump type. For the Cylinder section (section 8), you get seal replacement procedures and rod inspection specs. The Mast section (section 9) includes roller adjustment and chain tension. All of that is factory-verified. I’ve used section 10 on a FBT18P EPS motor — the wiring diagram in section 14 matched the truck I was working on. That’s the value of OEM. Some techs confuse forklift mast hydraulics with Manual Transmission pumps — they’re not the same.

Does This Manual Cover the Fuel System?

It’s an electric lift truck. There is no fuel system. The “Motor” section covers electric traction, hydraulic, and EPS motors. If you need something on the internal combustion side, this isn’t it. But for battery-electric forklifts in the 13P to 20PN range, this is the document.

Factory Specs vs. Aftermarket Guesses

I’ve compared aftermarket manuals to OEM prints. They miss torque values. They mislabel wires. They skip the “Laser pointer” alignment procedure (section 12). The factory manual from Nichiyu — note the spelling, NICHIYU on the cover — is published by Nippon Yusoki Co., Ltd. in Kyoto, Japan. Copyright 2005. That’s traceable. The aftermarket copy you find on some forums is a scanned reprint with faded numbers. This one is a clean digital copy. If you’re a shop owner or a DIYer who wants to keep a FBT20PN running without calling a dealer, you need the original.

3 Reasons to Choose OEM Documentation for Your Forklift

One: Torque specs are in the manual as written by the engineer. Two: Wiring diagrams are complete, not truncated. Three: Safety warnings are context-sensitive — they appear in the procedure, not in a separate appendix. For the FBT13P, FBT15P, FBT18P, or FBT20PN, this service manual is the only source you should trust. If you need additional reference, consider the NICHIYU FBT13P FBT15P FBT18P FBT20PN Troubleshooting Manual for fault codes, or the NICHIYU FBT13P FBT15P FBT18P FBT20PN Service Manual for a parallel copy. For older models, see Nichiyu FB10-30P 1995 Service Manual – OEM Specs for Forklift Repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does this manual cover the FBT20PN model?

A: Yes. The manual title includes FBT13P, FBT15P, FBT18P, and FBT20PN. All four models are covered in the same document.

Q: Do I need any special licensing to access this?

A: Not from AutoRepairManuals. The manual is sold as a digital access. You can view it on any device. However, the manual itself states that work should be performed at a shop with standard facilities and tools. This includes a hydraulic press, proper lifting equipment, and a clean bench. If you’re a home garage guy, make sure you have a floor jack and good jack stands before you lift a forklift. Also ensure you have the correct oil drain pan, a multimeter, and a set of metric wrenches. Don’t attempt mast work without a chain spreader or proper support.

Q: Are the wiring diagrams in color?

A: The original manual is printed in black and white. The digital copy reflects that. Wire colors are indicated by labels (e.g., “Red”, “Blue”) in the diagram. You’ll need to match by reading the labels, not by hue.

Q: What if I need a torque spec for a different model, like the FB10-30P?

A: That’s a different series. Check the Nichiyu FB10-30P 1995 Service Manual – OEM Specs for Forklift Repair for the older models. The 70 Series manual is specific to these electric trucks.

If you’re working on a Nichiyu electric forklift — FBT13P, FBT15P, FBT18P, or FBT20PN — stop guessing and start using the real factory procedure. This 154-page service manual has the brake adjustments, the cylinder rebuild specs, the wiring diagrams, and the safety warnings that keep the job from going south. Access the Factory Manual from AutoRepairManuals today and keep it on your tablet or printed on the bench.