Komatsu FB15, FB18, FB18M, FB20M, FB10 Training Manual

You got a Komatsu lift truck that’s down, and you’re staring at a pile of parts and a wiring harness that looks like spaghetti. The aftermarket “manual” you downloaded from some forum gave you a torque spec that was 20 ft-lbs off – lucky you caught it before the head cracked. That’s why I only trust factory training manuals. The Komatsu FB15, FB18, FB18M, FB20M, FB10 Training Manual is a 173-page OEM document that came straight from the Komatsu service training program. It doesn’t guess. It doesn’t generalize. It tells you exactly what those AE50/AM50 series electric lift trucks need.

This thing covers the FB10 through FB20M models – including the FB15, FB18, FB18M, and FB20M variants. It’s 173 pages of factory specifications, outside view drawings, and dimensions you can verify against your machine. The OCR excerpt shows the “General and Specifications” section with outside view diagrams for both 4-wheel and 3-wheel vehicles. You get the actual wheelbase numbers, tire sizes, mast heights – all in the units you need for North American shops. Need the load center for an FB14? Page 4 spells out 500 mm load center, 1410 mm wheelbase, and the exact axle loading numbers under load and unload. That’s the kind of data you use to set up a lift truck properly before you even talk about repairs.

Factory Specifications Table – What’s Inside

Every line in the specifications table is from the Komatsu factory. You get the rated capacity in kg, tire type (cushion or pneumatic), tilt angles, free lift heights, and travel speeds. The manual breaks down dimensions for each model so you don’t have to measure twice. For example, the FB15-12 shows a mast lowered height of 1995 mm, standard lift height 3000 mm, and turning radius 1750 mm. If you’re replacing a mast or ordering forks, having these numbers in front of you keeps you from wasting a week on wrong parts.

Linking this manual with other Komatsu documentation saves even more headache. Check the KOMATSU FB12 FB15 FB18 Workshop Manual for the detailed repair steps. Pair it with the KOMATSU Electric Lift Truck Shop Manual for hydraulic and electrical system breakdowns. For older models, the Komatsu FB Series 1980 Troubleshooting Manual fills in gaps on early drivetrains.

Outside View and Dimensions – Factory Measurements

Pages 2 and 3 of the manual show the outside view diagrams with all the key dimensions labeled: b1 (width), h3 (mast height extended), d1/d2 (fork dimensions), and the 10-degree backward tilt. The training manual doesn’t just list numbers – it shows you where each measurement is taken. That’s the difference between getting a replacement part that fits and one that doesn’t. If you’re working on a Manual Transmission gearbox, the procedure is different, but the same principle applies: measure first, cut later.

Who Needs This Training Manual?

This is for the shop owner who wants his guys trained on the actual Komatsu procedure. It’s for the DIY fleet manager who maintains his own lift trucks because the dealer charges $200 an hour. It’s for the mobile tech who shows up on a job site with an FB18M that won’t lift. The training manual gives you the service weight of each model – 2770 kg for the FB10-12 – so you know if your lift table can handle it. Beginners can use it alongside a mentor; veterans can use it to verify their memory. Either way, you’re working off factory data, not someone’s blog post.

Factory Training vs Aftermarket Documentation

I’ve seen third-party manuals that try to combine five different brands into one book. They always leave out critical details – like the specific tire size for the FB18 (18×7-8 front, 16×6-8 rear). This Komatsu training manual was written for Komatsu technicians. It uses the same part numbering system your local dealer uses. The page count – 173 – tells you it’s thorough without being a doorstop. The “[General and Specifications]” chapter alone takes up 10 pages of pure data. No fluff, no filler.

If you’re also working on automotive transmissions, the Manual Transmission section in that other manual won’t apply here, but the approach to reading a factory spec sheet is the same. Always cross-reference the model number with the serial number range listed inside. For the FB15G-12, it covers M241-825001 and up. If your serial falls outside that range, you need the updated version.

FAQ

Does this training manual include step-by-step repair procedures for the drive motor?

This is a training manual, not a full workshop manual. It focuses on specifications, system overviews, and dimensional data. For drive motor disassembly, get the KOMATSU FB12 FB15 FB18 Workshop Manual which has the exploded views and torque values.

Can I use this for an FB14F model?

Yes. The manual covers FB10F, FB14F, FB15F, and similar -12 suffix models.

The bottom line: if you’re running a shop that touches Komatsu electric lift trucks, this training manual belongs on your reference shelf. It’s the same material used to train Komatsu service techs. Don’t trust your lift truck’s hydraulic pressures or mast alignment to a photocopied aftermarket book. Download the Factory Manual now and get the real specs.