Legacy Drayage Inc. moves freight through some of the toughest, most fast‑moving conditions in California. Containers come in fast, schedules move even faster, and the work never stops. For years, their propane forklifts forced them to slow down with tank swaps, breakdowns, noise, fumes, and maintenance headaches that cost them time and money.
Leadership knew they needed a cleaner and simpler way to work. They wanted more uptime, lower operating costs, a quieter environment, and equipment that aligned with their push toward renewable energy and a greener supply chain. Electric was the next step in their evolution.
A Company Ready for Change
Legacy has always looked beyond the day‑to‑day work. As Joe Balbuena, Chief Logistics Officer, said, “We care about how we handle your products in and out. And we are really looking at the future as far as renewable energy because I feel that we have to do our part to keep the environment cleaner.”
They saw the industry shifting and wanted to stay at the forefront.
The Problem: Propane Slowed Them Down
Legacy’s propane trucks created a drag across the entire operation. Fuel deliveries came three times a week. Operators stopped multiple times per shift to swap tanks. Breakdowns were common. Noise and fumes made communication harder inside the warehouse.
As Balbuena put it, “We constantly have to change out propane tanks, a lot of downtime, and machines break down more often. It is a lot more maintenance. It is quieter and cleaner with the Big Joe.”
They needed something modern, reliable, and aligned with their company’s direction.
The Solution: Big Joe LPE100S with Integrated Lithium
Legacy needed a truck with power, maneuverability, and the ability to fit inside shipping containers. They also wanted to eliminate the fuel and maintenance costs associated withpropane.
The Big Joe LPE100S delivered.
Matthew Kelley, Account Manager at Big Joe Carson, summed it up clearly: “They needed a product that can move heavy loads but can also fit inside a shipping container. We were able to provide the LPE100S, which fits inside a shipping container and can pretty easily move just about anything that they have that comes to their doors.”
The integrated lithium-ion LPE100S gave Legacy:
- Strong acceleration
- Quiet operation
- Zero emissions on site
- Predictable energy costs
- A major reduction in maintenance
- A cleaner and more comfortable workspace
The truck simply performed. As Brian Velasquez, one of Legacy’s Forklift Operators, put it, “It is quiet, quick on acceleration, gets around, and can handle the loads. All around perfect.”
Real Results on the Floor
The improvements were immediate and noticeable.
Less downtime. No tank swaps. No mid‑shift drop‑off. Fewer breakdowns.
Lower operating costs. Leaders described the month‑to‑month difference as “humongous.”
Safer communication. The warehouse is quieter, cleaner, and easier to work in.
Better performance. The trucks handle heavy, varied containerized freight with confidence.
A cleaner building. No fumes and no fuel handling.
The operator feedback reinforced everything the data showed. The trucks were smoother, quieter, quicker, and easier to work with.
The Partnership That Made It Work
The move to electric was supported by Big Joe California, the Big Joe dealer in the area. Kelley visited the site, evaluated the containers, matched the correct model, and provided onboarding and training support.
Legacy’s team trusted the guidance and appreciated the service model's simplicity. The result was a transition that felt natural rather than disruptive.
“It’s very quick on acceleration, gets around, it can handle the weight. I mean, all around, it’s perfect,” said Brian Velasquez, Forklift Operator, Legacy Drayage Inc.
Looking Ahead
Legacy sees a bigger shift happening in logistics. Electric trucks, zero‑emission goals, and cleaner operations are becoming the new standard. With the Big Joe LPE100S in their fleet, they aligned themselves with where California freight is headed.
They are confident in the path forward and already seeing the payoff of a cleaner, quieter, and more reliable operation.
Big Joe is proud to support that progress and proud to build equipment that empowers the people who move things.