Nonlinear lattice differential equations (also known as differential-difference equations) appear in many applications. They can be thought of as hybrid systems for the inclusion of both discrete and continuous variables. On the basis of an improved version of the basic (G'/G)-expansion method, we focus our attention towards some Toda type lattice differential systems for constructing further exact traveling wave solutions. Our method provides not only solitary and periodic wave profiles but also rational solutions with more arbitrary parameters. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.