On a lift truck, there can be a range of different mechanisms which raise and lower the lifts, including: rack and pinion lifts, scissor lifts, telescoping lifts, screw lifts and articulated lifts. The scissor lift utilizes crisscrossed folding supports with a screw mechanism which draws the members together. Rack and pinion lifts utilize a pinion, which is a small drive gear, to drive a straight-toothed rack to raise the load. The telescoping lift mechanism is designed with multiple sections that retract and extend out of and into each other to achieve lifting action. Screw lifts use threads to raise the lift. Articulated lifts use a system that involves multiple parts which articulate or unfold. An example of an articulated lift is the "cherry picker."
Forklift Material Handling
There are a lot of reasons to keep up with changes in material handling processes. Material handling tools and the processes could be used to deal with more SKUs, increased geographical coverage, and the need to lower inventories. Machinery which are well ahead of the technological curve could help productivity maximization and increase effectiveness.
Forklift Battery & Charging Technology
The decision to convert from conventional, internal combustion lift trucks to electric lift trucks is a smart one since the latest line-ups of electric lift trucks provide higher capacities and longer run-times than ever before. Charger and battery combinations are providing a lot more power for much longer periods than older systems could achieve. Improvements in both charger and battery technologies are not just making electric forklifts more productive but they are making it possible to have more environmentally friendly warehouse operations.
These new batteries are known as Li-ion batteries or Lithium-Ion batteries. This technology is still somewhat new, however Li-ion batteries show remarkable promise. They are not only smaller but are capable of holding up to six times the charge of standard lead acid batteries. Li-ion batteries have extremely low maintenance needs and can maximize opportunity charging through zero memory technology.