On a lift truck, there can be a variety of different means which raise and lower the lifts, like: scissors lifts, rack and pinion lifts, telescoping lifts, screw lifts and articulated lifts. The scissor lift utilizes crisscrossed folding supports and a screw system which draws the members together. Rack and pinion lifts use a pinion, that is a small drive gear, to drive a straight-toothed rack to raise the cargo. The telescoping lift mechanism is designed with many parts that retract and extend out of and into each other to achieve lifting action. Screw lifts utilize threads to raise the lift. Articulated lifts utilize a system involving multiple sections that articulate or unfold. An example of an articulated lift is the "cherry picker."
Lift truck Material Handling
There are lots of reasons to keep up with innovations in material handling methods. Material handling machinery and the methods could be utilized to deal with increased geographical coverage, additional SKUs, and the need to lower inventories. Machines that are well ahead of the technological curve could help maximize efficiency and increase effectiveness.
Lift truck Battery & Charging Technology
The choice to convert from traditional, IC forklifts to electric lift trucks is a smart one as the newest series of electric lift trucks provide longer run-times and higher capacities than ever before. Battery and charger combinations are providing more power for a lot longer periods than older systems can achieve. Improvements in both battery and charger technologies are not only making electric forklifts more productive but they are making it possible to have warehouse operations that are more environmentally friendly.
These new batteries are known as Lithium-Ion Batteries or Li-ion batteries. This technology is still quite new, however Li-ion batteries show remarkable promise. They are not just smaller but are capable of holding up to six times the charge of traditional lead acid batteries. Li-ion batteries have extremely low maintenance requirements and can maximize opportunity charging through zero memory technology.