On a lift truck, one can find a range of different means which raise and lower the lifts, including: scissors lifts, rack and pinion lifts, screw lifts, telescoping lifts and articulated lifts. The scissor lift utilizes crisscrossed folding supports and a screw mechanism 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 lift the load. The telescoping lift system is made with many parts that extend and retract into and out of each other to achieve lifting action. Screw lifts use threads to raise the lift. Articulated lifts utilize a mechanism which involves many parts that unfold or articulate. An example of an articulated lift is the "cherry picker."
Lift truck Material Handling
There are numerous reasons to keep up with innovations in material handling processes. Material handling machines and the methods can be used to deal with increased geographical coverage, more SKUs, and the need to lower inventories. Machinery that are well ahead of the technological curve could help productivity maximization and increase effectiveness.
Forklift Battery & Charging Technology
The newest innovations on electric forklifts have yielded longer run-times and higher capacities than ever before, that makes the choice to convert from the traditional IC forklift over to the improved electric units. Charger and battery combinations are providing more power for longer periods than older systems can achieve. Enhancements in battery and charger technologies are not only making electric lift trucks more productive but they are making it possible to have more environmentally friendly warehouse operations.
The electric powered machines utilize Li-ion batteries or Lithium-Ion batteries. The Li-ion batteries show incredible promise, though this technology is still quite new. They are not just smaller but are capable of holding up to six times the charge of standard lead acid batteries. Li-ion batteries have extremely low maintenance requirements and could maximize opportunity charging through zero memory technology.