On a forklift, one can find a variety of different means that raise and lower the lifts, such as: scissors lifts, rack and pinion lifts, screw lifts, telescoping lifts and articulated lifts. The scissor lift uses crisscrossed folding supports and 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 made with multiple 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 mechanism involving many sections which unfold or articulate. An articulated lift example is the "cherry picker."
Forklift Material Handling
There are lots of reasons to keep up with innovations in material handling processes. Material handling processes and the machines could be utilized to handle increased geographical coverage, additional SKUs, and the requirement to lower inventories. Machinery that are well ahead of the technological curve can help productivity maximization and increase effectiveness.
Forklift Battery & Charging Technology
The latest innovations on electric forklifts have yielded longer run-times and higher capacities than ever before, which makes the decision to convert from the traditional IC lift truck over to the improved electric units. Battery and charger combinations are providing a lot more power for much longer periods than older systems were capable of achieving. Improvements in battery and charger technologies are not only 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, but Li-ion batteries show incredible promise. 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 needs and can maximize opportunity charging through zero memory technology.