On a forklift, there are actually a variety of different ways that 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 and a screw system 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 many sections which retract and extend out of and into each other to achieve lifting action. Screw lifts use threads to raise the lift. Articulated lifts utilize a system that involves multiple sections that articulate or unfold. An articulated lift example is the "cherry picker."
Forklift Material Handling
In material handling processes, there is numerous reasons to keep up with innovations. Material handling machinery and the processes can be used to handle more SKUs, increased geographical coverage, and the requirement to lower inventories. Machinery which are well ahead of the technological curve could help productivity maximization and increase profitability.
Forklift Battery & Charging Technology
The newest innovations on electric lift trucks have yielded higher capacities and longer run-times than ever before, which makes the decision to convert from the traditional internal combustion forklift over to the improved electric units. Battery and charger combinations are providing more power for longer periods than older systems were capable of achieving. Improvements in both charger and battery technologies are not only making electric forklifts more productive but they are making it possible to have more environmentally friendly warehouse operations.
The electric powered equipment use Li-ion batteries or Lithium-Ion batteries. The Li-ion batteries show remarkable promise, although this technology is still quite new. 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 very low maintenance requirements and are able to maximize opportunity charging through zero memory technology.