On a forklift, there are actually a variety of different mechanisms that lower and raise the lifts, including: scissors lifts, rack and pinion lifts, telescoping lifts, screw lifts and articulated lifts. The scissor lift utilizes crisscrossed folding supports and a screw mechanism that draws the members together. Rack and pinion lifts use a pinion, which is a small drive gear, to drive a straight-toothed rack to lift the load. The telescoping lift system is designed with multiple sections which retract and extend out of and into each other to attain lifting action. Screw lifts utilize threads to raise the lift. Articulated lifts use a system that involves many parts that articulate or unfold. An example of an articulated lift is the "cherry picker."
Lift truck Material Handling
There are a lot of reasons to keep up with innovations in material handling processes. Material handling machinery and the methods could be utilized to handle more SKUs, increased geographical coverage, and the need to lower inventories. Tools that are well ahead of the technological curve could help productivity maximization and increase effectiveness.
Forklift Battery & Charging Technology
The choice to convert from traditional, IC forklifts to electric forklifts is a wise one as the newest series of electric forklifts offer higher capacities and longer run-times than ever before. Charger and battery combinations are providing much more power for longer periods than older systems were capable of accomplishing. Improvements in charger and battery technologies are not only making electric lift trucks more beneficial but they are making it possible to have more environmentally friendly warehouse operations.
The electric powered machinery use Li-ion batteries or Lithium-Ion batteries. The Li-ion batteries show remarkable 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 conventional lead acid batteries. Li-ion batteries have extremely low maintenance requirements and can maximize opportunity charging through zero memory technology.