There are actually a range of different ways that lower or raise lifts on a forklift: rack and pinion lifts, scissor lifts, telescoping lifts, screw lifts and articulated lifts. Scissor lifts use crisscrossed folding supports and a screw mechanism utilized to draw the members together. Rack and pinion lifts utilize a pinion, which is a small drive gear, to drive a straight-toothed rack to lift the cargo. The telescoping lift mechanism is made with multiple parts which retract and extend out of and into each other to achieve lifting action. Screw lifts utilize threads to raise the lift. Articulated lifts use a system involving many parts which unfold or articulate. An articulated lift example is the "cherry picker."
Lift truck Material Handling
There are lots of reasons to keep up with innovations in material handling processes. Material handling processes and the tools can be used to handle increased geographical coverage, additional SKUs, and the requirement to lower inventories. Tools which are well ahead of the technological curve can help productivity maximization and increase profitability.
Lift truck Battery & Charging Technology
The choice to convert from traditional, internal combustion lift trucks to electric forklifts is a wise one because the latest line-ups of electric forklifts offer longer run-times and higher capacities than ever before. Charger and battery combinations are providing much more power for longer periods than older systems can achieve. Improvements in both battery and charger technologies are not only making electric forklifts more beneficial but they are making it possible to have warehouse operations that are more environmentally friendly.
The electric powered machinery use Li-ion batteries or Lithium-Ion batteries. The Li-ion batteries show incredible promise, though 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 needs and can maximize opportunity charging through zero memory technology.