One can find a range of different mechanisms which raise or lower lifts on a lift truck: scissors lifts, rack and pinion lifts, screw lifts, telescoping lifts and articulated lifts. Scissor lifts use crisscrossed folding supports and a screw system 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 many parts that extend and retract out of and into each other to achieve lifting action. Screw lifts use threads to raise the lift. Articulated lifts utilize a system involving multiple parts which articulate or unfold. An articulated lift example is the "cherry picker."
Lift truck Material Handling
There are numerous reasons to keep up with innovations in material handling methods. Material handling processes and the machinery could be utilized to handle additional SKUs, increased geographical coverage, and the requirement to lower inventories. Tools which are well ahead of the technological curve could help maximize production and increase effectiveness.
Lift truck Battery & Charging Technology
The decision to convert from traditional, internal combustion lift trucks to electric forklifts is a wise one since the latest series of electric lift trucks offer longer run-times and higher capacities than ever before. Battery and charger combinations are providing more power for longer periods than older systems could achieve. Enhancements in both battery and charger technologies are not just making electric lift trucks more beneficial but they are making it possible to have more environmentally friendly warehouse operations.
These new batteries are called Li-ion batteries or Lithium-Ion batteries. This technology is still quite new, however Li-ion batteries show remarkable promise. They are not only smaller but are capable of holding up to six times the charge of traditional lead acid batteries. Li-ion batteries have extremely low maintenance requirements and could maximize opportunity charging through zero memory technology.