There are actually a range of different ways which lower or raise lifts on a lift truck: rack and pinion lifts, scissor lifts, telescoping lifts, screw lifts and articulated lifts. Scissor lifts use crisscrossed folding supports and a screw mechanism used 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 raise the load. The telescoping lift system is made with multiple sections that extend and retract out of and into each other to attain lifting action. Screw lifts use threads to raise the lift. Articulated lifts use a system which involves multiple parts that unfold or articulate. An example of an articulated lift is the "cherry picker."
Lift truck Material Handling
There are numerous reasons to keep up with innovations in material handling processes. Material handling tools and the methods could be used to handle additional SKUs, increased geographical coverage, and the requirement to lower inventories. Tools that are well ahead of the technological curve could help maximize production and increase profitability.
Lift truck Battery & Charging Technology
The newest innovations on electric lift trucks have yielded higher capacities and longer run-times than ever before, that makes the choice to convert from the conventional internal combustion lift truck over to the improved electric models. Charger and battery combinations are providing a lot more power for longer periods than older systems could achieve. Enhancements in both 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.
These new batteries are called Lithium-Ion Batteries or Li-ion batteries. This technology is still somewhat new, but Li-ion batteries show incredible promise. They are not just smaller but can hold up to six times the charge of traditional lead acid batteries. Li-ion batteries have extremely low maintenance requirements and can maximize opportunity charging through zero memory technology.