Forklifts - a universal tool for placing goods in a warehouse

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:41

Forklifts - special floor-type warehouse transport. Designed for moving, stacking and system stacking of various cargoes, goods and materials.

Varieties

Forklifts are a multi-purpose mechanical tool of several types. They are divided into two main categories according to the engines used, diesel and electric. There are also forklifts with gasoline engines, but they try not to use them due to the high cost of fuel, which is consumed in significant quantities during the operation of the forklift.

Benefits

Typically, forklifts are used in closed warehouses. These are usually electric cars. The diesel forklift is used in open areas, because the exhaust gases are harmful to others. Well-ventilated indoor warehouses can accommodate one or two diesel engines, provided that the propeller hoods have time to clean the air in the premises.

Performance

Diesel forkliftwidely used for moving goods in the open, where there are no more powerful lifts, cranes or other mechanisms. Exceptional mobility makes the forklift an indispensable assistant in the warehousing of goods and cargo. In addition, these machines can work non-stop, a change of operator is enough for this, and recharging is also necessary for an electrically driven unit.

A bit of history

Forklifts appeared in the late twenties of the last century. These were semi-handicraft lifting mechanisms that worked only with the active participation of a person. Gradually, the units were modernized, in some places their mass production began, and before the Second World War, the industrial production of mobile lifts in the USA and Germany was already established.

Forklift specifications

The lifting mechanism operates on the principle of moving the clutch along a rotating rod with a modular thread. The loader frame includes two screw shafts that raise and lower the forks in a range of 0 to 3 meters. The lifting mechanism can be tilted within 12 degrees, if the specifics of loading require it. Behind the lift is the control panel, steering wheel and operator's seat. Next is the power plant, diesel engine or batteries.

The most advanced loader models are equipped with both batteries and diesel. This unit can work both indoors and outdoors. Forklift undercarriage is likeas a rule, pneumatic wheels with a zero-range swivel mechanism. That is, the machine can rotate almost in place. This gives exceptional maneuverability, which is a good advantage in cramped warehouse environments.

Additional devices

For greater convenience, various attachments are included with the loaders to increase their productivity. These are the following mechanisms:

• capturing a bulky load and then pushing it down an inclined plane;
• special gripper with radial arms for transporting rolls, barrels and logs;
• special fork positioner;
• forks with rotation function;
• special fork side shifter.

Top Manufacturing Companies

Forklift trucks are manufactured in several countries, but the most successful lift truck manufacturer is Toyota, with an annual turnover of more than five million dollars. It is followed by Japanese concerns "Mitsubishi", "Komatsu" and "Nissan". The competition for Japanese manufacturers is the Finnish company Cargotec, as well as the American Nacco Industries and Crown, located in Ohio.

The world leader is the Toyota 4FD-240 forklift with a lifting capacity of 24 tons. The range of the lift is from zero to three meters. The cost of the car is 9,240,000 rubles. Forklift, the price of whichexpressed in seven figures, is one of the most expensive accessories in the industry.

Classification

All lifting devices over 60 HP. With. classified in ITA format:

• First Class - Electric Forklifts;
• second class - vehicles working in tunnels and narrow passages;
• third class - stackers and electric cars;
• fourth class - forklifts with diesel or gasoline engine and solid tires;
• fifth grade - with diesel engine and pneumatic tires;
• sixth class - conveyors with lift up to two meters;
• seventh class - SUVs working in difficult conditions, on sites without hard surface.

Types of mast equipment

There are four types of frame lifts:

• with two-section mast, without independent fork travel, index DLFL;
• two-piece mast, free swing, index DFFL;
• with TFFL three-section mast with independent fork travel;
• car version with a folding mast, which in a compact position does not exceed 2200 meters in length.

Wheels and tires

Forklifts are equipped with several types of wheels and tires:

• solid rubber tires are used for working on concrete floors in closed warehouses;
• highly wear-resistant polyurethane tires are used in outdoor areas;
• ontreaded pneumatic tires are used on difficult, rough or icy surfaces;
• timber tires, a thin layer of rubber on steel rims are used to work on wooden floors.