Material Handling

• Class I

  Class I is a category of forklifts that includes three and four wheel counterbalanced sit-down machines.
  • 4-Wheel Sit-down Counterbalanced Lift Truck
    The electric counterbalance lift truck is a relatively semi-complex machine that utilize a plethora of different technologies. Most OEMs now use two AC drive motors, one for each front wheel, which is also referred to as dualAC. This allows for an electronic differential, which gives greater control and lowers the center-of-gravity of the machine due to the absence of the mechanical differential. OEMs normally offer the hoist motor to come in DC or AC technology, but some OEMs are eliminating the DC option. Other components include electronic valve control, and interactive displays which allow for multiple different operators to "log-in" to the machine. Because the level of complexity has greatly increased in these machines in the last ten years, CANBUS communication technology has been implemented to ensure the safe operation of each control device in the system. The four wheel counterbalance truck uses a small steering motor (AM or PMAC technology) that is linked to the rear steered axle.
  • 3-Wheel Sit-down Counterbalanced Lift Truck
    The electric counterbalance lift truck is a relatively semi-complex machine that utilize a plethora of different technologies. Most OEMs now use two AC drive motors, one for each front wheel, which is also referred to as dualAC. This allows for an electronic differential, which gives greater control and lowers the center-of-gravity of the machine due to the absence of the mechanical differential. OEMs normally offer the hoist motor to come in DC or AC technology, but some OEMs are eliminating the DC option. Other components include electronic valve control, and interactive displays which allow for multiple different operators to "log-in" to the machine. Because the level of complexity has greatly increased in these machines in the last ten years, CANBUS communication technology has been implemented to ensure the safe operation of each control device in the system. The three wheel counterbalance truck uses hydraulic or electric steering control. The electric versions come in many configurations, but all contain a steering motor (AC or PMAC technology), controller, and gear reduction attached to the rear wheel column.

• Class II

  Class II is a category of material handling machines. The group includes narrow-aisle, stand-up, and reach trucks.
  • Orderpicker
    A counterbalanced lift truck on which the driver compartment is lifted with the forks. This is a complex machine that utilizes electronic control of the traction, hoist, valves, wire guidance, and steering, with the addition of operator input displays. Because of this level of complexity, it is common to utilize CANBUS protocol for the communication between electronic devices. This reduces the complexity of the wiring and gives the OEMs easy control over their systems.
  • Reach Truck
    A stand-type lift truck with "reachable" forks. This is a complex machine that utilizes electronic control of the traction, hoist, valves, wire guidance, and steering, with the addition of operator input displays. Because of this level of complexity, it is common to utilize CANBUS protocol for the communication between electronic devices. This reduces the complexity of the wiring and gives the OEMs easy control over their systems.
  • Stand-up Lift Truck
    The electric standup lift truck is a relatively semi-complex machine that utilize a plethora of different technologies. Most OEMs now use two AC drive motors, one for each front wheel, which is also referred to as dualAC. This allows for an electronic differential, which gives greater control and lowers the center-of-gravity of the machine due to the absence of the mechanical differential. OEMs normally offer the hoist motor to come in DC or AC technology, but some OEMs are eliminating the DC option. Other components include electronic valve control, and interactive displays which allow for multiple different operators to "log-in" to the machine. Because the level of complexity has greatly increased in these machines in the last ten years, CANBUS communication technology has been implemented to ensure the safe operation of each control device in the system. The three wheel counterbalance truck uses hydraulic or electric steering control. The electric versions come in many configurations, but all contain a steering motor (AC or PMAC technology), controller, and gear reduction attached to the rear wheel column.
  • Very Narrow Aisle Lift Truck
    A counterbalanced lift truck on which the driver compartment is lifted with the forks. This is a complex machine that utilizes electronic control of the traction, hoist, valves, wire guidance, and steering, with the addition of operator input displays. Because of this level of complexity, it is common to utilize CANBUS protocol for the communication between electronic devices. This reduces the complexity of the wiring and gives the OEMs easy control over their systems.

• Class III

  Class III is a category of material handling machines that can also be labeled pallet trucks.
  • Pallet Truck
    A motorized pallet truck that can come in both walk behind and ride-on configurations. Typically the walk behind versions use SEM motor technology while the ride-on versions use AC technology. Both versions normally utilize a "combi" controller, which contains the traction and hoist control in one physical package. The higher capacity trucks use either steer-by-wire or torque assisted steering to aid the operator.
  • Stacker
    This truck is a pallet truck with masted forks to allow for higher lift heights. For this reason, they require higher power hoist controllers; although, they still use a similar type of "combi" controller as their pallet truck counterparts. The combi controller combines the traction and hoist controllers into one physical package. The higher capacity trucks use either steer-by-wire or torque assisted steering to aid the operator.