Powered carts are industrial trucks designed to lift and transport materials, normally stored on pallets. They are integral items of machinery used in a variety of work environments, particularly in warehousing, receival and or dispatch docks and manufacturing.
Powered carts are normally powered by battery, electricity or fuel bottle such as gas or diesel. There are many different types of powered carts, which are beneficial for different work environments.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
The use of a powered cart in the workplace can assist to reduce the occurrence of workplace injuries and strains. The provision of powered carts should be part of an integrated organisational approach to occupational health and safety, and should be used to complement other manual handling hazard control methods.
There are various types of motorised carts that can assist people with a variety of disabilities to carry out their work tasks such as:
Powered pallet trucks
A powered pallet truck is an automated machine designed to move heavy items over long distances. They are often used in shipping or receiving docks or in warehousing environments. Powered pallet trucks have two forks at the front of the truck, which are used to pick up and move pallets. A central steering column is used to operate the acceleration, braking and manoeuvrability of the machine. There are two types of powered pallet trucks:
- walk behind powered pallet trucks where an operator walks behind the machine
- ride on powered pallet trucks where operators stand on the machine platform riding either front or side on during operation.
These machines are used to move higher loads with greater speed and over longer distances.
Walkie low lift truck
A walkie low lift truck is a powered pallet stacker used to move and store pallets on lower level shelving or pick faces. Walkie low lift trucks have forks that are height adjustable, which raise or lower pallets between low shelving. The operator generally walks behind the stacker and uses the central steering column to operate the acceleration, braking, fork height and manoeuvrability of the machine.
Reach truck
A reach truck is a small ride on machine, typically used to lower or raise pallets in small aisles of warehouses. Reach trucks generally reach up to about 8 metres high. Depending on the type of reach truck, the operator may sit or stand on the machine in a front facing or side on position.
Order pickers
An order picker is a machine which allows the operator to pick orders or store pallets at an elevated level, mid to high storage levels, up to approximately 7-8 meters high. See the link below for more information:
Forklifts or and Counterbalance trucks
A forklift is a powered industrial truck, usually with two steel forks, height and tilt adjustable, that are used to lift and transport heavy materials. Depending on the forklift, the operator may be in a seated or standing position.
References
Electrodrive 2011, Powered Cart Lite, Electrodrive, Campbellfield, viewed 30 August 2011, http://electrodrive.com.au/healthcare/powered-cart-lite/.
Materials Handling 2003-2005, Tugs and powered carts, Materials Handling, Brisbane, viewed 30 August 2011, http://www.materialshandling.com.au/c-133-tugs-powered-carts.aspx.