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/dispatch docks and manufacturing.
Powered carts are normally powered by battery, electricity or fuel bottle (e.g. gas/diesel bottle). There a many different types of powered carts which are beneficial for different work environments.
Use
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 / 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 (ride front-on 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/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/raise pallets in small aisles of warehouses/stores. Reach trucks generally reach up to ~ 8 metres high. Depending on the type of reach truck, the operator may sit/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/high storage levels, up to ~7-8 metres high).
Forklifts / Counterbalance Trucks
A forklift is a powered industrial truck, usually with two steel forks (height / 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
Wikipedia Foundation 2007 - Forklift truck, Wikipedia Free Encyclopaedia, St Petersburg, viewed 13 June 2007.