Heavy equipment machinery

Manufacturers face relentless challenges in their efforts to meet changing demand. In their materials handling operation, these challenges include moving materials in tight spaces, providing just-in-time (JIT) delivery to production areas, and ensuring that lift trucks are available when and where they are needed. Maintaining production efficiency requires sturdy, dependable lift trucks that are maneuverable, easy to operate, and easy to maintain.

Using electric lift trucks in the confines of a manufacturing facility eliminates the byproducts of combustion, resulting in better indoor air and noise quality. A range of electric lift trucks is available for manufacturing environments, including sideloaders, multidirectional trucks, reach trucks, counterbalance trucks, order picker trucks, turret trucks, electric pallet trucks, and pallet jacks.

Sideloaders

Sideloaders (see Figure 1) excel at transporting long, bulky materials such as barstock, tubing, laminates, and plywood sheets in very narrow aisles. These trucks feature multidirectional travel, heavy-duty capacities, and stacking capabilities—from 2,000 to 10,000 pounds up to 30 feet high.

Their very-narrow-aisle (VNA) maneuverability means that sideloaders can improve space utilization by as much as 100 percent or more. Because sideloaders are versatile, they are suited to rack storage, feeding machine tools, and order picking.

Figure 1 Sideloaders excel at transporting long, bulky materials such as barstock and tubing and feature multidirectional travel, heavy-duty capacities, and stacking capabilities.

Multidirectional Trucks

Multidirectional trucks combine a pantograph reach mechanism with multidirectional travel to handle long, bulky loads in narrow aisles. Unlike typical counterbalance trucks, the multidirectional truck’s unique travel mode eliminates the need to make right-angle turns. This enables the truck to travel sideways down storage aisles, improving storage density by up to 40 percent while retrieving long loads faster and easier.

Reach Trucks

Reach trucks are well-suited for moving pallet loads between rack storage and manufacturing areas and for replenishing rack storage (see Figure 2). Reach trucks require an aisle of less than 8 ft., which increases storage density and helps maximize floor space for manufacturing operations. With hundreds of combinations of heights, capacities, and features, they can meet many stockroom and warehouse equipment needs.

Figure 2 Reach trucks are well-suited for moving pallet loads between rack storage and manufacturing areas and for replenishing rack storage. They require an aisle of less than 8 ft., which increases storage density and helps maximize floor space for manufacturing operations.

Some lift trucks are designed for reaching two-pallet-deep areas. These trucks are essentially reach trucks with an extended pantograph mechanism for use with double-deep storage racks. Double-deep storage further reduces the number of storage aisles.

Counterbalance Trucks

With 3,000- to 6,000-lb. capacities, counterbalance trucks work well for dock, cross-dock, and dock-to-stock applications. When an operator is required to get on and off the lift truck repeatedly, a stand-up counterbalance truck can help reduce fatigue.

In narrow aisles in which right-angle stacking turns need to be performed in small areas, a stand-up truck is best-suited for the job. For truck loading and unloading and long runs through the warehouse, a sit-down counterbalance truck is a better choice. Most counterbalance trucks accept many attachments to meet all types of special handling requirements.

Figure 3 When piece picking from a stockroom or other storage area, order picker trucks allow operators to rise with the load and pick directly from the racks or bins.

Order Pickers

When piece picking from a stockroom or other storage area, an order picker truck allows the operator to rise with the load and pick directly from the racks or bins (see Figure 3). Many models, lift heights, and performance packages are available to meet all types of order picking requirements, from high-level VNA order picking to floor-level order picking and almost everything in between.

Special attachments such as platforms and carts make order picker trucks suited for steel and furniture applications. With wire guidance or rail guidance systems, order picker trucks comfortably maneuver awkward loads in narrow and very narrow aisles.

Turret Trucks

Figure 4 Turret trucks operate in very narrow aisles, working both sides of the aisle without turning around by rotating the forks on the mast 180 degrees.

For high-level pallet handling and piece picking versatility, a turret truck may fit the bill. Turret trucks operate in very narrow aisles, working both sides of the aisle without turning around by rotating the forks on the mast 180 degrees (see Figure 4). Because no right-angle stacking turns are required, the aisle can be as narrow as 5.5 ft., which can triple storage capacity.

With the addition of a wire guidance system, turret trucks can be steered automatically, allowing operators to concentrate on the next pick. An extended load handler offers turret truck users the capability to place, pick, and move a greater variety of load sizes. Loads up to 48 inches deep by 108 in. wide can be handled in aisles as narrow as 68 in.

Electric Pallet Trucks

For a variety of demanding transport and low-level order picking applications, electric pallet trucks offer maneuverability, durability, and low operating cost. Electric pallet trucks are available in pedestrian and rider models, depending on which best suits the application. They can maneuver in and out of confined workcell areas to drop off and pick up supplies, transport loads in dock areas, and help load and unload shipments.

Figure 5 Hand pallet jacks are maneuverable in spaces that are too small for an electric pallet truck and have a full 180-degree turning radius.

Hand Pallet Jacks

Hand pallet jacks are exceptionally maneuverable in spaces that are too small for an electric pallet truck (see Figure 5). A full 180-degree turning radius eases navigation, even in tight quarters.

http://www.thefabricator.com/MaterialsHandling/MaterialsHandling_Article.cfm?ID=544

Used boatlifts can prove to be more advantageous than purchasing a new one because of cost. There are numerous print and cyber ads selling all kinds of used boatlifts including custom made and floating lifts manufactured by companies that have international fame and guarantee their used lifts. Although a used boatlift might not have the latest upgrades or be the latest model, most are made to last with superior performance parts. Numerous sellers are ready to sell their used boatlifts at most affordable prices.

Machines are always unpredictable in nature no matter what company manufactured them. One can never promise the efficiency of the machine, although there is always a warranty period for each electronic or machinery product. Most of the used boatlifts that are sold are not necessarily inferior in features or efficiency level. Rather, most owners decide to sell their boatlifts because they don’t use it or don’t have enough time to utilize it to its full capacity.

There are a number of models available previously owned. The names of the boatlifts are very long and very speicific. Dozens or even hundreds of combinations of parts are available. Here is one example: The Boatfloater of galvanized steel tanks, 9.9 hp Evinrude outboard motor with Minnekota trolling motor w/mount, hydraulic boat lifts that has not been used for a few years are often for sale at very reasonable rates and are great bargains for economical boatlift buyers.

A chair lift is a mobility device that carries sick, disabled and weak people to move from one place to another. Lift chairs offer an opportunity for more freedom and a certain amount of normalcy in the lives of the handicapped people as they can freely move from one place to another.

Often when people become old, they are plagued by diseases like arthritis, Lou Gehrig’s, Parkinson’s and other mobility conditions that trouble your loved ones. It makes people unnecessarily helpless and dependent on other people. Chair lifts help people to move from one place to another in a sitting position. Moving in a chair lift means giving opportunity to people to enjoy a normal lifestyle.

Types of chair lifts

Chair lifts can either be manual or electrically operated. While an automatic or electric chair lift can carry you automatically from place to place, a manual chair lift will need help of people to carry you from place to place. An automatic chair lift is, however, always preferred as they carry people easily and effectively from one place to another. While manual chair lifts can always cause sores and inflammations, automatic chair lifts make people feel completely comfortable and relaxed. Electric chair lifts are also useful as they are truly easy to carry because they are powered by batteries and can be controlled by a joystick.

Things to consider while purchasing chair lifts

Chair lifts come in different styles, colors, sizes, functions and features. These often bear resemblance with normal upholstered chairs and look like a recliner, a couch, a sofa or an ordinary chair. If you are in need of a chair and wondering how to choose the right kind of chair, then here are some solutions for you:

• You should get the proper material of the chair specially if the patient has a sensitive skin and fabric/fur can cause him skin irritations.

• Think whether the user is competent enough to operate the powerful equipments of automatic wheel chairs or whether manual chairs can carry the person or not.

• Look for the convenience and purchase automatic, 2 or 3 positions, plugged or battery-operated lift chairs.

• Go for a chair lift that will be available in affordable prices.

• The measurement of the chair is very important, as the size and height of the chair must match that of the users.

So when you want to purchase a chair lift, you should go for the best one.

Importance of electric chair lifts

The electric chair lifts are truly helpful as they are designed to suit the user’s requirements. The chairs are equipped with modern amenities like front-wheel drive, pneumatic wheels, spring suspensions, hydraulic systems, rear-wheel drives and also mid-wheel drives. Other types of electric wheelchairs are based on weight, ranging from ultra lightweight to transport wheelchairs, rough-terrain wheelchairs, tilt-in-space wheelchairs, pediatric wheelchairs and wheelchairs with elevating seats.

The fact that nearly every application requiring a conveyor system is unique, it is important to have a basic understanding of the various types of conveyors and the way these conveyors or lift systems work. Some of the applications requiring special lifting solutions include access to and from balconies, mezzanines, basements and in-between levels in multiple story buildings. Other uses include specific exterior and interior applications, high speed production lines and in replacing inclined belt conveyors. The moving of pallets of various items from one area to another is an example of a type of conveyor system that can be very productive. Companies can benefit greatly in cost, safety and efficiency when the proper method of transporting things up, down or sideways is utilized.

We will begin with mechanical vertical lifts. These are usually vertical platform lifts designed to handle heavy (30,000 lbs or more) and many times bulky, oversized loads. The carriage (compartment area where the actual items being transported sit) is lifted and lowered by heavy roller chain attached to a mechanical lifting mechanism. Vertical lifts are ideal for transporting large, heavy loads two or more levels and also high volume automated systems or frequent-use applications. The benefit of loading and unloading items from all four sides on the better designed vertical lifts is very appealing.

Hydraulic conveyors, as the name implies, lifts the material on the carriage via hydraulic cylinders instead of mechanical lifting mechanisms. Therefore a hydraulic lift is often more quiet and smooth during operation. Hydraulic lifts are quite adaptable for mezzanines, balconies, through floor and inside and outside applications. Depending on their intended use, many hydraulic lifts are designed smaller and more compact than mechanical lifts. The benefit these units provide is they can be often delivered as a complete product ready for fast, easy, one-day installation, thus keeping downtime to a minimum.

Many businesses, large, small and in between, often require the need for what is referred to as a high-speed material handling conveyor. These are specifically designed for the light duty lifting of boxes, cartons, packages, totes, cases, containers, etc. These type lifts provide non stop transportation to or from balconies and mezzanines, over aisles or machinery, between floors or conveyor belt levels. A big advantage to one of these lifts is the fact that they are completely self contained, self supporting and economical. Also, by meeting the proper ANSI/ASME code, you can be assured of the product providing all the safety benefits you would expect.

Whether you need to reach a balcony, a mezzanine or a certain level of multiple levels, a Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor may be the product of choice. Even though a VRC moves products and supplies from one level to another, they are not elevators. A VRC and an elevator each have their own national safety code assigned. A VRC is generally more cost effective than an elevator and also an easier means of transporting materials from one elevation to another and above all is very safe.
These are some of the more popular lifts or conveyors used in various applications today. Yes, there are others, but having a somewhat decent understanding of these I discussed will provide you a basic understanding of other varieties of conveyors.

INSTALLING 243 wire support feeder mast gantries above an operational rail required some careful consideration of process and logistics. The masts were of two types, 2,000 kg 7.5m tall masts with a 5m arm that overhangs the track and carries the cabling, and a straight mast of either 310 Universal Column (UC) or 250 UC with welded base plate weighing up to 800 kg. The masts were to be placed at 68m intervals along the 10.2 km stretch of line that runs from the north side of Broadmeadows in Melbourne to Craigieburn Station and stabling yard.

As Mick Denic, project organiser from Firstcall Constructions explains, “The weight was never a problem on this job; it was the distance away from the footing that presented challenges”. Firstcall are a Melbourne based company that has experience on a variety of lifting projects including work on the Craigieburn Bypass and more recently, beginning work on the Eastern Link Tollway.

There were also additional issues that complicated the project; these included a very narrow access track, which ran parallel to the outbound track. There were also environmental no go zones and other no go zones that were designed to protect shallow underground services such as water pipes and electrical conduits that ran parallel to the track. Space was also limited in which to assemble the 350 square hollow sections (SHS) that were needed to create the finished masts. Both inbound, and outbound train tracks were in use throughout the assembly and erection process.

Self-releasing sling
Project builders Thiess and Firstcall organised a flexible and adaptable work method and assembly plan whereby tube sections were delivered to a predetermined drop off (sometimes up to 1 km from the installation site), then transported by truck crane and bolted and assembled as close to the installation point as possible. All delivery and assembly was undertaken during weekday working hours. The installation of the masts was done over the weekends and outside of ordinary working hours to minimise disruption to the rail network. Thiess shut down two of the tracks, leaving only the country and freight lines operational during installation and a rail spotter (as opposed to a train spotter) was provided for all works to ensure OH&S compliance.

Without the direct ability get to, or over the tracks, it was not possible to use scissor lifts or boom lifts to gain access to and release the slings once the masts had been lifted into place. Firstcall therefore developed a self releasing sling that could be used. This consisted of a long rope attached to where the slings were choked around the load. After the load was released, the rope could be pulled in the opposite direction to release and pull the slings down. The self-releasing sling greatly increased installation speeds. The majority of the lifting has been carried out by Firstcall’s 20t Kato mobile slewing crane with a crew of three riggers and in this set up, they have been able to install up to 15 masts a day. On occasions, due to time restraints and to keep project costs down, Firstcall brought in their 20t and 30t Tadano mobile cranes and using two rigging crews they were able to double that capacity to 30 masts a day.

The weather was an unwanted complication to the progress of the project. “We were bogged down a few times with our vehicles and the truck crane but luckily not the cranes,” says Denic. “We lost two weekends of installations due to muddy conditions. Thiess helped by having a front loader spreading crushed rock in the worst affected places.”

Without counterweights
The section of rail between Tawonga Street and Barry Road, Dallas presented significant challenges for the team due to a large environmentally sensitive site and an underground service no go zone. To place the masts on the footings on this stretch required Firstcall to lift over the restricted areas. To do this, they hired a Grove 130t mobile slewing crane from Independent Cranes. Used without counterweights, it still had a 45t capacity which was more than adequate. The crane gave the crews the ability to reach the 40m required over the sensitive area to place the masts. The company’s recently acquired LW-160 rough terrain crane also came in handy to reach one particular mast site near the Aitken Creek Bridge. Due to the topography of the site, there was no means of alternative access.

“The LW-160 was used mainly because of its all wheel drive and steering capabilities,” says Denic, “Its high wheel base meant we could drive it up and over the train tracks. It was the perfect crane to use in this particular case.” The LW-160 was driven, straddling the track, from the closest point of access, carrying the required mast for installation. “Overall it was a very challenging project,” says Andrew Scott, managing director of Firstcall. “It also highlighted our team’s professional approach and ability to work with builders as well as our willingness and flexibility to handle any given situation.” The $53 million Craigieburn Rail Project is on target for completion in late 2007.

http://www.infolink.com.au/articles/75/0C047275.aspx

Stair lifts are designed to help people with disabilities or handicapped reach the upper floor of a given home. Basically, the stair lift is a chair that lifts elderly or handicapped people up and down the steps. Therefore, stair lifts are a great investment for anyone that has this type of problem. There are many manufacturers and places that you can purchase a stair lift. Check the websites of several medical supply companies to get an idea of what to expect as a price.

Stair lifts can be installed in almost every home, on the wall where your staircase is. This chair has a motor attached to it that, so you simply sit in the chair and the stair lift will gently take you up and down. Depending on their characteristics, stair lifts can be categorized in the several ways. Based on their mechanical features, we distinguish automatic and semi-automatic stair lifts. Semi-automatic lifts offer certain mechanized features, but users may be required to fold and unfold them manually, while the automatics ones do not require any muscle power from the user at all. Depending on your staircase, there are straight and curved stair lifts. Straight stair lifts are suitable for staircases that don’t have any bends, as opposed to the curved ones that are designed for a stair case that has corners or curves.

Different stair lifts have different features and there are some really special features that can be added to give you more confidence to operate the lift on your own. In case you are suffering from arthritis in your fingers, you can have a joystick instead of button controls. People who can’t bend their knees to a sitting position can have a perching stair lift. The idea is that it has to be safe, comfortable and easy to use and designed with your particular needs in mind.

When buying a stair lift, you must select a reputable company so that they can assist you and give you an expert advice to help you choose the best sort of stair lift for your particular needs. Usually, a doctor must give you a referral in order for you get it easier and not wait.

Another possibility here is to buy a second hand stair lift. This is a viable and cost effective alternative to purchasing a brand new stair lift. Second hand stair lifts should be every bit as reliable as a brand new lift and most reputable firms will offer the same 12 month guarantee. The life expectancy of a stair lift should be in excess of 10 years, so you must make sure the one you are about to get (as second hand) is less than 10 years old.

If you are a capable do it yourself type of guy, then you might be able to install a stair lift on your own, without calling a company to do that. But since this is very important, you must make sure it is done right. Therefore, get a company that does this all the time and will be able to do it right.

http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/what-are-stair-lifts-76487.html

Don’t compromise your quality of life. You can remain mobile through wonderful mobility aids. Check out the following tips and links below for a wonderful time during vacations with no problems with mobility by ensuring that you can use an automobile wheelchair lift.

Perhaps some mobility equipment are too large of an investment to make if in case you do decide to purchase one. But if you don’t really travel much anyway but do want to take an occasional vacation or trip, you will find the links below helpful if you are looking mobility aids to rent specifically only during your trips and jaunts with family and friends.

Accessible Vans

As its name suggests, this website will link you accessibly to the nation’s largest and best Automotive Mobility Dealers. If you’re planning a trip with your friends or family, consider checking out Accessible Vans at http://www.accessiblevans.com.

Here you can find the best deals for service, sale and rent of mobility aids including vehicles that are equipped with automobile wheelchair lifts. By using the service of Accessible Vans, you can be assured that you are dealing only with professionals who are determined and committed to giving you the best value and service. Check the site out to find out where the nearest dealer is in your area.

Action Disability Resources

You have come to the right place if you point your browser to http://www.actiondisabilityresources.com Here you will find a truly rich resource on everything and anything about mobility devices for rent, automobile wheelchair lifts, car dealers and many, many more.

With Action Disability Resources you can be sure that being mobility impaired is not a disability. With their rich resource on the subject of mobility you can always count on continuous action with their wide range of mobility aids like automobile wheelchair lifts, and services available to you.

Florida’s Friend

If you are in the Florida area and are considering a vacation or trip and because of this, you inadvertently will be needing mobility aids to ensure a fun and stress free jaunt, then check out Alpha Mobility Centers at http://www.amigoflorida.com

This site has mobility aids for rent as well as a rich resource for automobile wheelchair lifts to help you make your vacation or trip a truly stress free and memorable one. They are an authorized dealer and distributor of the top brands for mobility aids especially for automobile wheelchair lifts.

http://www.articlesbase.com/autos-articles/mobile-lifts-what-you-should-know-95301.html

One of the world’s most advanced heavy lifting systems is to be deployed in Queensland following its purchase by G & S Engineering Services of Mackay.

The PLC-controlled Enerpac synchronous hydraulic lifting system - which simultaneously controls 96 x 100t capacity hydraulic cylinders - will be used initially in the Bowen Basin to lift gigantic mining shovels, or draglines, for maintenance.

Easily capable of safely lifting the largest Draglines in Australia, which typically range between 2500-6500t, the Enerpac system uses digital synchronisation to provide minutely accurate control of different types of lifts being undertaken by G & S Engineering Services.

“We believe that this is one of the world’s largest systems to be used on mining applications,” says Anders Mangen, Enerpac Australasia business unit manager. “The system provides pinpoint accuracy by minimising the difference between leading and lagging lifting points, ensuring optimum safety and stability through the entire lift.

“In addition to great safety and stability, the high pressure cylinders employed offer great weight and space savings compared with the much larger lower-pressure types of hydraulic cylinders previously used.

“On-site the benefits of these smaller and lighter but more powerful cylinders translate into more space under and around the job, permitting g G & S Engineering Services to employ the latest laser-guided machining systems when they are machining the huge rings on which the draglines rotate.”

http://www.infolink.com.au/articles/A5/0C021AA5.aspx

Ireland is called the Emerald Isle, and for good reason. Regardless of the season, much of the island is covered with lush green vegetation. The mild winter weather is a product of the Gulf Stream, the Atlantic Ocean current that pushes moderate weather north from the Gulf of Mexico. The other factor, of course, is precipitation. It rains a lot in Ireland. And that’s an understatement. According to the country’s weather service, Met Éireann®, much of the island receives an average of 1,000 millimeters (40 inches) of rain annually, and the mountainous regions receive twice that amount.

Seeing a lucrative and growing niche, Gerard Kelly founded J.G. Kelly Supplies, a service center that provides rainwater-carrying components to Ireland’s construction industry. Kelly’s timing was good—the construction industry has grown significantly over the past few years. According to data provided by the Central Statistics Office Ireland, completed dwellings increased from 30,575 in 1995 to 80,957 in 2005. Meanwhile the demand for gutters and downspouts has been as constant as the rains that keep the island green, and J.G. Kelly Supplies has grown right along with the construction industry. Since it started with a single warehouse in Monaghan in 1989, which supplied western Ireland, the company has added warehouses in Dublin and Limerick and now supplies goods to construction contractors in all of the island’s 32 counties.

Narrow Doorway, Narrow Aisles

After opening for business, J.G. Kelly Supplies quickly filled its 1,200-square-meter (12,900-sq.-ft.) warehouse with inventory, which includes long, cumbersome gutters and downspouts. The warehouse’s main door is just 3 m (9.8 ft.) wide, whereas the products typically measure up to 6 m (19.6 ft.) long. Using a standard forklift to take the products into the building was out of the question.

Initially Kelly’s suppliers left the deliveries on the sidewalk next to the warehouse. Getting the inventory into the warehouse was Kelly’s problem.

"We handled every piece separately from the road," Kelly said, recalling the days when his warehouse staff provided muscle power to move the inventory manually.

The doorway wasn’t the only challenge. The warehouse’s narrow aisles and two 90-degree turns prevented Kelly’s staff from using a forklift inside the building. Kelly needed something like a forklift, but something much more versatile.

Load It Sideways, Move It Anywhere

Kelly eventually found a lift truck that matched his needs—a multidirectional side-loading lift truck manufactured by Combilift Inc. The truck, a model C3500, has a lift capacity of 3,500 kilograms (7,700 lbs.) and a lift height of 4,040 mm (13.25 ft). It is equipped with two small front wheels and one large rear wheel. All of the wheels can rotate up to 180 degrees, allowing the truck to move forward and backward and side to side. It also is versatile in the way it turns corners. Negotiating a tight, 90-degree turn is not a problem—because it has a single rear wheel, the truck can make zero-radius turns.

The truck allows Kelly employees to move the products directly into the warehouse, eliminating manual handling of individual inventory items. It also allows them to move cumbersome products through the warehouse with ease. In addition, it also handles not-so-cumbersome loads, such as the palletized aluminum coil that Kelly supplies for on-site roll forming.

Move the Product, Not the Warehouse

The use of this specialized lift truck eased the burden on Kelly employees by eliminating the need for manual inventory transfer. The labor savings allowed Kelly to reduce his warehouse staff from 10 to six.

More important, the lift truck allowed Kelly to use his warehouse space more efficiently. As the construction market and demand for construction-related items in Ireland has grown, Kelly has been able to more effectively use the limited space in his Monaghan warehouse, allowing him to remain in the same location despite the growth in his business.