Carton lifter: The SmartLifter automated
vacuum carton lifter from WEPCO Inc. grips,
balances, and stacks cartons onto a pallet. It
was designed to reduce the physical strain of
repetitive lifting and stretching while manually building tall pallet loads.
The device works as follows: When the
SmartLifter is placed on the carton, the vacuum engages automatically (SmartLifter grips
cartons on one side). As the
carton is lifted, WEPCO’s
SmartBalance technology
senses the load and adjusts
to steady it, eliminating tipping. The operator controls
the lift with a force-sensing
handle that provides fingertip control. The vacuum releases the carton
automatically when the operator places the
carton down.
According to WEPCO, the SmartLifter not
only reduces worker strain and increases productivity but also stacks pallets more snugly
and allows for easy reconfiguration of lines.
The SmartLifter can handle a wide range of
carton sizes and has a clean, virtually mainte-nance-free design, according to WEPCO. It
can handle any pallet configuration, and even
short operators can easily stack a 9-foot-high
pallet, the company says. Since cartons are
gripped on only one side, product loss due to
top seal failure is eliminated.
When mast-mounted on WEPCO’s BigFoot
portable base, the SmartLifter can be moved
with a pallet jack or fork truck. (WEPCO,
www.wepcoinc.com/smartlifter)
Forklift truck: Komatsu’s new hydrostatic drive FH Series lift trucks are powered by
diesel engines and utilize drive and control components that have long been used
in Komatsu construction equipment. According to Komatsu, these trucks are
designed for fuel economy, especially in tough, high-cycle operations where fast-paced loading, unloading, and directional changes are prevalent.
Komatsu is offering three different models of the FH Series with capacities of
9,000, 10,000, and 11,000 pounds. All models come with Komatsu’s hydrostatic
drive system, Komtrax fleet monitoring system, and advanced closed-center load-sensing hydraulic system. (Komatsu Forklift U.S.A., www.kfiusa.com) ;
Counterbalanced forklift: Crown Equipment
Corp. has added three features to its Crown SC
5200 series of sit-down counterbalanced forklifts: faster travel speeds for the 48-volt AC systems option; optional fingertip and joystick
hydraulic controls, which minimize operator
arm movement and stress; and an optional
two-stage lift mast.
The Crown SC 5200, which was introduced
in 2011 as the shortest 3,000-pound capacity
truck in the industry, is designed for easy
maneuverability in tight spaces such as 10-
foot aisles. The three-wheel design of the SC
5200 Series makes it an ideal forklift for dock,
transportation, or racking applications, the
company says. Forklifts in the series support
load capacities ranging from 3,000 to 4,000
pounds, depending on the model.
Customers can choose between Crown’s
36V or 48V AC systems, depending on application needs. These systems include Crown’s
integrated AC traction and hydraulic systems.
(Crown Equipment, www.crown.com)
