DC Velocity - October 2017

Auto-tie baler: The Balemaster 5200 continuous-feed horizontal auto-tie baler is designed and engineered for the specific needs of a distribution center, offering the capability to automatically accept, feed, crush, and bale cardboard and corrugated box waste into very dense one-ton bales.

The baler features a user-friendly 12-inch color touchscreen that reduces the risk of erroneous settings, while its feed chute has an oversized design to accommodate large, rigid boxes without bridging.

Other features include a spe-cial-purpose power pack that keeps up with peak demand; dual hydraulic pumps/motors to provide energy savings during seasonal lulls; a baling arm that’s designed to produce maximum bale density and optimize bale transportability; an auto-tie system; dust-suppression technology; and an on-board wire management system for ease of operation and maintenance. (Balemaster, www.balemaster.com)

Corrugated-box shredders: Blower Application Co. Inc. (BloApCo) warehouse shredders are designed for retail distribution centers that perform the “break pack and repack” function.

Shredding whole OCCs (old corrugated containers) prior to baling or compacting eliminates hopper jams and keeps trash lines moving throughout the day, even during periods of peak volume. The company says that adding a BloApCo five-shaft shredder above a baler can greatly expand disposal capacities and ensure that production areas are always clear of OCCs.

According to the company, shredding OCCs will allow users to fill a baler more evenly, increasing the amount of material in a bale. (Blower Application Co. Inc., www.BloApCo.com)

Burden carrier: Cushman says its Stock Chaser electric burden carrier is built for tight spaces and high places. Suitable for navigating through narrow warehouse aisles, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities, the vehicle features a 1,000-pound payload capacity and a 9.6-square-foot cargo deck. The spacious cargo deck makes retrieving and moving small loads easier, the company says.

The Stock Chaser, which is powered by a zero-emissions 24-volt electric drivetrain, comes with either a four- or six-step ladder that allows a user to retrieve items from high places. The vehicle comes in standard safety yellow. (Cushman, www. cushman.com)

Autonomous floor scrubber: Nilfisk has introduced a fully autonomous floor scrubber, the Liberty A50. Developed in collaboration with Carnegie Robotics, the Liberty A50 is a self-operating machine designed to handle repetitive tasks with consistent performance without the need for training. The company says one of the key advantages to using the Liberty A50 is that time normally spent manually operating a scrubber can be re-allocated toward a more focused and efficient cleaning program.

Featuring technology that allows the scrubber to recognize an entire room in a single pass, the sensor suite is designed to guide the machine quickly and safely, while detecting and avoiding any obstacles.

The Liberty A50 comes with several different modes. In “CopyCat” mode, the machine can learn to replicate a desired cleaning path with a single manual ride. For future cleaning passes, the scrubber will adapt to any new obstacles. The “Fill in” mode is the fastest way to get started with autonomous cleaning, with no need for special mapping or programming. Users simply drive the perimeter of the room they want to clean, and the scrubber will autonomously clean the area. Users can also choose manual mode. The company says manual mode offers the same productivity and flexibility as a manual stand-on scrubber. (Nilfisk, www.nilfisk.com)

Scissor lift: Air Technical Industries has developed an extra-large double scissor lift platform with a 10,000-pound capacity. The scissor mechanism is manufactured from heavy-duty rectangular tubing for smooth lifting and side-to-side stability. Lifting is actuated by four hydraulic cylinders with precision-built cylinder body and smooth inner walls equipped with durable urethane seals. The shafts are chrome plated for smooth operation and to prevent corrosion.

The nonskid deck is available with optional railings on all sides with a gate on each end or in a two-sided configuration with safety chains. The deck size is 102 inches wide by 168 inches long, with flexible platform sizes and lifting heights available. A telescoping deck extension feature is also available to provide added reach. The deck extension is hydraulically actuated for smooth, effortless operation. (Air Technical Industries Inc., www. airtechnical.com)