Models Affected: All Operator Aboard Battery Extractors Proper Mounting of Battery Extractor Swing Arm Cover/Stiffener Plates Description: The plates that cover the vacuum pump or magnet circuitry on the Battery Extractor should be properly mounted and secured. These plates not only protect the components in the extractor arm, but are part of the overall structure of the extractor swing arms. Improper plate mounting increases the chance of damage to the extractor swing arms due to excessive flexing. Recommendation: It is important that both plates be properly mounted and secured on the extractor swing arms at all times during Battery Extractor (BE) operation. Install and secure new cover/stiffener plates if the current cover/stiffener plates are missing or damaged. In addition, replace… Continue Reading
Monthly Archives: March 2015
TT-908: Drip Pan Maintenance
Models Affected: All Battery Stands with Drip Pans Proper Drip Pan Maintenance is Required to Increase Drip Pan and Stand Longevity and Protect Battery Room Personnel from Hazardous Conditions. Description: During charging, batteries which were overfilled during watering may “boil over” causing acid to spill out of the vent caps and run down into the battery case or down the sides of the battery. Washed batteries which were not allowed to dry sufficiently may have residual acidic water drain from the case when transferred from the wash cabinet to the battery stand. The drip pans are designed to catch and contain any battery overflow or drainage. However, if not maintained, the drip pan may become full enough that the contents… Continue Reading
TT-907: Priming the Neutralizing Conditioner Pump
Models Affected: All BWC units with NC option Priming of the Neutralizing Conditioner Pump Description: The neutralizing conditioner pump used for the NC option on BWC units is not self priming. The pump must be primed during installation and when the neutralizer in the container falls below the minimum level. In order for the neutralizer pump to function properly, the line from the container to the pump must remain filled. Air pockets in the line can cause the solution to not be introduced into the wash cycle causing a rapid drop in the pH level of the wash water. Left uncorrected, pH levels outside the recommended levels will lead to eventual component failure in the Wash Cabinet as well as… Continue Reading
TT-906: pH Meter Care and Monitoring
Models Affected: All RNS Systems The Importance of pH Monitoring in RNS Systems Description: Consistent monitoring of pH levels and proper care of pH meters are very important steps in assuring smooth operation, preventing part failures, and extending the overall life of your RNS system. Improper pH levels in the RNS holding tank account for approximately nine out of ten component failures. The pH level should never drop below 5.0 or rise above 9.0. Allowing the pH level to fall outside of these parameters may result in premature failure of the sump pump and float switch located in the battery wash cabinet. If left unchecked, further damage to the relief valve and system pump are likely. Also, highly acidic water… Continue Reading
TT-905: Trimming Powered Rollers
Models Affected: BE-SL, DS, TS, & QS Trimming the Plastic Sleeve on Powered Rollers for Battery Extractors. Description: Due to the weight of batteries traveling on the powered rollers, the plastic sleeve on the rollers may extrude or become elongated, much like rolling a piece of clay between your hand and a table. Over time the plastic sleeve of the powered rollers will be forced toward the end of the rollers, eventually coming in contact with the frame of the roller bed. See Figures 1 and 2. Once in contact with the frame, the rollers become more difficult to turn, causing excessive strain on the power roller components. Left uncorrected, the rollers will become bound against the frame and damage… Continue Reading
Avoiding Forklift Collision Damage in Cold Storage Warehouses
According to the industry journal Frozen Food Age, forklift collisions are more frequent in cold storage warehouses than in traditional facilities — partially due to the unique challenges of operating in colder environments, but also due to unique issues that tend to accompany warehouse design and layout in these operations. As forklift accidents can damage equipment or infrastructure, cold storage… Continue Reading
Promote Staff Retention in Cold Storage Facilities with Better Equipment and Practices
For managers of cold storage warehouses, employee retention is nothing short of essential — it’s a crucial factor in developing a leaner, more efficient operation. Unfortunately, lift truck operators in cold storage facilities leave for other positions more frequently than equivalent job holders in conventional warehouses. The turnover rate for material handling positions in the refrigerated storage industry has soared… Continue Reading
Best Safety Practices for Forklift Battery Charging and Handling
Industrial battery safety doesn’t need to be complicated. These battery charging safety tips should help you create an effective strategy for your operation. As with any industrial operation involving heavy equipment, safety is a major priority when charging batteries and utilizing forklift battery changers. If adequate safety precautions aren’t in place, personnel can face the danger of severe injury or… Continue Reading
Lift Truck Battery Solutions: Fast Charge Technology vs. Optimized Battery Handling Equipment
Introduction: Fast Charge Batteries and Lift Truck Fleets Because they eliminate the need for battery changes, fast charge systems are initially an attractive option for many warehouses and distribution centers that run multiple shifts per day. However, several disadvantages — including significantly higher capital costs and shorter battery life spans — make conventional battery handling systems a more cost-effective option… Continue Reading
Choosing Better Lift Truck Battery Management Practices for Cold Storage Warehouses
For cold storage facilities, accurate planning is critical. A difference of a few degrees can mean significant product losses, and a few inches of unused vertical space can translate to substantial operating inefficiencies. This is why most cold storage operations perform extensive calculations when choosing material handling equipment and infrastructure — a properly outfitted facility needs to maximize vertical space,… Continue Reading
