Competing Designs for Forklift Battery Compartments Two types of battery compartments are typically found in electric forklift fleets, differentiated by method of access. Electric forklifts configured for overhead extraction place batteries vertically into battery compartments. Side removal compartments provide access through a removable gate in the truck’s flank, allowing battery extractors to gently pull batteries into carts or charging racks…. Continue Reading
Monthly Archives: July 2015
Finding Government Tax Credits and Incentives for Electric Forklifts
Electric forklifts are superior to combustion-powered trucks in many ways, but while they offer excellent performance with lower fuel costs, full-scale fleet conversion is often a tall order. Electric lift trucks can be expensive, and some businesses stick with gas-powered trucks — despite the clear drawbacks of combustion technologies — to avoid the capital costs of a brand-new fleet. Government… Continue Reading
Ergonomic Compliance with the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act
Complying With Ergonomics Rules Under the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act Federal ergonomic laws in the United States can be difficult to interpret due to the complex nature of workplace safety regulations. In 2000, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) adopted rules to specifically address ergonomics hazards — but the following year, Congress used an obscure law… Continue Reading
Lift Truck Fleet Rightsizing: Are Heavy-Duty Forklifts Overkill?
Downtime is the enemy of a productive facility. If your lift trucks are off of the floor, they’re not making money — and for many operations, that’s a scary proposition. As a result, some businesses end up overpaying for their lift trucks, choosing gas- and diesel-powered units where electric power would be a much less expensive (and much more productive)… Continue Reading
Reasons to Switch from Combustion to Electric Forklifts
At one point, nearly all forklifts were powered by internal combustion. The market has shifted as electric forklifts have become more efficient; according to numbers from the Industrial Truck Association (ITA), 63 percent of new lift trucks purchased in 2010 used electricity as a primary power source. That number is up from 2007, when the market was only about 57… Continue Reading
The Importance of Flatness and Levelness in Battery Room Floors
Introduction: Optimizing Battery Extractor Systems With Flat Floors Flooring is an important consideration when planning a battery charging room. A safe and efficient battery room requires appropriately level surfaces, and appropriate construction practices can help to meet all building codes and federal regulations while ensuring reliable operation for battery handling equipment. Flooring in areas designated for charging, changing, or maintaining… Continue Reading
BHS Announces Additions to Warehouse Equipment Line
July 6, 2015 – St. Louis, Missouri — Battery Handling Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer of material handling and battery changing equipment, has announced new additions in its successful line of warehouse products. “BHS products help warehouse managers improve productivity and storage efficiency while promoting a safer work environment,” said Katy Cortinovis, Marketing Manager at BHS. “We consulted directly with our end users when designing our new equipment, and each product is ideally suited for warehouse applications.” New products include the forklift reel attachment (model name BHS RHA) and the BHS Parallel Reel Payout (BHS PRP), both of which simplify cable-pulling actions while limiting unnatural repetitive movements. The related Spool Winding Box (BHS SWB) can be mounted to reel take-up… Continue Reading
5 Pieces of Essential Safety Equipment for Battery Charging Areas
While forklift batteries present some challenges, they are extremely safe when paired with appropriate safety equipment and well-trained personnel. In fact, with some planning, the process of changing and charging lift truck batteries can be as safe as filling a car’s gas tank. Battery room hazards are usually related to four specific issues: the great weight of the batteries, the… Continue Reading
