OK - Really Boring - Material Handling Equipment Industry Terms

ACTIVITY:
Number of transactions used for financial, efficiency or lean manufacturing purposes as measured by: # of picks in line items or amount shipped in dollars.

CAPACITY:
A fork lift truck's load capacity at a specified load center, measured in pounds at a specific fork height

CARRIAGE:
A support structure for forks or attachments on a lift truck, generally roller mounted, travels vertically within the mast of a fork lift truck. Typically made of high strength steel.

CENTER OF GRAVITY (CG):
The point at which the load mass is balanced. On a forklift truck, this is typically specified in inches from the base of the forks.

CLEAR AISLE:
Dimension in a storage aisle, from rack to rack, less pallet overhand, load overhang or other obstructions. Also, see pallet and load overhang.

COUNTERBALANCE OR COUNTERWEIGHT TRUCK:
A fork lift truck equipped to lift and transport the load in front of the load wheels. This is accomplished by putting heavy counterweights at the back end of the truck.

CROSS AISLE:
An aisle used for travel. Typically no storage is put in this aisle, which crosses the end of pick aisles and serves as the main travel route for forklifts, pallet stackers and pallet trucks.

DEEP DISCHARGE OR DEEP CYCLE BATTERY:
Batteries which are capable of being run down to less than 20% of the rated capacity of a cell or battery and then being recharged.

ELEVATED HEIGHT OR LIFT HEIGHT:
Vertical distance from the floor to the top of the forks with mast vertical, and in the case of reach trucks, with the forks extended.

EXTENDED HEIGHT OR TOTAL HEIGHT:
Vertical distance from the floor to the top of the uppermost structure of the truck (mast, carriage, load handler) in the highest position.

FORK EXTENSIONS:
Attachment that extends the load-carrying surface of the forks on a fork lift truck or pallet stacker. Extreme care must be given to realize that both the weight of the fork extensions and the increase in the center of gravity will decrease the effective load capacity.

FORKS:
Horizontal tine-like projections, normally suspended from the carriage for lifting loads. Typically made of high strength steel.

GRADABILITY:
The percent (%) of grade that a truck can ascend or descend.

GRADE:
Measure of the rate of ascent or descent of a ramp. It is calculated and is numerically equal to the vertical distance by the horizontal distance, multiplied by 100, and stated in percent (%).

LIFT SPEED:
Average speed in feet-per-minute when raising the load carriage (forks) on a fork lift truck or pallet stacker throughout its operating range, specified for empty and loaded conditions.

LOWERING SPEED:
Average speed in feet-per-minute when lowering the load carriage (forks) on a fork lift truck or pallet stacker throughout its operating range, specified for empty and loaded conditions.

MAST:
Support structure that provides vertical movement of the carriage on a forklift truck or pallet stacker. It is usually constructed out of C-Channel high strength steel uprights that provide a load path for the carriage rollers.

NARROW AISLE LIFT TRUCK:
An electric fork lift truck or pallet stacker that can operate in aisles smaller than counterbalanced or counterweight trucks, typically 8 to 10 feet clear.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA):
US Government agency which establishes and enforces standards to maintain a safe and healthy work environment. Many states also have similar departments.

OVERALL WIDTH:
Width of fork lift truck, pallet stacker or pallet truck when measured in direction of fork width.

PALLET:
A structure usually built with wooden stringers, top and bottom decks with openings that allow pick up and transportation by a fork lift truck, pallet stacker, or pallet truck. Some pallets are also made from plastic.

SKID:
A load supporting structure, similar to a pallet with an open bottom.

STRADDLE LEG TRUCK:
A high-lift truck with a wide enough stabilization legs to straddle either side a pallet and lift the load.

STORAGE AISLE:
Aisle used to stack loads, materials or pallets.

THREE-STAGE MAST:
A fork lift truck or pallet stacker mast assembly comprised of one stationary main frame and two moving telescopic assembly. This type of mast allows for a higher lifting capability while maintaining a low minimum mast height.

TILT:
The ability to change the angle of the forks or the mast of a fork lift truck.

TWO-STAGE MAST:
A fork lift truck or pallet stacker mast assembly comprised of one stationary main frame and one moving telescopic assembly. This type of mast allows for a higher lifting capability while maintaining a low minimum mast height.

VERY NARROW AISLE LIFT TRUCK:
Forklift trucks and pallet stackers that can operate in clear aisles of approximately 5 feet.

WALKIE:
A category of fork lift trucks and pallet stackers controlled by a walking operator.

WALKIE RIDER:
Similar to a Walkie, but equipped for the operator to ride, typically on a rear platform.