pallets flaster, cheaper uuith ;3 AC lift truclts

By Bill Hall Ray'mond C'orp.

f ()WF-RINC tlie tnaintcnancc ancl <lpcratittg costs ()l I-./cle,.triu Iift truekr is an irttportallt \\'av for builclilrg nratcriul clealers arrcl clistribtltors to colltrol cxpcl)scs llorrcvcr'. a srurvirtg trcntl tcluattl analvzing tlvcrall ctlst l)cr clISc tnorccl can uivc crttnltltnics a bcttcr l)cl'\|t:ctivc ()ll actiral i nvestttteltt.

A rccluctittn in cttst pcr ca\e tllor cd is lrcllicvetl n itll grcutcr opcratof el'l'icicnc1. illclcasctl accelcrltion ratet. luncl n-tole lil't truck ltptittrc. ,AC Itlottlr tcchnology is tlrrc solr.rtion for making clectlic lift trucks tnorc elicrgr el'l'icicnt. nrctlc prodtrctivc. tnorc rcliablc. atlcl less costlt ttr opcriitc thart tlicir DC llowcrccl coulltcrparts.

-l-hc fir-st stcp in lrtu criltg cost per citsc tlttlr,'ccl is ttl cnsLlrc thc lill trLrck and opcfator arc tlpcrlttillg cfl'ieierrtlr rvith nrinirnal clow'trtinrc. AC'-ptl*clccl lili trtrcks hclll lncct that -sloal bccause thel have lcricr parts ltrtd t'cqttirc lcss ticc1ucn1 rnuintcrtilltce thern thcir [)C poivcrccl countcrl)art\ (.scc t ltttrl ut trpl)cr riglttl. Precision contrctl. illlpnlvctl accelcration. cttttlcr rttnltitr.u. antl nltlle clficient battcry utilization arc bcncf its of AC pou'cr ltttcl illcrcasc thc ovcrall cf'f icicncl ol' the lift lruck. lorvct'ittll costs irl btrilding lllocl Lrcts rlistlibution artd retailirtq.

Fcller parts/less maintenancc. -l'he trsc of AC contlollcrs ancl rucltors has simplificd tttaitltenittlce tbl lifi truck scrvicc techrticiarrs. ACI corttrollers have rto brltshcs. sPrings. conttnulators or ilttlePellclcttt rc-gctleratioll ci reu its. rvl-rich ure in DCI Iltot()rs ancl ctltltribrltc ttl nlait.ttctlatlec nc'etls. With AC t-nrttors. tlterc arc fen'cr lliirts to stock ltllcl repluce. antl routittc Ittilitltenllncc is cluicker alttl less 1l'cclucnt. A('tt-totttt's hitvc Iict brltshcs. clirninatiIlg brtrsh rcplaccme nt and the ttectl to clcan resiclual carborl clttst l ronr thc nrotor colltpltrtlttctit.

Becausc maittte tiarrce is sirrtplif ictl. tcchniciarls f ind A(' lil't tlucks fastcr attcl easicr tct sclvicc. Lcss schcdLr lccl clorvnti lne tot' rttaitttcrtatrce translatcs ttl higher cqtr illrtterlt utilizution. rl'hiclt trtcitt.ts liti trLrck opcrators citt.t bc ttlotc productir c.

(lreater cnerg)' ef'ficiency. An AC lnotor has aboltt a l0(/r sreater opcratirtg cfficicncy tllart a l)C nlottlr- thr-rs cxtendinr battef)' lit'c. This cncfg\ ctficie'ncY is dtrc to thc inlrercnt,\C rlesign ancl strltcriot' rcgettcrittitln techlloltlgl. TIre blLrshcs ancl cornnttttator ott a I)Cl nlotor irllptlse clectr-ical losscs ancl crcate naste hcat. ctltlsr.tllting nlore alnl)hours nithoLrt prrrclLrcing iis Irttcl-t trsefttl l'ork. A('nttltot's tkrn't llrre thesc cotnltoltcr)ts. so tltev clltt bc mttch ttltlrc ctTie icnt.

This extends battery life, so workers spend more productive time on the lift truck and less downtime changing batteries. Because the battery lasts longer, users replace batteries less frequently during a shift, or use smaller, less expensive batteries. Also, there is less reduction in truck performance as the battery discharges. This means that the lift truck maintains optimum performance for longer periods, keeping cross-docking and order-picking applications running smoothly.

Improved precision control and acceleration. Operators of AC-powered lift trucks spend less time ramping up to top speed and making fine control adjustments to get into proper position, making AC lift trucks more productive.

DC motors are not as efficient getting up to full speed. AC motors are more efficient and respond instantly to input commands, making it easier for operators to accelerate quickly and more precisely position the lift truck for storing or retrieving pallets. Operators can have better control when right-angle stacking a load at 15,25 or 30 feet in the air, which is especially useful with applications from high rack systems.

Cooler running. AC motors operate at lower temperatures than DC motors, so heat-related issues with hoses, wiring, bearings and brakes are reduced or eliminated. AC motors don't have "hot spots" like DC motors because there are no brushes or commutators. This makes the work compartment cooler and more comfortable for the operator, increasing productivity.

Easier to troubleshoot. Solid-state imDrovements in AC controllers have provided on-board self-checking, and constant monitoring and regulation of motor performance - improving lift truck reliability. The self-diagnostic software goes through a number of checks every time the truck is turned on, when the operator steps on the deadman pedal and every time the control handle is moved. This ongoing monitoring makes troubleshooting easier in the event that there is a problem, and lift trucks can spend more time working on the distribution center or store floor.

All these benefits translate into more work done for every hour the operator uses the truck.