Forklifts are industrial handling vehicles, which refer to various wheeled handling vehicles for loading and unloading, stacking and short-distance transportation of palletized goods. Nowadays, with the development of the new energy industry, various industrial vehicles are gradually electrified. Electric forklifts are electric-driven vehicles with the advantages of no pollution, easy operation, energy saving and high efficiency. So does the electric forklift belong to special equipment? How to operate an electric forklift?
What is an electric forklift?
An electric forklift is an electric-driven vehicle that uses batteries as the source of power to drive the travel motor and the hydraulic system motor to achieve driving and loading and unloading operations. It is mainly used for handling, stacking, loading and unloading operations. Because the operation control is simple and flexible, and the operation intensity is low, it is more and more widely used.
There are several types of electric forklifts
1. Walking electric forklift: driven and operated by personnel on foot, mainly used for small warehouses and shelf operations.
2. Driving electric forklift: controlled by the driver in the cab, suitable for large warehouses and long-term operations.
3. Balanced gravity electric forklift: It uses a retractable front wheel support rod to maintain balance, can carry heavier goods, and is suitable for working on uneven ground.
Three-wheeled electric forklift: It consists of two rear drive wheels and one front steering wheel, with high flexibility, suitable for narrow warehouses or passages.
Functions and applications of electric forklifts
Functions of electric forklifts
1. Lifting goods: Electric forklifts can help workers lift goods from the ground or shelves to the target height.
2. Carrying goods: Electric forklifts can easily carry heavy objects and help workers complete the transportation of goods.
3. Stacking goods: The electric forklift can stack goods and save storage space.
4. Driving: Electric forklifts can easily shuttle between warehouses, production workshops and other scenes.
Application of electric forklifts
1. Warehousing and logistics industry: Electric forklifts are widely used in warehouse import and export, handling and other work.
2. Manufacturing industry: Electric forklifts have also been used in manufacturing production lines, and can be used for the handling of raw materials, semi-finished product production and other links.
3. Logistics distribution: For logistics industries such as express delivery and postal services, electric forklifts can also play an important role in assisting logistics loading and unloading.
Advantages and disadvantages of electric forklifts
Advantages of electric forklifts
1. Easy operation: Electric forklifts use electromagnetic foot pedals, handles and other operating methods, which are simple and convenient to operate and easy to use.
2. Environmental protection and energy saving: Electric forklifts are powered by batteries, have no exhaust emissions, no noise pollution, and are environmentally friendly.
3. Low maintenance cost: Electric forklifts have a simple structure, less hydraulic system, no need to replace oil and filter elements, and low maintenance costs.
4. Safe and reliable: Electric forklifts are powered by electricity, which can achieve smooth operation and precise adjustment to ensure safe and reliable operation.
5. Efficient and economical: Electric forklifts can adjust speed, quickly complete multiple tasks, improve efficiency, save time and labor costs.
Disadvantages of battery forklifts
1. The maintenance of electric forklifts in charging and cleaning industrial batteries can be very time-consuming, especially when multiple shifts are involved
2. When exposed to cold or humid temperatures, electric forklifts may not work properly like traditional fuel forklifts.
3. The initial purchase cost of an electric forklift is relatively high.
4. Due to the limitation of battery capacity, the power of the general motor is small and the climbing ability is poor, generally around 15%.
Which is better, an electric forklift or a fuel forklift?
Forklifts can be divided into two types according to the power source: electric forklifts and fuel forklifts. Electric forklifts use electric drive systems, while fuel forklifts use fuel engines. Due to the different drive methods, there are also certain differences between electric forklifts and fuel forklifts in terms of operating costs, operating efficiency, and applicable environments.
In comparison, electric forklifts are more flexible to operate and less polluting than fuel forklifts; the advantage of fuel forklifts is that they can achieve long-term continuous operation and can work in harsh environments. It is not possible to generalize which of the two forklifts is better. Elvis editors recommend that you consider the use site, work efficiency, maintenance cost and other factors comprehensively, and choose according to the actual situation. More >>
Electric forklift purchase guide
1. Choose according to needs: Choose an electric forklift with a suitable load capacity according to the handling needs, and pay attention to whether the size of the goods being transported matches the size of the forklift forks.
2. Manufacturer selection: When choosing an electric forklift, you should consider the brand of the equipment comprehensively. You can choose from the professionalism of the manufacturer, the production and sales years of the manufacturer, the after-sales service of the manufacturer, etc.
3. Configuration parameter selection: The parameter configuration of the electric forklift is mainly considered from two aspects. The first is the general parameter configuration table of the electric forklift. The parameter configuration table mainly looks at the relevant configuration of the model; the second is the parameter configuration spare parts table. More>>
Operation method of electric forklift
1. Before operation, check whether all parts are intact and whether the battery is fully charged.
2. Adjust the seat and steering wheel, and fasten the seat belt.
3. Start the power supply of the vehicle body, step on the brake pedal, and cut off the handbrake.
Operate the steering wheel of the vehicle body, adjust the direction of the vehicle body, and ensure safe driving.
4. When moving forward, maintain a certain speed, and pay attention to keep a safe distance when passing through narrow passages and turning.
5. When retreating, you should pay attention to confirm the safety situation and brake in time.
6. Operate the hydraulic system to lift the goods to the correct height and move them to the correct position.
7. After the operation is completed, stop the electric forklift at the designated position, cut off the power supply, and pull the handbrake.
Stacking operation of electric forklift
1. With the load in a low position, approach the shelf carefully (the platform must be erected and the driver must stand on the ground to operate).
2. Make sure that the front legs of the forklift can move freely under the pallet or shelf.
3. Lift the load until it is raised to the position above the shelf.
4. Slowly move the electric forklift forward, stop when the load is above the shelf, lower the cargo to exit from under the pallet, and make sure that the load is safely placed. Do not apply force to the shelf below when retreating.
5. Slowly retreat to ensure that the pallet remains stable on the shelf.
6. Lower the cargo back to the moving position. More >>
Unloading operation of electric forklift
1. Lower the cargo to approach the shelf orthogonally and then enter its bottom.
2. The cargo exits from the bottom of the shelf.
3. Raise the fork to the required height, make sure that the cargo can easily enter under the pallet, and slowly approach the pallet to be unloaded until the load is safely placed on the fork
4. Lift the cargo until the pallet is lifted from the shelf.
5. Slowly move back to exit the channel.
6. Slowly lower the load and make sure that the cargo will not hit obstacles during the descent.
Operation procedures and precautions for electric forklifts
1. When the electric forklift is driving, do not mistake the “forward and reverse” direction switch as the steering switch.
2. When the vehicle needs to slow down, release the accelerator pedal and lightly step on the brake pedal, so that the required deceleration energy can be fully utilized.
3. When using the electric forklift, pay special attention to the charging of the battery and the correct maintenance of the battery.
4. During use, if the battery is found to be low, the battery should be charged as soon as possible to prevent excessive discharge of the battery.
5. When starting the electric forklift, maintain an appropriate starting speed and should not be too violent.
6. Pay attention to the voltage of the voltmeter during driving. If it is lower than the limit voltage, the forklift should stop running immediately.
7. The driving and lifting of electric forklifts should not be carried out at the same time.
8. When the electric forklift is driving, try to use less long-term and long-distance acceleration.
9. During the driving of the electric forklift, always pay attention to whether the sound of the drive system and the steering system is normal. If abnormal sound is found, the fault should be eliminated in time. It is strictly forbidden to operate with illness.
10. The weight of the goods must be understood before lifting, and the weight of the goods must not exceed the rated load of the forklift.
11. When lifting and packaging goods, pay attention to whether the goods are firmly wrapped, and pay attention to adjusting the distance between the forks according to the size of the goods, so that the goods are evenly distributed between the two to avoid partial load.
12. When the electric forklift goes downhill, the drive motor circuit should be cut off, and the brake pedal should be gently stepped on to put the vehicle in a regenerative braking state, using the vehicle’s downward kinetic energy to reduce the energy consumption of the battery.
Common fault maintenance of electric forklifts
Shaking when rising
There is air in the rising cylinder, and multiple loading and exhausting of the rising cylinder solves the problem in operation; if the hydraulic system leaks oil, repair and replace the oil seal and hydraulic cylinder in time.
Brake failure
The equipment control circuit is not disconnected, check the control system of the equipment control system; if the brake friction pad is worn, it needs to be replaced in time.
Electric forklift does not move
Check whether the electric door lock of the forklift is open or damaged; check whether the battery is powered on, and charge it in time when the battery is low.
Cannot move forward and backward normally
Check whether the walking control micro switch is loose, and tighten the screws in time; check whether the battery is short of power, replenish the power in time, check whether the DC contactor is faulty, and if the electrical control panel is damaged, it should be repaired and replaced in time. If the drive motor fails, it should be checked and repaired in time; check whether the brake is locked, and adjust the distance between the drive wheel brake pads.
Charger does not work
When the charger does not display, the fuse is blown: when the charger power light is on, the internal fuse is short-circuited or the resistor is short-circuited, the matching charger should be replaced in time.
Maintaining electric forklifts is the key to ensuring their safety, performance and life. Through regular maintenance and care, failures and damages can be minimized and the electric forklifts can be kept in good working condition. The maintenance of electric forklifts mainly pays attention to the following aspects:
Battery maintenance
1. Check the battery’s charge status and make sure it is always fully charged. Check the battery fluid level regularly and add distilled water as needed.
2. Clean the battery terminals and make sure their surfaces are clean. Use a degreaser or fine sandpaper to remove any corrosion or oxides.
3. Check the density of the battery electrolyte and charge or replace the battery according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Tire maintenance
1. Check the tire pressure regularly and make sure it meets the manufacturer’s recommendations.
2. Check the tire wear regularly and replace the tire as needed.
Bearings and lubrication
Regularly check and clean the bearings of the electric forklift and lubricate them as needed. Apply the appropriate lubricant to the bearings and other moving parts to ensure that they remain smooth and resistance-free when working.
Electrical system
1. Regularly check the cables, plugs and connectors of the electrical system to ensure that they are not damaged, loose or corroded.
2. Regularly clean and check the electrical control panel of the electric forklift to ensure that the electronic components are working properly and there is no dust accumulation.
Cleaning and protection
1. Regularly clean the exterior and interior parts of the electric forklift, including the frame, cab and control panel, and remove dust, oil and debris to maintain a good
working environment.
2. When the electric forklift encounters a humid, corrosive or harmful substance environment during operation, ensure that the important parts of the forklift are properly protected and sealed.
Fasteners and components.
Regularly check the fasteners and key components of the electric forklift, such as screws, nuts and connectors. Make sure they are not loose or worn, and tighten or replace them when necessary.
In general, different models of electric forklifts may have specific maintenance requirements and cycles,
