Fork Truck Improvements
Page 76
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PATENT No. 883,959 shows a fork-lift truck fitted with an attachment that enables it to tilt a crate so that the fork may easily be inserted under it. (Conveyancer Fork Trucks, Ltd., Liverpool Road, Warrington, Lancs.)
Referring to the drawing, the forks (1) are provided with sharp-edged wedges (2) at their forward ends. Between the forks is an extensible member (3) operated by an hydraulic ram (4).
In operation, the vehicle is driven up to the crate until the wedges are forced under its edge. The forks are then raised slightly, thus enabling the rollercarrying block (5) to be hydraulically thrust under the load.
The forks are then lowered, leaving the crate supported . clear of the ground. The truck can then be moved forwards to get the forks completely under.
An alternative scheme incorporates spring loading for the extensible member, with or without qdraulic means for its retraction.