Attachments work smarter than harder
Lift Clamp Truck innovation has advanced at an incredible pace in recent years. This transformed the warehouse worker from a blunt tool to a precise tool. The lift Clamp Truck will provide unmatched performance, is more energy-efficient, customizable, and simpler to maintain. In a highly competitive market, attachment manufacturers are striving to meet customer expectations.
“Customers are working hard to improve operational efficiency and lower overall costs. Clark Jordan, vice-president of global engineering at Cascade, says that two key aspects of this effort are to reduce product damage and improve energy efficiency in all aspects of their operation.
It is all about reducing waste. Jordan points out that improvements in bearings and tighter tolerances have made clamp efficiency up to 80%-20% over a decade ago. We’ve also seen a 70% decrease in hydraulic pressure drop over the same time period. This is an indicator of how much energy it takes to operate the clamp. While it’s great to use less energy, a decrease in wear and tear is more beneficial for attachments and the lift Clamp Truck.
Side clamps and attachments such as side clamps are also subject to excessive force. To reduce operator error, elements of automation have been integrated into the lift Clamp Truck. Hydraulic force control technologies are used to make sure that the attachment applies the correct amount of force. The clamp uses electronic and mechanical controls to apply increasing pressure as the load is lifted. This saves energy and eliminates guesswork.
Jordan says that force control features are becoming more popular due to increased product variability and employee turnover. He says, “If a customer is using the exact same product every time, we can configure attachments accordingly.” They are now handling a variety of sizes, weights, and types of products more frequently. They can lift loads of all sizes and weights, as well as those that are light and small.
A growing trend is to customize attachments to match specific applications. Jordan estimates that around 40% of attachments were custom-made 10 years ago. This number is closer to 80%. The lift truck’s digital technology also allows for the collection of data that is necessary to create the right attachment.
He says that “We’re still developing solutions that integrate operator, lift Clamp Truck, and the attachment”, pointing out the example of integrated weight tools that communicate back with the warehouse management system. We are learning a lot about end-users as well as the manufacturers of lift trucks, who are always trying to lower the maintenance requirements for their trucks.
