Authors : Selcuk Arslan, Ali Aybek and Emrullah Baser
Abstract: The objective of this study was to dimension, construct and determine the operational characteristics of a forklift to be used in materials handling in animal production and in other agricultural operations. A forklift with a load capacity of 600 kg was constructed, consisting of a single mast, single acting lift cylinder and a double acting tilt cylinder, to be mounted on a standard agricultural tractor. The minimum lift height is 1500 mm using the mast, whereas the maximum height is 2020 mm when the forklift is raised through the lifting arms of the three-point hitch of the tractor. Piston and fork speeds during lifting are 0.065 and 0.13 m sec -1, respectively, while the lowering speeds are 0.11 and 0.22 m sec -1. Lifting takes about 10-12 sec, while lowering takes about 6-8 sec. Static stability was maintained during tests at inclined concrete surfaces at the maximum capacity of 600 kg at vertical position of the mast. Assuming that most agricultural materials will be handled with loads less 600 kg, the tractor (New Holland 60-56) forklift combination can operate safely both on horizontal and inclined road conditions without causing static or dynamic instability. The capacity of the system is about 10-11 tons h -1 with loads of 200 kg at 50 m travel distance.
Selcuk Arslan, Ali Aybek and Emrullah Baser, 2010. A Cost Effective Forklift for Materials Handling in Animal Production. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 9: 1005-1010.