From The Ergoweb® Learning Center

Material handling knowledgebase

Dan MacLeod, CPE, MA, MPH

Pallet and container lifts

  • fixed height
  • spring-loaded
  • floor flush
  • overhead
  • portable
  • turntable
  • manual pump
lift1 lift2

Conveyors

  • standard belt and roller
  • flexible
  • multidirectional
  • inclined
  • overhead
  • auger/screw
  • air
conv1 conv2

Slides

  • standard steel
  • slippery plastic
  • skid bars
  • hinges
  • air tables
  • flush
  • unique
slide1 slide2

Conveyor gates

  • standard spring or cylinder
  • crossovers
  • counter-balanced
  • hinged
  • roll-out
  • ultra lightweight
  • belt conveyor gates
gate1 gate2

Carts

  • fixed height
  • adjustable
  • spring-loaded
  • drop-down side
  • powered
  • dollies and hand trucks
  • handles
cart1 cart2

Lifter-Transporters

  • lightweight
  • end effectors
  • pallet sized
  • front end support
lifttransp1 lifttransp2

Wheels

  • wheel diameter
  • axles
  • quality and material
  • fixed vs. swivel
  • tracks and runways
  • wheels for flexibility
  • temporary wheels
wheel1 wheel2

Air casters

  • material handling
  • equipment movement
  • common pitfalls
  • adaptations
aircaster1 aircaster2

Tuggers/pushers

  • tow motors
  • heavy walkie tuggers
  • lightweight maneuverable tuggers
  • specialized pushers
tug1 tug2

Large containers

  • access doors
  • spring-loaded platforms
  • (false bottoms)
  • removable sides
con1 cont2

Hand held totes

  • hand holds
  • size and weight
  • depth
  • hand clearance
  • formal guidelines
  • handling technique
tote1 tote2

Tilters

  • low cost
  • standard tilters
  • lift and tilt
  • cart version
  • potential hazard
tilter1 tilter2

Dumpers

  • low cost manual
  • low cost hoist systems
  • forklift mounted
  • self-dumping
  • standard powered
dump1 dump2

Pallets

  • plastic open-bottom
  • inverters
  • stackers
  • sliding technique
pallet1 pallet2

Hoists (standard)

  • alternatives to hoists
  • increasing loads
  • electromagnets
  • small
  • portable
  • common pitfalls
Hoist1 hoist2

Vacuum hoists

  • vacuum hose
  • integrated vacuum pump
  • end effectors
hoist3 Hoist4

Manipulator arms

  • post
  • gantry
  • small
Manipulator1 Manipulator2

Lift trucks

  • “walkie” forklifts
  • standard forklifts
  • forklift design issues
LiftTruck1 LiftTruck2

Specific applications

Drum handling

  • lifter-transporters
  • forklift adapters
  • drum transporters
    drum1   drum2

Hopper loading

  • Steps/platforms
  • Support surface
  • Hoist dumper
  • Vacuum loaders
  • Semi-automated
  • Mini-dumper
Hopper1 Hopper2

Spool handling

  • carts and dollies
  • loaders
  • hoists
  • rollers
  • vertical carousel
  • long handle for rolling
Spool1 Spool2

Paver and block lifts

  • manual grips
  • vacuum lifts
  • powered lifts
Paver1 Paver2
Paint line hang/unhang