Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for detecting a load on at least one fork of a material handling vehicle. The systems and methods can comprise a housing; at least one sensor positioned within the housing; a sensor arm pivotally coupled to the housing; at least one sensor flag integral with or coupled to the inside of the sensor arm; and wherein when the sensor arm pivots inward toward the housing the at least on sensor flag triggers the at least one sensor to identify at least a first load position and a second load position.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle may include a clamp assembly, the clamp assembly including a housing, a grip assembly, and a power source. The grip assembly may be pivotally engaged with the housing. The power source may be in electrical communication with the grip assembly. The grip assembly includes a lobe pivotally engaged with the housing and a contact supported by the lobe, the contact being electrically conductive.

Abstract: A system for a remotely controllable material handling vehicle switchable between a manual mode and a travel request mode is provided. The system can include a control handle configured to at least control a speed and direction of the material handling vehicle when the material handling vehicle is in the manual mode and a remote control device in communication with the material handling vehicle and configured to provide a request to the material handling vehicle to move forward. The system can also include a mode switch configured to switch the material handling vehicle from the manual mode to the travel request mode and an operator compartment sensor configured to trigger a flag when a weight on a floor of an operator compartment of the material handling vehicle is greater than or equal to a predetermined weight.

Abstract: A pallet detection assembly for a material handling vehicle is provided. The pallet detection assembly includes a body defining a cavity and having a proximity sensor housed at least partially within the cavity. The pallet detection assembly further includes an actuation plate having a tab coupled thereto and extending in a direction toward the body, and an actuator having a cylinder coupled to the body and a plunger slidably received within the cylinder and coupled to the actuation plate. The actuator is configured to movably couple the actuation plate to the body so that the actuation plate is configured to non-pivotally displace relative to the body.

Abstract: A hitch configured to selectively latch to a tow bar is provided. The hitch includes a housing, a frame defining a receiving cavity, a moveable arm, an actuator configured to move the arm between an unlatched position and a latched position, and a contact sensor mounted within the housing on a slotted mounting plate. The arm is configured to engage the tow bar when in the latched position. The slotted mounting plate is configured to enable a position of the contact sensor to be adjusted based on a geometry of the tow bar. The actuator is activated by the contact sensor sensing the presence of the tow bar within the receiving cavity.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle. The material handling vehicle including a vehicle body, an operator compartment, and a mast. The mast has a mounting platform, a first support member coupled to the mounting platform, a second support member coupled to the mounting platform, and a detection system coupled to the mast. The mast is coupled to the vehicle body at a frontward location relative to the operator compartment. The position of the mast on the vehicle body prevents the mast from impeding a field of view of an operator positioned in the operator compartment.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle is provided, which includes a frame having an aperture directed through the frame and configured to receive a battery pack, and a counterweight assembly. The counterweight assembly includes a counterweight having a first opening, and an opposite second opening, a first positioning rod having a first end, and an opposite second end. The first end is directed through the first opening. A first nut is threadingly engaged with the second end of the first positioning rod. The first nut is rotated in a first direction to advance the first end of the first positioning rod farther through the first opening to contact the frame, thereby adjusting the position of the counterweight relative to the frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods for temperature control for an energy source of a material handling vehicle. The system includes a battery management system in communication with the energy source that can also be in communication with a charger. The system further includes a counterweight case that supports the energy source, and a plurality of resistive heating elements positioned along one or more surfaces of the counterweight case.

Abstract: An alignment and task indication system is provided. The alignment and task indication system includes a conveyor cart having a first cart sensor, a second cart sensor, a first cart reflector, and a second cart reflector, and a stationary conveyor including a stationary sensor and a stationary reflector. The first cart sensor and the second cart sensor are attached to a first side of the conveyor cart and the first cart reflector and the second cart reflector are attached to a second opposite side of the conveyor cart. The first cart sensor and the first cart reflector are arranged at a first height and the second cart sensor and the second cart reflector are arranged at a second height.

Abstract: An automation arbitration controller system is provided. The automation arbitration controller is configured to arbitrate a multiple of automation requests on a material handling vehicle, which includes a material handling vehicle controller. The automation arbitration controller can be connected to at least one automation controller via an automation communication bus. The automation controller can be configured to send one or more automation requests. The automation arbitration controller can also be connected to a material handling vehicle controller via a vehicle communication bus. The material handling vehicle controller can be configured to send one or more automation requests.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle guidance system comprises a first conductive member, a second conductive member, and an electrical current source. The second conductive member is electrically coupled to the first conductive member and extends parallel to the first conductive member to define a loop. The first conductive member and second conductive member are coupled to a shielded cable connector. The electrical current source supplies current to the first conductive member in a first direction and supplies current to the second conductive member in a second direction opposite the first direction to produce a narrowcast radio frequency signal detectable between the first conductive member and the second member.

Abstract: A method of controlling a hydraulic control system of a material handling vehicle is provided. The method includes detecting an elevated height of a fork assembly, determining if the elevated height is above a first predetermined height threshold, and actuating a first low pressure control valve from a control valve closed position to a control valve open position to provide fluid communication from a supply passage to the first low pressure relief valve when the elevated height is above a first predetermined height threshold.

Abstract: Extendable mast systems and methods for a material handling vehicle include a base mast having a first web connecting a first web first flange and a first web second flange; a base mast bearing; a base mast bumper; a vertically extendable mast having a second web connecting a second web first flange and a second web second flange; and a vertically extendable mast bearing. The base mast bearing is spaced apart from the second web first flange defining a base mast bearing space between the base mast bearing and the second web first flange. The vertically extendable mast bearing is spaced apart from the first web first flange defining a vertically extendable mast bearing space between the vertically extendable mast bearing and the first web first flange. And the base mast bumper maintains the base mast bearing space between the base mast bearing and the second web first flange.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hydraulic control system that includes a variable pressure relief valve and may include steps for calibrating the hydraulic control system. The hydraulic control system may be calibrated by: controlling, with the controller, the variable pressure relief valve to move to a fully open position, increasing, with the pump, a fluid pressure upstream of the variable pressure relief valve, controlling, with the controller, the variable pressure relief valve to move from the fully open position toward a fully closed position by adjusting a control signal supplied to the variable pressure relief valve, monitoring, with the controller, the pressure detected by the pressure sensor, and recording, with the controller, a parameter of the control signal supplied to the variable pressure relief valve when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor reaches a target pressure.