Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing the presence of a load carried by a material handling vehicle are provided. The material handling vehicle includes a vehicle body, and a load supporting member configured to support the load. The material handling vehicle further includes a load sensor configured to determine the presence of the load within a defined range of the load supporting member.

Abstract: Systems and methods include an integrated display having a graphical user interface that combines aspects of a telematic system with a vehicle control system. The integrated display combines a touch screen and a manual input keypad. Using both the touch screen's graphical user interface and the keypad, the integrated display can operate in multiple operation modes, including a touch mode where the operator controls the graphical user interface functions by touching predefined areas or tiles on the screen, and a keypad mode, where the operator controls the graphical user interface functions by touching keys on the manual input keypad. The integrated display can be controlled in a mixed mode operation, where the operator can control the graphical user interface functions using both the touch screen (touch mode) and the manual input keypad (keypad mode) to complete data entry processes, for example, and the integrated display can automatically transition between modes.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a material handling vehicle (MHV) and associated method provide for damping of mast oscillations of a mast of the MHV. In one approach, mast oscillations can be detected and/or anticipated and a countering force can be generated by an elevated reach actuator of the MHV to damp the oscillations.

Abstract: A lift truck includes an operator compartment and a pair of forks extending away from said operator compartment in a forward direction. A pair of mast columns are interposed between the operator compartment and the forks. Components mounted on at least one of the mast columns are arranged to fall within a viewing shadow so as not to obstruct the operator's field of view.

Abstract: Operational data are transmitted, by each of a plurality of material handling vehicles at a facility, into a communications system. A computer connected to the communications system processes the operational data and presents reports on a monitor screen. The computer operates in an impact report mode which provides reports about material handling vehicle impacts with objects, a maintenance report mode for reports pertaining to vehicle maintenance, a verify report mode presenting reports about vehicle inspections, and a metrics report mode for reports describing amounts of work performed by the vehicles, and an overview mode summarizes information from each of other report modes. Each report mode has different display modes which summarize data for a group of the vehicles or provide detailed information about one particular vehicle or one specific vehicle operator.

Abstract: A counterweight system for a battery of a material handling vehicle is provided. A counterweight case can be configured to receive the battery. One or more spacers can be disposed within the counterweight case. The one or more spacers can space the battery apart from one or more internal walls of the counterweight case, when the battery is received in the counterweight case. In some cases, the spacers, along with vent holes, plugs, brackets, and/or a cover (e.g., a blanket cover) can help to protect the battery from environmental factors (e.g., heat, cold, vibrations, contact, and so on).

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle frame and an optical device mounted on the vehicle frame. A first temperature sensor senses ambient air temperature surrounding the vehicle frame, a second temperature sensor senses a temperature of a lens of the optical device, and a humidity sensor senses moisture content of air proximal to the lens. An exhaust directs gas at the lens in response to the sensed ambient air temperature, the sensed lens temperature, and the sensed moisture content.

Abstract: A load wrapping and transporting vehicle includes a vehicle frame, and a load support is connected to the vehicle frame for supporting a palletized load. An endless track is connected to the vehicle frame and extends about the load support. A spindle supports a roll of wrapping film and is guided by the endless track about the load support to wrap the palletized load with wrapping film dispensed by the roll of wrapping film.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a material handling vehicle include a controller and a near field communication reader adapted to communicate with the controller. The controller is configured to activate at least one of a software option and a hardware option when a near field communication device encoded with option information is placed within an operable range to the near field communication reader.

Abstract: Visual indication systems and methods are provided. A material handling vehicle includes at least a first product placement location and a second product placement location. At least one visual indicator provides a visual indication at or near the first product placement location or the second product placement location. The visual indication serves as a visual confirmation for the order picker to place a product in a specific predefined placement location.

Abstract: An industrial vehicle has a controller connected to a plurality of sensors for accumulating information related to operation of the vehicle. The controller employs that information in governing further vehicle operation to reduce the likelihood of damage to the vehicle or a load being transported. The information also is analyzed to determine how efficiently the industrial vehicle and its operator are performing in relation to performance benchmarks for the vehicle and in comparison to other industrial vehicles. Performance of the industrial vehicle can be limited to conserve battery power and restrict recharging the battery to off-peak hours of an electrical utility. When the sensors detect a malfunction of the industrial vehicle, a fault code is produced. A service technician can use that fault code to automatically access service manuals stored in the computer system of the vehicle and obtain information for diagnosing and correcting the malfunction.

Abstract: A load wrapping and transporting vehicle includes a vehicle frame, and a load support is connected to the vehicle frame for supporting a palletized load. An endless track is connected to the vehicle frame and extends about the load support. A spindle supports a roll of wrapping film and is guided by the endless track about the load support to wrap the palletized load with wrapping film dispensed by the roll of wrapping film.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a material handling vehicle includes a chassis, a first caster wheel mounted to the chassis, a second caster wheel mounted to the chassis, a torsion bar coupling the first caster wheel to the second caster wheel, and a constant force mechanism coupled to at least one of the first caster wheel, the second caster wheel and the torsion bar. The first and second caster wheels are displaceable in at least one dimension, and the constant force mechanism imparts a substantially constant force opposing a displacement in the at least one dimension.

Abstract: A control system operates an industrial vehicle that includes a propulsion drive system and a guidance and navigation system operatively connected to the propulsion drive system to control motion of the industrial vehicle along a path, in an unmanned, autonomous mode. A wireless communicator transmits vehicle operational data to an asset management computer located remotely from the industrial vehicle, and receives commands from the asset management computer for remotely controlling operation of the industrial vehicle. For example, when the vehicle encounters an obstacle in the path a message indicating that event is sent to the asset management computer where a human operator can send a command which instructs the industrial vehicle how to avoid the obstacle.