Electro-Hydraulic Control Solutions for IC Lift Trucks

The material handling industry encompasses a variety of vehicles and machines that specialize in efficient lifting, rapid transport, and accurate placement of goods and materials of all sizes, shapes, and weights. Forklift trucks are the mainstays of this industry, operating indoors in factories and warehouses, or outdoors on farms and construction sites. Safe lifting of materials and safety for the operator are paramount in this field and new safety regulations are requiring redesign of equipment.

 

HydraForce has tailored their product range to meet the needs of this market.  We can offer numerous solutions that provide safe, stable and efficient control of lifting, lowering, forks, and transmissions of today's forklifts.

 

 

Application Details

Flow Sharing Solutions for Forklifts

• Operate multiple work
  functions simultaneously
• Multi-function valves regulate
  flow while load holding
• Load holding with precise and
  stable flow control

Single-Acting Lift

• Typical application for a
  single-acting lift cylinder using
  HSPECxx-34 valves for the
  lowering function

Flow-sharing with higher flow cartridge valves can provide full system control for lifting, lowering and auxiliary functions.

The use of higher flow electroproportional valves is another easy way to gain greater control of multiple machine functions. With greater flow, you can develop a flow-sharing scheme with the flexibility to handle auxiliary and priority functions.

• Operate multiple work functions
  simultaneously
• Multi-function valves regulate flow while
  load holding
• Load holding with precise and stable
  flow control

 

 

Flow Sharing "Bridge" Circuits

• Provide superior motion control performance
• Flow-controlled meter-in with pressure controlled meter-out

More responsive and more flexibly packaged motor and cylinder control with pressure compensation and a superior degree of controllability than other directional control options can provide.

 

Electric Counterbalance


• SPCL valves for fast “closing” response
• Multi-function valve regulates flow while load holding

 

 

Gravity Lowering

…can augment or act as an efficient alternative to power down systems
• Use the force of nature for load-lowering rather than engine power
• Improve efficiency
• Save fuel – up to one gallon of fuel per hour

Transmission Solutions for Forklifts


• Compact, cost effective and fuel efficient
• Fast, reliable response, smooth
  operation
• Contamination-resistant, IP69K-rated
  coils and corrosion resistant plating

 

ERT temperature sensor also available.

Fan Drives


• Control valves provide variable fan speed control depending on air temperature,
  load and cooling requirements independent of engine RPM
     - Up to 30% HP vs traditional
• Checks protect the motor from cavitating
• Two-position valves can reverse fan direction to help remove dust and
  debris from radiator
• Precise control of coolant temperature and reduced engine wear

 

ERT 120 Sensor available

• Designed for use in demanding applications

Model                          Temp range                       Output signal
ERT120              -40 to 150 °C (-40 to 300 °F)            436 to 5428 Ω
ERT130              -40 to 135 °C (-40 to 275 °F)            46 to 18.5 kΩ
ERT150              -40 to 150 °C (-40 to 300 °F)            33 to 26 kΩ

Priority Steering and Brake Solutions for Forklifts


• Provides priority flow for brakes / steering
• Store hydraulic energy for use upon
  demand
• Fail safe load shuttle

 
Simple Brake Circuit
Provides reduced pressure to power off the brakes

 

 
Alternative Brake Circuit
includes hand pump for emergency pumping of the brake

 

 
Dynamic Steering

• Serviceable 3 pos / 4 way valve replaces sub-plate valves
• Double-blocking valves eliminate leakage concerns

 

Torque Divider

• Balances the pressure drop across each
  motor
• Efficiently sized to accommodate the flow
  difference between motors

 

Four wheel drive series-parallel crossover with torque dividers

Attachments for Forklifts

Plug-in valve drivers provide flexible and self-contained control for material handling attachments.

• Clamps or arms for awkward loads such as
  crates, bales or tires
• Efficient solutions for a range of flow rates and
  operating pressures
• Easily integrated electronic control options
  available

 

HydraForce is pleased to offer a full line of electronic vehicle control products integrating engine, transmission and other machine functions into a common J1939 or CAN Open Data Link control circuit.

These systems consist of rugged, field-proven components suitable for heavy-duty operating conditions. PWM digital signal logic maximizes efficiency, response and signal integrity under harsh environmental conditions. Reliability has been proven through extensive testing, as well as years of real-world application experience.

This is a complete line of the most rugged, heavy duty vehicle machine controllers, monitors, displays and electrical connectors for motion control and integrated machine control applications in mobile, off-highway and material handling equipment.

  • Reliable operation in the most demanding mobile equipment applications
  • Operating temperatures from -40 to 85°C
  • Chemical splash immunity
  • Moisture resistance to IP67 specifications
  • Fully resistant to EMI/RFI
  • Vibration resistant to 8 Grms (random) 24–200 Hz, 3-axis

Associated Applications

Container Lifts

Container Lifts

Lift/Lower controls | Transmission controls | Boom lock Learn More
Electric Lift Trucks

Electric Lift Trucks

Main Controls | Powertrain | Variable Speed Fan Drives | Steering and Brakes | Attachments | Electronic Controls Learn More
Reach Trucks

Reach Trucks

Fork controls | Lift/Lower/Extend controls | Transmission controls | Attachment/Auxiliary controls Learn More

IOT Fleet Management for IC Lift Trucks

Implemented on IC lift trucks, HydraForce Internet of Things (IOT) technology improves reliability and availability and can even extend its lifetime. This is achieved by capturing and reporting operating data such as fork lift/lower/tilt controls, transmission, steering, brake, fan drive, attachment and auxiliary controls, as well as through enhanced control and improved asset utilization.


Factories, warehouses, farms, construction sites, among others within the industry, make substantial investments in material handling trucks and container lift equipment. IOT fleet management technology from HydraForce raises ROI by improving availability and reducing maintenance costs.


IOT Fleet Management Solutions  

  • Monitoring and logging of key operating characteristics (cycles, hours, temperatures, pressures, vibration, etc.)
  • Reporting of key performance indicators
  • Remote adjustment of on-board settings (maximum permitted speeds, loads, etc.)
  • Updating of onboard software
  • Geo-location
  • Reducing the risk of breakdown and preventing unnecessary maintenance