A vehicle supported implement for handling separate loads independently, and related methods of use, are presented. The implement is configured to move a load, such as a hay bale, rotating the load radially about an axis, from a first position at a first elevation to a second position at a second elevation. It includes a first frame member and a second frame member pivotally connected to the first frame member at a joint. The axis of rotation intersects the joint normal to the back side of the first frame member and the second frame member rotates radially about the axis of rotation between the first position and the second position. The implement includes an actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder, connected to the frame members to control the rotation. The implement includes an attachment feature on the back side to secure it to a vehicle.

A hydraulic mechanism is mounted on a forklift. The hydraulic mechanism has a control valve and a pressure compensation circuit for compensating pressure within the hydraulic mechanism. The pressure compensation circuit has a relief pressure valve and an unloading valve for releasing pressure within the pressure compensation circuit to a discharge oil passage. Upon instructed to perform cargo handling operation, the unloading valve is switched to an open state, and the relief pressure valve is thereby actuated, so that rapid increase of pressure within the circuit is avoided. Further, the unloading valve is switched to an open state, and the pressure within the hydraulic mechanism is thereby released to the discharge oil passage, so that the cargo handling operation by the tilt cylinder and the lift cylinder is restricted.

A hydraulic mechanism is mounted on a forklift. The hydraulic mechanism has a control valve and a pressure compensation circuit for compensating pressure within the hydraulic mechanism. The pressure compensation circuit has a relief pressure valve and an unloading valve for releasing pressure within the pressure compensation circuit to a discharge oil passage. Upon instructed to perform cargo handling operation, the unloading valve is switched to an open state, and the relief pressure valve is thereby actuated, so that rapid increase of pressure within the circuit is avoided. Further, the unloading valve is switched to an open state, and the pressure within the hydraulic mechanism is thereby released to the discharge oil passage, so that the cargo handling operation by the tilt cylinder and the lift cylinder is restricted.

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.

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.

Lift trucks designed with a common chassis can include an ergonomically improved operator compartment, wheels, lift assembly, power plant, energy source, steering, seat, and counterweight components. Modular chassis designs can accommodate different form factors and different energy sources to accommodate different end uses of the lift truck, including lift trucks having a low floor, seatside steering, and/or a combination of operator-inaccessible compartments for high-reliability components and operator-accessible components for components that may require more frequent or convenient access. In one embodiment, the energy source is a lithium-ion battery bank in an operator-inaccessible compartment under a low, broad floor that facilitates easy entry into and exit from the operator compartment as well as ergonomic operation by the operator.

Lift trucks designed with a common chassis can include an ergonomically improved operator compartment, wheels, lift assembly, power plant, energy source, steering, seat, and counterweight components. Modular chassis designs can accommodate different form factors and different energy sources to accommodate different end uses of the lift truck, including lift trucks having a low floor, seatside steering, and/or a combination of operator-inaccessible compartments for high-reliability components and operator-accessible components for components that may require more frequent or convenient access. In one embodiment, the energy source is a lithium-ion battery bank in an operator-inaccessible compartment under a low, broad floor that facilitates easy entry into and exit from the operator compartment as well as ergonomic operation by the operator.

A hydraulic system for a mobile work vehicle is configurable in a hybrid mode and a hydrostatic mode. The hydraulic system includes a pump/motor, a propel circuit, a pump, a hydraulic accumulator, and an accessory circuit. The pump/motor is adapted to exchange power with a drive train of the mobile work vehicle. The propel circuit is adapted to exchange hydraulic fluid power with the pump/motor. The pump is adapted to transfer power from a prime mover of the mobile work vehicle to the propel circuit. The hydraulic accumulator is adapted to exchange hydraulic fluid power via an accumulator isolation valve with the propel circuit when the hydraulic system is configured in the hybrid mode. The accessory circuit is adapted to receive hydraulic fluid power from the hydraulic accumulator, at least when the hydraulic system is configured in the hydrostatic mode and the accumulator isolation valve is closed.

A hydraulic system for a mobile work vehicle is configurable in a hybrid mode and a hydrostatic mode. The hydraulic system includes a pump/motor, a propel circuit, a pump, a hydraulic accumulator, and an accessory circuit. The pump/motor is adapted to exchange power with a drive train of the mobile work vehicle. The propel circuit is adapted to exchange hydraulic fluid power with the pump/motor. The pump is adapted to transfer power from a prime mover of the mobile work vehicle to the propel circuit. The hydraulic accumulator is adapted to exchange hydraulic fluid power via an accumulator isolation valve with the propel circuit when the hydraulic system is configured in the hybrid mode. The accessory circuit is adapted to receive hydraulic fluid power from the hydraulic accumulator, at least when the hydraulic system is configured in the hydrostatic mode and the accumulator isolation valve is closed.

A lifting mechanism has a descending mode including an energy-regeneration mode and a non-energy-regeneration mode. The lifting mechanism includes: a battery, an electric machine, a hydraulic pump, an oil tank, a hydraulic cylinder, a work platform and a flow limiting valve. In the energy-regeneration mode, the hydraulic fluid drives the hydraulic pump to operate as a hydraulic motor, thus in turn driving the electric machine to operate as a generator and charge the battery. In the non-energy-regeneration mode, the flow limiting valve limits the maximum of the descending speed of the work platform. In the present application, the flow limiting valve is used to provide throttling resistance to limit the maximum of the descending speed of the hydraulic fluid, thus in turn defining the maximum of the descending speed of the work platform. Therefore, in the present application, by using the flow limiting valve to define the maximum of the descending speed of the work platform, the safety problem due to an accelerated descent during descending of the work platform may be solved, and thus the safety of the lifting mechanism may be ensured.