A method and apparatus for rapid loading stacks of items aboard vessels which can include rotating palletized items to depalletize the items, and then placing the items on a lifting robot, lifting the robot and items into the hold of a vessel, removing the items from the robot using a load push lift truck, and then using the load push lift truck to stow the items in a stowage location. The empty robot can be removed from the hold of the vessel and put in a position to receive a another depalletized stack of cartons. In one option the robot has a plurality of fork channels for receiving the blades of a load push lift truck along with receiving the blades or a rotating lift truck.

A straddle fork vehicle includes a generally rectangular frame structure with front and rear forklift assemblies positioned between a set of tread belts. The straddle fork vehicle is designed such that the frame may accommodate, or straddle, agricultural harvesting pallets between the set of treads in a passthrough through area beneath the frame as the vehicle progresses down a field row. Engine configuration and improved braking systems facilitate a safer construction and tighter turning radius.

An apparatus for operating the fork holder supports of forks of a manually or automatically driven forklift, including a first frame slidable within a vertical upright of said forklift. The first frame comprises connection means for a second frame, which supports the connection means, configured for allowing a rotation of the second frame with respect to the first frame, and first actuator means for rotating the second frame with respect to the first frame. The connection means include guiding means and sliding means, or a cam element, which allow a substantially vertical arrangement of the first actuator means within the apparatus; in addition, the first actuator means include at least one linear electric actuator of commercial type, or a trapezoidal screw actuator, or a worm screw actuator with recirculating ball nut.

The present invention discloses an apparatus, system and a method providing for a self-contained, adjustable, mobile, mechanical pallet and cart stacking system for use in (a) stacking and staging all types of products and related implements within the seller/vendor's warehouse facilities, (b) stacking and securing the products, and implements within the enclosed delivery truck cargo spaces during the transport to customers of such implements, while increasing/maximizing the utilization of space within the enclosed cargo area of the transport truck by adjusting to the heights of less-than-full pallets of said implements thereby allowing for more implements to be loaded and transported, and finally (c) the self-contained process of off-loading, receiving and staging of the implements at the location of the customers of the implements without the need for additional equipment. The disclosed system, however, allows for adjusting the apparatus to accommodate stacking multiple pallets and/or carts to maximize cubic capacities and reduce square footage requirements.

An apparatus for operating the fork holder supports of forks of a manually or automatically driven forklift, including a first frame slidable within a vertical upright of said forklift. The first frame comprises connection means for a second frame, which supports the connection means, configured for allowing a rotation of the second frame with respect to the first frame, and first actuator means for rotating the second frame with respect to the first frame. The connection means include guiding means and sliding means, or a cam element, which allow a substantially vertical arrangement of the first actuator means within the apparatus; in addition, the first actuator means include at least one linear electric actuator of commercial type, or a trapezoidal screw actuator, or a worm screw actuator with recirculating ball nut.