A work machine includes a chassis, a wheel, an implement, a user interface, and a utilization monitoring system. The wheel is rotatably coupled to the chassis. The implement is movable relative to the chassis. The user interface is configured to receive a user input. The utilization monitoring system includes one or more memory devices configured to store instructions thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to obtain one or more values representing an operational range of the implement; receive the user input; determine a value representing a position of the implement; and determine a value representing a utilization of the implement by comparing the position of the implement to the one or more values representing the operational range of the implement.

Systems and methods for towing, hitching, and connecting devices are described. An autonomous guided vehicle includes an automated hitch capable of connecting to a variety of types of containers.

A load handling system for a vehicle includes a set of forks that concurrently supports two or more pallets including a first pallet and a second pallet linearly positioned along a length of the forks, and a lifting system to raise and lower the forks. A traction system moves the vehicle in a direction of travel associated with withdrawing the forks from the pallets. Additionally, an actuation device generates an activation signal in response to being actuated by an operator, and a vehicle controller places the vehicle in an automated mode of operation in response to receiving the activation signal. In the automated mode of operation, a front end of the forks moves from the second pallet to the first pallet, and the first pallet is raised while the second pallet remains on a transport surface. The first pallet is then spaced apart from the second pallet by a predetermined distance and then lowered to the transport surface.

A load handling system for a vehicle includes a set of forks that concurrently supports two or more pallets including a first pallet and a second pallet linearly positioned along a length of the forks, and a lifting system to raise and lower the forks. A traction system moves the vehicle in a direction of travel associated with withdrawing the forks from the pallets. Additionally, an actuation device generates an activation signal in response to being actuated by an operator, and a vehicle controller places the vehicle in an automated mode of operation in response to receiving the activation signal. In the automated mode of operation, a front end of the forks moves from the second pallet to the first pallet, and the first pallet is raised while the second pallet remains on a transport surface. The first pallet is then spaced apart from the second pallet by a predetermined distance and then lowered to the transport surface.

The initial setting method for the unmanned forklift includes a step of acquiring a measurement value of floor surface inclination of a stop position where the unmanned forklift stops when the unmanned forklift unloads a palette on a rack, a step of setting the stop position where a predetermined inclination pattern is detected, as a precise adjustment position, from the acquired measurement value, a step of causing the unmanned forklift to unload the palette in accordance with an operation program, and measuring a deviation amount of the palette unloaded by the unmanned forklift, at the precise adjustment position, and a step of correcting a command value of the unmanned forklift at the stop position, based on the measured deviation amount.

The initial setting method for the unmanned forklift includes a step of acquiring a measurement value of floor surface inclination of a stop position where the unmanned forklift stops when the unmanned forklift unloads a palette on a rack, a step of setting the stop position where a predetermined inclination pattern is detected, as a precise adjustment position, from the acquired measurement value, a step of causing the unmanned forklift to unload the palette in accordance with an operation program, and measuring a deviation amount of the palette unloaded by the unmanned forklift, at the precise adjustment position, and a step of correcting a command value of the unmanned forklift at the stop position, based on the measured deviation amount.

A materials handling vehicle includes a mast, a load handling structure supported on the mast, one or more operator controls, and a lifting structure having a chain structure for performing a lifting and lowering of the load handling structure. The materials handling vehicle further includes a height sensor for generating a height signal corresponding to vertical movement of the load handling structure relative to the mast, and a vehicle control module for processing the height signal received from the height sensor and an operator control signal received from the one or more operator controls. The vehicle control module evaluates the height signal and the operator control signal and disables one or more vehicle functions if the height signal does not correspond to the operator control signal.

A system for a pallet truck load wheel mechanism comprises a logic device and first and second sensor arrangements. The first and second sensor arrangements include first and second sensing fields that define first and second edges of an operability window, respectively. The logic device has an operable state indicating that the load wheel mechanism can raise a pallet lifting device and an inoperable state indicating that the load wheel mechanism should not raise the pallet lifting device. The logic device is initialized in the operable state and is configured to change to the inoperable state in response to each time the first sensor arrangement detects an edge of a board intersecting, the first edge of the operability window and to change to the operable state in response to each time the second sensor arrangement detects an edge of a board intersecting the second edge of the operability window.

A system for a pallet truck load wheel mechanism comprises a logic device and first and second sensor arrangements. The first and second sensor arrangements include first and second sensing fields that define first and second edges of an operability window, respectively. The logic device has an operable state indicating that the load wheel mechanism can raise a pallet lifting device and an inoperable state indicating that the load wheel mechanism should not raise the pallet lifting device. The logic device is initialized in the operable state and is configured to change to the inoperable state in response to each time the first sensor arrangement detects an edge of a board intersecting, the first edge of the operability window and to change to the operable state in response to each time the second sensor arrangement detects an edge of a board intersecting the second edge of the operability window.

A low-lift industrial truck (2) and a method for operating the same. The industrial truck includes a load fork (4) for picking up a load. Fork tines (6a, 6b) of the load fork (4) each include at least one load roller (8) in a region of fork tine tips (28). The industrial truck also includes a load lifting assistance system having a distance sensor (16) and a processing unit (14). The distance sensor is configured to measure a distance between the load and a front wall (12) of the industrial truck facing the load fork. At least one distance between the load and the front wall is saved in the processing unit and corresponds to a predetermined stop position. The processing unit is configured to process measured values of the distance sensor and to generate a stop signal when a distance corresponding to the stop position (20a, 20b) is determined.