The Raymond Corporation

Gene R Mathes

John Schoenmaker

The present invention features a method and an apparatus for preventing lift chains from becoming slack in a lift truck with a 'man-up' feature installed. Lift trucks are generally those vehicles that feature hydraulically controlled lift masts with a chain supported fork carriage. Operators of these lift vehicles with the remote lift and lower feature are generally lifted and lowered by these masts, known in the trade as a 'man-up' condition. It is quite desirable to prevent a slack chain condition in the man-up mast position. The invention features a pressure transducer for monitoring a drop in hydraulic fluid pressure established by the flow control valve that regulates the lowering speed of the mast during the remote mode, i.e., when the fork carriage is being lowered by the operator in the platform attached to the fork carriage. The invention turns off the normally closed load-holding valve when the hydraulic pressure drops below a predetermined value, which stops the flow of hydraulic fluid back into the reservoir. This, in turn, stops the cylinder(s) from lowering and keeps the fork carriage lift chains from becoming slack.

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Binghamton, NY, United States of America

Gene R Mathes