Crown Equipment Corporation

Randall D Plaugher

Robert J Henshaw

John R Harman

Patrick A Tebbe

James L Hoying

The motor compartment of a fork lift truck is modified so that the operator's feet extend into the space normally required by the motor compartment. A motor support structure is installed between the traction motor and the gear box which is connected to the steerable, powered wheel. The motor support structure occupies a smaller space than the traction motor itself, thus increasing the space available to the operator's compartment, at least in a limited vertical location adjacent to the support. With the traction motor out of the way, sufficient space for elevated pedals is provided, thus providing the operator ample space to operate the truck while seated. A battery compartment and hydraulic system of the truck are positioned adjacent to one another and ahead of the operator's compartment/motor compartment. In this way, the battery compartment and hydraulic system are positioned such that they are clear of the operator's compartment.

Materials handling vehicle having an expanded operator's compartment

A lift truck provided with a fixed mast section, several moveable mast sections and a carriage supporting load carrying forks and operator's platform is hydraulically raised and lowered. Mast chains interconnect the fixed mast section and the moveable mast sections and the moveable mast sections and the carriage. One pair of cushioning devices is placed between the fixed mast section and lower most moveable mast section and a second pair of cushioning devices is placed between the uppermost moveable mast section and the carriage. Each cushioning device two spring elements, one with a relatively soft spring rate, the other with a relatively stiff spring rate. The cushioning devices and a common hydraulic connection between hydraulic cylinders combine to reduce the shock and jerk felt by the operator during mast staging while raising or lowering the mast in either an empty or loaded condition.

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Wapakoneta, OH, United States of America

Randall D Plaugher