Inventors:
Howard G. Nusbaum - Stamford CT
James A. Bevan - Ottumwa IA
International Classification:
B62D 100
B66F 900
Abstract:
A side-loading all-terrain fork lift vehicle for handling heavy loads which are long relative to their width, e. g. , junked cars, in a storage facility having multi-level racks separated by narrow aisles and with restricted vertical clearance between levels. The vehicle body has an elongated load-carrying frame section which includes a longitudinal torsion beam at one side, two transverse torsion beams at its front and rear ends, two transverse medial beams defining a guideway for the mast-carrying trolley, and cross-brace beams between the torsion beams and the medial beams. The front and rear wheel axles are supported by respective rocker frames pivotally mounted on the associated transverse torsion beams and adapted to be angularly moved up and down by respective hydraulic piston and cylinder units which enable the frame section to be lowered so as to rest on the ground during on-loading and off-loading for maximum stability of the vehicle. Optionally, the fork arms can be extended a bit further after the trolley has reached the limit of its outward movement along its guideway, and they can also be shifted slightly to either side if they are not properly aligned with a compartment in the rack.