MAST ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROVED OPERATOR VISIBILITY FOR A MATERIALS HANDLING VEHICLE

摘要

A materials handling vehicle includes a power unit, a mast assembly coupled to the power unit, and a reach assembly coupled for vertical movement on the mast assembly. The mast assembly includes first, second, and third weldments, wherein the first weldment is fixed to the power unit, the second weldment is movable with respect to the first weldment, and the third weldment is movable with respect to the first and second weldments. The reach assembly includes an extension/retraction mechanism for effecting horizontal movement of the reach assembly relative to the mast assembly. Components of the vehicle have been redesigned and/or rearranged to improve operator visibility.

主权项

1. A materials handling vehicle including a longitudinal centerline extending from a rear of the materials handling vehicle to a front of the materials handling vehicle comprising:
a power unit including an operator's compartment; and a mast assembly coupled to the power unit, the mast assembly comprising:
a first weldment fixed to the power unit and comprising a pair of laterally spaced apart vertical first beams that each define a first channel;a second weldment movable with respect to the first weldment and comprising a pair of laterally spaced apart vertical second beams that each define a second channel, each second beam being at least partially located within the first channel of a respective first beam;a third weldment movable with respect to the first and second weldments and comprising a pair of laterally spaced apart vertical third beams, each third beam being at least partially located within the second channel of a respective second beam;at least one lift ram/cylinder assembly positioned laterally offset with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the materials handling vehicle;at least one lift pulley fixed to the second weldment and located between the second weldment and the operator's compartment; andat least one lift chain associated with the at least one lift pulley, the at least one lift chain having a first end affixed to one of the first weldment and the at least one lift ram/cylinder assembly, and a second end affixed to the third weldment, wherein the at least one lift chain and the at least one lift pulley are used in combination with the at least one lift ram/cylinder assembly to effect movement of the second weldment relative to the first weldment.