Coast control for walkie/rider pallet truck

摘要

A coast control device for a walkie/rider pallet truck locks the position of a steering arm of the truck to prevent movement by a deadman mechanism. The disclosed locking device is a brake: an armature plate mounted to the steering arm; and an electromagnet coupled to a steering head that is operated to activate coasting operation. The brake force can be overcome by an operator to manually apply the truck brake or to reposition the steering arm to a new position where it is again locked. For controlling coasting operation, the brake is manually engaged by an actuator mounted adjacent to or on a grab bar that is to be gripped by an operator riding on the truck. With the actuator so located, coasting operation can be conveniently engaged while the operator is walking beside the truck.