The Problem: Removal of the batteries from an electric fork truck was done by maintenance staff using a larger capacity fork lift. However, to do this they would first search the plant for a larger fork lift, wait until it was not being used in production, check that its battery was not empty, drive it over to the maintenance area and use it to remove the battery from the smaller fork lift. Then, the larger fork lift would turn around and hoist up the smaller fork lift and place it on shocks for maintenance work to be done. The process was then repeated (in reverse) to re-assemble the fork lift after maintenance or repair was completed. The time duration to do this work was between 30 and 45 minutes and took 2 or 3 workers to complete the process.


Alternatives: Jib Crane, Bridge Crane

Product Chosen: 3 Tonne Mentor Bridge Crane with a 3 Tonne Kito electric chain hoist.

Benefits of the Product:
- Time/Labour saving
- Safer than using a fork lift

This process now takes 5 to 10 minutes. The bridge crane is always available and ready to be used. Also, the floor space in the small maintenance area is better used with the overhead Bridge Crane and allows more to be done in the same space. With a crane, this process can be done by one worker instead of 2 or 3.

(Click on the photo below to enlarge)