J-tec Industries, Inc., the manufacturer of the award-winning CarryMore Tugger Cart System, has developed a NEW, ergonomic Bi-Directional Steering Control System which allows a cart or trailer to be pushed or pulled in perpendicular directions with at least one “rigid” caster always facing in the direction desired.
This new system can be used with many carts and trailers. It allows complete operator control of a cart when manually pushing it through a facility, and easily allows the operator to switch travel direction forward or sideways, with one quick turn of a waist-high handle.
This is necessary for maintaining operator control while a cart or trailer is pushed or pulled in different directions. This is a substantial improvement, especially involving ergonomic considerations, to existing devices used in many industries.
Carts and trailers are fast replacing fork trucks for material deliveries throughout facilities. For carts to work efficiently, they need to maneuver with ease and without ergonomic strain to their operators. Today, any cart can be fitted with all swivel casters, allowing it to be pushed or pulled in any direction. However, cart control is compromised, ergonomic strains are common and, with added weight on board, a cart with all swivel casters becomes uncontrollable and unsafe for operators. In addition, carts or trailers with all swivel casters cannot be tugged due to uncontrolled drift and movement behind a tugger. Ideally, carts would have a minimum of one rigid caster locked in the direction of travel. Trailers would have a minimum of two rigid casters in the direction being pulled. That has now been accomplished.
J-tec’s new steering system is composed of an ergonomically located handle that controls a bell crank and ultimately a pivoting rigid caster, each of which is connected via adjustable length tie-rods (allowing for an infinite length and width of carts/trailers). On cart applications, one caster is controlled with the handle.
On trailers, however, two casters are impacted by this system; one caster is controlled with the handle, while a second is locked into position once the cart is being towed. J-tec has rated its Bi-Directional Steering Control System for carts to handle up to 4,000 lb. loads. It typically takes at least 40 lbs. on a cart or trailer deck to operate effectively. Trailer applications have been tested up to 5000 lbs.
With floor space in facilities a valuable commodity, tight aisle widths are served well with this J-tec system. It allows for longer or wider carts with improved mobility in all directions to be used.
For instance, when a long trailer is pulled down an aisle to a desired destination in a facility, a simple turn of a handle allows it to be pushed straight into its desired position, where it otherwise could not be maneuvered due to aisle width limitations. It is a needed and very welcome solution to materials movement needs in many industries.
For more information, contact Jon McKee, J-tec Industries, Inc. Marketing Director, at (309) 698-9301 or email [email protected].
