Patent ID: 6135694
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: B66F

Abstract:
A fork lift truck comprising:a body;a drive mechanism supported on said body for effecting movement of said body;a pair of forks;a fork carrying assembly coupled to said body and said forks for moving said forks in height between a lowered position and desired raised positions, said fork carrying assembly including a tilt cylinder for tilting said forks through a fork tilt range;a first sensor capable of generating signals indicative of the weight of a load on said forks, said first sensor being associated with said tilt cylinder for monitoring fluid pressure in said tilt cylinder which pressure is a function of the weight being carried by said forks; anda controller coupled to said drive mechanism and said first sensor, said controller causing said drive mechanism to effect movement of said body up to a first maximum speed when said controller receives a signal generated by said first sensor indicative of a load on said forks above a predetermined weight value and causing said drive mechanism to effect movement of said body up to a second maximum speed which is greater than said first maximum speed when said controller receives a signal generated by said first sensor indicative of no load or a load on said forks below said predetermined value.