Abstract:
A cart-handler for mobile carts within narrow confines is provided. The cart-handler is constructed from an elongate frame having at least one upright support rail and opposite ends supported on wheels. A pair of stabilizers is connected to the frame with each stabilizer being movable into a retracted position on the frame and into a laterally-extended position in which the stabilizer directly engages an underlying floor surface to aid in supporting the cart-handler on the floor. When the stabilizers are placed in the laterally-extended position, each stabilizer extends outward from a common side of the elongate frame. A cart-lifter is mounted on the support rail of the frame and is movable vertically along the support rail so that the cart-lifter can engage, elevate, and support a separate mobile cart above the underlying floor surface. The cart-handler can be interconnected to a pair of elevated mobile work platforms.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to handling poultry carts within poultry houses, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a portable handler for safely elevating poultry carts within narrow aisles of poultry houses. 
         [0002]    Chicken and like poultry can be grown in high density cages within poultry houses. Merely for purposes of example, an average-sized poultry house may house about 85,000 to 100,000 live chickens. The high density cages are typically aligned in rows extending substantially the full length of the poultry house, and a narrow aisle, or walkway, is defined between each adjacent pair of rows of cages permitting access to the cages. As an example, an average-sized poultry house may have seven such aisles each being approximately 500 feet in length. The high density cages provide many stacked tiers of cages including upper tiers of cages elevated well above the floor of the aisle. 
         [0003]    Chicken and like poultry are typically required to be relocated to and from various types of poultry houses, processing plants and the like. For example, chicks are typically permitted to grow for about eighteen weeks in a nursing house and are then relocated to a “layer” house for egg production and collection. At the end of the egg laying cycle, the chickens are relocated to processing plants. Transporting poultry to and from poultry houses and processing plants typically requires the poultry to be removed from cages and placed in mobile multi-compartmented poultry carts. Each cart may be designed to hold about 150 to 200 live chickens and may weigh approximately 600 to 800 pounds when fully loaded. Filling and/or emptying an average-sized poultry house typically requires the use of about 450 to 500 carts each of which must be loaded and/or unloaded and pushed throughout the length of the poultry house. 
         [0004]    Simply for purposes of example, each mobile poultry cart may have a relatively rectangular frame supporting a few tiers of cages. The front and rear ends of each cart are typically supported on fixed and/or caster wheels. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,084,714 issued to Williams and 3,895,727 issued to Rucker disclose examples of mobile poultry carts. 
         [0005]    Due to the limited space available within the narrow aisles of poultry houses, the carts may be required to be manually pushed and/or pulled through the aisles of the poultry house. The manual handling of mobile poultry carts is both a labor intensive and potentially dangerous procedure considering the significant size, weight, and number of carts and the distance that they must be traversed. As an improvement with respect to manually pushing and/or pulling mobile poultry carts through the aisles of the poultry houses, U.S. Pat. No. 7,500,448 B1 issued to Melhorn discloses a self-propelled poultry cage handler for use in moving mobile poultry carts through the aisles of a poultry house. 
         [0006]    An additional problem with respect to handling poultry carts within poultry houses is that high density cages within poultry houses include several tiers of cages that extend well above the floor of the poultry house which makes manual unloading of fully-grown chickens from the cages difficult. For example, when fully grown chicken are to be removed from the upper tiers of high density cages, a worker must climb up the structure provided by the high density cages, grasp several fully-grown chickens from an upper level cage, climb down the structure provided by the high density cages, and place the chickens within the mobile poultry cart positioned and supported on the floor of the aisle of the poultry house. The worker needs to repeat this process a tremendous amount of times to empty the upper tiers of cages throughout the poultry house. Thus, the manual emptying of high density cages is a labor intensive and potentially dangerous activity considering the number of cages that must be emptied, the height of the upper tiers of the high density cages above the floor of the poultry house, the need to carry several fully grown chicken while ascending from the upper tiers, and the significant number of cages that must be emptied and distance that must be traversed. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method for handling poultry within the narrow confines of poultry houses. Preferably, the apparatus and method should enable safe and efficient unloading of fully-grown poultry from upper tiers of high density cages into mobile poultry carts within narrow aisles of poultry houses. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    According to the present invention, a cart-handler for handling mobile carts within narrow confines is provided. The cart-handler is constructed from a mobile elongate frame having at least one upright support rail and opposite ends supported on wheels enabling movement of the elongate frame along an underlying floor surface. A pair of stabilizers is connected to the frame. Each stabilizer is movable into a retracted position on the frame and into a laterally-extended position in which the stabilizer directly engages the underlying floor surface to aid in supporting the frame on the floor. One stabilizer is located at one end of the frame, and the other stabilizer is located at the opposite end of the frame. When the stabilizers are placed in the laterally-extended position, each stabilizer extends outward from a common or same side of the elongate frame. A cart-lifter is mounted on the support rail of the frame and is movable vertically along the support rail so that the cart-lifter can engage, elevate and support a separate mobile cart above the underlying floor surface. 
         [0009]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a system for unloading poultry from upper tiers of high density cages in a poultry house is provided. The system includes at least one mobile poultry cart that is self-supportable on an underlying floor surface of a narrow aisle within the poultry house adjacent the high density cages and a separate self-propelled cart-handler for handling mobile poultry carts within the poultry house. The cart-handler has an elongate frame providing a narrow end-profile enabling the mobile poultry cart and the cart-handler to be positioned side-by-side and parallel within the narrow aisle of the poultry house. The elongate frame of the cart-handler has opposite ends supported on wheels enabling movement of the cart-handler along the underlying floor surface. The cart-handler includes a pair of stabilizers connected to the frame. Each stabilizer is retractable onto the frame and is extendable laterally from the frame into a position for direct engagement with the underlying floor surface. One stabilizer is located at one end of the frame and the other stabilizer is located at the opposite end of the frame. Each stabilizer is laterally-extendable from a common side (i.e., same side) of the elongate frame. The cart-handler also includes a cart-lifter which is mounted on an upright support rail of the frame and is movable upwardly along the support rail so that the cart-lifter is able to engage, elevate and support the mobile poultry cart entirely above the underlying floor surface and adjacent the upper tiers of the high density cages to facilitate unloading of poultry from the upper tiers of the high density cages into the mobile poultry cart. 
         [0010]    According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method of unloading poultry from upper tiers of high density cages lining a narrow aisle in a poultry house is provided. A mobile, self-propelled, elongate cart-handler having a narrow end profile is positioned on the floor of the narrow aisle of the poultry house. The cart-handler has stabilizers in a retracted position and a cart-lifter in a stowed position. A separate, empty, mobile poultry cart is positioned parallel to, and in side-by-side relation with, the cart-handler on the floor in the narrow aisle adjacent lower tiers of the high density cages. After the positioning steps, the stabilizers of the cart-handler are laterally extended adjacent opposite ends of the cart-handler such that the stabilizers engage the floor within the narrow aisle with the mobile poultry cart being located therebetween. A gripping mechanism of the cart-lifter of the cart-handler is pivoted such that the gripping mechanism extends underneath the mobile poultry cart at a mid-section of the mobile poultry cart. The cart-lifter is raised to elevate the mobile poultry cart completely off the floor to an elevation adjacent the upper tiers of the high density cages. After the mobile poultry cart is raised, poultry is unloaded from the upper tiers of the high density cages into the elevated mobile poultry cart. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The features and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a rear elevational view of a portable poultry cart handler according to the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the portable poultry cart handler shown in  FIG. 1  with stabilizers in a retracted position and a lifting mechanism in a retracted position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is a magnified view of a top section of the handler shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the portable poultry cart handler as shown in  FIG. 2  except with the stabilizers deployed in a laterally-extended position and the lifting mechanism in an extended and elevated position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the portable poultry cart handler in a condition as shown in  FIG. 1  (i.e., stabilizers and lifting mechanism in a retracted position); 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the portable poultry cart handler in a condition as shown in  FIG. 3  (i.e., stabilizers and lifting mechanism in an extended/deployed position); 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a prospective view of a base of the lifting mechanism; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the lifting mechanism along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is an elevational view of the end of a handler positioned within a narrow aisle formed by opposed rows of high density cages in a poultry house; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an elevational view of an end of a mobile poultry cart positioned essentially parallel to and adjacent the handler positioned within the narrow aisle foamed by high density cages in the poultry house; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an elevational view of the stabilizers and lifting mechanism of the handler in an extended/deployed position within the narrow aisle; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is an elevational view of a mobile poultry cart gripped and supported by the handler and being elevated to a positioned above the floor of the poultry house such that the mobile poultry cart can be positioned adjacent upper tiers of the high density cages of the poultry house lining the aisle; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is an elevational view of a mobile poultry cart gripped and supported by the handler and being lowered to the floor of the poultry house; 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is an elevational view of the stabilizers and lifting mechanism of the handler in an extended/deployed position within the narrow aisle and with mobile platforms for supporting workers adjacent upper tiers of the high density cages of the poultry house; 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is an elevational view of a mobile poultry cart gripped and supported by the handler and being elevated to a positioned above the floor of the poultry house such that the mobile poultry cart can be positioned adjacent upper tiers of the high density cages of the poultry house lining the aisle and adjacent and between a pair of mobile platforms capable of supporting workers; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a plan view showing a pair of spaced-apart platforms for supporting workers. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    A multi-tiered, multi-compartmented portable mobile poultry cart  10  is often used to transport poultry within a poultry house  12  along long narrow aisles  14  lined by rows of high density cages  16  forming a permanent structure of the poultry house  12 . For example, see cart  10  illustrated in  FIG. 9 . Typically, the mobile poultry cart  10  will have a substantially rectangular/elongate frame permitting it to pass through the narrow aisles  14  of the poultry house  12 . The frame is supported on wheels  18  so that it can be pushed/pulled manually or otherwise through the narrow aisles  14  of the poultry house  12 . The cart  10  is typically sized to hold about 150 to 200 live chickens and to weight about 600 to 800 lbs. when fully loaded. 
         [0029]    With respect to unloading fully-grown live chicken from the upper tier  20  or upper tiers of the high density cages  16 , it is conventional practice for a worker to manually climb up the side of the high density cages  16 , open the door of the upper tier  20 , grab several chicken by the neck, climb down the side of the high density cages  16 , and manually place the chicken in the mobile poultry cart  10  which is located and supported on the floor of the aisle (for instance, as shown in  FIG. 9 ). This is continued until the mobile poultry cart  10  is full. Thereafter, the mobile poultry cart  10  is wheeled down the aisle  14  and exits the poultry house to an intended destination. Another empty mobile poultry cart  10  is positioned in the aisle  14  and more chicken are removed from the high density cages  16 , including from the upper tier  20 , and this process is continued throughout the poultry house  12 . 
         [0030]    The present invention relates to a portable, mobile, self-propelled handler  22  enabling the above described poultry-unloading process to be efficiently and safely accomplished. As will be explained in greater detail below, the handler  22  has a relative elongate construction and has a relatively narrow width. For example, see the plan view of the handler  22  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The narrow end profile is necessary since the aisles of poultry houses are relatively narrow; for instance, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the width of the aisle  14  may only be slightly more than double the width of the mobile poultry cart  10 . Accordingly, the handler  22  has a length that is greater than the length of the mobile poultry cart  10  and a width that is no greater than the width of the mobile poultry cart  10 . 
         [0031]    The purpose of the handler  22  is to grip and lift the mobile poultry cart  10  as best shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  so that the cart  10  can be positioned adjacent an upper tier  20  of the high density cages  16  within a narrow aisle  14  of the poultry house  12 . In this way, a worker can climb up the structure provided by the high density cages  16 , grasp several fully-grown chicken, and place the chicken directly within the cart  10  without having to climb down the high density cages  16  and then without having to re-climb up the high density cages  16 . Rather, the worker is merely positioned adjacent the upper tiers  20  and need not climb down until the upper tiers  20  are emptied. 
         [0032]    The handler  22  as best shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 ,  8  and  9  and be placed in a compact condition in which the handler  22  provides a relatively-narrow end profile thereby permitting the portable handler  22  to be easily propelled through the narrow aisles  14  of poultry houses  12 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the handler  22  has front and rear wheels  24  and can be self-propelled via a motor, engine or the like  76  mounted on a frame  26  of the handler  22 . By way of example, a drive wheel  24   a  may be powered via drive chain  24   b  by a motor powered by gasoline or like energy source such as propane contained in a tank  78  or the like supported on the frame  26  of the handler  22 . 
         [0033]    An operator can walk behind the handler  22  as it is propelled by rotating action of the drive wheel  24   a . Controls located on a control panel (not shown) can enable the operator to control the speed and direction of movement of the handler  22  as well as other operations to be discussed. The control panel (not shown) may be mounted in a fixed position on an end of the handler  22  or may be provided as a hand held controller (not shown) tethered to the handler  22  via a wire or the like or may be a wireless remote controller (not shown). 
         [0034]    Accordingly, the handler  22  is portable and can be self-propelled to any location within the poultry house  12  and is sufficiently narrow to traverse the narrow aisles  14  of poultry houses  12 . The narrow profile of the handler  22  is also required to permit a mobile poultry cart  10  to be positioned directly and closely alongside the handler  22  and substantially parallel to the handler  22  within the aisle  14 . For example, as best shown in  FIG. 8 , when the handler  22  is an a compact condition, the handler  22  takes up about less than half of the width of the aisle  14  thereby permitting a cart  10  to be positioned on the side of the handler  22  or to be wheeled past the handler  22 . 
         [0035]    As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the elongate handler  22  has opposite ends  28  and  30 . A retractable and laterally-deployable stabilizer  32  is mounted at each end,  28  and  30 , of the handler  22 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the stabilizers  32  are in a retracted position permitting the end profile of the handler  22  to be relatively narrow as discussed above. For example, see  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
         [0036]    Each stabilizer  32  has an arm  34  that is connected to and pivots relative to the frame  26  of the handler  22  between a vertical position shown in  FIG. 2  and a horizontal position shown in  FIG. 3 . A wheel  36  is located at a free end of the arm  34  such that when the arm  34  is in an extended position as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the wheel  36  is supported on the floor of the poultry house  12 . Also, see  FIGS. 10-12 . 
         [0037]    As best illustrated by comparing the position of the stabilizers  32  shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a mobile poultry cart  10  can only be positioned adjacent and parallel to the handler  22  in the narrow aisle  14  when the stabilizers  32  are in a retracted position with the arms  34  extending upright. However, when the stabilizers  32  are extended laterally as shown in  FIG. 10  and the wheels  36  of the stabilizers  32  are supported on the floor, the handler  22  and stabilizers  32  extend almost the complete width of the narrow aisle  14  and prevent passage of a mobile poultry cart  10  past the handler  22 . 
         [0038]    The purpose of the stabilizers  32  is to stabilize and support the handler  22  on the floor of the poultry house  12  as the handler  22  lifts and elevates a mobile poultry cart  10 , for instance as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , to an elevation completely above the floor. These carts  10  are relatively heavy, especially when partly or fully loaded with fully-grown chicken, and the stabilizers  32  must prevent the handler  22  from tipping over and crashing into an adjacent row of high density cages  16 . The wheels  24  and  36  permit the handler  22  to be propelled along the aisle  14  as the cart  10  is in an elevated position. Thus, as chicken are progressively unloaded from the upper tier  20  of the high density cages  16 , the handler  22  and elevated cart  10  can be advanced along the aisle  14  via operation of the drive wheel  24   a  controlled by an operator. 
         [0039]    For purposes of extending and retracting the arms  34  of the stabilizers  32 , each stabilizer  32  can have a hydraulically or pneumatically operated cylinder or vessel  38  and piston or rod  40 . In  FIG. 2 , the rod  40  is fully retracted into the cylinder  38  and thus the  34  is caused to extend in a generally upright position. As the rod  40  is extended from the cylinder  38 , the arm  34  is caused to pivot relative to frame  26  into a laterally-extended position. For example, see  FIG. 3 . In this position, the cylinder/piston arrangement,  38  and  40 , holds the stabilizers  32  in the deployed position and prevents the stabilizer  32  from retracting until the cart  10  is intended to be lowered onto the floor. In the illustrated embodiment, a housing  80  for hydraulic valve bodies and electronic solenoids is mounted on the frame  26  of the cart-handler  22  and interconnects to the cylinder  38  via associated tubing  82 . 
         [0040]    The handler  22  also includes a cart-lifter  42  that is used to grip a mobile poultry cart  10  and then lift the cart  10  to an elevation adjacent upper tiers  20  of high density cages  16  within a narrow aisle  14 . As best shown by comparing  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the lifter  42  can be positioned in a stowed position as shown in  FIG. 4  and can be pivoted relative to the frame  26  into a position in which a gripping assembly  44  of the lifter  42  extends laterally of the handler  22  directly between the stabilizers  32 . For example, see  FIG. 5 . The significance of such positioning is best illustrated by comparing  FIGS. 9 and 10 . In  FIG. 9 , the lifter  42  is in a stowed position and permits the end profile of the handler  22  to be relatively narrow. In contrast, after a cart  10  has been positioned alongside the handler  22  within a narrow aisle  14 , the stabilizers  32  can be extended beyond both ends of the cart  10  and the lifter  42  can be pivoted such that the gripping assembly  44  extends underneath the mobile poultry cart  10  at essentially a mid-point of the cart  10 . 
         [0041]    After the gripping assembly  44  is extended to a position underneath the cart  10 , the gripping assembly can be slightly elevated to engage the underside of the cart  10  and then can be slightly retracted such that the gripping assembly  44  clamps the cart  10  between a vertically-extending free end clamping wall  46  of the gripping assembly  44  and a vertically-extending support wall  48  of the lifter  42 . For example, see  FIG. 6 . 
         [0042]    For purposes of pivoting the lifter  42  including gripping assembly  44  relative to frame  26 , a hydraulically or pneumatically operated cylinder or vessel  50  and piston or rod  52  can be used. As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the rod  52  is fully extended from the cylinder  50  and thus, the lifter  42  is caused to be located in a stowed position. However, as the rod  52  is retracted into the cylinder  50 , the lifter  42  is caused to pivot relative to frame  26  into the deployed position shown in  FIG. 5  in which the gripping assembly  44  extends laterally from the side of the handler  22 . For example, see  FIG. 3 . In this position, the cylinder/piston arrangement,  50  and  52 , holds the lifter  42  in the deployed position and prevents the lifter  42  from pivoting relative to the frame  26 . 
         [0043]    The gripping assembly  44  can also include a hydraulically or pneumatically operated cylinder or vessel  54  and piston or rod  56  to control its operation. As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the rod  56  is retracted into the cylinder vessel  54  and thus, the free end clamping-wall  46  is relatively closely spaced to the support wall  48 . However, as the rod  56  is extended from the cylinder vessel  54 , the gripping assembly  44  expands to accommodate the full width of a mobile poultry cart  10 . For example, see  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 10 . When the gripping assembly  44  is in contact with the underside of the cart  10 , the gripping assembly  44  can be caused to retract such that the base of the cart is clamped between the free end clamping wall  46  and support wall  48 . 
         [0044]    For purposes of elevating the cart  10 , the entire lifter  42  can be extended vertically upward such that the cart  10  gripped by the gripping assembly  44  is lifted to an elevated position above the floor. See  FIG. 11 . After the lifter  42  is rotated or pivoted into the deployed position as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 10 , the lifter  42  including the gripping assembly  44  can be elevated into engagement with the cart  10 . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , a hydraulically or pneumatically operated cylinder or vessel  58  and piston or rod  60  can be used to elevate the lifter  42 . For example, when the piston  60  is retracted into the vertically-extending cylinder  58 , the lifter  42  is positioned at its lowermost position enabling the lifter  42  to be pivoted to a stowed position or enabling the gripping assembly  44  to be extended underneath a mid-section of a cart  10 . However, when the piston  60  is extended from the cylinder  58 , the lifter  42  including the gripping assembly  44  is moved upwardly away from the frame  26  and floor. This lifts the cart  10  off the floor and such that the cart  10  can be elevated to a position substantially adjacent the upper tiers  20  of the high density cages  16 . See  FIGS. 3 and 11 . 
         [0045]    For purposes of further stabilizing the handler  22  during a cart-lifting operation, a sprocket wheel  62  can be mounted to an upper end  64  of the vertically-extending piston rod  60 . The sprocket wheel  64  engages a chain link  66  having opposite ends,  68  and  70 . One of the ends  68  of the chain  66  is secured to the frame  26  in a stationary position relative to the frame  26 , and the opposite end  70  is secured to the lifter  42  and moves with the lifter  42  when the lifter is raised or lowered. 
         [0046]    The lifter  42  is supported for vertical movement along a pair of stationary upright support rails  72  extending from the frame  26 . The support rails  72  define a longitudinal axis about which the support rails  72  and lifter  42  is pivoted or rotated between the stowed position and the deployed position. As the lifter  42  is moved upward along the height of the support rails  72 , the sprocket wheel  64  and chain end  70  is moved therewith. Thus, as the lifter  42  is raised and/or lowered, the sprocket wheel  64  rotates and the length of the chain  66  on opposite sides of the sprocket wheel  64  changes. However, the chain  66  remains taut throughout the movement of the lifter  42  thereby stabilizing the movement of the lifter  42  and helping support the weight of the cart  10 . 
         [0047]    As best illustrated in  FIG. 2A , a reel  74  is mounted to the upper end of piston  60  above the sprocket wheel  64 . The reel  74  carries lengths of a pair of hydraulic hoses  84  wound thereon. The hydraulic hoses  84  have ends connected to the valve/solenoid assembly  80  and ends connected to the hydraulically-operated cylinder  58 . Thus, as the lifter  42  is elevated relative to the frame  26 , the reel  74  rotates and permits additional lengths of the hydraulic hoses  84  to extend from the reel  74  and accommodate for the changing height of the lifter  42 . As the lifter  42  is lowered, the hoses  84  retract onto the reel  74  and therefore do not provide an obstacle to operation or use of the handler  22 . 
         [0048]    Thus, as explained above, the operator uses a control panel to control movement of the handler  22  along the aisle  14  and to control operation of the stabilizers  32  and lifter  42  including the gripping mechanism  44 . 
         [0049]    A method of handling carts  10  according to the present invention includes a step of positioning the handler  22  in an aisle  14  adjacent high density cages  16 . See  FIG. 8 . The handler  22  should be in a compact position permitting a cart  10  to be positioned side-by-side and parallel to the handler  22  as shown in  FIG. 9 . The stabilizers  32  can then be deployed such that they extend adjacent each end of the cart  10 , and the lifter  42  can be pivoted into a position in which the gripping assembly  44  can be extended underneath the base of the cart  10 . See  FIG. 10 . Thereafter, the lifter  42  can be slightly elevated such that the gripping assembly  44  engages the base of the cart  10 , and then the gripping assembly  44  can be slightly retracted to clamp onto the cart  10 . With the cart  10  gripped by the gripping assembly  44 , the cart  10  can then be elevated by causing the lifter  42  to be elevated relative to the frame  26  of the handler  22 . See  FIG. 11 . 
         [0050]    With the cart  10  lifted near the upper tiers  20  of the high density cages  16  of the poultry house  12 , a worker can climb to the upper tiers  20  and begin removing fully-grown poultry from the upper tiers  20  and loading the poultry into the elevated mobile poultry cart  10 . If needed, the handler  22  with the elevated cart  10  can be moved along the floor of the aisle  14  so that the cart  10  remains in close vicinity to the worker for ease in unloading/loading poultry. When the cart  10  is full, the lifter  42  can be lowered to return the cart  10  to the floor. At this point, the gripping assembly  44  can be disengaged from the cart  10  and retracted, the lifter  42  can be pivoted into a stowed position, and the stabilizers  32  can be retracted. Thereafter, the cart  10  is free to be wheeled away from the handler  22  and the next empty cart  10  can be positioned adjacent the handler  22  for subsequent lifting. 
         [0051]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 13-15 , the handler  22  can also include a pair of mobile platforms  86  that can be used to provide workers a convenient position to stand when unloading chicken from the upper tiers  20  of cages  16 . Without such platforms  86 , workers in the past have simply straddled the aisle  14  with legs spread apart with one foot on cages  16  on opposite sides of the aisle  14 . To provide greater comfort, maneuverability, and safety, the handler  22  can be equipped with at least one mobile platform  86 , preferably a pair of mobile platforms  86 , on which a worker can be supported at a desired elevation above the floor of the aisle  14 . 
         [0052]    Each work platform  86  has a set of wheels  88  or the like that ride on and are engaged to raised side edge walls  90  of feeder troughs of the cages  16 . Thus, the work platforms  86  are supported by the feeder troughs which form “rails” for the platforms  86  to ride along the length of the aisle  14 . One platform  86  can be located adjacent each of the ends of the handler  22  such that an opening  92  is provided therebetween to permit the cart  10  to be lifted between the pair of platforms  86 . One worker can be positioned on each platform  86  for simultaneously loading chicken into opposite ends of a lifted cart  10 . For ease of illustration purposes, the size of the cart  10  shown in  FIG. 15  has been reduced. However, typically the length of the cart  10  may be only slightly less than the spacing between the stabilizers  32  of the handler  22 . 
         [0053]    The work platforms  86  are connected or tethered to the handler  22  for purposes of maintaining proper spacing and for purposes of moving the work platforms  86  with the handler  22  as the handler  22  is advanced along the length of the aisle  14 . Thus, straps, bars, or the like can be used to connect the platforms  86  to the handler  22  and/or to each other. 
         [0054]    While preferred handlers/lifters and methods have been described in detail, various modifications, alternations, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the handler and method according to the present invention as defined in the appended claims.