Is the largest retailer really avoiding Crown pallet jacks? If you don't know, please don't post comments like this. I don't know myself, but I thought they used some Crown pallet jacks. Another likely reason is what you see a lot of retailers doing... buy Crown's in their high-usage DC's, then buy the cheaper trucks for "back-of-store" applications that only get used for 1-2 hours each day.

Regardless of which trucks you choose, you need to understand what expectations you have for duty-cycle and reliability, then determine if you're looking more for performance or initial cost.

I think the largest retailer in the USA seems to like Barrett pallet jacks, even though they buy a lot of Crown reach product, they seem to think it is worth it to have an added vendor relationship.
that says something to me...

Crown is by far the best US brand, they have more steel, components that can handle larger amp draws and from my experience they have out lasted anything that I have ran.

Linde the best? Maybe in Europe but in the US I will stay with the US brands with the US dealer support which Linde is still lackimg in the US.

In my opinion, the best brand in interior trucks is BT with high quality and technology.

Regards

Of course the best Walkie Stacker is made by Linde

if you go buy ITA numbers raymond and crown get about 60% of the market share. Which means 40% is split between another 14 manufactors or so.

still,komatsu!

Have you heard of 'Wilmat'. They are made in England. Their walkie trucks operate in the smallest gangways. They are heavy duty and need very little maintenance. They do not have a dealer in your area yet but could be maintained by any good flt repairer.
50% of their production go to other fork truck companies and many are rented out. Wilmat also manufacture trucks for special applications or to meet special conditions. They manufacture trucks from 300kg capacity up to 12.5tonnes, straddle stackers up to 4000kg as well as platform trucks and tow tractors. Put Wilmat into google and look at their website.

the best one RAYMOND model 8400

HYSTER/YALE has it down a very simple machine no wires from control handle wrapped around the motor to break. Small profile. Replaceable buttons on control handel.

RMG1
Comments as follows:

1. I am familiar with fast charge systems etc. But I think teh jury is still out on teh life expectancy of batteries used wit hthese systems. And since teh intial investment is high the market opportunity seems to be the large fleet users that work muliple shifts - say food processing, auto industry (but not right now) and the like.

2. My comments regarding batteries/charger were relative to the battery packs used in low lift walkies. Several customers I had that used the wet type battery pack experienced longer battery life than w/the MF packs.

johnr, that is what I used to think as well. Charger technology is changing somewhat and more is being discovered with the amount of amps being put back into the battery thereby keeping the true enemy - heat - to a minimum. I believe this is what is behind the explosion of "fast' and "opportunity" of lead acid batteries. "Fast chargers can be 4-5x the price of a regular charger while opportunity chargers are about 2x the price. Batteries for fast charge systems require extensive modification while opportunity batteries require little.

I do understand what you are saying about the Pallet pro system though - hardly an advanced charger onboard. :)

It does not mean that, what was explained to me by a GNB/Exide Tech guy is that continually opportunity charging can led to issues that result in customer dissatisfaction. I would suggest you talk to your local rep for more in site.

What batterty experts have always told me, including cell phone batteries, a battery has so many charge cycles, like 1400 - 1600 range. And every time you hook up to the charger even for a short period it counts for 1 cycle.

Thanks johnr. Why is GNB downplaying this? Does this mean their Mtce. Free Pallet Pro package cannot be be opportunity charged? Thanks!