Palletized Load Wrapping And Transporting Vehicle And Method

A load wrapping and transporting vehicle, comprising:

• a vehicle frame;
• a load support connected to said vehicle frame for supporting a palletized load;
• a wrapping system connected to said vehicle frame and including:
• a generally rectangular track defining a generally rectangular endless path about said load support;
• a carrier supported by said generally rectangular track and guided along said generally rectangular endless path about said load support, said carrier defining a linear path;
• a spindle rotatably supported by said carrier and guided along said linear path, said spindle supporting a roll of wrapping film;
• wherein said spindle and the roll of wrapping film are guided along a generally rectangular helical path to wrap the palletized load with film dispensed by the roll of wrapping film as said carrier is guided along said generally rectangular endless path and said spindle is guided along said linear path relative to said carrier.

A method for wrapping a palletized load, comprising the steps of:

• engaging said palletized load using a material handling vehicle having a wrapping system, said wrapping system having a spindle for guiding a roll of wrapping film along a wrapping path about said palletized load;
• transporting said palletized load toward a receiving location using said material handling vehicle;
• determining a motion parameter of said material handling vehicle while transporting said palletized load;
• and
• displacing said spindle to guide said roll of wrapping film along said wrapping path and wrap said palletized load with film dispensed by said roll of wrapping film while transporting said palletized load if said motion parameter is within a predetermined range, and inhibiting said spindle from guiding said roll of wrapping film along said wrapping path and wrapping said palletized load while transporting said palletized load if said motion parameter is not within said predetermined range.