Two force levels of mechanical braking for materials handling vehicles

Apparatus for controlling the braking force applied to a materials handling vehicle having at least two pairs of wheels, the method comprising

• first brake means for applying a first braking force to one pair of wheels,
• first actuating means for actuating said first brake means,
• second brake means for applying a second braking force to another pair of wheels,
• second actuating means for actuating said second brake means,
• means for sensing the speed of the vehicle,
• means for sensing a demand for the application of braking force,
• circuit means responsive to said demand sensing means for controlling the operation of said first actuating means and said second actuating means wherein one of said first and second brake means will be actuated alone when the speed of the vehicle is at or less than a predetermined speed and wherein said first and second brake means will be actuated together when the speed of the vehicle is above a predetermined speed.

Apparatus for controlling the braking force applied to a materials handling vehicle having a pair of load bearing wheels and a pair of steered wheels, the method comprising

• first brake means for applying a first braking force to said pair of load bearing wheels,
• first actuating means for actuating said first brake means,
• second brake means for applying a second braking force to said pair of steered wheels,
• second actuating means for actuating said second brake means,
• means for sensing the speed of the vehicle,
• means for sensing a demand for the application of braking force,
• circuit means responsive the said demand sensing means for controlling the operation of said first actuating means and said second actuating means whereon said first brake means will be actuated alone when the speed of the vehicle is at or less than a predetermined speed and wherein said first and second brake means will be actuated together when the speed of the vehicle is above a predetermined speed.