pic: Recycle Rush Re-design Part 2

[Ari423]

Originally Posted by GeeTwo

That would make it even better on several counts - fewer than half as many lifts, as well as a lighter peak lift. The lift would have to be more than 25", however. Each six-stack would involve lifting 6 totes about 30", which is much less than lifting 15 totes 25". With a bit of optimization and some sensors, I estimate that five six-stacks would take about 3 gallons, or 3 six-stacks would need about 2 gallons of tank.

I think you're misunderstanding what I'm suggesting. The bottom of the piston's travel would be at the lip of the second tote on the stack. The piston would then travel up so the bottom of the second tote would just clear the top of the chute. Granted this is more than 25" of travel, but it's 12" less than it would be otherwise, you have to lift one less tote per 6 stack, and you only ever have to lift 4 totes at a time instead of 5. Therefore, since air consumption is lift force * lift height, you can decrease both lift force and height for an overall decrease in air consumption.