A less frequently used method of automatic load transfer is the push or pull type. Here a vehicle with a non- powered deck or trailers positions itself in front of a fixed station which is equipped with an automatic push or pull mechanism. This mechanism will reach out to the load and push or pull it off the vehicle or trailers. This permits the vehicles to be extremely simple. This method is quite useful if the automatic load transfer is centralized because the cost of multiple load transfer points can be prohibitive. A good example of this approach would be a central storage area supporting manufacturing. Parts baskets can be loaded onto an AGVS train by a powered shuttle automatically. The train proceeds into the manufacturing area. The parts baskets are unloaded manually or by fork truck and are moved to machining centers. Parts baskets are returned to the central storage area on the AGVS train and unloaded automatically by the powered shuttle. Another possible permutation would be to have a powered device load or unload the AGV at certain locations and employ a manual approach to transferring loads at other locations in the system.
