Across the board, the major fork lift manufacturers have now introduced Stage IV / Tier 4 engines in their container handling lift trucks, which can deliver up to 25% fuel saving compared with previous models. And many of the manufacturers assured us that lower fuel usage doesn’t mean a loss of performance. In fact, some have combined a new gearbox to their engines offering a fifth gear – ‘the overdrive gear’ – that reduces engine RPM by around 25-30% whilst keeping the same drive speed. In June 2015, Kalmar, part of Cargotec, unveiled its new K-Motion solution, which is a new drive train system, embedded into the programming of the Kalmar Gloria reach stacker, increasing efficiency and productivity by elevating uptime, ergonomics and safety, while reducing fuel consumption and running costs. The Kalmar K-Motion solution increases precision in both low and high drive speed modes, with the smart control system splitting the power to increase overall drive and lift efficiency. The fine-tuned joystick also delivers more precise driving. As a result, daily operations are made safer, so operators can focus on the tasks ahead and react quickly, avoiding accidents, damaged cargo and driver fatigue. As the less efficient torque converter has been replaced by hydrostatic technology, the throttle works as an actual speed throttle. The combination of hydrostatic and mechanical technologies delivers a more efficient transmission and allows for a down-sized engine. This reduces fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, giving reductions of up to 40% without compromising drive and lift power. So, expect the K-Motion solution soon to be applied to other lift trucks in their range.
Hyster
Hyster continues to play a key role in many port centric operations by offering their full range of materials handling equipment including lower capacity forklift trucks. To reduce operating costs for one of their clients, the container packing station, Packing Center Hamburg (PCH), Hyster carefully adapted their material handling equipment to its specific use. PCH currently uses Hyster H2.5 FT Advance series diesel forklift trucks, Hyster J2.5 XN Advance+ electric lift trucks and a R1.6 reach truck. To save money and energy, the trucks have been equipped with the Duramatch transmission (featured on the Fortens H2.5FT Advance+ trucks), which prevents wheel-spin when accelerating and loading or unloading. This significantly reduces friction, which saves a set of tyres at a cost of around EUR 1,500. Also a device has been installed which automatically switches off the engine if the machines are not used for a two minute period. Like all Hyster products, excellent serviceability is delivered thanks to easily accessible and intelligently designed components say the company. There is a display showing diagnostic service codes, helping to minimise downtime during routine maintenance. Reliable operation of the truck is enabled by the CANbus Communications system, which is used to manage
the electronic systems. Together with depot operator Hamburg Container Service GmbH (HCS), the Hyster Special Engineering Department (SPED) in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, also developed the ‘Checker Device’ for empty container handlers. This innovative solution supports companies by
significantly simplifying the inspection of containers and therefore helping to reduce costs. With the Hyster Checker Device, containers can be firmly locked in place at a height of 1.9m. This allows the checker to inspect the containers thoroughly for damage from all sides. The advantage of this is that the container no longer needs to be set down for inspection, cutting out a stage from the procedure and saving time, which significantly increases operation efficiency. Hyster has also introduced the 5-8 high empty container handler, which promises excellent flexibility and performance for terminal operators faced with an increasing number of empty containers. “As container slot capacity grows worldwide, an increasing number of empty containers are usually expected to fit into the same yard space, quickly,” said Chris van de Werdt, Sales Manager – Hyster Big Trucks. “The result is higher stacks, a significant increase in double handling and an extra shift a day in some cases. The new 5-8 high Hyster empty container handlers are designed and built for the operational needs at terminals looking beyond 2020,” explained van de Werdt. “They are fast and accurate delivering exceptional reliability where equipment availability is operation critical.”
Hyster offers nine different engagement system options on their new H18-23XM-12EC, designed for handling single containers or for the increasing trend of double handling. The machine will stack up to 8 containers (two on six) high and helps to reduce cycle times when loading lorries bringing
two containers down onto a truck, then lifting the top container ready for the next. It is also quick to reduce stack size when high wind speeds are expected.
“We have spreader options that can lift 20′, 40′ or 45′ on 40′ pick-up points easily and quickly, all of them designed to reduce the chance of miss-picks,” van de Werdt said. “We also deliver spreaders capable of lifting 45′ boxes at 45′ pick-up points.” Even at 8 containers high, experienced drivers have extreme confidence in the Hyster empty container handler and are always quick to recommend the machine “because they can perform better, more easily,” van de Werdt added. “They enjoy the speed of response, low noise levels in the comfortable cabin, great visibility, low centre of gravity and great manoeuvrability.”
Konecranes
In April 2015, Sweden-based Konecranes delivered two lift truck to Sri Lanka’s biggest Inland Container Depot – Ace Container terminal. Ace Container terminal is a part of Aitken Spence Logistics, which is a subsidiary of Aitken Spence, one of the largest blue-chip conglomerates in Sri Lanka. With a 15 acre site, the Sri Lankan Inland container terminal shifts and realigns containers with over 500 moves daily. To cope with the ever increasing business and the importance to cater to various trade needs, Aitken Spence Logistics awarded a contract to Konecranes for two new lift trucks – a Reach Stacker and an Empty Container Handler, at the end of last year. The machines are equipped with the latest technology like Truconnect Remote Monitoring Software. Truconnect enables Aitken Spence Logistics to track the real usage of the lift trucksthrough a remote connection. It works through a condition monitoring unit which collects operating and usage data that is then compiled into a report- accessible 24/7. “It enables them not only to track the efficiency of their fleet, but can also save time and maintenance costs in the long run,” said
Andreas Falk, Sales Director Ports and Lift trucks Middle East. “The reports contain information that will prove invaluable in efforts to improve fleet
efficiency, productivity and safety by providing information such as: total fuel consumption; average fuel consumption when the truck is running laden, empty or idling; average fuel consumption per load; top and average speed; load spectrum; travelling distance; and other parameters.” In May 2015, Konecranes delivered its 5,000th lift truck to Cargo Terminal Lehmann, owned and managed by the Hans Lehmann group, a German shipping and ports operations company. This unit was a SMV 4538 CCX4, a reachstacker especially designed for intermodal operations and with capacity to lift wagons, trailers and swap bodies up to 45 tonnes capacity at 1st rail. The machine is one of the latest C generation lift trucks and comes with an all-new Optima cabin, and complies with EU stage 4 engine regulations.
Kalmar
In August, Kalmar announced it secured important contracts to supply mobile equipment to Kazakhstan’s premier in-land dry port, KTZE – Khorgos Gateway. The first contract included two Kalmar DCT80-45E7 empty container handlers and six Kalmar DRT 450 reachstackers while another contract was for seven Kalmar TT 612d terminal tractors t
ogether with ten terminal chassis. All units are expected to be delivered by the last quarter of 2015. KTZE – Khorgos Gateway is a green-field dry port project located on the border of Kazakhstan and China. The dry port, which by its completion in 2018 will reach 580 hectares, is expected to become a significant point of economic growth throughout Kazakhstan, becoming a hub linking cargo between the East and West. In South America, Kalmar has been doing well with orders for forklift trucks. In August, the company received an order from Puerto Central S.A (PCE) in San Antonio, Chile for 24 Kalmar Ottawa T2 terminal tractors and three Kalmar
DCG160-12 forklift trucks. As part of the plan to become one of the largest container terminals in Chile, PCE is building a new multipurpose terminal with a 15m draught, allowing the port to handle Post-Panamax ships. Phase 1 of the project, which will transform Puerto Central into a multi-purpose terminal with a capacity of 1.3 million TEU, has already benefitted from the delivery of seven Kalmar E-One2 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) in July 2015. In addition, the terminal operates with eight Kalmar Ottawa terminal tractors. In the same month, Kalmar was awarded a major port equipment order from long-standing customer Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Buenaventura S.A. (SPRBun) as they gear up for growth at their operations in Terminal Especializado de Contenedores de Buenaventura S.A. (TECSA) in Buenaventura, Colombia. The order was for the delivery of 14 Kalmar E-One2 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) and six Kalmar forklift trucks. The new equipment is set to compliment an existing fleet of 26 Kalmar Ottawa terminal tractors. In September, Kalmar will deliver its 1,000th DCG90-180 forklift to Norwegian NorSea A/S. The Kalmar DCG90-180 is a mid-range forklift with a lifting capacity of 9 to 18 tonnes. The DCG90-180 carries on a bestselling tradition in what historically is Kalmar’s most successful segment,with over 10,000 forklifts sold, including its predecessors.