Port Technology
Breakbulk Equipment
by Meri Furmari
Although impacted by the ever-growing containerization of world cargo over the past few decades, the breakbulk sector continues to maintain a significant place in the shipping world. Drewry Shipping Consultants in London anticipates that non-containerized cargo will be 1.1 billion tons by 2020. The breakbulk industry traditionally fluctuates, but its cargoes comprise half of the volume passing through U.S. ports.
Since the supply chain is not likely to become 100 percent containerized, ports worldwide have been steadily increasing capacity and infrastructure for both the container and breakbulk industries. Today’s uneven shipping markets, rising energy costs, security regulations and shortage of skilled labor require outstanding field equipment, especially for handling the complexity of individual pieces of shipped goods.
The following manufacturers use efficient forklift technology to handle breakbulk transport:
Company: Hoist Liftruck Manufacturing
Product: P-Series RoRo
Function: Low overall height for tight cargoship confines and other space-restrictive environments. Removable counterweights give the operator multiple capacity options and allow the forklift and counterweights to be easily lifted onto a ship and reattached quickly for operation. Excellent visibility and advanced ergonomics with standard air-ride seat and fingertip electronic hydraulic controls.
Special features: The RemoteTech vehicle management system is standard and monitors all functions of the forklift. Automatically alerts operator via digital display and authorized personnel via e-mail about maintenance issues. RemoteTech can also remotely conduct diagnostics, troubleshooting and customization of some vehicle functions.
How it works: An example is the 52,000-pound forklift with a 170-inch wheelbase and 48-inch load center. It features a Cummins 8.3L diesel engine; Dana 32,000 transmission; AxleTech heavy-duty drive axle; wet-disc brakes; fully-enclosed cab with air-ride seat; removable counterweight; electronic hydraulic controls; and easy-access service points.
Clients: Ceres Terminals in Baltimore, MD
Note: Available capacities — 36,000, 52,000 and 80,000 pounds. Lead times are approximately 10-12 weeks.
Website: www.hoistlift.com
Company: Kalmar
Product: Heavy Lift Trucks (forklifts)
Function: Ergonomic and versatile, with more options such as cabin and lifting equipment configurations, three cab concepts, hydrostatic operation or a conventional gearbox, and electric, diesel or LPG power. Cummins engine or Volvo turbo with intercooler gives high power and torque from low revs. Spicer off highway hydrodynamic transmissions for smooth shifting with minimum “clutch slip.”
Special features: Spirit Delta driver environment with exceptional all-around visibility, efficient climate control, oil-cooled wet disc brakes and Terminal West design that enables operator to quickly interchange between forks and attachments. The monitoring system has armrest steering, automatic and load-sensing gear changing, an electrical servo and scale. The tilting cab permits easy service access.
Clients: Lumber/wood, pulp and paper, steel, mining, concrete, stevedoring, rental and just about anything else that is heavy.
Note: Kalmar only produces BIG forklifts that start at 11,000 pounds and go up to 110,000 pounds. For a special order, they produced a custom machine that has the Guinness World Record for forklifts with a 198,000-pound lifting capacity at a 96-inch load center.
Website: www.kalmarind-northamerica.com
Company: Taylor Machine Works Inc.
Product: Forklift Trucks from 16,000 to 120,000 pounds
Function: Designed to be the best forklift trucks available for the most demanding applications.
Special features: All welded chassis, Cummins engines, Dana-Clark transmissions, Axletech and Kessler drive axles, Parker valves and pumps, ORS O-Ring fittings in hydraulic systems. All steelwelded cab is largest on market, tilt steering wheel, sealed electrical wiring with jacket protection that is number- and color-coded. Automatic power shift and wet disc brakes are standard on new models. Hydraulic oil cooling for brakes and rest of hydraulic system; wide fin spacing on engine radiators and other coolers to resist dirt clogging; tapered roller bearings used in all steer axles and mast rollers; Canbus electrical system overhead; mast tilt cylinders on most models. Tilting cabs on some models with low-mount tilt cylinders.
How it works: Internal combustion diesel and LPG forklift trucks with pneumatic cushioned tires. Unit moves through the engine powering the transmission and drive axle. Hydraulic system for lifting forks, steering, mast tilting, side shifting of the carriage and forks, for positioning and other functions.
Clients: Dealerships located throughout North America.
Note: Making forklifts for more than 40 years, Taylor provides service support and stocks replacement parts back to 1970 products. Has ability to manufacture parts for products back to the 1960s.
Website: www.taylorbigred.com
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