When Kappa Kraftliner in Piteå, Sweden, was looking for five new lift trucks to handle the ever broader rolls of kraftliner that it is manufacturing, Kalmar was able to offer the best solution. The Spirit Delta Space cab, which Kalmar describes as a driving environment with optimum comfort and a high level of safety, was much appreciated by Kappa but the decisive factor proved to be the rotating driver's seat. Kappa Kraftliner operational engineer, K-G Fältmark, explains:
"We are producing increasingly broad and heavy rolls of liner and this imposes specific requirements on the trucks that we use to handle the rolls. They must be capable of lifting and transporting two rolls at a time, which considerably restricts the driver view when driving forwards. Kalmar's rotating driver's seat enables the trucks to be driven safely in reverse at normal operating speeds and is thus a crucial prerequisite for safe, fast and efficient handling."
Kappa Kraftliner, which with two paper machines produces 700,000 tonnes of kraftliner a year in Piteå, believes that the correct choice of truck is critical, noting that these machines play a key role in the production process. They are used to handle the finished products both within the warehouse and for loading trucks or trains. The five new trucks will handle around 40% of the company total production, the remainder being loaded automatically onto special trailers for onward transportation by sea.
Integrated unit for precise handling
The trucks selected by Kappa Kraftliner are Kalmar DCE 80-6s that have been developed to handle two rolls stacked one on top of the other. They are fitted with integrated clamp units manufactured by Cascade.
With these attachments, lifting is precise and always produces the correct gripping pressure. When the driver has clamped onto the rolls, he turns his entire driving seat through 180o and can thus drive the truck without his view being blocked by the load. The automatic clamp unit is also responsible for the load being positioned correctly when it is to be unloaded.
Mr Fältmark explains that all of the professional groups associated with product handling have been involved in the selection work:
"One by one, we have looked at all of the suitable models of truck on the market. We have also had close contact with other users of Kalmar's paper-handling trucks."
The trucks are diesel-powered and equipped with particle filters and catalytic exhaust purification, have a conventional drive line and have been modified to facilitate optimum handling of the wide rolls. For example, the plates that hold the rolls have been extended by 40% in order to ensure a precise and gentle grip on the rolls of kraftliner, the largest of which weigh up to 4.3 tonnes each. The current average weight of Kappa's rolls is 2.3 tonnes.
Caption
"Kalmar's rotating driver's seat enables the trucks to be driven safely in reverse at normal operating speeds. Where large loads would otherwise restrict the driver's view when running forwards, this is a crucial prerequisite for safe, fast and efficient handling."
Kalmar provides a large range of value added services such as maintenance contracts and fleet management. Production plants are situated in Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Malaysia, China and the USA. Kalmar net sales were EUR 865,4 million in 2004.
Kalmar is part of Cargotec Corporation which is the world leading provider of cargo-handling solutions for ships, ports, terminals and local distribution. Cargotec's net sales were EUR 1.9 billion in 2004. Cargotec shares are listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.