Kalmar Industries has introduced a new spreader designed specifically for reachstacker applications in the North American intermodal market. The product, which has been developed with ease of maintenance and safety in mind, can perform a variety of lifts compliant with the twistlock positioning of ISO and US domestic containers as well as side pin lift containers. The new spreader design will be distributed solely in the USA and Canada.
The new spreader includes generous tilting and levelling capabilities, thus saving time in the work cycle, as well as a maintenance-friendly design, which contributes to reduced downtime and increased productivity.
Reachstackers have become an excellent alternative for rail handling, according to Mikko Vuojolainen, Vice President Port Division, Kalmar Americas.
More and more North American intermodal terminal operators are recognising the benefits that reachstackers offer over traditional fork lift trucks. They are faster, more flexible machines, able to pick and place heavier loads across more than one rail track, he says. “Typically, intermodal operations require extremely high equipment availability, which not only sets high expectations for machine reliability but also for minimising maintenance needs. Kalmar latest generation of reachstackers and loaded container handlers feature 500-hour service intervals.
The new spreader includes generous tilting and levelling capabilities, thus saving time in the work cycle, as well as a maintenance-friendly design, which contributes to reduced downtime and increased productivity.
Reachstackers have become an excellent alternative for rail handling, according to Mikko Vuojolainen, Vice President Port Division, Kalmar Americas.
More and more North American intermodal terminal operators are recognising the benefits that reachstackers offer over traditional fork lift trucks. They are faster, more flexible machines, able to pick and place heavier loads across more than one rail track, he says. “Typically, intermodal operations require extremely high equipment availability, which not only sets high expectations for machine reliability but also for minimising maintenance needs. Kalmar latest generation of reachstackers and loaded container handlers feature 500-hour service intervals.
The new spreader can handle all 8ft to 8ft 6in wide and 8ft to 9ft 6in high containers, whether 20ft or 40ft long, as well as 45ft- and 53ft-long containers with twistlocks in standard ISO position or wide twistlock position (WTP). It has a 45-ton (100,000lbs) rated lifting capacity and offers +195 degrees / -105 degrees rotation with mechanical stops and optional +/- 25 degree electrical interlock with override feature. It also incorporates a +/- 5 degree hydraulic powered pile slope with automatic levelling feature when handling side pin lift.
According to Per Rosengren, Vice President Reachstackers, Kalmar Industries, safety was a priority in the design of the new spreader.
“Great care has been taken to make the sensors gauge contact in the various lifting positions, he explains. “The fully variable hydraulic system allows for an optional soft landing system to be activated when the spreader is 12 inches above the container roof. Moreover, the hydraulic system has special stop valves which maintain a precise and extremely safe clamping pressure on the container throughout the handling process.
Kalmar has been developing reachstackers since the 1980s and today ranks as one of the world leading manufacturers. Explains Mr Rosengren:
We focus on developing application-based solutions in the design of our reachstackers. An example is our long wheel-base DRF reachstacker, which can handle containers three rows deep. This has been designed with intermodal terminals in mind, where outreach, stability and heavy lifting capacity are all vital. The new intermodal spreader represents the next step in providing our important North American intermodal customers with the ultimate machine for their operations.
Note to editors:
Press information can be found on Kalmar website: www.kalmarind.com. Simply click on News Room to be taken to a list of recent press releases. Photographs to accompany this press releaseare also available on the Kalmar website by clicking on Press Pictures. The caption for the photographs read:
Press information can be found on Kalmar website: www.kalmarind.com. Simply click on News Room to be taken to a list of recent press releases. Photographs to accompany this press releaseare also available on the Kalmar website by clicking on Press Pictures. The caption for the photographs read:
"Kalmar's new spreader, designed specifically for North American
reachstacker applications, can perform a variety of lifts compliant with
the twistlock positioning of ISO and US domestic containers as well as
side pin lift containers."
reachstacker applications, can perform a variety of lifts compliant with
the twistlock positioning of ISO and US domestic containers as well as
side pin lift containers."
Kalmar is a global provider of container and heavy duty materials handling equipment, automation applications and related services. It is the world leading supplier of cargo handling equipment to ports, terminals and intermodal facilities.
Every fourth container or trailer transfer at terminals around the world is handled by a Kalmar machine. The company also supplies a wide range of machines to demanding industrial customers for applications as diverse as handling steel and paper to shunting road trailers at distribution hubs.
Kalmar is also leading the way in port automation applications with its application of unmanned container handling technology, on-board smart features and remote maintenance products developed in co-operation with customers and partners.
Kalmar product range is complemented by 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 1.2 billion in 2006.
Kalmar is part of Cargotec Corporation, the world's leading provider of cargo handling solutions, which are used in local transportation, terminals, ports, distribution centres, and ships. In 2006 Cargotec net sales were EUR 2.6 billion. Cargotec class B shares are listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.
Every fourth container or trailer transfer at terminals around the world is handled by a Kalmar machine. The company also supplies a wide range of machines to demanding industrial customers for applications as diverse as handling steel and paper to shunting road trailers at distribution hubs.
Kalmar is also leading the way in port automation applications with its application of unmanned container handling technology, on-board smart features and remote maintenance products developed in co-operation with customers and partners.
Kalmar product range is complemented by 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 1.2 billion in 2006.
Kalmar is part of Cargotec Corporation, the world's leading provider of cargo handling solutions, which are used in local transportation, terminals, ports, distribution centres, and ships. In 2006 Cargotec net sales were EUR 2.6 billion. Cargotec class B shares are listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.