Cooper Specialised Handling has completed the delivery and commissioning of the two largest reachstackers it has ever supplied to Maritime Transport at their Trafford Park intermodal rail terminal in Manchester.
Maritime Transport is widely recognised as the UK’s premier container logistics and transport companies operating over 2000 trucks from over 40 locations. In recent years, Maritime have become increasingly involved with rail freight and intermodal connectivity with rail terminals throughout the country.
The Sany SRSC 4540-75G are 7500mm wheelbase units which are purposely this length in order to become a jack less operation when lifting of the second rail line. The rail terminal at Trafford Park is unusual in that a crane rail sits exactly where the jacks would normally land and extends the load distance to the second rail line to 6.5 metres. The machine is capable of lifting 31 tonnes at the 6.5m without the use of lifting jacks. This also is another prime example where Sany’s unique sliding ballast assists with stability with extreme loads.
Whilst Sany do make smaller wheelbase machines with jacks and 8000mm wheelbase machines with or without jacks, Chris Barnes, Sales Director observed that a balance needed to be found. He said “Maritime knew an 8000mm wheelbase could achieve this lifting capacity but that came with 35-inch diameter tyres where tyre choice is restricted. By retaining this machine on 18.00 x 33” tyres and achieving the capacity constraints has been the balance that was required, and which has been found”. Chris continued, “Other than the wheelbase, the machines are near identical with content as the rest of the Maritime fleet and comes supplied with a Euro 5 specification Volvo engine”.
Tom Glenn, National Plant Manager for MTL said “Having tested the machine personally, the stability of the machine on the second rail line at 6500mm is really quite remarkable. The ability to complete lifts without jacks is also important as jacks do slow operations down and this time can accumulate over a working day providing our terminal efficiency for our customers”.
The two machines entered service in May 2021
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Editor’s Notes
Operating in all sectors of heavy lifting across the UK and Ireland, Cooper Specialised Handling is the exclusive UK distributor for SveTruck, RAM Spreaders, Telestack bulk material handling conveying systems and Sany mobile handling equipment, sole UK importer and exclusive distributor for Mantsinen cranes, Movella Translifters, TEC Containers and a long-term specialist in Konecranes lift trucks. The company, which celebrated 20 years in business in 2018, also has a dedicated after-sales division, Cooper Handling Solutions, which specialises in engineering support.
Independently owned, Cooper offers total solutions in both solids and bulk handling. Its customised solutions comprise high quality, high value products and reliable service for businesses operating in the most challenging heavy handling environments, including ports, freight handling, inter-modal terminals, manufacturing and other heavy lifting industries.