Hyster® to Showcase Options for Fast, Fuel Efficient Cargo Processes at Toc 2016

Speed, cost of ownership, weighing, data and the fuel efficiency of handling equipment are just some of the topics being addressed by Hyster® at this year’s Terminal Operators Conference (TOC) in Hamburg from 14-16 June. 

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“It’s possible to make cargo handling processes more effective than ever before, from ship to port-side store,” says Rainer Marian, Big Trucks Sales Director for Hyster. “Terminals and hinterland operations can turn up the volume with less fuel, higher productivity and a better understanding and management of how handling equipment is being used.  Telemetry can make a big difference.”

Telemetry optimises port-side fleet management

“Hyster Tracker™ has already revolutionised the fleet management in a number of European ports,“ Rainer says. “Automated reporting allows effective cost calculation with the ability to track maintenance as well as measure operator and machine productivity online.“ 

Features such as fault code monitoring and impact sensing mean that repairs and maintenance can be handled effectively, while GPS tracking, hour meters and truck use reporting can provide information to help improve productivity and processes, including yard layouts.  It can restrict access and control daily checks.

Hyster Tracker™ can be factory fitted to almost any truck in the Hyster range or retrofitted to existing units. Other types and brands of equipment used in ports and terminals can also be fitted with Hyster Tracker™, such as straddle carriers, helping to increase efficiency across the full range of port operations.  

Fuel efficiency and the GOOD DESIGN™ award

“We are expecting to focus on fuel costs at TOC 2016 as terminals look ahead at what the prices may be in five to ten years, and how that will affect the running costs of machines purchased today,” explains Rainer.

Hyster has helped ports and terminals significantly reduce fuel costs thanks to the development of some of the most fuel efficient heavy duty forklifts and container handling machines on the market.  These savings were a byproduct of the company’s approach to meeting the Stage IV / Tier 4 final (T4f) emissions legislation, which all Hyster trucks above 8 tonne lift capacity now adhere to.

The latest Hyster® ReachStacker, for example, features the new Cummins QSL9 engine and Hyster technologies that are proven to offer significant fuel savings in real life applications.

“The Hyster® ReachStacker uses up to 25 percent less fuel compared to previous models. This could be more than 4 litres per hour,” confirms Rainer.  “These savings add up very quickly across a fleet, even more so when fuel price starts to rise.” 

In 2015, the Hyster® RS45-46 ReachStacker won a GOOD DESIGN™ award for its efficient engine technology and productivity enhancing design. Presented by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, GOOD DESIGN™ honours yearly achievements of extraordinary design excellence. 

The Hyster® ReachStacker has exceptional lifting speeds and provides excellent stacking capabilities up to five containers high and three rows deep. It has an on-demand cooling system and a load sensing hydraulic system that allows the engine to run at lower speeds, extending the life of hydraulic oil and components. 

Container weighing

“Container weighing using lift trucks and reachstackers is another subject we encourage operators visiting TOC to talk to Hyster about,” says Rainer, in relation to the verified gross mass (VGM) requirement for every container. “Hyster already has container weighing solutions operating in ports around the world on test and we are working to increase features to suit different applications as factory fit and retrofit to existing units. Calibration and certification are topics we expect to be discussing.”

Special engineering for efficient port and terminal handling

“The majority of our big trucks have some sort of special engineering, because every operation is different,” says Chris van de Werdt, Commercial Manager for Hyster Big Trucks. “We create solutions that efficiently overcome specific challenges and we are expecting to discuss many of these challenges at TOC Europe. For example, a recent customer needed to use one reachstacker to handle many types of loads such as standard 20ft and 40ft containers, high top/curtain containers, cargo trailers and steel coils.”

Hyster developed a solution where a unique tool changer is fitted to the Hyster® RS46-41XLS CH ReachStacker to allow easy exchange of attachments.  When a different tool is needed, the mast can simply be lowered into the required attachment.   

Another example was a method to simplify the inspection of containers in cooperation with depot operator Hamburg Container Service GmbH (HCS).  The Hyster® Application Center developed the Spreader Support System so containers can be firmly locked in place at a height of 1.9 metres allowing the checker to inspect them thoroughly for damage from all sides. The advantage of this is that the container no longer needs to be set down for inspection, saving time and significantly increasing operation efficiency.

Chris describes another application. “A stevedoring customer has cranes on the quayside with a maximum capacity of 50 tonnes, and needs a 40 tonne lift capacity forklift truck to operate inside the ships as they come in to be unloaded. The challenge was that the truck itself has a service weight of over 58 tonnes which is too heavy for their crane to lift from the quayside.”

Hyster developed a solution where the 10 tonne counterweight can be easily removed in one lift and transferred on to a ship, followed by the lift of the truck and subsequent replacement of the counterweight. 

“The system enables the customer to make use of their existing cranes and helps to ensure weighty cargo can be lifted and moved with efficiency and ease,” he says. The rugged Hyster® H40XM-12 handles general cargo and 20’ containers with fork pockets in all weathers and gives the port operator maximum flexibility from one truck. 

For applications where containers filled with loose materials need to be emptied quickly, Hyster has developed a custom container pivot attachment for a reachstacker. A recent customer needed an efficient way to empty 20ft containers of wood chips into the yard at their recycling terminal, and transfer the bulk goods from one container into another.

“The attachment is capable of pivoting containers up to 60-degrees and is designed to carry the containers off-centre to enhance the stability of the entire reachstacker so it can empty the wood chip in one simple, well-controlled and efficient movement,” he says. 

Hyster provides a full range of handling equipment suitable for ports and terminals, from ship to port-side store, and offers support globally via its network of strong partners. Hyster product managers and specialists will be on stand F20 at TOC Europe.