Containers with lift off: German style
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RAY SMITH Demountables Ltd, one of the leading manufacturers of swop-body systems, is now marketing in this country the Klaus Kranmobil, a West German contamer lifter that is mounted on a road vehicle.
It is already being used by the United States Army and other operators in mainland Europe to transfer containers or demountable bodies between rail and road vehicles.
The equipment is electrohydraulically operated and will contract to be within the length and width restrictions of normal vehicles so that it can be driven from one location to another.
There are several weight ratings and three models in the Klaus range, but Ray Smith is concentrating on one which can handle containers from 6,1m (20ft) to 12.2m (40ft) long and up to a maximum weight of 30.5 tonnes (30 (30 tons) gross.
It can pick up containers from either side, stack them two high (even in double rows) or carry a container on its back. All the functions are controlled by a push-button remote-control unit. The stabiliser legs automatically contact the ground when side lifts are made.
Typical cost of a Kranmobil is around £110,000. considerably less than other types of container handling equipment.