With our previous blog we dove into the world of different spreaders for empty container handler. Now we would like to look more specifically into the world of double box spreaders and the types available for this kind of truck. The possibilities are quite wide, but it is essential to know about what suits your operators, and operators!, best!
There’s a few reasons for utilising a (masted) empty container handler opposed to using a reachstacker. The most important ones are:
- Investment costs: the investment in an empty container handler is lower compared to buying a reachstacker. The initial investment is about 30% less.
- Efficiency: in a high density empty container yard the ECH is able to handle containers stacks up to 8 containers high!
- Double handling: in the case of having to ‘dig out’ specific containers from a stack having a double box spreader enables the operator to handle two containers in one handling. Making it 50% more efficient when handling stacks.
In today’s news letter we would like to explain more about the ‘double box’ spreaders in the world of empty container handling. The majority of all ECH’s in the marketplace are equipped with the, well known, ‘hook and side clamp’ spreader. However there’s more in the marketplace!
We have used ELME spreader AB from Sweden as an example since ELME has been quite groundbreaking in this industry!
Hook and side clamp
This spreader is based on the ‘old’ frame spreaders. In the old days there used to be two frames: one being 20 foot and the other being 40 foot. Not the most efficient way to handle containers since you had to change frames every time a different seize was coming along. The hook and side clamp is based on this principle, but has the ability to use a telescopic cylinder to extend the spreader to 40 foot and back to 20 foot positions. The side clamps also came along in order to secure the containers properly and avoid them falling out of the spreader.
Hook and wedge (forelock)
This spreader is actually a further development on the hook and side clamp spreader. The hook and sideclamp spreader as such is not able to lock a 45 foot container since the sideclamps will not be able to close. Doesn’t mean the hook and sideclamp spreader cannot handle 45 foot containers, but it will put the equipment and the driver into a situation of danger.The forelock spreader is able to handle 45 foot and lock the container since it has a wedge under the hook that is inserted when locking the containers. The wedge tightens the hook inside the corner casting making sure the container is in a locked position when driving the truck.
Horizontal Twistlock
The horizontal twistlock spreader is a development that started in the Netherlands. The handling of empty tank containers needed a solution that was cheaper than utilising empty container reachstackers or laden reachstackers. The horizontal twistlocks is a combination of the sidelift (since handling is done from the side) and toplift spreader (since it has twistlocks to engage the container). The twistlock spreader makes it possible to also handle 45 foot containers on the 40 foot position and still lock the containers being handled. Only disadvantage being that the surface on the terminal has to rather straight and, even more important, the drivers need to be well aware that they have to make sure to first lock and lift the containers before taking or making any curves. The twistlocks might bend when doing this wrongly leaving the terminal operator with quite some costs for having to replace the twistlocks.
We sincerely hope we have been able to give you a better insight on the possibilities with double box empty container handling spreaders.
Please contact us in case you have any queries related to buying or selling empty container handlers! We are always happy to help!