Spreaders play a pivotal role in the efficient handling of empty containers within terminals. These critical attachments come in various types, each with its own set of technical and operational distinctions. In this blog, we delve into the different spreaders available for empty container handlers, highlighting their technical differences and operational advantages.
1.Fixed Spreader:
- Technical: Fixed spreaders feature a static design with fixed arms that maintain a consistent spread width. They are typically simpler in construction and operation.
- Operational: Fixed spreaders are well-suited for terminals with consistent container sizes and stacking configurations. They offer reliability and ease of use, making them ideal for routine operations.
The fixed spreader is rather oldfashioned and is also not the safest solution since the containers being handled are not ‘locked’.
2.Telescopic Spreader:
- Technical: Telescopic spreaders are equipped with extendable arms that can adjust the spread width to accommodate containers of varying sizes. This flexibility enhances versatility in handling different container types such as 20 foot, 30 foot, 40 foot and somtimes even 45 foot.
- Operational: Telescopic spreaders excel in terminals with a wide range of container sizes and irregular stacking patterns. They offer enhanced adaptability and efficiency, reducing the need for manual adjustments during operations.
3.Rotating Spreader:
- Technical: Rotating spreaders feature a mechanism that allows the spreader to rotate horizontally, enabling precise positioning of containers without repositioning the handler itself.
- Operational: Rotating spreaders are beneficial in terminals with limited maneuvering space or tight stacking arrangements. They facilitate efficient container placement and reduce handling time, improving overall productivity.
- Rotation can be ordered for a ‘side lift’ spreader enabling the driver to manipulate the angle of the container from the side (especially important when the premises don’t have a straight surface). This feature is called “powered pile slope”. But it can also be a ‘front lift’ spreader which is mainly utilised in a container repair environment where the repair yard is being served by the truck using this kind of spreader. The container than can be rotated lengthwise enabling the repair facilities to easily turn a container upside down in order to undertake repairs such as welding or painting a container.
4.Single box toplift Spreader:
- Technical: The toplift spreader is designed to lift one container, can be 20, 30, 40 or sometimes 45 foot, from the top by means of twistlocks
- Operational: The toplift spreader brings a high amount of safety since it’s almost impossible to make a mistake when engaing the container with the twistlocks.
- The disadvantage being that the empty container handler is only able to handle one container at the time and operating a terminal where the pavement is not so straight it can be a bit more challenging.
5.Twin-Lift Spreader:
- Technical: Twin-lift spreaders are designed to lift and transport two containers simultaneously, effectively doubling handling capacity compared to single-lift spreaders.
- Operational: Twin-lift spreaders are advantageous in high-volume terminals where maximizing throughput is paramount. They optimize space utilization and reduce handling cycles, leading to significant gains in productivity.
- Twin lift spreaders comes in quite some variaties which are very much subject to the kind of operations a terminal operators has. The main question: How precise do the drivers operate the equipment and how straight is the surface?
- We will write a blog specifically about the different kind of twin lift spreaders
In conclusion, the selection of the appropriate spreader for
an empty container handler depends on the unique requirements and challenges of
each terminal. By understanding the technical differences and operational
advantages of various spreader types, terminal managers can make informed
decisions to optimize container handling efficiency and productivity.