06/12/2011
SACD DURBAN INVESTS R7.3 MILLION IN NEW EQUIPMENT
SACD Durban recently commissioned four new forklifts into operation with a combined value of R7.3 million.
The H 48XM-16CH Hyster is a 5th generation truck which builds on more than 40 years of Hyster experience, will be added to an existing fleet of four to meet the handling requirements for full import and export containers.
The H18XM-12EC, a dedicated empty container handler, has a number of new features, one of which is the Tyre Saving Axel. Tyre wear is typically the third biggest operating cost for container handling operations after labour and fuel. The new Hyster Tyre Saver Drive Axel has been designed to significantly improve tyre life and deliver major reductions in operating running costs. On a conventional dual-tyre axle the inner and outer wheels of a pair are fixed together, so that they turn at the same rate when cornering which causes some tyre drag on one of the wheels resulting in conical tyre wear. Now, with the new tyre preserving technology, a differential is mounted in the wheel ends which allows the wheels to rotate independently, this will reduce the front tyre wear by a factor of 3 and 1.5 for the rear tyres. Not only does this save on the cost of the tyres but also means less down time, plus less rubber waste means a better environmental footprint.
Another innovation, and a first in Africa, is the hydraulically operated forward and back articulation of the container engagement system which facilitates easy positioning and engagement of the spreader on the container.
The two 5.0T Nissan trucks will be deployed in export department mainly to handle Masonite and the Hulamin range of products.
SACD recently spent three months, and in excess of R1.0 million, overhauling and modernizing their 35 Ton Gantry crane. Besides the normal shot blast and paint, all the existing switchgear, thyromat drives and resistor banks were stripped out, scrapped and replaced with inverter drives. The modernization will give the crane increased reliability and enhanced maintainability by overcoming the difficulty in procuring obsolete spare parts. The new programmable logic controllers and drive systems have built-in detection and interlocks that prevent unsafe operations thus enhancing the safe operation of the crane.
These new machines will improve our productivity and reliability of service maintaining our position as leaders in the container industry in Africa.