Bridging a gap for the DSDA
July 1st 2008 Two Combilift 4-way sideloaders
have been drafted in by the
Defence Storage and Distribution
Agency (DSDA) to work at its
Ashchurch vehicle and equipment
storage facility near Tewkesbury.
The manoeuvrability and versatility
of the C5000SL models made
them suitable for handling a very
specific and problematic type of
load – components for assembling
tank and infantry bridging.
The DSDA is an MOD agency,
and the Ashchurch facility is the
central storage depot for a variety
of bridge units waiting to undergo
repair and maintenance. The large,
bulky units were causing a
problem for the previous forklifts,
so the DSDA contacted handling
specialist Barloworld for a solution.
Barloworld has managed the
British Armed Service's entire
materials handling fleet since 2002.
About 60% of the fleet consists of
warehouse, counterbalance and
container handling equipment, but
Barloworld also supplies
equipment for more specialist
applications.
The 5t capacity Combilift SL was
selected and two diesel powered
models are now on site, dedicated
primarily to handling trackways
and other parts such as 8m long
ramps, 8 and 4m panels, and long
packs of pipes. The 4-way
capability of the 3-wheel, all-wheel
drive Combilift enables it to block
stack for instance, allowing for
increased storage in halls and
workshops. The trucks can offload
and load onto lorries if necessary.
Sgt. Kingsley Lampshire says
the trucks have made his life a lot
easier and that health and safety
procedures have improved as the
visibility from the cab is excellent. More articles from Combilift Limited: | 
