Straddle carrier makes light of complex task

Ferguson Modular in Kintore, Aberdeenshire, has taken delivery of a Combilift Straddle Carrier to improve safety and efficiency when loading and unloading accommodation modules.

Until the SC was in place the handling of modules was a complex logistical exercise which entailed the hiring of cranes, the completion of lifting plans and the deployment of four banksmen to ensure safe operations. The forklift/crane combination was also time consuming, taking over an hour to complete one lift. The procedure could also be delayed in the event of high winds or bad weather.

The SC has a 35t capacity and offers complete independence for the transportation of containers and similarly oversized loads. It benefits from a lower axle weight than reach stackers or container handling forklifts and is therefore suitable for operation on lightweight surfaces with no ensuing damage to yards.

Installed with assistance from Aberdeen based Gray Forklift Services, the SC enables loading/ unloading to be easily managed by just one operative in a matter of minutes. Its use has eliminated the costs associated with crane hire, and bad weather is no longer an issue.