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Technology News (Handling)
Forklifts are an Asset for pipes
TWO Combilift 4-way forklifts are making light work of Asset International’s long loads at its plant in Newport,
South Wales. The company is a manufacturer of high density polyethylene WEHOLITE pipes, which are
used across wide ranging applications such as storm water storage, sewage treatment, landfill and highway
drainage.
Asset International supplies stock sizes of 6, 12 and 14m as well as customised products, and as it also
manufactures plastic pipe with an internal diameter of 3.5m, it was facing a number of challenges when it
came to manoeuvring finished product around its site. In a bid to make handling procedures safer and more
streamlined, production manager Graham Bennett called in experts from South Wales Industrial Equipment
(SWIE).
“We were using a counterbalance forklift to move pipes from the production facility to outside storage in the
yard,” said Mr Bennett. “As space is tight in this area the limited manoeuvrability of this truck made it com-
plicated and time consuming for drivers to get loads out of the building. We also realised that we needed a
pretty special machine to cope with our largest loads, which weigh around 9 tonnes and can be up to 25m
long. SWIE did a thorough site survey and their recommendation of the 4-way Combilift trucks has turned out
to be the ideal solution.”
The differing requirements of taking bundles of standard sized pipes from the extrusion lines and loading
the largest products onto HGVs for customer delivery have been addressed by two diesel powered Combilift
models, both of which were specified by SWIE after analysis of Asset International’s individual needs.
The dimensions of the C5,000XL model allow it to move easily around the manufacturing area, and according
to production supervisor Ben Hillman this has considerably improved operations: “The beauty of this truck is
its ability to work as a front loader as well as to travel sideways. The drivers are also very impressed with its
carousel facility and they make good use of this for optimum manoeuvrability.”
The second truck, one of Combilift’s largest products, is a C14,000 14-tonne capacity model that is capable
of lifting loads of 9,000kg at 1,900mm load centres. With 2,440mm-long forks, wedges fitted at the end of
the decks and a hydraulic fork spreader, this is a suitable solution for the stable and safe handling of Asset
International’s extreme loads.
The high ground clearance of both Combilifts make them suited for the uneven surfaces around the prem-
ises, and the robust build copes easily with 24/7 operation in a tough environment.
“Since we took delivery of the Combilifts earlier this year, we have seen benefits all round,” says Graham
Bennett. “The 4-way capability, excellent driver visibility from the cab and fewer truck movements than before
have improved safety. With a capacity of 1,000 tonnes of product to be shifted every month, the increased
speed at which we can now operate is a boost not only for us but also for our customers.”
Combilift 4-way forklifts are designed and built in Monaghan, Ireland, where the company also has its HQ and
R&D facility. The current Combilift range encompasses at least fifteen base models, with capacities ranging
from 2.5 to 25 tonnes, and with a choice of LPG, diesel or AC electric power.
Вилочные погрузчики для труб
На предприятии компании Asset International в Ньюпорте, Южный Уэллс, погрузочно-разгрузочные
работы с длинномерными изделиями выполняют два четырехходовых вилочных погрузчика компании
Combilift Ltd. Компания Asset International является производителем труб WEHOLITE из полиэтилена
высокой плотности, которые используются во многих областях, например, в системах ливневого
водоотвода, канализации, на мусорных свалках и организации стоков на автодорогах.
Компания Asset International поставляет такую продукцию длиной 6, 12 и 14 м, а также продукцию
по специальным заказам, и поскольку она изготавливает также пластмассовые трубы с внутренним
диаметром 3,5 м, то возникает целый ряд проблем с маневрированием на территории предприятия
при перевозке готовой продукции. Для повышения безопасности обработки грузов и её упорядочения