Liftec launches self-tipper

Liftec believes the tipper could be adapted for 30ft and even 40ft containers

Finland-based Oy Liftec AB, which recently extended its “Con­tra’ container mover range for fifth wheel terminal tractors with a 1 over 1 design, has now come up with a new mover design, which can be employed to tip a 20ft container as well as transport it.The new design uses a bottom lift system, which clamps the con­tainer at the side of the bottom corner castings.

In operation, the tractor backs the unit onto the grounded con­tainer until the lower clamps en­gage with the corner castings.The lower frame is fitted with a front vertical frame which is also equipped with clamps to engage the upper front, (ie non-door end) corner castings.

The lower frame is lifted by two hydraulic cylinders mounted be­tween the lower and upper frame. The latter frame is coupled to the tractor's fifth wheel and constitutes

the main chassis member.To tip the container, the front frame is elevated by a hydraulic cylinder while the rear of the frame pivots on special bearings. All functions are control­led by a PLC unit.

The first unit has been sup­plied to MaanrakennusAlamki Oy for operation at the Outokumpu steel mill inTornio, Finland, where it will be employed for steel scrap handling.

The basic design has been de­veloped for 20ft containers, includ­ing 9ft 6in high cubes, and the grap­ple devices can be adjusted for both ISO and 2.5m wide containers.

Maximum capacity is 30 tonnes and the maximum permitted tow­ing speed is 20 km/h. Standard 16:00-25 tyres are fitted on the sin­gle rear axle. Liftec believes that it may be possible to develop die con­cept for 30ft and possibly even 40ft containers for specific, relatively lightweight bulk com (nodi ties such as plastic granules.