The Hyster® Special Projects Engineering Department has adapted a 40 tonne lift capacity Hyster forklift to meet the challenges of a tough stevedoring application.

“The stevedoring customer has cranes on the quayside with a maximum capacity of 50 tonnes, and needs a 40 tonne lift capacity forklift truck to operate inside the ships as they come in to be unloaded,” says Chris van der Werdt, Commercial Manager for Hyster Big Trucks. “The challenge was that the truck itself has a service weight of over 58 tonnes which is too heavy for their crane to lift from the quayside.”

Hyster developed a solution where the 10 tonne counterweight can be easily removed in one lift and transferred on to a ship, followed by the lift of the truck and subsequent replacement of the counterweight.

“This two part truck has a unique four-point locking system on the counterweight which automatically unlocks when the counterweight is lifted,” he says. “The system enables the customer to make use of their existing cranes and helps to ensure weighty cargo can be lifted and moved with efficiency and ease.”

The rugged Hyster® H40XM-12 handles general cargo and 20′ containers with fork pockets in all weathers and gives the port operator maximum flexibility from one truck. With a robust axle to provide stability and durability when handling the heaviest loads and a strong, reliable power train, this truck was well suited to this tough stevedoring application.

“Stevedoring heavy cargo can sometimes pose difficulties when it comes to efficiently loading and unloading ships,” says Chris van der Werdt, Commercial Manager for Hyster Big Trucks.

“While Hyster forklift trucks offer the toughness needed in demanding port environments, there are occasionally unique challenges like this to overcome that require the addition of industry-leading custom engineering and bespoke solutions. We work with customers and partners closely to help ensure that whatever challenge they face, we have a solution for their application,” adds Chris.

The Hyster Special Engineering Department is located at the Nijmegen plant in the Netherlands, the global centre for Hyster Big Trucks design, development and testing.