By: Loni Prinsloo

Published: 1 Aug 08 - 0:00

Rough-terrain equipment specialist Manitou has announced its appointment as the distributor for automotive company Ferrari’s container handling products in Southern Africa.

Manitou South Africa MD Lindsay Shankland says the range offers features to meet all customer requirements and includes six main handlers.

“The straddle carrier is equipped with a controller area network (Can) serial bus system and known for its abilities in the handling of containers,” says Shankland. It also contains hydraulic motors inside the wheel hubs, has rubber-type suspension and electronic steering control.

The container runner is also Can-bus integrated, and contains a telescopic spreader with 40-t capacity. The container runner is available with twin-lift configuration. It showcases heavy equipment specialist Kessler’s wheel hubs and drive and control company Rexroth’s hydraulics.

Shankland says the high performer in the range is the empty-container handling masted forklift. The forklift has a carrying capacity between 8 t and 18 t. It is able to stack up to 8 m high. “It is able to operate in narrow ter-minals, performs end-on stacking, has good fork handling and has double stacking capabilities,” she comments.

Moreover, Shankland adds that the new-generation forklift truck is able to carry between 10 t and 45 t and has Can-bus technology to reduce cabling. Its hydraulic system is based on a variable displacement pump-technology system and a load-sensing distributor to reduce machine energy consumption. The truck incorporates a standard overloading and tipping-over safety device to guarantee increased performance and operator safety.

“In terms of speed, the reach stacker is one of the fastest machines in the industry,” says Shankland. The machine’s increased lift and lowering speeds are a result of powerful variable displacement pumps. “The stackers offer increased visibility and operator space, and are environment friendly. “They have low carbon and noise emissions owing to a new management system. The stackers also boast low fuel consumption and increased operator comfort and ergonomics.”

The tow Tractor FYT 181 and 230 are equipped with Cummins engines and ZF/Allison transmissions, which are controlled with full Can-bus capability. Some of the tractor’s features include easy access and maintenance, extra-wide glass surfaces for high visibility, enhanced safety, low fuel consumption and full vehicle diagnostics.

The heavy-duty tractors in the range are designed to work in the toughest terminals around the world and their modular construction can accommodate any customer requirements. They also have nine differ- ent cabin configurations, 12 different power stations and a 430-mm or 1 000-mm lifting stroke.

The Ferrari group has the largest portfolio of diesel-powered container handling equipment for port and con-tainer yard operation.

Shankland concludes that the Ferrari range is ISO 9001 certified and the reliability of its products is attributed to first-class manufacturing facilities.