Ocean Transport: Cranes

Ship to Shore Container Crane

Straddle Carrier for Ocean Cargo Containers

Straddle Carrier

Straddle (container) carriers are designed to lift, move and stack loaded and empty ocean freight containers. Although they are also used in railyards and truck terminals, their primary use is at ocean port container terminals.

Staddle carriers became popular in the late 1960s when the volume of container traffic grew quickly and the need to move containers efficiently in port terminals became a priority.

Characteristics

Staddle carriers have a number of unique characteristics:

1. Four- or eight-wheel models
2. Ability of multiple wheels to rotate for steering
3. Ability to move a container at greater speed than a reach stacker
4. Operator cab located as high as 40 feet (10 meters) above the ground providing excellent operator visibility
5. Ability to operate deep within rows of containers (so long as there is sufficient gap between rows)
6. The ability to lift very heavy loads (often heavier loads than most reach stackers)

Reach Stacker for Ocean Cargo Containers

Reach Stacker

Reach stackers are forkliff-like industrial trucks used to move and stack loaded and empty ocean freight containers. Reach stackers are available from a number of manufacturers and in a number of different configurations and have become common pieces of equipment in ocean and inland waterway terminals, railyards and truck terminals. They are versatile and, while more expensive than forklift trucks, are less expensive than straddle cranes.

Reach stackers are somewhat similar to fortlift trucks, but are different in a number of ways:

1. Reach stackers lift from the top of a container rather than the bottom.
2. Reach stackers have greater lift capacity than most forklift trucks. 100,000 lbs (45,360kg), vs. about 5,000 pounds (2,268kg) for a typical warehouse fork lift.
3. Reach stackers will typically stack containers to 4-, 5-, or 6-high; higher than most forklift trucks.

Characteristics

Reach stackers have a number of unique characteristics:

1. Extremely heavy ballasted base
2. Telescoping boom
3. Adjustable topspreader to accommodate different sized containers
4. Ability to rotate the container
5. Ability to sideshift the container
6. All weather cab with operator comforts

Capabilities

Reach stacker capability categories are:

1. Lift capability for 1st to 3rd tiers in 1st row.
2. Lift capacity for higher tiers in 1st row.
3. Lift capacity for various tiers in 2nd and 3rd rows.
4. Turning radius.
5. Length of telescoping boom.
6. Adjustable topspreader.
7. Rotation and sideshift capabilities.

Note: New curved boom models allow higher stacking in back rows.

Packing Symbols