The Bristol Port Company has sealed a one million pound contract with Cooper Specialised Handling to supply it with four 45-tonne, customised reach stackers from Konecranes. Cooper SH, the UK distributor for lift equipment manufacturer Konecranes, won the five-year deal which involves low maintenance and fuel saving technologies.
The trucks feature an Eco Drive system – a fuel measuring tool which stores data particular to individual drivers. The system can help managers pinpoint which particular driving styles are causing excessive use of fuel, in turn identifying whether drivers need more training, and where fuel can be saved.
Rory Fitzgerald, general manager, operations, Bristol Port, said: “With the use of low maintenance technology we can save up to 30 per cent on servicing, plus the load sensing hydraulics can save us an extra 15 to 30 per cent on fuel consumption.”
An auto transit function fitted inside the cab helps safeguard against wear and tear by detecting the best boom position for a load. If the boom is extended too far when lifting a load, the weight of the container will force the truck to tip, putting strain on the tyres.
Although the capital cost of Konecranes trucks is higher than others on the market, they boast a better total cost of ownership. Tests conducted by Cooper SH showed that over a period of 1,200 hours, fuel costs on the Konecranes trucks were up to 40 per cent less than several of its competitors. It also boasts a higher residual value.
Konecranes dominates 70 to 80 per cent of the UK reach stacker market. Despite the downturn the container handling market has remained steady. Björn Fritzell, product director, Konecranes, said: “Big investments are being made in container terminals and this is not likely to drop.” However short-term rentals are becoming more popular.
