Kalmar Industries' reputation as a market leader in the field of heavy lift machinery manufacturing has been boosted yet again following orders for two Kalmar TRX-252 terminal tractors placed by Sea-Ro Terminal NV, a major ro-ro terminal operator in the port of Zeebrugge, Belgium.
The largest and most powerful terminal tractors in Kalmar's product range, these units are to be used to move 95-tonne StoraEnso cargo units (SECU) in the port.
Zeebrugge is the discharge point for StoraEnso's unique transport system which employs these outsize cargo units to transport paper from Gothenburg in Sweden.
While the Port of Gothenburg had acquired seven TRX-252 terminal tractors to handle these SECU containers in Sweden, Sea-Ro had used more conventional tractor units. However, following its observation of the Gothenburg operation and a trial period using a rented TRX-252 unit, it has decided that the Kalmar unit is really the only machine suited to handling such heavy containers, especially if optimal vessel turnaround times are to be achieved.
The first of Sea-Ro's new machines will be delivered from Kalmar's Tampere factory in November 2001 and the second in March 2002. In addition, Sea-Ro has also agreed with the Port of Gothenburg to acquire one of its seven identical machines.
StoraEnso has developed the SECU container concept to improve efficiency when transporting paper from Gothenburg to various ports including Zeebrugge and the TRX-252 tractors have been specially customised by Kalmar to handle the 95-tonne units.
Differing from previous Kalmar terminal tractors, the 15-tonne TRX-252 boasts an 11-litre, 246 kw diesel engine mated with a ZF 6WG-260 automatic transmission.The dimensions of the tractor have also been increased.The wheelbase is longer than usual, measuring 3.6 metres, and the fifth wheel has been designed to accommodate a 3.5-inch kingpin.
The TRX-252 tractor also benefits from a new variable displacement hydraulic system which Kalmar believes to be the most technologically advanced in use. Because the engine is loaded only when necessary, more power is available for machine operation and excessive oil recycling is no longer a problem. This effectively reduces the build up of heat and also saves on fuel.
Furthermore, the volume-controlled hydraulics ensure that lifting and lowering work can be completed faster, an important consideration when working with such heavy cargo units.
TRX-252 units are also being sold by Kalmar as tug units for multi-trailer systems (MTS) and can be supplied in different forms, either dedicated for MTS operations or still retaining the ability to work as ro-ro tractors with an elevating fifth wheel.
For further information
Please contact Kalmar Industries Communications Manager
Alternatively more information can be asked from David Cheslin at Kalmar's PR agency Dunelm Public Relations on tel: + 44 20 7480 0600 or
Note to editors:
Kalmar is a global provider of heavy duty materials handling equipment and services to ports, intermodal traffic, terminals and demanding industrial customers.
Kalmar focuses on supplying handling solutions that enable customers to operate with a high level of efficiency and reliability.Every fourth container or trailer transfer at terminals around the world is handled by a Kalmar machine.
Kalmar provides a large range of value added services such as maintenance contracts and fleet management.Nelcon and Ottawa complete the portfolio of the master brand Kalmar.Manufacturing plants are situated in Sweden (as well as the head office), in Finland, in the USA, in the Netherlands and in Estonia.
A photograph to accompany this release can be downloaded from the Dunelm PR website found at: www.dunelmpr.co.uk.
By clicking on the photo gallery icon followed by the Kalmar logo you will be taken to a selection of thumbnail images.By selecting the thumbnail image you are interested in you will be taken to a larger, downloadable image.The caption for the photograph reads:
Sea-Ro has decided that the Kalmar TRX-252 terminal tractor is the only machinesuited to handling 95-tonne StoraEnso cargo units, especially if optimal turnaround times are to be achieved.