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CARGO HANDLING
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Dolly mixture proves sweet for Versa-Dol
US-based Versa-Dol Industries Once the dolly is in position, Versa-Dol’s president and
Inc recently introduced a pat- the near-end of the container is CEO, Keith E Pugh, adds, how-
ent-pending (US and PCT) lowered to the horizontal position ever, that the dolly can be posi-
self-loading transport system and secured to the tractor with tioned manually to meet standard
for empty containers that does ISO twistlocks. The container is requirements for the respective
not require use of a chassis or secured to the dolly with container lengths. For 20fts and
tilt-back/roll-back trailer. twistlocks and approved strapping. 40fts, he says, most operators po-
Versa-Dol’s one man-operated Where space is at a premium, the sition the dolly at the rear of the
M1000 system, which initially is dolly can be lowered and released at a container, with the wheels being
targeted at the ground level stor- position other than directly in front pretty much in the same position
age container market, comprises of the container and manoeuvred un- as with a typical chassis.
a road tractor fitted with a hydrau- derneath from an angle. For longer containers, the
Top: The dolly is lowered into position by the tractor-mounted boom. Middle: As
lic lifting boom and a self-pro-
When not required for containers, the
For grounding a container, the dolly is positioned, again manu-
the near end of the container is lifted by the boom, the dolly is powered underneath
pelled, hydraulically-driven 2-axle
dolly can be stowed on top of the tractor
process is reversed. The container ally, where the adjustable tandem
by remote control. Bottom: The near end of the container has been lowered onto the
dolly that is operated by remote
cab, freeing the tractor for normal road
tractor, everything has been secured and the M1000 is ready to roll
trailer duties
is lifted off the tractor by the boom units would normally be posi-
control. When not in use, the and the dolly is powered forward tioned. The dolly’s extendable
dolly is stowed by the boom on container, leaving enough clear towards the rear of the tractor as bumper/light bar provides for this
either the fifth wheel plate or space for the dolly to be lowered the far end of the container is low- capability. Under US-DOT rules,
on a secure storage rack above behind it by the boom. ered to the ground. Once the dolly an empty container can overhang
the tractor cab. The boom releases the dolly has cleared the underside of the the rear of the “trailer” by 5ft and
The system is self-reliant as it and is then extended behind it and, container, the boom lowers the near be road-legal. Versa-Dol has de-
is always with the road tractor. It via its lifting bar equipped with end of the container to the ground. signed the dolly to meet this re-
is also highly manoeuvrable and chains and hooks that are attached quirement as a minimum.
requires less space for grounding to the bottom corner castings, lifts Dolly position Pugh adds that the dolly is fit-
or picking up containers. It can the near-end of the container. As In transport mode, wheelbase re- ted with a brake and a retractable
haul any 20ft-53ft empty ISO or the container is lifted, the dolly is quirements are determined by platform with side rails that grip
US domestic container. powered underneath it towards US-DOT bridge laws, but since the container. The brake and
To illustrate how the M1000 the far end. Lifted height obvi- the M1000 is aimed at empty con- gripping action act to prevent the
works, a loading sequence is as ously depends on the length of the tainers, weight is not an issue - the dolly being “pushed forward” as
follows. Where space allows, the container (ie shorter containers are heaviest 53ft known to Versa-Dol the container is lowered onto or
tractor is positioned in front of the lifted higher than longer ones). has a tare of around 13,000 lbs. lifted off it. The gripping also
YOUR PARTNER IN TRAILER CONSTRUCTION
Product range:
· Skeletal trailers
helps ensure accurate alignment. “sidelifter” operator for loaded
· Cornerless trailers
By securing the container to container handling and transport,
· Rolltrailers
both the tractor and the dolly with and Flextran LLC, a transport
· Goosenecks
twistlocks, the system meets port company based in Atlanta (GA),
and rail terminal safety require- where Versa-Dol itself is based.
· Multi-trailer train systems
ments as well as highway rules. “So far we have bought a cou-
· Industrial trailers
ple of units and we have found
· Custom-built and special trailers
Intermodal move that they are very fast and flexible,
The M1000 is being introduced and we can get containers in and
to the intermodal market. Having out of places that were not acces-
met the twistlock safety require- sible before,” says Larry L
ment, the system has been ap- Enterline, a director of Flextran.
A future you can meet with confi dence
proved to enter and exit terminal
locations with empty containers Not space hungry
on board, and it can be used to The M1000 needs only about half
Houcon Cargo Systems b.v. move empty containers in in-ter- the space needed by a roll-back/
Houcon
Alexander Bellstraat 7, 3261 LX Oud-Beijerland
minal operations. tilt-back trailer and, as noted,
P.O. Box 1569, 3260 BB Oud-Beijerland
The Netherlands
In land transport modes, buff Versa-Dol says that it does less
Cargo
Phone: +31(0)186 - 620930, Fax: +31(0)186 - 615160
and draw forces are taken by chas- damage to surfaces and the con-
E-mail: info@houcon-group.com sis or rail cars, but the M1000 tainers as it eliminates dragging.
www.houcon-group.com
Systems
imposes some of these forces on When not in use, the only space
the containers themselves. needed is the space to park the
Versa-Dol has discussed this road tractor.
with customers. “We believe that It also offers the opportunity
since the typical container’s design to minimise deadhead runs by
+44 1372 370111
this form to
Fax
and construction has taken into mixing and matching trailer and
Available from WorldCargo News
account the weight and stresses of container loads on the same route,
a load, its construction is more without having to return to home
“Container Terminal
than adequate to stand up to the base to collect or drop off a chas-
minimal buff and draw you refer sis or semi-trailer.
Planning - A Theoretical
Name...........................................
to,” Pugh told WorldCargo News. The M-1000 system was in-
“The corners do not support vented by Herb Phillip and is be-
Approach”
...........................................................
the entire weight of the container ing developed and marketed by
Title.....................................................
as the dolly assists in spreading the Versa-Dol, which will install it on
A major study by Dr Itsuro Watanabe
load by being positioned under at a customer’s road tractor or, alter-
........................................................... least the rear 6ft (up to 11ft) of natively, supply the road tractor as
(Container System Technology)
the container and the fifth wheel well. Full operator training is also
Company ............................................
plate is under the front 3ft. provided.
This comprehensive 245 page study is an in-depth analysis of capacity constraints, productivity, selectivity
...........................................................
“The top and bottom rails and The dolly is controlled using
and flexibility of different container handling systems in terminals of different types and sizes: common-users floor construction are more than a 10-function remote keypad,
or dedicated; hub centre (transshipment and/or relay) or import/export vocation; gateway or feeder port; ...........................................................
sufficient to withstand the push/ while the lifting boom is operated
intermodal rail or truck distribution inland; with or without CFS, etc. Profusely illustrated with charts,
pull forces generated during a haul from a lever bank located just be-
figures and explanatory tables. Effects of different call patterns of containerships and dwell day regimes.
Address...............................................
since there is no load factor to hind the tractor cab.
Predictive power provided through development of queuing theories. Hundreds of detailed equations.
...........................................................
consider. Throughout the devel- “We believe the system will
opment process and many actual revolutionise the transportation of
Price: £165 or US$245 or €245 including postage and packing.
........................................................... hauls, no damage to a pulled con- empty containers in the ground
tainer has been seen.” level storage market and, over time,
a73 I enclose my cheque or bank draft for £..................US$................. This must be drawn on a UK bank.
...........................................................
Pugh adds that Versa-Dol has also the intermodal market,” said
a73 Please invoice my company - we will mail study on receipt of payment.
...........................................................
seen more container damage Pugh. “It stands alone with regard
caused by utilising a flat bed/chain to originality, functionality and
a73 Please debit my American Express a73 Visa a73 Mastercard a73 (please indicate card and currency used)
Company business ..............................
drive trailer and or a rollback/ competitiveness. “We offer a prod-
a73 a73 a73 a73 a73 a73 a73 a73 a73 a73 a73 a73 a73 a73 a73 a73 Expiry date a73 a73 a73 a73
tiltback truck, due to “dragging.” uct that promotes increased MPG
...........................................................
averages, fewer fuel-burning
Signature............................................................ Date..................................................
Good feedback deadhead runs, reduced environ-
Fax......................................................
Customers so far include Con- mental impact, virtual elimination
WCN Publishing: Northbank House, 5 Bridge Street, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8BL, UK.
tainer Mobility Canada Corp, of ground surface damage and re-
Please make payments to: WCN Publishing WCN PUBLISHING VAT No: 644 2190 53
Tel.......................................................
based in Carstairs, Alberta, which duction in raw material usage dur-
is an established Steelbro ing the manufacturing process.” a74
28 March 2009
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