FEATURE MATERIALS HANDLING & CONVEYING
PEDESTRIAN STACKER TRUCK with integral vacuum lifter
In designing custom reel handling trucks, trying to match the needs of two different systems presented challenges for Weston Handling. Its new stacker is both safe and innovative
P
edestrian stacker trucks play an essential role in modern factory logistics, transporting heavy loads into and out of production areas where forklift trucks would be cumbersome and even dangerous. Likewise, vacuum lifters are widely used to load/unload heavy and bulky items to/from the pallets that are transported by the pedestrian stackers. Award-winning British Inventor and handling consultant Stephen Weston has brought the two ideas together and developed a pedestrian stacker truck with a built-in vacuum lifter that will allow operators to not only transport pallets of goods easily but to load/ unload them anywhere with minimal physical effort. The Weston Handling Company (WHC) owned by Stephen Weston last year launched its LVretta LV reel handling trucks - a pedestrian stacker fitted with a tilting V cradle that tilts from an L to a V position to hold rolls of material securely while being transported. Designing and building the trucks from scratch in the UK (instead of importing standard stacker trucks and converting them) allowed Weston to incorporate his own ideas which led to the design and development of an innovative range of pedestrian trucks.
CUSTOM REEL HANDLING TRUCKS
“Over the past five years we have been asked by customer’s to design custom reel handling trucks including those with
However, as soon as the designs for the first Weston reel trucks were completed it became clear how flexible it was and how it could easily it could accommodate changes without losing the overall look and importantly, within the scope covered by their registered designs and patent applied for features. “It just fitted in perfectly”, continues
Weston. “The modular design of our new stacker trucks means that the mast and leg assembly is separate from the main body so we simply elongated the body casing to accommodate a vacuum pump and give additional battery capacity, lengthened the side Gull wing doors to match and then fitted a Knuckle Boom crane via a bracket that fits into the top of the mast.”
The result is a pedestrian stacker with
a swing Jib crane and lifting devise attached, mainly for roll handling,” explains Weston. “The problem we usually faced was that we were taking two completely different pieces of lifting equipment, a mobile stacker truck and a fixed crane and trying to marry the needs of one system: agility, lightness and manoeuvrability with the needs of the other: rigidity, mass and reach. Trying to find a bought-in stacker with the right specification to fit a bought in crane and lifting system and then make it work safely was a tall order.”
Its modular design means the mast and
leg assembly is separate from the main body
an integral vacuum lifting system where a single operator can load, unload and transport a heavy pallet of goods with little physical strength or strain required.
ALCs FOR AUTOMATED ORDER/RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS
Schoeller Allibert has introduced an attached lid container (ALC) specially designed to be used with automated order preparation and distribution systems. Manufactured to fit the precise dimensions required of an automated system, bumpers on the sides prevent containers piling up and jamming on conveyors, promising smoother running operations. With a reinforced base the containers remain flat to ensure close tolerances required by automated handling equipment at a lower weight, resulting in a reduction in logistical costs and their carbon footprint while wide and comfortable hand-holds ensure seamless transfers through supply chain. “With the use of sophisticated automated
handling systems now increasingly common in warehouses there is a clear need for packaging that can operate smoothly with such technology to
S10 MAY/JUNE 2015 | MATERIALS HANDLING & LOGISTICS
create a fully integrated system,” says managing director UK and Eire Danilo Oliynik. “As a result our ALCs create a positive impact on established supply chains and potential new business for clients.” The new ALCs feature an integral hinged lid with
tamper-evident seals fundamental to increased security by deterring theft of high-risk or high value goods, offering protection to the internal goods while in transit. Each has loop label attachment points and the option to have a logo and message printed on the side, making the totes extremely safe and easily distinguishable.
Schoeller Allibert T: 0121 506 0100
www.schoellerallibert.com Enter 306
ANTI-CRUSH KICK PLATE FOR SAFETY The truck is fitted with Weston’s innovative Anti-Crush Kick Plate, a tough metal skirt around the sides and back which floats on springs and is linked via several micro-switches to the Tiller Anti- Crush button. Should any part of the operator or an object become trapped, the truck stops immediately. Impressed by this safety feature, a growing list of Blue Chip customers have seen the benefits of it and are already specifying Weston pedestrian trucks with it fitted to all powered trucks ordered. Several have even asked WHC to retrofit
the system to existing pedestrian trucks. Such is the innovative nature of the Weston range of specialist materials handling solutions that the company has recently been recognised with a place alongside industry giants in the finals of the SHD Logistics Awards in the Safety category, achieving second place with Highly Commended.
Weston Handling Consultancy T: 0161 705 2444 E:
info@stephenwestonconsultancy.com www.stephenwestonconsultancy.com Enter 307
/ MATERIALSHANDLINGLOGISTICS
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