Trelleborg’s industrial anti-vibration solutions operation has supplied anti-vibration mounts to Kalmar provider of cargo handling solutions and services to ports, terminals, distribution centers and to the heavy industry for the world’s largest reach stackers, Super Gloria, aiding it to successfully lift a record breaking 130 tonnes (more from iVT on this achievement here.)
The increased engine power required for a reach stacker to lift such significant loads causes a greater level of vibration to travel through the vehicle. To counteract this, the two Kalmar reach stackers were fitted with Trelleborg’s engine and cab suspension as well as purpose built, heavy-duty bushings for the drivetrain. The anti-vibration solutions are designed to operate with the most extreme loads, to guarantee increased operator comfort, lower noise levels and reduced maintenance.
Stefan Johansson, director, business support and product marketing, Kalmar Reachstackers and Empty Container Handlers, said, “As we grow the size and capability of our machines to meet customer demands and tackle even greater weights, our need for reliable, safe and high performance components increases too. Aside from the world record attempt, these vehicles are used day-in, day-out to lift incredible loads; one error alone could cause significant damage.
“We’ve worked with Trelleborg for a number of years and they have always delivered on safety and performance. They were the clear choice for vibration isolation solutions when building our largest machine.”
The mounts used to attenuate the increased levels of vibration on these Kalmar reach stackers needed to deliver a finite level of anti-vibration performance. In addition, the bushings had to be purpose built to suit the larger axles.
Don Farbotnik, sector sales manager, specialist vehicles, at Trelleborg’s industrial anti-vibration solutions operation, added, “The Super Glorias are so large that we couldn’t use an ordinary bushing design. Instead, a custom-built, heavy-duty bearing was supplied. This removed the unwanted vibrations from the drivetrain and also guaranteed a maintenance-free joint, as the need for oiling or greasing was removed.
“Playing a part in Kalmar’s Super Gloria reach stackers’ world record success is a great achievement for Trelleborg. We manufacture our components to the very highest performance standard, which means managing extreme loads while consistently maintaining anti-vibration capabilities. It is significant to be able to measure our products’ performance with a record breaking load of 130 tonnes.”
Kalmar’s Super Gloria reach stacker broke the world record on September 25, 2015, in Lidhult, Sweden. The vehicles will now be transported to Aviles, Spain, to lift, in tandem, heavy wind turbine sections weighing up to 260 tonnes.
December 9, 2015
