July 31 - During an event at its factory near Verona, Italy, Containerhandling Equipment & Solutions (CES) presented its new heavy-duty reachstacker, the VRS-K, which boasts a lifting capacity of 150 tonnes.
CES is to deliver two of the brand new reachstackers to Scottish wind turbine tower manufacturer CS Wind's offshore tower manufacturing facility in Campbeltown, which was developed as the result of a multi-million dollar investment from Dong Energy.
CS Wind will put the new 150-tonne capacity machines to use in the handling of wind tower components at its UK factory.
The new reachstacker forms part of CES' heavy-duty series, which offers a maximum load capacity ranging from 125 to 250 tonnes.
According to Nicolas Huthloff, managing director of CES Group, the new reachstacker is an industry first, not just due to its high lifting capacity but also its variable telescopic wheelbase, which allows for up to seven different wheelbases and capacities in one machine.
In addition, CES' new heavy-duty reachstacker has a modular design consisting of easy exchangeable power and supply boxes on the side of the machine.
Huthloff explained to visitors at the factory in Verona that it is also possible to quickly and easily change the attachments on the new versatile reachstacker.
Spotting a niche in the market, Huthloff said that he believes significant cost savings can be made by using the VRS-K reachstacker in both the lifting and transport of heavy lift cargoes, compared with current methods involving self-propelled modular transporters (SPMT) and crawler cranes.
Although the first units are intended for use in the offshore wind industry, Huthloff told HLPFI that CES believes the reachstacker could revolutionise a number of other heavy industries, including the oil and gas sector.
The Germany-headquartered company also manufactures a number of other specialist reachstackers for use in the bulk and container handling businesses.
