Kalmar Industries AB (™:KALMAR, pronounced: Kalmar) is a Swedish manufacturer of material handling equipment. The history of the formation and development of the famous manufacturer of loading equipment, Kalmar, has already crossed the century mark. Kalmar has manufacturing plants in Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Malaysia, China and the USA, more than 10 of its own equipment sales companies and over 150 dealers around the world.
In 2007, Kalmar Industries joined the international holding corporation Cargotec (pronounced Kargotek). This is an international logistics company - a world leader in the market of equipment for processing and moving cargo. Cargotec comprises three brands: Kalmar, Hiab and MacGREGOR. In 2007, Cargotec's net revenues amounted to 3.018 billion Euros.
Products manufactured under the Kalmar brand include a wide range of forklifts and gantry cranes designed to operate in a variety of conditions.
Reach stackers – loaders for container handling (Part 5)
Most manufacturers focus their production programs on universal high-capacity reach stackers, designed primarily for handling loaded containers.
The reason for the interest in these productive machines is the reorganization of logistics chains in the world: for forwarders, targeted door-to-door delivery of goods by road transport is becoming of great importance, and traditional warehouse equipment used in ports and terminals is poorly suited for handling such specific transport units, such as loaded car trailers and semi-trailers. In this case, reach stackers become almost the main means for processing target cargo at intermodal terminals, where transit trailers often account for up to 30% of cargo turnover.
Kalmar
The Swedish company Kalmar Industries AB has been producing reach stackers since 1985 and is a global manufacturer of equipment for cargo handling in ports, intermodal terminals and industrial facilities. Every fourth container or trailer in terminals around the world is processed by the company's machines. Kalmar Industries factories are located in Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands and the USA, and equipment is operated in more than 140 countries around the world.
The basis for the production of Kalmar reach stackers was the company's extensive experience in the production of equipment for marine and railway terminals over the past century. At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, the Finnish Sisu and Valmet, which also established themselves as manufacturers of high-quality loading equipment, joined the company. After the merger, the combined efforts of professionals quickly updated and modified the reach stacker production program, and today it is represented by three model ranges: reach stackers for handling empty containers, reach stackers of the ContMaster DRS series and ContChamp DRF series for reloading loaded containers.
The series for handling empty 20- and 40-foot containers includes two models: DRD100-52S6 and DRD100-52S8. The design of these machines has been developed around a reach stacker for loaded containers, which provides superior performance characteristics such as excellent stability and visibility for stacking containers at high heights (up to eight containers high in the 1st row, seven in the 2nd row and six – in the 3rd). Both models are equipped with a spreader with +195° rotation. –105°, ±1000mm side shift and ±5° controlled tilt.
Reach stackers of the ContMaster series represent an improved generation of Sisu reach stackers, maximally standardized for operational needs, and are represented by models DRS4527-S5 and DRS4531-S5 with a lifting capacity of up to 45 tons in the 1st row and 27/31 tons in the 2nd. Both models have the same chassis (overall dimensions 4160x6050x11,700 mm), a comfortable and ergonomic cabin equipped with a hydraulic length-shift device, a powerful power transmission with 330-horsepower Cummins QSM11 (Tier III) turbodiesels, an electronic control system (CAN-bus), convenient access for servicing. These models have proven themselves well among users as machines that cope with all aspects of the work cycle at extremely low operating costs, and are in constantly high demand.
Reach stackers of the ContChamp series are more optional, equipped with the latest generation electronics with the possibility of installing additional electronic equipment and subsequent upgrades and are presented in a fairly large assortment (16 models) - with a wide choice of wheelbases, which allows them to best meet the high criteria of load capacity, maneuverability and operational efficiency.
The basis of the production program - the most popular series - are the “semi-heavy” models DRF420-60S5 and DRF450-60S5 (operating weight - 64,500 kg and 66,400 kg, load capacity in the 1st row - 42 and 45 tons, in the 2nd row - 25 and 27 t), which Kalmar has produced since 2002. They are designed to handle medium-tonnage containers at small and medium-sized multi-purpose terminals.
For higher lifting capacity requirements (for handling loaded containers in the 2nd and 3rd rows), Kalmar offers heavier models equipped with support jacks, such as the DRF450-70S5XS or DRF450-75SXS (curb weight 79,300 and 82,100 kg, load capacity 45 t in the 1st row, 41/45 t in the 2nd row and 31/34 t in the 3rd row). It is advisable to use both machines for transshipment of car trailers or reloading containers from railway platforms located on the second track. The load capacity of the “heaviest” reach stackers (operating weight is more than 100 tons) is 45 tons in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd row. All models in this series are equipped with a 330-horsepower Volvo TAD1250VE (Tier III) engine and, in addition to the spreader, can be supplied with other attachments.
Kalmar forklifts - heavy duty container handling equipment
It is difficult to find a country where loaders, reach stackers, stackers and other equipment for moving heavy loads from a manufacturer such as Kalmar are not used. Loading and unloading containers, stacking them, working with cargo at various industrial enterprises and in construction, in ports and cargo terminals - these machines are used everywhere, and reliability, productivity and ease of use are the manufacturer’s signature feature.
Advantages
- Big power in small size. The loader engines have great power, but at the same time, engineers and designers did not forget about compactness - the machines are small and suitable for work in small warehouses.
- Low noise level. Diesel forklifts emit very few harmful substances during operation and make virtually no noise, which is very important when working in small warehouses with poor ventilation.
- Variety of models. Diesel engines are installed on all loaders at the request of the client. If you work with food or in a room with poor ventilation, then there are models with an electric motor and a gas engine for you.
- Quick battery replacement. A special system allows you to quickly replace the battery, reducing downtime by 2 times compared to most competing models.
Loaders Kalmar
The company has been manufacturing a variety of machines such as reach stackers, stackers, and forklifts for more than 100 years. Its products have long been recognized as extremely reliable, productive equipment.
The company uses power units, transmissions, and other components produced by well-known and long-established companies, such as Volvo, Perkins, Cummins, ZF and others.
Kalmar uses 3 types of cabins in its models:
- Spirit Delta. One of the best cabins, ergonomic, with a large glass area. The front, rear and top windows are equipped with windshield wipers. There is enough space in the cabin to install additional equipment necessary for work.
- Spirit Delta Space. A further development of the previous cabin, which provides the ability to rotate the operator’s chair in the desired direction, and the steering wheel and operating tool controls installed on a special platform rotate with the chair.
- Flex Cab/Flex Guard. An alternative approach to cabin design. Flex Cab allows you to easily remove all or part of the panels, turning the cab into an open cab. Flex Guard, on the contrary, is initially open, and has only a frame on which doors, windows, etc. are hung, which will allow you to turn it into a completely closed one.
The company installs an electronic system of its own design on its equipment, which controls the operation of all components and systems of the machine. The dashboard-mounted display provides the necessary information. The interface is simple, to ensure that the data displayed on the screen is understandable to everyone, the use of text information is minimized and digital data and icons are used as much as possible.
SMV
A distinctive feature of the production of this Swedish company is the complete absence of complaints about cracks in the chassis frames, which are traditionally the weak point of container loaders. The frame of this brand is made using a unique technology - from a welded box profile with reinforcement of the lower and upper surfaces. In addition, SMV is the first warehouse equipment manufacturer to use axial piston pumps.
Reach stackers
The Kalmar brand produces a large number of loaders (reach stackers) designed for handling containers in ports and railway stations, and for work in industrial enterprises. The models allow you to operate containers located in several rows, as well as load or unload them from railway platforms located on 2 parallel tracks.
Photo of reach stacker kalmar DRF450-60S5
Peculiarities
Buyers are offered 2 series of reach stackers:
- 10-ton DRF 100. This series includes 2 models, the main difference of which is the boom length: the S6 model has a two-section boom, the length of which is enough to stack 6 standard containers; the S8 model uses a three-section boom, capable of placing 8 containers. This series is primarily designed to work with empty containers.
- 42-45 tons. A large number of models are offered in two modifications: “L” - a simplified model focused on everyday use, and “S” - characterized by a larger load capacity, high speed of lifting/lowering the load and a large number of available options.
The driver's working conditions are comfortable, the air-conditioned cabin is vibration-isolated from the vehicle body, protected from the penetration of excessive noise, the front, rear and top windows have windshield wipers. The installed display provides all the necessary information about the operation of the loader. The operating mechanisms are controlled by a joystick.
Specifications
Technical characteristics of squid reachstackers table. 1:
Prices
Kalmar forklifts are in great demand, they are reliable and perform their functions perfectly, so their cost always remains high.
A used forklift with a lifting capacity of up to 20 tons, depending on the operating hours, will cost 1,500,000–4,000,000 rubles. The spread is large and depends not only on objective factors (year of manufacture, number of hours worked, condition), but also on the “greed” of the seller.
“More serious” models, which can easily handle loads of 50 tons, cost from 3 million.
New loaders with a lifting capacity of 5 to 9 tons, depending on the model, will cost 4,000,000–6,000,000 rubles. Their older brothers are significantly more expensive. To purchase a loader with a lifting capacity of 30-40 tons you will need at least 10,000,000 rubles.
Characteristics of the model range
The company produces various equipment for loading operations: forklifts, stackers, forklifts, reach stackers. When assembling the structure, mechanisms from the following companies are used: Volvo, ZF, Perkins and others. When manufacturing a hydraulic system, a minimum number of adapters and connections is used. The cabin has excellent visibility, a high level of ergonomics and comfort. Therefore, cars are popular in many countries.
Kalmar loader has 3 types of cabins:
- Spirit Delta is a high-class ergonomic cabin with great visibility. There is a lot of space in the cabin for placing instruments.
- Spirit Delta Space is an improved cabin with the ability to rotate the seat in any direction. The adjustment controls and steering wheel are located on the platform and rotate with the seat.
- Flex Cab - With this design, all panels can be easily removed, turning the cab into an open version.
- Flex Guard is an open cabin, consisting of a frame on which doors and windows are hung and converted into a closed version.
Reach stackers
The Kalmar brand produces a large number of loaders (reach stackers) designed for handling containers in ports and railway stations, and for work in industrial enterprises. The models allow you to operate containers located in several rows, as well as load or unload them from railway platforms located on 2 parallel tracks.
Photo of reach stacker kalmar DRF450-60S5
Peculiarities
Buyers are offered 2 series of reach stackers:
- 10-ton DRF 100. This series includes 2 models, the main difference of which is the boom length: the S6 model has a two-section boom, the length of which is enough to stack 6 standard containers; the S8 model uses a three-section boom, capable of placing 8 containers. This series is primarily designed to work with empty containers.
- 42-45 tons. A large number of models are offered in two modifications: “L” - a simplified model focused on everyday use, and “S” - characterized by a larger load capacity, high speed of lifting/lowering the load and a large number of available options.
All machines are highly maneuverable; the installed rotary spreader allows you to grab the container at any angle, as well as transport it by holding it longitudinally, which allows you to easily drive through narrow passages, through gates, and into hangars.
The driver's working conditions are comfortable, the air-conditioned cabin is vibration-isolated from the vehicle body, protected from the penetration of excessive noise, the front, rear and top windows have windshield wipers. The installed display provides all the necessary information about the operation of the loader. The operating mechanisms are controlled by a joystick.
Specifications
Technical characteristics of squid reachstackers table. 1:
Technical characteristics of squid reachstackers table. 2:
The video shows the Kalmar reachstacker in action:
Forklifts
Kalmar produces both light loaders for handling loads from 6 tons, and heavy models that handle loads weighing tens of tons.
Photo of forklift Kalmar DCE120-60
Peculiarities
All models use engines with reduced noise, fuel consumption, and harmful exhaust emissions. High reliability and durability are achieved by the fact that during development the company builds a loader from several large units, for example, the engine, transmission, brakes are such a single unit, and special attention is paid to the efficiency of the engine.
Many models allow you to install different cabins, as well as retrofit the equipment with a large number of various additional equipment.
Light-duty forklift models can be produced in “HM” modifications using a hydrostatic transmission with mechanical control or “HE” - in this case, electronic control.
Models with a lifting capacity of 20-25 tons have modifications with a low “LB” arrangement. Models with a lifting capacity of 37-45 tons can be equipped with a high-mounted “CS” cabin.
Peculiarities
Targeting large loads is one of the main features of Kalmar loaders. At the same time, the machines are compact and economical: the engines need little fuel to operate, and engineers managed to significantly increase service intervals, allowing Kalmar owners to save on maintenance. For example, the service interval for models with a load capacity of 9–18 tons is 500 operating hours.
The company pays great attention to electronics. The operator's cabin has a display that displays all the necessary and important information for the job.
