New generation forklifts deliver productivity benefits

IT’S AN overworked adage, but its message rings true. Time is money, and better productivity lies at the heart of achieving time and cost savings. Clearly one of the motivations for SA Container Depots’ recent acquisition of two new Kalmar DRF reach stackers for its Cape Town and Port Elizabeth operations. Capable of lifting 42 tons, the machines home in on flexibility, enabling the operator to double stack at various angles up to five containers high. There are also several productivity benefits from the driver’s perspective, according to a company spokesman. “The new K machine design allows maximum driver visibility while the Spirit Delta cab provides 360% viewing. “These features make it possible for the driver to perform movements without having to get out of the cab, which significantly enhances driver efficiency.” The new machines also address the issue of downtime as a result of routine maintenance. Service intervals have been increased from 200 hours on the previous reachstacker to 500 on the Generation F. Also a key element in minimising downtime is after sales support. “Container handlers like the Generation F are highly technical machines and need to be maintained by well-qualified and experienced technicians. Non-competence in this area can cost an operator large sums of money both on machine maintenance and downtime. “Equally important is the availability of spare parts to minimise the substantial costs an operator could incur in the event of ‘out of stock’ situations, which potentially result in weeks of downtime.” Toyota Forklift has been the distributor of Kalmar products within South Africa since 1995 and currently supplies approximately 60% of the container handling market in South Africa.