In April, Combilift hosted an event at its Monaghan, Ireland, facility to introduce the 50,000-pound capacity C50,000 lift truck and the line of straddle carriers—a new product offering for the company. The C50,000 features many of the same features as the standard Combilift multi-directional forklifts except on a much larger scale. The challenge for engineering the unit was keeping it at a reasonable platform height. The size of three single wheels required for a machine of this weight would have resulted in an unworkable platform height, the company said, but by using double wheels, the platform height is only 45 inches.
Hydraulic fork positioners have also been incorporated as a standard feature to allow operators to easily shift the forks and four-wheel hydrostatic drive. Powering the unit is a 170-hp John Deere 6068 HF engine, which is a departure from Combilift's standard Kubota engine, which did not have a model large enough for the C50,000.
Key specifications for the C50,000 include a 162.25-inch maximum lift height, which reaches 236.25 inches when the mast is raised. Integrated side-shift is +/-6 inches. The unit features 10 percent gradeability, 12 mph drive speed, and 181-inch outside turning radius. The unit measures 193 inches long and 196.75 inches wide. Without working lights, the C50,000 is 126 inches tall. Overall unladen weight is 77,000 pounds.
Combilift also introduced the straddle carrier, which was developed as a cost-effective and flexible container-handling solution for distribution, shipping, and hauling companies. According to Combilift, it is a more economical option than using conventional container-handling forklifts, reach stackers, or mobile cranes to move containers and oversized loads on-site.
The standard Combilift Straddle Carrier is a three-wheel patented design model—a four-wheel option is also available—that ensures maximum stability of all three wheels. The straddle carrier design incorporates many of the same features as the Combilift four-way machines, including the hydrostatic drive and hydraulic steering, which will enable dealer networs to support the product. The design of the three-wheel model enables it to be disassembled and shipped in just one 40-foot container, reducing freight costs.
Diesel powered with an LP gas engine option, the straddle carrier features a 38.5-ton capacity. The unit is suitable to lift all standard ISO containers, and the overall dimensions can be customized to handle non-ISO containers. It also can be configured to stack containers two high. Combilift's straddle carrier features two-wheel hydrostatic drive, synchronized hydraulic steer, and front and rear independent side-shift.
Lift & Access is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
