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Biggest-ever Earls Court equipment show
Page 44
Page 47
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by David Lowe
Pictures by Dick Ross • Labour is the greatest individual cost component of production. This premise is truly reflected in the exhibits at the International Mechanical Handling Exhibition at Earls Court which is open until May 19.
Practically every device which has been conceived to save time and labour cost in production, storage or transport operations is to be seen here. A leading manufacturer of power units for both mechanical handling equipment and commercial vehicles commented that, while the trade depression which hit both these industries is past and both are turning the corner, it is the fork-lift truck market which is showiltg the biggest upward trend at this time. A fair indication, he said, that industry is looking first to reduce labour as much as possible. Hence the array of fork-lift trucks at Earls Court which must be one of the greatest collections ever to be assembled in one place.
Lansing Bagnall has its biggest display on show, with over 30 models, while Clark Equipment Ltd is also showing a wide selection of trucks including new models in the Clarklift 500 range and a new lightweight model Clark TW, an electric three-wheeler with independent dual drive wheels and a capacity of 2000 /25001b. Lancer Boss Ltd, too, has a large variety of trucks on show inside the exhibition, the biggest being the new 2000 Series sideloader for handling 20ft containers weighing up to 20 tons. In the outside display park a 3500 Series sideloader is shown. This has a new gantry-mounted telescopic toplift attachment for handling 20ft, 30ft and 40ft ISO containers weighing up to 30 tons plus non-standard sizes in any combination.
Lorry-mounted cranes appear to be more prominent this year, with Coles Cranes Ltd exhibiting new models and NCK-Rapier Ltd also showing three newcomers.
Storage systems are to be seen in abundance, so too are conveyor. Joloda Transport Equipment Ltd is displaying its
continued from page 42
tracking system for pallet loading in both containers and van-bodied vehicles and trailers. One of the advantages of this equipment is that where very heavy single item loads are to be handled, the tracking can be extended outside the container so the load can be mounted on it and rolled into place in the container with little difficulty.
Airfix Plastics have plastic trays and containers on display for the packing, storage and distribution of a variety of products. One particularly interesting exhibit on this stand is the Ross and Bonnyman TCC cold-hold range of
containers designed to meet the ever -growing need for transporting frozen and cool foods without deterioration. The container can be used with vehicles at ambient temperatures and does away with the need for special vehicles to carry frozen foods. Glassfibre is used for the construction and cold plates are fitted to maintain low temperatures. Two models are available providing 13.88 and 15.64 cu ft of storage capacity with unit weights of 1651b and 1721b respectively.
The National Materials Handlihg Centre is holding a cost estimating competition on its stand: in this competitors have to estimate the cost per pallet for handling and storage in a typical grocery warehouse. I imagine there would be no prizes for answering "too much". Also running a competition is Lancer Boss. A prize of a trip for two to New York is waiting for the competitor who can place in order 24 productivity, safety and operational features of modern lift trucks and summarize in 50 words what factors he feels are most important when buying a truck.