Paper Reel Trailer Loading Made Simple

7th November 2019

Logistics BusinessPaper Reel Trailer Loading Made Simple

To simplify the process of loading trailers with paper reels in line with industry best practice recommendations, Hyster Europe has specially optimised the J5.5XN6 electric lift truck.

“When transporting paper reels by road, it is typical industry best practice to load and position the reels down the centre line of the lorry trailer in single file to help evenly distribute weight and improve stability,” says Josie Burrell, Industry Manger for Hyster Europe.

“This would ordinarily require a 7-tonne capacity lift truck with an attachment spacer to reach over the trailer bed and handle the reel,” she continues. “However, the Hyster® J5.5XN6 lift truck with tilting carriage option and a reel clamp attachment makes all of this possible with a 5.5-tonne capacity lift truck instead.”

The electric Hyster® J5.5XN6 lift truck design extends capability in arduous paper reel handling applications more effectively than simply increasing the lift capacity. This is combined with a hydraulic tilting carriage which increases reach by 250mm at lorry bed height, ideal for efficiently loading reels onto a trailer in the correct position.

To help reduce costly potential damage to paper reels, with the truck mast on full forward tilt, the Hyster® tilting carriage option truck brings the paper reel clamp back to a horizontal level. This, combined with the stability of the extended load centre, helps the paper reels to be placed down flat, reducing damage to the edge of the reel.

A chain slack prevention valve also helps avoid wrapper damage. When the clamped load is stacked and the mast lowering function is operated, this feature prevents the mast chain from losing tension. Therefore, when the clamp attachment arms are opened, they do not slip and damage the roll wrapper.

“The right choice of attachment is key for both efficiency and damage avoidance in paper reel handling operations,” says Josie. “However, there are a number of additional options and upgrades that may help too.”

This includes environment protection features, such as a belly pan, tilt cylinder boots and a sealed drive axle to prevent the ingress of dust. Also available are camera solutions to support operator accuracy, truck-to-truck, truck-to-object and truck-to-pedestrian detection systems and Hyster® Tracker telematics for fleet management.

The agile electric Hyster® J5.5XN6 lift truck also offers space saving benefits, with a compact design and zero turn radius (ZTR) axle making it easy to manoeuvre in both the warehouse and the loading bay, and tough enough to withstand all weathers when used outdoors.

“Organisations in the paper supply chain are often keen to reduce their carbon footprint,” says Josie. “This electric lift truck offers zero emissions and a low energy performance mode option, providing an environmentally friendly solution but with no compromise on performance.”

Like the rest of the Hyster® range of lift trucks and warehouse equipment, the Hyster® J5.5XN6 forklift offers a low cost of ownership, with long service intervals, maintenance free AC traction and hoist systems and easy serviceability. Paper applications worldwide receive service and support from local Hyster distribution partners.