HAMMAR has refined a solution to the costly task of transporting empty or lightly-filled containers and flats without tying up large sideloaders or large, expensive prime movers.

 It’s the all-new HAMMAR 140 series, a versatile lightweight sideloader/crane ‘clip-on’ system, still with an impressive 16-tonne SWL, which works with smaller trucks and can be temporarily fitted to an existing chassis.

Following success with the concept in Australia, the first of these units are now available in New Zealand, arousing interest among transport companies.

Everyone is faced with the issue of having to move empty or lightly-filled containers, but they don’t want to use their big trucks in such loss-making roles, so now they can reduce costs by using the 140 sideloader system and increase the versatility of their operation.

An unbelievably versatile sideloader with its clip-on sub-frame, the HAMMAR 140B is easily mounted onto all kinds of vehicles, so long as they are equipped with 20’ twist locks, providing a 16-tonne SWL, making it more than capable of dealing with any empty or partly loaded container. With its onboard petrol engine each HAMMAR 140B unit is totally independent and can be remotely controlled by the driver, just like all the other HAMMAR sideloader models. The hydraulic tank and pump is mounted with the engine on the crane.

 No special tools or connections are needed for mounting the HAMMAR 140B onto a truck or chassisand the position of the cranes can be optimised using the twin corner castings spaced 200mm apart,then finely adjusted in steps of 50mm.

The complete HAMMAR can be removed from the vehicle by using the hydraulic stabiliser legs on the lifting side and the mechanical utility support legs on the opposite side, then simply lift it up and drive away. Alternatively, a forklift can also be used to lift the HAMMAR, using the forklift tyne pockets in the sub-frame. Another advantage is that the lifting side of the unit is easily changed from left to right – just back under from the other end and the lifting side is the other way around.

With its very long reach, the HAMMAR 140 is able to place empty containers outside the reach of its stabilisers, enabling drivers to easily manoeuvre into position. It has the same fast handling speed as other HAMMAR models, so jobs can be turned around quickly.

The HAMMAR 140 series is equipped with the company’s PLC-based safety and control system, ‘safety+™’, which monitors the lift cycle and ensures safe lifting at all times, including a gross load indicator with an accuracy of ± 400kg. It also allows the crane arms to be deployed before the stabilisers, enabling easy chain connection to the container before loading.

 Each crane unit consists of one crane base, one lower arm, one upper arm and three hydraulic cylinders mounted on a light weight frame of hollow beams. The arms are carried in robust low friction bearings. The cylinders are fitted with spherical hinged bearings to eliminate flexing stresses, reducing seal wear and prolonging service life.

 The HAMMAR safety+™system provides a safe working environment for operators up to a maximum weight of 16 tonnes. The cranes are built of high grade steel to minimise the unladen weight, providing maximum payload._The hydraulic directional valves and engine installation is protected with safety bars.