The forklifts built by Konecranes have a 2,800 mm wheelbase.

A bespoke solution from handling specialist Cooper SH has met the needs of busy UK seaport, the Port of Poole.

The Port of Poole faces the common challenge that although commodities are becoming larger and heavier, the need for larger capacity forklifts is compromising space in storage areas.

Cooper SH supplied Poole Harbour Commissioners with two 10 T capacity forklifts that have the same wheelbase as a traditional 8 T machine, thus increasing lift capacity - but not at the expense of the turning radii.

The forklifts, specified by Cooper SH and built by Konecranes, have a 2,800 mm (110 in.) wheelbase - a full 200 mm (8 in.) shorter than a conventional 10 T capacity machine. Stability is not compromised as additional ballast is used to compensate for length.

Cooper SH says while a previous short-wheelbase version used the standard chassis for smaller machines, the new version represents a first in having a unique chassis length and also sitting comfortably within the 8 to 10 T range.

Chris Barnes, general manager, South, for Cooper SH explains: "The 8-tonne mark is generally a watershed where many suppliers will complete their range, while others, such as SMV, start their range at 10 tonnes.

"Until now, it was believed that the two-tonne jump in capacity was also a determining factor in physical size. Whilst this remains true in respect of height and wheel size, we can reduce the machine's length yet retain capacity to 10 tonnes at 600 mm (24 in.) load centre or even, if required, 12 T at 600 mm (24 in.) centre."

Last year, Konecranes supplied 18 short-wheelbase machines to Sapa Aluminium in Sweden, rated 10 tonnes at a 1,200mm (47 in.) load centre. However, as Barnes explains, there are compromises to be made.

"Typically, SMV machines of this size will have a Volvo six-cylinder, 7 litre engine, developing 185 kw power with a corresponding transmission. This is too long for a short-wheelbase configuration so it is replaced with a Volvo 561-VE, a 5 litre, four-cylinder engine which still delivers a powerful 155 kw."

Paul Gillingham, engineering manager of the Port of Poole, says the addition of short wheelbase technology has provided the port with a new storage dimension that was not there previously. "Other than the size, the machines share all of the other idiosyncrasies of the rest of our fleet."

The two latest machines are part of a three-truck supply that brings the total Konecranes fleet at Poole to five, including 33 T and 16 T forklifts.