Specific features were incorporated into the straddle carrier, resulting in a bespoke piece of equipment to replace the forklift/crane combination

Elliot Group Ltd has used a Combilift machine to boost safety and cost effectiveness at its Carnaby assembly plant in North East of England.

Elliot operations director Neal Andrew says an overview of the company's handling procedures identified "safety, cost and customer service" as areas to focus on.

"We previously relied on a combination of standard forklifts and mobile cranes. The cranes were very costly to hire and as they could not be used in windy weather, we were often paying for them to stand idle. This also had the knock-on effect of delayed deliveries to our customers," he explains.

The manufacturer of modular accommodation and secure storage solutions that is part of the Algeco Scotsman Group considered large container-handling forklifts but, after advice from Barloworld, Elliot chose the Combilift straddle carrier.

Specific features were incorporated into the machine, resulting in a bespoke piece of equipment to replace the forklift/crane combination.

The straddle carrier's frame and wheels are positioned on either side of the load, enabling the distance between stacked modules to be substantially reduced. The frame can be raised to varying heights, enabling the modules to be double stacked.

According to Combilift, the 30 T capacity three-wheel machine is "extremely light compared to conventional container-handling forklifts, which can weigh unladen at 70 T".

"The reduced ground pressure per wheel therefore enables easy operation on Elliot's gravel yards, causing no ruts or surface disturbance and avoids the need for costly ground reinforcement," the Irish manufacturer says.

Module sizes range from 7 to 14m (23-46 ft.) in length and those which incorporate features such as kitchens have off-centre loads. A series of adjustment bars have been fitted to the beam, offering 166 different anchoring positions, which ensures the stable lifting and transportation of all modules.

Elliot says it has saved on costs associated with crane hire and the stability of the machine has greatly reduced the risk of damage to the modules when they are being moved. Bad weather is no longer an impediment to the delivery schedule and a further benefit has been the better use of labour at the plant.

"A great deal of consultation and technical expertise have gone into the development of our machine, and Barloworld and the management and engineering team at Combilift were very receptive to our input," Andrew says.

Elliot supplies standard and bespoke single- or multi-storey buildings for lease, hire or sale. Carnaby is the largest of Elliot's four manufacturing sites in the UK, covering 27 ac. (11 ha) with an annual output of about 3,000 units.