Straddle carriers are vehicles with high ground clearance used to lift heavy loads. They can be powered by electricity or automotive engines and have four-wheel drive and steering. They are commonly used in ports and shipping yards to move containers, but also for steel billets and heavy equipment in other industries.
Straddle carriers are vehicles with a very large ground clearance that can be used to lift heavy loads. This is typically accomplished by placing the gantry under the object that needs to be lifted. For an object to be straddled like this, it must be shorter than the ground clearance of the carrier and narrower than the wheelbase. The item may then be lifted by a winch, block and tackle type device or lifting forks. Early straddle carriers were used to move lumber, although modern use is typically limited to metal objects such as shipping containers, steel billets, and heavy equipment.
The first gantry trucks appeared in the early part of the 20th century and were mainly used in the logging industry. Some early units were capable of lifting around 20 pounds (about 12,000 kg) and were powered by electricity. Many early straddle carriers had only two-wheel steering and used open cabs, if they had one. Later units used automotive engines and could lift heavier loads.
Modern straddle carriers are available in a wide variety of configurations for use in different industries. Enclosed cabs are common, and many units have heating and cooling options to make the operator more comfortable. Four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering are also common. A straddle carrier’s wheels often cannot be turned very sharply due to the presence of the object being carried, so the ability to turn all four wheels at the same time can lead to a more acceptable turning radius. Some units can lift over 100,000 pounds (45,000 kg) and move at speeds of approximately 19 mph (30 km/h).
A major use for the straddle carrier is in ports and shipping yards. Specialized carriers can ride large containers and stack them up to four units high. Some of the taller straddlers are used for this purpose, as standard shipping containers are each eight feet (about 2.4 meters) tall. These carriers can be instrumental in the logistics of moving sea containers around a port so they can be stored and loaded onto ships, trailers or trains.
Straddle carriers can also be useful in a number of other situations. Steel billets are often moved via straddle carriers, and various industries also use these vehicles to haul heavy equipment to job sites. The petrochemical industry often uses them to move heat exchangers and other bulky equipment. Any item that is too heavy or bulky to be moved by a conventional forklift or other vehicle can generally be carried by a gantry if it fits between your legs.
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