Bringing the port of Rye back to life
Rastrum Ltd take delivery of Terex Fuchs MHL360E materials handler for wharf operations
SITUATED in the ancient Cinque Port of Rye, Rastrum Ltd have brought back the hive of activity that was once familiar to this historically important community. Established almost 17 years ago, Rastrum have been a major force in the redevelopment of Rye wharf and now occupy almost 24,000 square metres of storage and office space at the facility.
With a quay over 180m in length, Rastrum are able to berth two 80m vessels simultaneously and can to handle virtually any incoming or outgoing cargo. With prospects of an increase in the amount of cargo passing through the port, the company recently invested in a newly released Terex Fuchs MHL360E-series material handler from the Blue Group.
The new E-series MHL360 has been highly specified to handle the wide variety of bagged and loose products transiting the port. To allow the machine operator to get an optimal view across and into the holds of a variety of different vessels, the MHL360E is fitted as standard with a hydraulically adjustable operator’s cabin.
Lifting the operator’s eye line to 6.10m above the ground and forward by almost 2m allows bulk cargoes to be placed into the ships hulls, negating the need for prolonged trimming of the load prior to sailing.
With an operating weight of between 43.5 and 48.8 tonnes, the MHL360E is powered by a Tier 4 Deutz diesel engine delivering 249hp (190kW) and is fitted with front-end equipment comprising a 9.7m universal boom coupled to a 7.8m dipper stick, giving a pin height and reach of 19m and a depth of 8.4m.
Stability when handling eight one-tonne bulk bags of material is of paramount importance, and the MHL360E is able to perform safely at full reach thanks to the wide stance (almost 6m x 5m) afforded by its four-point hydraulic stabilizer system, aided by a large counterweight.
Rod Chapman, managing director of Rastrum, said: ‘We are amazed at the speed and accuracy with which the Fuchs is able to perform compared to our previous handler. The machine is also very quiet, something which is important to us as we have to accommodate vessels at any time of the day or night.
‘Suffice to say, we are so happy with the performance of the MHL360E that we are already talking about taking a second machine for our operations.’
