Streamlined handling for steel fabricator
February 1st 2009 At BHC's steel fabrication
facility in Lanarkshire,
cumbersome sideloaders and
telehandlers struggled to
keep up with growth. When
the firm, one of Scotland's
largest structural steelwork
fabricators, wanted to
expand steel production to
600 tonnes per week,
Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks'
dealer, Douglas Gillespie
Plant (DGP), was approached
for a time and space-saving
solution.
"The customer was looking
to maximise efficiency and
minimise downtime during
work days lasting 18 hours,"
explains DGP's sales
manager, Brian Docherty. "To
achieve this, the new fleet
had to be reliable, rugged,
low maintenance and easy to
manoeuvre."
Working with the
customer, DGP decided the
best way to feed the busy
production line would be a
package of four diesel
counterbalance trucks: two
Mitsubishi 4 tonne FD40Ks
and two 5 tonne FD50Ks.
Low emissions and noise
levels make them suitable for
working in the factory, as
well as the loading area
outside.
To maximise performance,
some of the trucks were
modified. Fitted cabins allow
drivers to work indoors and
outdoors in comfort. A wide
carriage and twin wheels
have been added to one 5
tonne truck so the weight of
long, heavy pieces of steel
can be safely spread. More articles from Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks UK: | 
