Container forklifts and reach stackers - the giants

Find out everything you need to know about the most important stacker models, their application fields, and their advantages and disadvantages.

Profile: Loading ISO containers up to three rows, load capacity of up to 50t, very high vehicle weight, designed for use in harbors and terminals.

Container forklifts and reach stackers are designed to load ISO containers used in shipping, the railway sector and on tractor trailers. In contrast to a forklift, where the load is supported by the forks and lifted from the bottom, container handlers have a so-called container spreader used to grip the container from above. The container spreader is attached to a boom and is similar to a frame - the so-called spreader - that is adjustable to different container sizes and grips the corner fittings of the container like a pair of tongs.

Container stackers and reach stackers differ both in their design and in their applications. Container stackers have a lift mast and may only be ale to stack containers in the first row depending on their construction. To do so, they weigh around 70t to act as a counterweight and ensure the necessary stability. There are empty container stackers with up to approx. 10t load capacity, and full container stackers with a load capacity of up to approx. 40t. Equipped with a double lift frame, empty container stackers can also lift two empty containers. Reach stackers are equipped with a telescopic arm, and can stack containers up to three rows high. This allows containers to be loaded from one train to another in railway applications, for instance, without having to move the reach stacker. To ensure stability, reach stackers are very heavy at around 100t, and can lift up to 50t.

Container stackers and reach stackers are usually kerosene or diesel operated. However, there are also electric models. Their flexibility, when compared to gigantic container bridges and gantry cranes, makes them an affordable alternative for small and medium-sized transshipment areas.

At Supralift, you can purchase or rent used container stackers and reach stackers from manufacturers such as Kalmar, Svetruck, SMV, Hyster and Linde. View available trucks here:

Container handler Reach Stacker

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