INTERMODAL HANDLING

INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY, SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT

Intermodal Handling
Increasing Demand
There is an increasing demand to move
traffic from roads to rail, barge and other
transport means. This is due to various
environmental reasons, but also because
the existing road infrastructure can not
handle the increasing traffic. This means
that more intermodal terminals will be
developed in the future.
These terminals will require equipment
for handling of containers, trailers and swop
bodies. This equipment is needed for loading
and unloading of railcars and road trucks,
transportation and storage in the yard.
Terminal Development
Kalmar can assist customers when planning
new terminals and when improving the
efficiency of existing terminals. With their
wide customer base and product range
2
Kalmar is in an ideal position to collect,
analyze and use operational information,
so that each application can be handled
individually.
Layout drawings, equipment
recommendations, equipment estimates
and overall cost calculations are available.
Kalmar’s Port Optimizer® simulation tool can
be used to assist in designing the terminal.
Choice of Handling System
Choice of handling system normally
depends on several criteria, such as the
required storage capacity vs space available,
shape of terminal, required productivity
and size of operation. Kalmar can assist in
analysing these factors and in finding the
most cost efficient solution. Kalmar works
together with port consultants, to give the
best possible service.
Main Products

Product Application

Loading and unloading of railcars on first rail

Normal wheelbase
Short distance transport
reachstackers
Stacking, loading and unloading of road trucks

Loading and unloading of railcars on first and second rail

Long wheelbase
Short distance transport
reachstackers
Stacking, loading and unloading of road trucks

Loading and unloading of railcars on up to 4 parallel rail tracks

RTG cranes
Stacking, loading and unloading of road trucks

Loading and unloading of railcars on up to 8 parallel rail tracks

RMG cranes
Stacking, loading and unloading of road trucks

Loading and unloading of railcars (requires special layout)

Straddle/shuttle
Transport
carriers
Stacking, loading and unloading of road trucks

Terminal tractors Long distance transport

Kalmar’s Port Optimizer® simulation tool can be used to assist in designing the terminal.

3
Reachstackers

Main Data
• Reachstackers are used for all functions: loading and • Storage capacity is approximately 500 TEU per
unloading of railcars and road trucks, transportation hectare, based on 3-high stacking.
and stacking in the yard.
• Optimum solution for small to medium size
operations, with 1 – 4 parallel rails and when high
• Estimated productivity for container handling:
flexibility is required
- Loading and unloading of railcars: 20 – 30 moves
per hour depending on travel distances
- Stack work: 15 moves per hour
- Loading and unloading of road trucks:
10 moves per hour

4
General
Reachstackers are widely used in intermodal
operations due to their flexibility, as they
can be used for all functions: loading and
unloading of railcars and road trucks,
transport and stacking of containers in the
yard. One or two rail tracks can be accessed
from the side.
If second rail access is required, a
longer wheelbase reachstacker is needed.
With a combihandler spreader, trailers can
be handled easily. Reachstackers or lift
trucks can be moved easily between the
rail and yard operations. Long wheelbase
reachstackers can also be used for loading
and unloading containers directly on
barges.
Rail Operation
Reachstackers load and unload railcars
and transport containers between the rail
and the yard. This concept reduces the
overall number of equipment required, as
there is no waiting between different types
of equipment. Approximately 20 metres
distance is required besides the rail for the
reachstackers to operate.
Yard and Landside Operation
Reachstacker stack containers in block
stacks. A typical stack size is 4-deep
allowing first or second row access from
each side. Empty containers can be
stacked deeper, if no selectivity is required.
Approximately 15 – 18 metres aisles
(depending on the wheelbase) are required
between the stacks. Reachstackers load and
unload road trucks in the aisles between the
stacks.
Products
Kalmar’s reachstacker range varies from
a 6 metre wheelbase to an 8 metre
wheelbase, depending on the required lifting
capacity at distance and if containers or
trailers are handled. Kalmar is the leading
reachstacker manufacturer in the world
and Kalmar ContChamp is the most popular
reachstacker model both in intermodal
terminals and ports.
5
Yard Cranes

Main Data
• Yard cranes are used for loading and unloading of • Storage capacity is approximately 1 000 TEU per
railcars and road trucks, RTG cranes are also used hectare, based on 4-high stacking.
for stacking in the yard.
• Optimum solution for large operations, with 4 – 8
• Terminal tractors are used for transportation, parallel rails and when high storage capacity is
Reachstackers can also be used for short distances required
• Estimated productivity for container handling:
- Loading and unloading of railcars: 30 moves per hour
- Stack work: 20 moves per hour
- Loading and unloading of road trucks: 15 moves
per hour

6
General
RTG cranes can be used both for loading
and unloading of railcars and road trucks
and for stacking of containers in the yard.
Up to four rail tracks can be covered
simultaneously and containers can be
stored also at the side of the rail tracks.
RTG cranes are most effective when
high numbers of railcars are handled
systematically.
RTG cranes can be moved between
between rail and yard operations.
Reachstackers can also be used within the
same terminal, when higher flexibility is
required. Terminal tractors are needed for
longer distance moves.
RMG cranes are commonly used in
large rail operations, as several tracks
can be covered simultaneously. With
cantilevered RMG cranes road truck traffic
can be easily separated from the rail
operations.
Rail Operation
RTG or RMG cranes load and unload
railcars and terminal tractors transport
containers between the rail and the yard.
Reachstackers can also be used for shorter
distances.
Yard and Landside Operation
RTG cranes can also be used for stacking
containers in block stacks, which results
in very high storage capacities. RTG cranes
load and unload road trucks in the aisles
between the stacks.
Products
The Kalmar RTG crane range varies from 6+1
to 9+1 block size, with 1 over 4 or 1 over 5-
high stacking. One over 3 stacking height is
ideal for loading and unloading of railcars, if
no stacking is required.
Kalmar E-One RTG crane features a
low-emission diesel engine and is fitted
with electric trolley, wheel turning and
spreader. It contains fewer critical mechanical
components and therefore provides less
opportunity for mechanical failures. The E-One
features an impressive service interval of up to
1,000 hours for both the crane and the engine.
Also a zero emission RTG crane with
no diesel engine is available, which should
be optimal for intermodal operation where
frequent change of blocks is normally not
required. Kalmar’s Smartrail® automatic
steering and container positioning verification
system both increases productivity and helps
to avoid misplaced containers.

Contact Information:

Kalmar Industries
Lifetime Business Partner
Kalmar is a global provider of container and heavy duty materials handling equipment,
automation applications and related services. It is the world’s leading supplier of cargo
handling equipment to ports, terminals and intermodal facilities. Every fourth container or
trailer transfer at terminals around the world is handled by a Kalmar machine.

Global Operation
Production plants are situated in Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Malaysia, China and
the USA. The Kalmar network equates to 19 sales companies and over 300 dealer locations
around the world. Today, more than 80,000 Kalmar machines are in operation in environments
ranging from sub-zero arctic climates to tropical humidity and heat. Our global experience and
understanding of local conditions enable us to serve customers in all corners of the world.
Production
Sales

Services for Full Response

Kalmar’s product range is complemented by a large range of value added services such as
maintenance contracts and fleet management. As customers seek to focus more on their
core business, Kalmar offers the flexibility of switching from ownership to leasing or pay
per performance. Kalmar is also leading the way in port automation with its application of
unmanned container handling technology, on-board smart features and remote maintenance
products, developed in co-operation with customers and partners.
KIOY0702E-7 • Printed in Finland by Tampereen Offsetpalvelu Oy

Kalmar Industries Oy Ab
Nuolialantie 62, P.O. Box 387, FI-33101 Tampere, Finland
tel. +358 3 265 8111, fax +358 3 265 8201
Kalmar Industries B.V.
Doklaan 22, P.O. Box 5303, 3008 AH Rotterdam, The Netherlands
tel. +31 10 294 6666, fax +31 10 294 6777
Kalmar Industries AB
Torggatan 3, SE-340 10 Lidhult, Sweden
tel. +46 372 260 10, fax +46 372 659 77
www.kalmarind.com