Category Archives: Freight and Transportation

A railroad crane is sometimes a necessary tool required for very heavy freight transport. It allows for extreme loads to be moved in an area around a train, and remains with the train for loading and offloading.

Railroad cranes are constructed in a similar way to fixed-location cranes, except that the platform on which the crane mechanism is situated sits on a reinforced flat-car. They have 360° movement on a swivel point on this carriage. This allows the crane to reach any area within range of where it’s carriage is fixed.

When using a railroad crane for freight operations, a jib carrier is often required. This is a carriage designed to hold the jib or ‘boom’ of a crane and sits adjacent to it. Because of this the crane carriage may need to move into a different position independently, in order to reach the loading and offloading areas.

In the UK all goods vehicle operators require a goods vehicle operators licence, if the vehicles used are above a certain weight.

Specifically the gross plated weight limits, which is the maximum weight a vehicle can have at once, are 3,500 kg, or an unladen weight of 1,525 kg. Past these weights and the driver of the vehicle will require the licence.

• Any drivers that are employed by a business must have the correct licences and training.
• Goods vehicles must be correctly taxed and kept in good condition at all times.
• The rules are different for businesses in Northern Ireland.

Drivers of goods vehicles that use a motor vehicle and trailer combination will also need a goods vehicle operators licence.

The weight limits for this are 3,500 kg, with a unladen weight of 1,525 kg. This is the weight limit for both the motor vehicle and trailer combination.

An operators licence is not required if the trailers unladen weight is less than 1,020 kg and the driver is carrying only their own goods.

There are many different types of vehicles that are used for transportation, the most common of these are trucks and their accompanying trailers.

Semi-trailer truck

Semi-trailer trucks comprises of a tractor vehicle and a semitrailer. The semi-trailer dimensions are approximately 13.6 x 2.45 x 2.7 m, with a maximum load capacity of 24,000 kg. They are best suited for palatalized cargo and can be loaded from the back, sides or top.

Tail-lift truck

As the name suggests, Tail-lift trucks are fitted with a lifting mechanism next to the rear doors. This is used to assist in loading cargo on and off of the trailer. The tail-lift mechanism can lift cargo weighing 500-2000 kg, depending on the model.  They are predominately used for distribution transport.

Jumbo trailer trucks

Jumbo trailer trucks, also known as mega trucks, are best suited for lightweight, voluminous goods. The trailer can hold up to 33 Euro pallets, or 26 UK pallets and have a load capacity of 24000 kg.

Logistics companies often make use of a variety of vehicles, all of which can cost a great deal. As these vehicles are used, they require more and more maintenance over time. Not only this, but they also become less technologically suitable as newer models are released. Parts modernisation can mitigate these effects, as well as offer a host of other advantages.

Parts modernisation involves bringing the existing parts within the vehicle up to a higher standard. Through parts modernisation, high-maintenance and/or obsolete components are replaced with new parts manufactured to today’s tolerances and standards of performance.

This allows an existing vehicle to perform at a much higher capacity. Increasing productivity as well as improving efficiency and up time. All of which make a vehicle much more cost-effective as it is able to work for longer periods and move more heavier loads. This is especially true of a larger hauling vehicles, as larger carrying capacities often offer greater proceeds.