Belotti Handling reinvents the reach stacker machine in collaboration with Pininfarina Design and the University of Robotics in Genoa

Belotti Handling Spa, the company who invented the first reach stacker machine for container handling in 1969, will present at Intermodal 2000 Exhibition (from November 29 to December 1 in Genoa, Italy) a totally new and innovative unit with automated and sophisticated systems combined to a futuristic design.

The new vehicle is the result of more than 50 years of Belotti experience in the construction of special equipment, the prestige of Pininfarina design and the most advanced know how studied and developed by the University of Robotics in Genoa.

The Belotti management is totally confident that with this unit the operations of stacking containers shall be carried out even by inexperienced people, with complete safety and speeds doubling the actual operating standards in the market.

The new machine is already provided by five international patents which ensure originality and innovation in this particular range of rubber tired cranes.

In fact the unit is provided by a container self docking system (SDS) developed jointly with the University of Robotics in Genoa which is famous for the design of independent robots and marine working arms. By means of special digital cameras and optical sensors, when the spreader is at 1,5 meter of distance from the container the automatic approach mode is actuated till the locking is made. This operation avoids the actual waste of time due to the usual attempts of the operator before he succeeds in getting the spreader in the container twist locks holes. Beside as the total operation is completely automated, it is possible to perform the same even without physically see it.

The new Belotti Reach Stacker is also provided by a particular roller system for the N.4 front wheels which enables to have a duration of tires 400% more (Belotti Patent).

Beside also this unit, as well all the others in production since one year ago, is including the on-board mounted Modem/GSM system for remote assistance in real time wherever the machine is working (Belotti Patent). It has even the possibility of being interfaced with the Customer software for the automatic management of the entire stacking area.

The rear axle is provided with a special suspension system which makes the Belotti Reach Stacker the most stable in its range (Belotti Patent).

The chassis is inserted to a particular module unit which is housing the electrical system & apparatus, the hydraulic components & circuits and the oil & fuel tanks. This special concept of construction , also Belotti Patent, is unique worldwide and it consents a fast & simple maintenance of the machine. Moreover should a failure occurs it is possible a quick replacement of the module by just taking it off from the chassis.

The operator cabin will be developed directly by Pininfarina Design and it will be provided by the most modern and sophisticated electronic systems which will allow an extremely simple and easy driving comfort as well as an unmatched safety. This due to two plasma displays from which the driver shall identify immediately all the machine functions such as oil pressure, water etc. and also what is actually doing (i.e. telescoping the boom, etc). Beside the indicator of the electronic weighing system will show immediately the weight of the lifted load and above all instantaneously it will be displaying all the manoeuvres with no consent from the PLC system which controls the whole Reach Stacker, including also the double anti-tilting safety device both electronic and electro-mechanic.

The second display will show the images from the rear part of the machine and it will immediately identify the presence of any obstacle.

The steering wheel has been replaced by two modern joy sticks which allow a better comfort of operation and a complete front visibility downward.

The ergonomic driver seat is fully rotating together with the onboard instrumentation thus allowing to have always a perfect control of the machine in every position.

This very innovative Reach Stacker will have a speed more than double the actual ones; in fact only 9 seconds to lift the boom against the current 19 seconds and 19 seconds to lift and at the same time extend all the boom against the actual 31 seconds ( It has to be noted that the current Belotti Reach Stackers are already the fastest machines in the world ). Beside the acceleration from stand still will be superior of more than 50% (300 meters in only 40 seconds).

An absolute worldwide innovation of this machine it is its capability of stacking 9'6'' containers on second row 5 high (while 6 high on first row). This is possible due to the Self Docking System (SDS) which allows to lock the container behind the first container row 5 high (at more than 13 meters level) even if it cannot be actually seen.