A-Ward Develops Container Loader

New Zealand-based A-Ward has been working closely with its customers to develop a new container loader called MiSlide. MiSlide is a horizontal container loader designed to load 20- and 40-foot containers with both light and extremely heavy gauge material. Named MiSlide after its sliding system, A-Ward’s horizontal container loader is designed to offer a range of benefits to its customers.

By using MiSlide, a container can be in and out of a yard in as little as five minutes, according to the company. As the truck is reversing towards the MiSlide, the machine operator can adjust the MiSlide from the safety of the cab using hydraulic controls. This helps the reversing trailer to align correctly. Another way the company says MiSlide saves time is the automatic container locking and unlocking mechanism, the “Auto-Locker”, which the company says removes the need for someone to manually lock the machine in place.

Accurate weight systems are incorporated into both A-Ward’s MiSlide and container tilters to ensure that maximum weight loading can be achieved, says the company. Real time weight is displayed on the remote control screen inside, ensuring that the machine operator does not have to leave the safety of the cab.

Simon Ward, managing director of A-Ward, says “The benefit of the MiSlide that we are most excited about is the fact that there is no high maintenance telescopic ram. The collective feedback from companies who have purchased other horizontal loaders was that the operating and servicing costs and complexities associated with the huge telescopic ram were a lot higher than expected. Not to mention the daunting realization that their expensive telescopic rams would likely need to be replaced in the future”.

The other goal during development of MiSlide was to create a loading machine that causes virtually no container damage, especially when loading extremely dense materials. The solution is a system where the shipping container encapsulates the loading machine and drives forward holding the load inside.

By eliminating the need for a telescopic ram, A-Ward’s MiSlide runs on a 23 horsepower motor. The power or fuel costs of operating the MiSlide are a fraction of the costs associated with other horizontal loading techniques, according to the company. The design of the MiSlide also ensures that service and maintenance is almost non-existent, and wage costs can be slashed by making the container loading process a one man operation. The greater efficiency brought about from fast-turnaround and accuracy equals greater profitability.

The choice between a horizontal loader and container tilter depends on the type of material being loaded and the size of the shipping containers being used. For example, loading shredded steel and HMS into 20 foot only containers, filling at 90 degrees with a container tilter enables maximum weights to be achieved. In A-Ward’s experience, many companies who were previously forced to load HMS into 40 foot containers to achieve maximum weights are now able to shrink shipping costs by more efficiently loading 20 foot containers tilted upwards.

More information on the MiSlide is available at www.a-ward.com.