In 2009, 26% of world container trans shipment happened in China. This took place with the use of the finest container loading vehicles that are mostly made in the country. This proves the reliability and quality of Chinese container handling equipment including reach stackers, empty container handlers, and loaded container handlers.
Apart from the in-house quality control systems used by container loading equipment manufacturers, third-party inspection companies help buyers ensure that their product are up to international standards and agreed-upon specifications.
InTouch leads the way in protecting the interest of equipment purchasers from China. Its inspection protocols are carefully formulated based on years of actual field experience combined with the most updated international standards. A few of these inspection procedures are:
Materials Inspection Processes
- Coating Materials - Verify that paints and other coating materials possess the required anti-corrosion ratings to protect the equipment until the end of its service life or until its scheduled maintenance.
- Rubber Materials – Check materials for the production of tires. This helps ensure that tires would not rupture during usage preventing the occurrence of untoward incidents.
Safety Inspection Protocols
- Fire Safety Inspection – Verify the integrity of the fire safety mechanisms of container loading vehicle using the tests and guidelines provided in UL 558. Tests included in UL 588 are temperature tests, fuel-consumption test, and exhaust system test.
- Hoisting Safety – Verify that chains, cable ropes, and hoisting mechanisms are protected against failure to promote a safer workplace for operators and other personnel.
Visual Inspection Procedures
- Spare Parts Supply – Verify that the manufacturer carries enough stock of spare parts ready for release once required by buyer. This ensures minimized downtime concerning repairs and maintenance.
- Visibility Check – Check that the operator has visual contact to the critical parts of the container, terminal road markings, and other surrounding objects.
- Equipment Nameplate – Verify that rated capacity, weight, maintenance schedule, and operational instructions are accurately reflected in vehicle nameplate.
Dimensional Inspection
- Lifting Fork – Verify the thickness, length, weight, width, and other dimensional measurements of lifting fork.
- Attachments Inspection – Verify the dimensional properties of container handling equipment attachments to determine their suitability for handling specified shipping containers.
Performance Inspection
- Rated Capacity Check – Verify that rated capacity of equipment does not exceed the percentage of maximum capacity.
- Load Center Check – Verify that load center or the distance between the forklift face and center of gravity is 24 inches or lower.
- Travel Speed – Check the travel speed of container loading equipment when moving pre-determined containers over a specified distance.
- Lifting Speed – Determine the vertical lifting speed of equipment when handling its maximum rated capacity.
- Gradeability – Check the degree of slope in which the containing loading equipment can safely navigate without showing any sign of imbalance or tipping. Standard value is 15 degrees.
- Fuel Efficiency – Check the volume of fuel used after conducting pre-determined tasks.
- Tire Performance – Verify that equipment tires are able to withstand actual container handling without showing any sign of damage or excessive loss of contained air volume until it is scheduled for operator pre-use inspection.
- Welded Parts Check – Check for any visual evidence of cracking in welded parts especially on attachments after operating the equipment over a pre-determined period.
Functional Inspection
- Lifting Height Check – Determine the maximum and minimum lifting heights of equipment when carrying specified test loads without showing any clue of tipping or imbalance.
- Horizontal Reach Verification – Verify that container loading equipment is able to handle its maximum rated load with its lifting arm fully extended horizontally.
These are just some of the inspection protocols pertaining to container loading equipment such as forklifts, container handlers, gantry cranes and more. To know more about the protocols applicable to your equipment, please contact Intouch with the details of your inspection requirements.
