Visitors to this year’s RORO2004 exhibition, being held in Gothenburg from 25 to 27 May, have the opportunity to view the world’s latest RoRo handling technology, courtesy of Kalmar Industries. Kalmar’s TRX182 4x4 RoRo tractor design has been overhauled to incorporate a number of new features and enhanced functions. This machine, along with the new generation DCE330 RoRo forklift truck, designed specifically to perform demanding handling duties in confined spaces onboard roll-on, roll-off vessels, are on display at the Kalmar exhibition stand, nr 26.

The TRX182 4x4 RoRo tractor now combines a new cab design with Kalmar’s already proven robust structure and cutting-edge components. The cabin has been given a modern look and is laid out to provide easier access to service and maintenance  points. As always, Kalmar has put safety first and the new cabin is fully tested according to international standards such as ROPS (Rollover Protective Structure). It is now also available with a number of new options, including an air-suspended cabin mounting, an electrically operated driver’s side window and a stylish new roof light.

The new chassis also features several improvements, aimed primarily at making service and maintenance easier than ever. In addition, there are no longer any direct routes via which noise can escape from the engine compartment, providing better overall control of outside noise levels. Also minimising noise pollution, the TRX182 has a new engine air filter system as well as a new silencer and exhaust pipe. These modifications give the added advantage of improving driver visibility from the cabin. Other design improvements include a new, rounded front bumper, finished with modern square headlights.

In terms of the tractor’s handling mechanism, the structure by which the liftboom is mounted to the frame has been totally revised and the liftboom itself has been fitted with several design improvements, including:

• a more flexible lift boom, which means less stress to the tractor frame structure; and
• redesigned cover plate mounting and walking platform mountings to accommodate the new, flexible lift boom.

Kalmar is also pleased to announce the addition of a powerful new SisuDiesel 74ETA diesel engine to its range. This latest model has a fully electronic control unit allowing more accurate control thus reducing fuel consumption. It also permits easier maintenance and service thanks to improved diagnostics, which offer better engine protection and easier trouble shooting. It is available in the list of options for Kalmar’s TTX, TRX and TRL182 models.

The world’s widest terminal tractor range
Kalmar offers the most comprehensive range of terminal tractors available to customers around the world. This includes models for lighter distribution to those machines designed to undertake demanding duties for heavy industires, such as steel mills. By adopting an application-based approach to R&D, Kalmar is able to offer purpose-built machines for different operations.

To date, more than 4,100 units have been manufactured at Kalmar’s Tampere factory, the majority of which are for RoRo applications. However, the largest production volumes are seen in North America, where more than 2,000 units are produced annually at Kalmar’s Ottawa plant.

Kalmar: the number one in RoRo
Kalmar has been developing machinery for advanced RoRo handling since the 1960s and incorporates this extensive experience into each new generation of RoRo trucks and terminal tractors. The company currently occupies a leading position in the RoRo market, with thousands of machines in operation around the world. These machines are backed up by a global sales and services network.

The first ever RoRo tractor in the world was a Kalmar machine and the company was also the first to introduce a model with a 180° rotating driver’s seat. Kalmar pioneered the variable displacement hydraulic system and offered an active tilting system on the 5th wheel before any of its competitors. More than 4,000 terminal tractors have been built at Kalmar’s Tampere factory in Finland, most of which have been for RoRo applications.

The company has also been at the forefront of fork-lift truck development for RoRo applications for the last 40 years. It has several hundred RoRo trucks in operation around the world, many of which have been travelling onboard vessels from port to port for years.

Notes to editors:
Press information can be found on Kalmar’s website www.kalmarind.com. Simply click on News Room to be taken to a list of recent press releases or on Press Pictures to be taken to the Kalmar photo gallery.

Kalmar is a global provider of heavy duty materials handling equipment and services to ports, intermodal traffic, terminals and demanding industrial customers. Kalmar focuses on supplying handling solutions that enable customers to operate with a high level of efficiency and reliability. Every fourth container or trailer transfer at terminals around the world is handled by a Kalmar machine. 

Kalmar provides a large range of value added services such as maintenance contracts and fleet management. Manufacturing plants are situated in Sweden (as is the head office), in Finland, the Netherlands, Estonia, Malaysia, China and the USA.

For further information:  
Aija Kalander  
E mail:  
Website:  www.kalmarind.com