Green for Go

At Terberg Benschop in the Netherlands, one of the best known manufacturers of ro-ro tractors, director George Terberg is confident that the market for ro-ro tractors is showing no signs of slowing down.

Quite simply,a strong economy in Europe is creating more trade, and more trade means more demand for ro-ro equipment.

In confirmation of this, Terberg has secured orders from P&O for use in the UK and the Benelux countries, from Scandinavia and from Russia recently. A typical application of Terberg equipment is in Belfast, where Norfolkline Irish Sea Ferries (formerly NorseMerchant Ferries) uses Terberg tractor units to speed up terminal handling at its terminal in Belfast,Northern Ireland.

Here, the units are used to transfer unaccompanied trailers from the trailer park at the terminal and the ferries following an increase in demand for unaccompanied trailer capacity after the introduction of new ro-pax ships on the company’s Belfast – Birkenhead service.

In this particular application, Mr Terberg explains, Terberg RT 222 ro-ro tractors with four-wheel drive are used to maximise pulling power and grip when working on the ships’ internal ramps. Powered by 230bhp Volvo TAD 720 VE engines, the tractors have a ZF transmission that provides permanent ‘soft’ four wheel drive with a one-third, two-thirds power split between front and back axles that can be switched to 50:50 by the driver when required.

Mr Terberg adds that his company is introducing CAN-BUS control technology incrementally and that eventually all of the tractors it produces will make use of this kind of technology, which has already been adopted by competitors of Terberg, such as Kalmar. “What operators really want, and what we are providing them with is an ergonomic design that makes operation safer, easier and more effective,” Mr Terberg explains.With this in mind,Terberg has recently developed a raised roof for the driver cabins on its tractors, which creates more space for the driver, or for storage.

“They also want reduced emissions – hence our adoption of the latest Volvo and Mercedes engines – and they want a tractor that is optimised for use inside a ro-ro,” Mr Terberg tells Port Strategy, “so we have recently enhanced our tractors so that they have an even better turning circle. This avoids bumps and accidents that can occur when drivers are under pressure to unload a ship.”

MAFI in Germany used the occasion of RoRo 2006 in Ghent, Belgium earlier this year to unveil a new generation of ro-ro tractors, and noted that in 2005, it sold a total of 140 terminal tractors and ro-ro tractors. The company launched the MT 25 YT yard tractor at the end of 2005, and provided details on the new generation MT 32 ro-ro tractor.

As general sales manager Burkhard Koriath explains, the new MT 32 is the successor of the well known MT 30 model, and has been equipped with a number of improved features.The MT 32 is available with the latest Volvo or Mercedes engines, with a range of 170-200kW, all of the engines being electronically controlled and able to fulfil Euromot 3 regulations.

Among the other key components in the new ro-ro tractor from MAFI are the heavy-duty axles, which have an improved steering angle, the rear axle’s air suspension system being capable of holding up to 20 tons.What this means in real terms is that the driver of the tractor gets a better-cushioned ride, and so does the load the tractor is towing. ZF’s 6 WG 211 gearbox is used in the machine, and features ZF’s ‘Ergopower’ technology, with override function to reduce unnecessary shifting.

MAFI says the Holland/Eurohitch fifth wheel plate can easily handle a lifting capacity of 32 tons, the hydraulic cylinders being double acting, and complete hydraulic system and the pneumatics have been designed to make them as compact as possible. In this regard, the raking system on the new MT 32 consists now purely of pneumatic brakes.

There have also been some important changes in the cabin, with the ventilation system for the heating and/or air-conditioning split into different channels in order to improve driver comfort.

If requested, notes MAFI, steel mudguards can be bolted on at the rear, and can even be bolted-on onsite, if required,and in the event that an elevating trailer has to be operated by the tractor’s hydraulic, a variable displacement pump will be installed as standard from now on.

In keeping with the other well known manufacturers of ro-ro tractors, MAFI has also paid a lot of attention to reducing noise levels, both inside the cab and outside. Responding to market requirements, the capacity on the fifth wheel has been increased to 32 tons from 30 tons, and MAFI can also provide tractors for higher loads, if required.

The company adds that it has also placed a lot of emphasis on standardisation, as are all manufacturers of ro-ro tractors, in order to bring further benefits to operators, but the company notes that this does not prevent it from ‘cherry picking’ enhanced components where they are appropriate and can provide operators with significant advantages.

Reducing the environmental impact of all kinds of combustion engines used in ports,where onboard ship, or on cargo handling equipment, is an important goal for all ports, and, as is also the case at its competitors, MAFI says it is involved in an “ongoing dialogue” with customers to continue to enhance the environmental performance of its tractors and ensure that they meet – or exceed – the requirements of legislation affecting domestic and international customers.

MAFI’s Belgian competitor MOL also used RoRo 2006 to showcase the latest developments in its range of terminal tractors and ro-ro tractors. Speaking to PS shortly after the event, MOL’s ro-ro tractor specialist Marc Vandenberghe said its products were continuously being improved, and hinted that a new range of tractor was in the pipeline.

MOL is already offering an optional inboard cabin on its terminal tractors and ro-ro tractors, which provides more space and better access for the driver, and lower noise levels and improved visibility.

New, electronically controlled engines that comply with the latest Stage 3 emissions regulations are also being installed, in combination with the new Allison 3000 transmission or the new ZF 6WG- 211 transmission for optimal traction and shift performance.