container solutions

A container loading system is a system designed to help you load cargo into a container or unload it from the container more easily.

We offer a manual loading system that’s specially designed to load sea containers and box ones. The system is similar to our skate and track system but has added hydraulics. The skates run down a steel track placed temporarily on the container floor and the platform one. A hydraulic pump elevates the track, which raises the skate and, in turn, lifts the load clear of the platform. You can then roll the load easily into the container or out of it.

Using our container loading system, which can handle up to 27 tonnes, you can load pallets from 1.2 metres up to 13.2 into your container. You can move these heavy loads quickly without needing an open-top container or a side-loading one, containers which can both be expensive.

General purpose containers, also known as ‘dry containers’ are the most common type of container. Logistics operators use them to load most types of cargo. They’re weatherproof, fully enclosed and have rigid sidewalls, floor and roof. These containers may also feature certain adaptations such as flexitanks or liner bags to ship liquid cargo or dry cargo in bulk.

Open-top containers have removable, convertible roofs, and work well for loads that are over height and are cumbersome to load through doors. Tall machinery and heavy/bulky finished products that require a crane or rolling bridge to handle and load are two types of loads for which open-top containers are useful. Open-top containers feature lashing rings installed on the upper rails, lower rails and side posts to secure cargo. Often these containers are available in sizes of 20 feet and 40 feet.

The structure of a high cube container is similar to that of a general container, only these containers are around a foot taller than general purpose ones. Operators use them when they require more volume. You’ll generally find high cube containers available in sizes of 40 feet, or sometimes even 45 feet. A lot of high cube containers feature a recess at the front end so the operator can centre the container on a gooseneck chassis. This allows the trailer transporting the high cube container to do so because the container lies lower and can be taller.

Operators use ISO reefer containers to ship temperature-sensitive, perishable goods such as meats, fruit and vegetables. To keep the temperature regulated, they depend upon external power. ISO reefer containers often come in sizes of 20 feet and 40 feet. Weathering steel, which contains alloy elements that offer corrosion resistance and make it stronger than lower carbon steel grades, and which is often known as ‘COR-TEN steel’ is commonly used for these containers.

Is your cargo heavy and dense? Half-height containers are designed for this and are excellent for transporting coal and stones, which makes them ideal for use in the mining industry. The low centre of gravity of half-height containers allows them to cope with heavier loads than taller containers and makes them robust and versatile enough to handle rough industrial environments. Half-height containers are also easy to load and unload.

Logistics operators can use swap body containers on road and rail. These containers are exchangeable and have a convertible top, so they’re suitable for shipping most types of goods. You’ll see this type of container in use a lot in Europe. Note that swap body containers are only for land transportation due to their lack of upper corner fittings and the fact they’re not stackable.

Containerisation is one of the biggest ever innovations to have taken place in the logistics industry. Although sources differ on when the invention of the first container took place, one thing no one can dispute is how far containers have come. Container design has become extremely efficient.

Like many other things, containers have their advantages and disadvantages. Below is a look at some of the pros and cons they offer, starting with the pros.

Managing a full container load (FCL) is easier to manage than handling other ways to transport goods such as less-than-container loads (LCLs). Shipping containers are non-divisible units. Each container has a unique identification number so it’s easy to track and manage. Various agents in the shipping process, including the shipper, recipient, ports, customs authorities and more use this number to verify the cargo.

Although usage will determine how long a container lasts, a good container will serve you between 10 and 25 years. If a container is no longer used for shipping, it’s not all over for the container. The container can still serve as a storage item.

When a warehouse or distributor has reached its full storage capacity, containers can provide temporary storage. The business can also place them in any convenient location in the warehouse yard. The storage a container offers is flexible and temporary as necessary.

ISO-certified containers possess standard sizes and dimensions. This means any standard transport or piece of material handling equipment (MHE) can handle them. Using, storing and transporting the containers is more straightforward, as a result.

Containers can hold a lot, but that same capacity is a double-edged sword because they take up a lot of space, regardless of whether they’re empty or have cargo in them. Terminals must ensure they have enough stacking space to accommodate the containers that go in and out of them.

To guarantee minimum port turnaround times for cargo ships, the latest container handling equipment and other necessary infrastructure must all be in place. The container terminal must consider all of this. Offering a favourable location isn’t enough.

Receipt and processing of information must be reliable to manage cargo in containers well. Implementing good terminal management software will make this possible. It doesn’t pay to cut costs on this. Doing so could spell disaster, and it likely will.

Containers are big and bulky and take some planning to load and transport. Below are a few tips on how you can improve your loading planning.

See how our cutting edge trailer loading technology integrates with traditional loading practices.

In this eye-opening video, we invite you to witness the seamless integration of cutting-edge trailer loading technology with traditional loading practices, as we set a new standard in the logistics industry.

It’s important to remember the invention of containers came about as a way to reduce costs and shipping time. This wasn’t only to minimise the direct costs of the operation, but also the indirect ones, including the costs associated with damage to items during shipping. Containers achieved the objective, lowering costs and shortening loading times.

Before the days of containers, businesses were wrestling with drums, cases, boxes, barrels, crates, cans, reels and more. They had to waste excessive amounts of time handling all these items that were different sizes and differently weighted.

If you have a container, you no longer need to grapple as much with this; however, to maximise container utilisation, you may have to increase the amount of manual work, complexity and, as a result, the execution time. Whereas for operators of ships and in ports, it’s about shifting as many tonnes as possible per hour, the simplicity of internal stacking makes a major difference for the people handling the containers. If you’re planning to implement a scheme that will use a higher percentage of the volume, consult them first.

As well as considering how the shape and size of packaging affect how it uses up container space, you should also think about minimising the amount of airspace inside your packaging.

This means thinking about the different elements of your manufacturing process and how you might revise them. One example would be to switch from manufacturing finished pieces of furniture to producing unassembled units or partially assembled ones you can pack more tightly into a container.

Flat packing lends itself tremendously well to container shipping. If you sell fully finished items of furniture, you might wish to ship the items in flat packs to their destination and build them, instead of building them first and shipping them from their point of origin.

Unfortunately, shipping container accidents are common, and lots of shipping containers get lost at sea. This inflicts financial losses on the business and is also dangerous for human life and sea life. Incorrect loading is often the cause of these incidents.

Loading a container consists of four main steps:

1) Checking the condition of the container

2) Considering the load distribution

3) Securing the cargo in place

4) Conducting a final check

You should always load the container properly and double-check that the cargo is secure before the ship or another vehicle begins its journey with the container.

Below is a look at the process for loading shipping containers:

When it comes to automatic loading systems, Joloda Hydraroll is a name that you can trust. We are an established name in the truck and container loading and unloading business. For over 60+ years, we have provided market-leading solutions to businesses to simplify their loading and unloading requirements. 

Our container loading system is capable of loading multiple loads onto one container in one shot, saving your business valuable time and resources.

You can learn more about implementing our Container Loading System into your logistics operations today by reading our article: Why Switch To A Joloda Hydraroll Container Loading System?

Forklift truck

Forklifts are versatile, cost-effective and often used to lift heavy loads across short distances; however, diesel forklifts can lift containers.

The forklift driver should locate the forklift pockets on the shipping container to insert the forks. The forklift shouldn’t encounter any issues lifting the container as long as its rated capacity can accommodate the weight of the laden container.

It’s best to use fork extensions to lengthen the forklift truck’s reach. You should also check the distribution of the load is even before loading the container onto the trailer.

Sideloaders

Sideloaders are trailers equipped with two lifted cranes. You’ll also see them referred to as ‘side shifters’. They can load containers from off the ground or back onto it.

To begin loading, the prime mover should park the side loader next to the container, which will either be empty or laden. Having parked the trailer, the driver should engage the stabilising legs and hook the attachments into each of the corner castings.

The hydraulic cranes will then lift the container onto the trailer. You should ensure that the surrounding area is clear and that you’re operating the side loader at a comfortable pace during this process.

Reach stacker

A reach stacker uses a telescopic arm to lift the container. These vehicles are designed to lift containers and can stack them approximately 2 to 4 containers high and 2 deep. You’ll often encounter reach stackers in facilities that operate a container yard, where stacking empty containers are common. If you’re going to operate a reach stacker, always make sure the prime mover and the trailer are parked securely.

Tilt bed trailer

Tilt bed trailers possess a special feature that allows them to raise the section nearest to the truck head and lower the section at the back. The container can then slide onto the trailer and off it.

To load a container onto a tilt bed trailer, you must raise the container at one end so the tilt bed can position below the front section of the container. The truck then reverses and slides the container onto the tilt bed before it assumes a horizontal position.

Operating a tilt bed truck can damage the contents of a container. This makes it more advisable to use a tilt bed trailer for empty containers only.

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