Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd. recently delivered three RTGs to CSX Intermodal Terminals (CSXIT) in the US. The RTGs, two for Bedford Park, Chicago, Illinois and one for Worcester, Massachusetts have entered service in the past two months delivering fuel savings of up to 40%.
The two RTGs for Bedford Park stack six containers and truck lane wide and one over three containers high. The cranes feature Liebherr’s eight rope reeving which eliminates sway and skew whilst delivering exceptional productivity. A variable speed engine along with a series of gantry travel cameras and laser anti-collision systems provide the latest efficiencies and safety. DiaMon3D, Liebherr’s advanced crane management and diagnostic system has been installed ensuring access to crane statistics and maintenance options in an easy to use graphical interface.
In Worcester, local environmental regulations govern noise and emissions. The Liebherr RTG has been designed in compliance with these regulations. An eight wheeler machine built around a reduced size variable speed diesel genset, supplemented by a Liebherr energy storage system for hybrid operations has been supplied. Substantially reduced fuel consumption, emissions and noise are the major benefits from the reduction in engine size, use of variable speed engine and hybrid system. The crane has a SWL of 41 tonnes, stacks one over two high and serves two rail lines with their adjacent truck lanes.
According to Paul Bolger, head of product management with Liebherr Container Cranes, “The Worcester terminal can expect to see significant reductions in running costs and emissions. The Liebherr energy storage system alone reduces fuel consumption and emissions per hoist cycle by as much as 40%. When compared to an RTG with a larger engine, the environmental benefits and savings are substantial.”
