Handling heavy awkward loads

Manufacturer Schoeller Bleckmann Darron invests in a Combilift C8000 to help facilitate expansion in the oil and gas sector

Schoeller Bleckmann Darron (SBDL) has taken on an 8 tonne Combilift 4-way forklift to handle long loads around its site. The Aberdeen based firm provides a manufacturing, repair and maintenance facility for drilling products used in the oil and gas sectors and since buying Darron Oil Tools, it has expanded its range of services. The company has invested in a raft of high tech machinery to meet increased demand.

Many of the products handled in the offshore sector, such as down hole drilling tools are exceptionally long and heavy, and therefore awkward to handle with conventional forklifts such as counterbalance trucks or sideloaders. Combilift argues that even when a combination of the two are used, safe operations are compromised by having to swap loads around, and large areas of potentially valuable space needs to be set aside for manoeuvering.

By changing from a conventional sideloader to a Combilift, SBDL has been able to exploit the truck's manoeuvrability and 4- way capabilities to make the most of restricted yard space while ensuring efficient handling of its 10m long loads. Four heavy duty forks ensure the stable handling of the longest pieces of equipment that SBDL handles. The Combilift's design is said to be robust enough to allow the truck to be used inside and out, in all weathers.

SBDL's production manager Sandy Stephen chose the C8000 model as the most suitable: "Although most of our loads weigh in at around 4 tonnes, this gives us that added flexibility to handle larger products, and it is more than powerful enough to cope very well with the steep gradient in the yard.

"The Combilift's ability to travel sideways with the tools resting on the platform is much safer than the hazardous practice of having to travel with a raised load."