LPG FORKLIFTS AT KROMCO
Piet van Bodegom

 

Ø KROMCO LTD.

Handling, coldstorage, packing and distribution of deciduous fruit.

Ø PREMISES

25 Hectares

Ø ANNUAL VOLUMES OF FRUIT RECEIVED

± 80 000 tonnes

Ø COLDSTORAGE CAPACITIES

Regular Atmosphere - ± 40 000 tonnes

Controlled Atmosphere - ± 40 000 tonnes

Ø PACKING FACILITIES

4 Production Plants - ± 800 tonnes / 24 hours

Ø STAFF COMPLEMENT

In-Season (February - June) - ± 1 150 persons

Out of Season (July - January) - ± 350 persons

FORKLIFTS HANDLING CYCLES:

Action

Cycles

Off-loading of fruit deliveries

1

Loading into coldstorage

1

Coldstorage to packing plants

2

Packing plants to re-cooling

2

Re-cooling to holding stores

1

Despatch to markets

1

TOTAL

8


FORKLIFTS USED AT KROMCO:

Ø LPG

m 30 Units

m Capacity: 1,5 - 3 tonnes

m Inside all buildings

m Handling of packed fruit

 

Ø DIESEL

m 18 Units

m Capacity: 2 - 4 tonnes

m Off-loading fruit deliveries

m Outside bin handling

m General yard work

 

Ø ELECTRIC

m 3 Units

m Capacity: 2 - 3 tonnes

m De-greening of citrus

m Reach trucks in racking store

LPG FORKLIFTS AT KROMCO

1. LP GAS STORAGE POSITION

- Regulations for position bulk storage tank.

- Fire Hazard - specific installation requirements.

 - High cost of equipment and maintenance:

 * Explosion-proof electrics

* Specialised maintenance

 - Regular inspections required.

 

2. LP GAS FILLING OPERATION

 - Delivery by Special Tanker:

* Daily deliveries in season

* Bulk tank volume restriction

* Delivery tanker late, no LPG

 - Filling of Forklift Truck Gas Tank:

* Filling facility as per SABS 087 standard

* Slow operation, gas tank to be removed

* Drivers need special training

* Gas tank to be re-filled during shift, downtime

* Waiting time for filling of gas tanks

* Power failure, slow filling

 

3. GENERAL ITEMS

 - OPERATORS:

* Non-smokers, if available

* Operators prefer LPG units

* Low noise level

* No exhaust fumes

* Faster working conditions

 - OPERATING IN CA COLDSTORES:

* CO levels to be monitored

* Ventilation requirements

- MAINTENANCE:

* CO levels in exhaust gas to be monitored

* PTX exhaust gas purifiers fitted

* Long engine-life, clean burning fuel

* More maintenance: LPG regulators, electrics

 

LPG ó DIESEL:

- Soot deposits

- Customer requirements

- HACCP

Forklift Truck Gas Tank:

- To be tested every 3 years

- Testing by appointed company

- Certificate required

- If gas tank fails, company will scrap and replace

 

OPERATING COSTS:

- Different applications

- Operator influence

- Condition of forklift

- Fuel cost: Diesel ó LPG

- 2-ton 1 1.5

- 3-ton 1 1.8
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