Container Question

[Justin99]

I know that double-stack containers can be removed from cars with overhead cranes at railroad yards. But many times I have seen a container on the ground at a store or house that doesn't have a crane like this. Whenever I see a tractor trailer hauling one of these I don't see a crane following it. How are the chassis (un)loaded at these locations?

 

[JohnnyC1]

20 & 40ft Containers can be off loaded via forklifts depending on their weights. Many containers, at least the ones I see traveling from the Ports of LA & LB that are not on container chassis are strapped on lowboy trailers for easy roll off at their destination, and can be winched back on for transport. If you notice, the longer 45-53ft containers are not fork lift-able.

John

 

[Justin99]

Thanks John, I've wondered about this for years.

 

[mikeaust]

Over here there are special container trailers fitted with lifting arms at front and rear. Similar to the cranes fitted to flat deck trucks.
The arms lift the container sideways and place it onthe ground. The frame of the traier is able to be adjusted to accept different size containers.
They are also loaded and unloaded with a sliding tip tray that slides them off and on similar to a tray type tow truck..
cheers,
Mike

 

[JohnnyC1]

Is this what you are talking about?

go here for more pictures: http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=alltheweb&sz=all&va=container+lift
John

 

[mikeaust]

Thats the units,
Mike

 

[Justin99]

That's interesting. Thanks for posting that.

 

[slabay]

Depending on the load of the container, they are simply delivered like a regular trailer and unloaded at a loading dock, then hauled back to the port empty without ever being taken off of the chassis, too. Remember, the truck part typically isn't a very significant part of the trip.

---Scott