Case Studies

Air Freight Pneumatic Roller Track Systems

Old Method:

  • » Live rollers on top of trailer flooring.
  • » Typically, 3 rows of 24" wide gravity conveyors...
  • » Temporary container stops or shoring bars to help restrain the load...

Pneumatic Roller Track Method:

  • » Retractable roller system with auto-down feature.
  • » Typically, 5 or 6 rows of only a 2" wide roller
  • » Permanent retractable container stops

Benefits

The Hydraroll retractable roller system allows the operator to handle general freight on any backhaul. Forklift loading is possible with the system. Live roller systems do not allow for backhauls in the trailer, which is not as cost effective to help off-set the landed cost of shipping air containers.

The Hydraroll retractable roller system remains in the lowered "static load" position while in transit. The live roller system has liability issues regarding proper load securement. If the container is not properly secured it may, in turn, cause damage to the product being hauled within the container, physical damage to the trailer and/or the container base and the possibility of personal injury.

Slip-Chain Powered Systems

Old Method:

  • » Forklift loading the trailer (26 pallets) at the loading dock requires about 30 minutes between actual loading and staging near the dock door.
  • » Forklift unloading the trailer at the receiving dock takes the same time frame.

Slip Chain Method:

  • » Powered Slip-chain rollerbed dock and trailer systems.

Benefits

  • » The Powered Slip-chain will load or unload the trailer load of product in less than two minutes, resulting in less tractors, trailers & manpower to move the product.
  • » You can typically tie in the system directly to the palletizer at the loading end and eliminate the forklift operation in its entirety. This can also be done at the unloading system, depending on the product being handled.
  • » Typical return on investment (ROI) can be realized within 1 year with only 20 loads per day being shipped to a facility within a 15 mile run. **

**Does not consider any savings as a result of reduced trailer damage; reduced product handling/damage; reduced forklift maintenance costs; reduced number of tractors and trailers and their operating costs. Does consider using customer's existing trailers to convert into automated trailer system use.

Return on Investment:

A fortune 100 company in the food and beverage industry implemented a slip chain material handling system for hauling glass and bottled goods. The system consisted of two automated loading and unloading dock platforms and five automated slip chain transportation trailers. Pay back for this system was realized in approximately 10 months, according to the chief material handling engineer. Inventory turns increased dramatically, increasing throughput approximately 500%.

Testimonial:

"With these Hydraroll powered slip chain systems, loading and unloading can now be achieved in 2 minutes or less without damaging our product. The dock is no longer the bottleneck. We are able to keep our trailers moving. The total number of trailers in our fleet for this operation has been reduced from twenty trailers to five."

Moving Floor Systems

Old Method:

  • » Forklift loading the trailer (26 pallets) at the loading dock requires about 30 minutes between actual loading and staging near the dock door.
  • » Forklift unloading the trailer at the receiving dock takes the same time frame.
  • » Potential product and trailer damage during the operation. Less height of palletized product due to the forklift operation.

Moving Floor Method:

  • » Powered moving floor dock and trailer systems.

Benefits

  • » The Powered moving floor will load or unload the trailer load of product that is either palletized or not palletized in less than two minutes, resulting in less tractors, trailers & manpower to move the product.
  • » You can typically tie in the system directly to the palletizer at the loading end and eliminate the forklift operation in its entirety. This can also be done at the unloading system, depending on the product being handled.
  • » Typical return on investment (ROI) can be realized within 1 year with only 20 loads per day being shipped to a facility within a 15 mile run. **

**Does not consider any savings as a result of reduced trailer damage; reduced product handling/damage; reduced forklift maintenance costs; reduced number of tractors and trailers and their operating costs. Does consider using customer's existing trailers to convert into automated trailer system use.

A major consumer goods producer implemented a moving floor system that took palletized goods from a palletizer to staged loading dock into a powered trailer system. The dock requirements went from 10 dock doors to four. The need for five (5) fork trucks was eliminated and the direct labor required at the loading dock was significantly reduced by fifteen (15) people. Payback on the systems was approximately 18 months.

Please call Loading Automation, Inc. today to learn how your material handling costs can be reduced using an automated truck loading system. Loading Automation, Inc. professionals will work with you to conduct an engineering study to determine your exact requirements through a detailed needs analysis.