Material handler for loading and transporting utility poles: Two SENNEBOGEN 835s in Latvia

The energy supply company Sadales tīkls, which was founded in 2007 as a subsidiary of Latvenergo AG, takes care of service and maintenance for the power grid in Latvia. This also includes the maintenance and repair of the low-voltage (0.4 kV) and medium-voltage (6 – 20 kV) grid, which is largely based on wooden poles. The necessary material is provided by their own pole plant.

The responsible sales and service partner, Konekesko Latvija SIA, was recently able to deliver two new SENNEBOGEN 835 material handlers for the logistics and loading of the wooden poles. The two material handlers have an equipment length of 18 m for reliably moving the poles, which are between 10 and 16 m long. Previously, a stationary rotating tower crane and several trucks with loading cranes were used on the company grounds. In the meantime, the two 835s have taken over all activities, from feeding the autoclaves to removal from the drying system. Work processes and cycle times have been considerably increased as a result, as Wood Pole Manufacturing Director Pēteris Račinskis emphasizes. The working comfort and safety for the operators have also increased thanks to the elevating Maxcab cab. In addition to the overview from the operator cab, three surrounding cameras provide an optimum all-round view, and even the trailer hitch can be operated via joystick from the cab.

Loading, handling and transport - Material handlers as all-rounders

Challenges for the new machine concept were the optimization of logistics processes and an increased machine availability. SENNEBOGEN and Konekesko were able to offer both to the customer's satisfaction. The material handlers not only load the poles, they also transport them over the grounds with the coupled 4-axle trailers, which have a load of up to 40 t. In addition, the machines were adapted to customer requirements with attachments that were specially optimized for this application. A trunk deflector on the boom, grating around the cab and the additional rake blade on the undercarriage protect the operator and machine. The hydraulic trailer hitch and an especially robust 0.42 m² log grapple make the two SENNEBOGEN 835s all-rounders.  The service partner Konekesko takes care of regular maintenance and reliable spare parts service, thus guaranteeing optimum availability of the machine.

Statement: "We are very pleased with our decision. The productivity and handling speed have considerably increased," confirms Peteris Račinskis, Wood Pole Manufacturing Director.