The country’s economic development has led a number of companies, especially large retail chains, to commission new distribution centers from which their customers are served. A large portion of these companies carry out deliveries using their own means of transport. In many cases, these are tractor units with semi-trailers. Their handling at loading fronts should be carried out in such a way as not to waste valuable time on unnecessary downtime.
Generally, when a semi-trailer is being loaded, the driver and the tractor unit wait for the process to finish. In this situation, one can speak of inefficient use of a given means of transport. The efficiency of using each tractor unit can be increased by introducing efficient management of its utilization so as not to waste time on unnecessary downtime during loading operations.
Better utilization of tractor units can be achieved by having a larger number of semi-trailers available, which can be unloaded or loaded earlier. Then, after placing an empty semi-trailer at the loading front, the tractor could be used again immediately, as the next semi-trailer would already be waiting to be picked up and delivered to the customer. However, semi-trailers left at loading fronts must be moved to maintain continuity of work. To make this possible, it is necessary to have a means of transport intended exclusively for moving semi-trailers at the loading front. Some manufacturers, meeting this need, have offered terminal tractors (example in photo 1), which are a variation of the tractor unit.
Terminal tractors have been specially designed for the efficient and cheaper movement of semi-trailers, containers, trailers, etc., at inland terminals and distribution centers. Their practical application allows for a reduction in the costs of maneuvering work and ensures that these tractors:
-
are used exclusively for these tasks, which means that breaks in their operation can be kept to a minimum, while simultaneously increasing work efficiency
-
are equipped with a boom raised by hydraulic cylinders, with a fifth wheel at the end, making it possible to pick up semi-trailers without the need to lower the supports while moving them (photo 2)
-
are adapted for work in conditions of frequent starting and stopping, turning, and precise maneuvering at relatively low speeds.
The increase in the intensity of maneuvering work at loading fronts requires special safety measures. Of primary importance in this regard is ensuring good visibility for the tractor driver.
The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka” 2/2009.