‘Ingenious’ system keeps trucks grounded

Engineers at the Port of Ngqura have come
up with an ingenious system to ensure trucks
are not lifted off the ground along with the
containers they are transporting.
According to port manager, Captain Neil
Chetty, the system of twist locks is currently
being piloted at the port on one of the rubber
tyre gantries.
“There have been incidents at other ports
where a container is lifted and the truck
along with it. From a gantry operating point
of view it is very difficult to determine if the
truck is being lifted or not, making for a very
dangerous situation. If someone forgets to undo
the twist locks and the container is lifted the
truck will go with.”
The new anti-lift device, designed by
engineers at Ngqura, will activate immediately
if the truck is elevated some 150mm above the
ground.
“The device is a sensor that recognises any
air space under the tyre and then immediately
cuts the machine and ceases all operations
immediately.”
With the pilot phase having been extremely
successful, all 22 rubber tyre gantries at
Ngqura are set to be fitted with the system
before the end of the year. This is the only
system of its kind being used in the country.