Ghanaian pipes in full flow
Mobicrane is a family-owned business with well over two decades of experience renting out lifting equipment in Ghana, Western Africa. In the coastal town of Takoradi, they provide cranes and lift trucks mostly to mining, oil and gas, and construction companies. As these companies have expanded their operations, rental equipment has offered flexibility in a rapidly changing economy.
The challenge
Offshore oil requires drilling pipes of various sizes to be transported to oil rigs. The pipes are made of heavy steel that can withstand the pressure of being thousands of meters under the sea or under the ground. In addition, general cargo for offshore operations must be moved on and off transport. Traditionally, cranes are used for this task, but securing and lifting non-standard loads safely with a crane is a slow process.
The solution
Mobicrane, in cooperation with local distributor Paterson Simons & Co. (Africa) Ltd., has put five Konecranes SMV 16-1200 C forklifts into service for oil pipe yard work and general cargo. The lift truck forks slide underneath pipes and other loads smoothly for fast loading and unloading as well as easy movement around the storage yard. Their 16-ton capacity, a long wheelbase for high stability and a load indicator to prevent overload ensure that they can handle a wide range of oil and gas equipment.
The benefits
The drivers are full of praise for their Konecranes forklifts. They say that the controls are “excellent – intuitive and simple” to use, the truck has “good overall visibility” and its compact size and small turning circle make it “easy to maneuver” in the tight spaces of the crowded storage yard. Customers have been able to speed up the turnaround for supply vessels in the port, thanks to their skilled drivers in Konecranes lift trucks.
When asked what he liked about the Konecranes forklift, one driver smiled and said simply: “Perfect”.
“Our experience with Konecranes Lift Trucks has been outstanding. It’s a very reliable product and local distributor Paterson Simons has always provided excellent support.” –Phil Coggin, Operations Director, Mobicrane.
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