Innovations include 'dynamic stability' for a gentle and stable motion, even on uneven surfaces.

Improved visibility is optimised by hiding all that can be hidden to give as few blind spots as possible in the driver's eye line.

Optional electronic inching, in the form of 'Optidrive', is available for the first time on a medium machine, enabling the operator to drive with high precision using slip control.

The operator controls the speed with the accelerator independently of the engine revolutions required for lifting. It is thus possible to inch along while using maximum rpm for lifting.

There are two patented new solutions for more efficient lifting.

'Optispeed' is a system in which an extra variable speed pump is used in parallel with the normal system, using electronic circuitry to optimise the speed of lifting so that it is always as high as the power of the engine allows relative to the weight of the load. 'Optirev' ensures that the engine works at maximum rpm (approximately 1,400) when lifting at top speed, contributing to both lower noise levels and fuel consumption.

Kalmar's new ContChamp Generation F and ContMaster reach stackers have been developed in response to environmental, performance, reliability and operating cost considerations.

Both models are equipped with low emission engines that meet 97/68 EC Stage 2 and US EPA Tier 2 standards. The ContChamp comes with a 12 litre Volvo Penta which is more fuel efficient than the older 10 litre unit while the ContMaster comes with a Scania DI12 or Cummins QSM11 engine.

The 'revolutionary' ContChamp Generation F can be customised to fit a wide variety of applications while the renewed ContMaster is purpose built for container handling. The ContChamp incorporates numerous performance enhancing technical innovations, many of which originate from efforts to produce an advanced cross-country unit for the US Army. A new monitoring system controls some 500 measuring points that are checked 50 times a second to provide accurate and instantaneous information to the operator for diagnostic purposes.

The new ST 122 terminal tractor is specifically designed for efficient trailer moving operations.

MJ Information No: 17613