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At a busy sea port, loading and unloading the vessels in an efficient and timely manner can mean saving or costing companies tens of thousands of dollars. Ports that rely on top-quality, dependable equipment turn to Kalmar Industries in Finland, one of the world's leading manufacturers of straddle carrier equipment.

Straddle carriers are four-wheel drive units used in ports and railroad yards to unload shipments of all sizes and shapes. Using drive and lift chains working in conjunction, the carrier lifts and stacks containers onto trucks or in warehouses. The heavy loads that straddle carriers transport require strong, quality chain - that is why Diamond Chain is a supplier to Kalmar.

Diamond's durable, extended life chain allows Kalmar's straddle carriers to work more efficiently with less downtime. Kalmar uses Diamond Drive and Lift Chains because they hold up best to a demanding workload and the salty, corrosive conditions that sea ports experience.

The straddle carrier design incorporates two different types of chain: Drive and Lift Chain.

Drive Chain - Since each wheel is direct drive, a total of four different drive chains are used on each carrier. The chains are fitted in the drive mechanism between a hydraulic motor and each wheel. The drive uses 120-2 PF (press-fit) riveted  chain. This includes a BCL (bushed connecting link) with a special bushed cover plate. The special press fit and bushed connecting link allows for easy assembly and still maintains the integrity of the chain. The  BCL's new staggered-leg cotter pins are easier than ever to install and are specially heat treated for strength.

Lift Chain - the other chains on this hard-working piece of equipment are the Lift Chains. Each carrier uses four single-strand chain of 160 or 200 type and two strands of 160 or 200 double strand. The 160 HS chain has through-hardened pins with heavy side plates. The through-hardened pins provide improved resistance to shock-loading and increased working strength. The heavier side plates also contribute to a greater resistance to shock loads. Diamond also supplies special BCL connecting links with its Lift Chain. These connecting links employ medium-carbon through-hardened pins with nickel plating. This gives the connecting links ease of installation as well as the load capacity and corrosion and fatigue resistance of the Lift Chains.