Unique grain system for Ukraine

Telestack has been awarded a contract for to supply a unique grain handling ship-loading project to an operator in Ukraine. The project includes four rail-mounted parallel travel/radial telescopic ship-loading conveyors. The manufacturer said these units are the only ones of their type on the market today.

The TS 227 parallel/radial telescopic conveyor will be loading 3000–5000dwt barges/vessels at 250tonnes/hour fed from a slatted conveyor currently installed on site. The machine has six rail bogie units, which will be used to move in parallel mode to the four pre-defined transfer points from the slatted conveyor.

The distinctive feature of this unit, said Telestack, is the ability to move from parallel travel to radial travel at the pre-defined the loading points that are aligned at the centre of each hatch. This is achieved by a hydraulic jacking leg which lifts the machine from the front rail (closest to the barge/vessel) to the hydraulic driven radial wheels. The feature allows for complete radial trimming of the hatch.

Once the loading sequence is complete, the machine is lifted, via the hydraulic jacking leg, back onto the rail and moved parallel to the next loading point. The manufacturer said this method ensures for an efficient loading cycle while trimming the entire hatch of the barge/vessel.

The design also includes a hydraulically raising transfer chute which connects to the slatted conveyor, eliminating dust emissions at the transfer point. The outer conveyor and innovative inner conveyor dust covers ensure that dust is minimised when material is on the belt. This is enhanced by the 8.5-metre telescopic free fall chute with integrated dust extraction, which eliminates dust at the transfer point and within the hatch.

The first two units are due to be installed by the end of 2009, with the next two planned for the spring 2010. The operator has stated that a further two units are expected to be ordered and installed for the summer 2010.