Scania has purchased its third Semax. The forklift is used for moving the trucks that have left the production line. No other forklift can handle the task in the confined spaces of the chassis factory.
Since just over six months ago, Scania’s new S model has been rolling out from the line at Scania’s chassis factory in Södertälje. In the trucking world, pervasive model changes rarely occur. So when Scania launched its first new car in many years, it got a lot of attention. Among other things, the S model was awarded the international truck of the year award.
Now production takes place at full speed, every seven minutes a truck leaves the assembly line (the clock time is 6:50!) It is two- and three-axle trucks and cars that are manufactured. At the last station, the engine starts and the cars leave the workshop and drive out for their own machine in the parking lot for new cars.
But it is not always the trucks can or are allowed to drive for their own machine. Then heavy electric forklifts are used to rank the newly manufactured trucks. Scania uses the distinctive Semax truck for that job. Scania has recently purchased its third Semax.
The Semax forklift was developed during the 1980s. The characteristic of the forklift model is that the mast is located behind the cab, instead of in front. It gives a very good view forward for the driver. It also means that the forklift can be made very short, with a short wheelbase.
The truck is driven into place in the workshop where the car must be specially adapted to the customer’s wishes. The truck driver is Kjell Pettersson.
The 12-ton electric forklift that Scania uses, a Semax G120H-E has a wheelbase of 2,5 meters. The turning radius is only 3,7 meters.
– The space is limited in the workshop. In here, only the Semax forklift can be used for ranking. We have tried other alternatives but they did not work, says Kim Frykman, until very recently responsible for internal transport at the chassis factory in Södertälje. Frykman is now instead responsible for one of the production steps on the assembly line.
The forklifts at Scania has no forks. The fork assembly is replaced with a lifting axle which is connected to the towing socket on the front of the truck. Kim Frykman and the truck driver Kjell Pettersson show how a newly manufactured truck to be taken back into the chassis factory is connected to the truck.
Alongside the assembly line are a couple of workshops used for repairs and customizations. All cars are first taken out in the parking lot after the production line. The cars that need to be adapted to customer requirements or repaired are taken back into the chassis factory, gradually.
At the end of the assembly line are two completely new cars.
Kjell Pettersson lifts the front axle of the truck from the ground and the forklift backs into the workshop with the car on the trailer. He can control the angle of the yoke to be able to maneuver the ship smoothly in confined spaces.
Kim Frykman notes that the forklift is usually driven in reverse when it is loaded. The unmatched good forward view of the Semax truck is thus not fully utilized at Scania
The new Semax that was delivered to Scania in January this year, however, is equipped with video cameras that help the driver with the visibility. The Scania forklifts are purchased via Linde. Linde and Toyota share the responsibility for truck service at Scania and each has a truck workshop in the factory area.
The solution of placing the mast behind the cabin gave several advantages, in addition to the visibility. The mast functioned as a counterweight, which means that the truck can also be made short, with a small wheelbase. A truck with forks or clamping units can also be equipped extension that facilitates loading and unloading on a truck/railwagon.
About 200 Semax trucks have been manufactured since the 1980s. About 50 of them are electric. Most often, the later models of Semax are electric powered.
At this station the docking takes place, then the cab, which is delivered from the factory in Oskarshamn, is mounted on the truck chassis.
