ABP Immingham Container Terminal
Over the years Port Equipment Engineering has provided major repairs to a variety of equipment, such as reach stackers. One of our regular users of these services is ABP Immingham Container Terminal, who are importers and exporters of containers and goods. In addition to these services we also often provide ABP with general machining and manufacturing of various components.
We recently attended an emergency callout to their site when ABP reported a spread frame fracturing on one of their reach stackers, leaving it in need of quick reactive repairs. The reach stackers are vital pieces of machinery used to load and unload containers around ABP’s terminal, which is one of the busiest container gateways in the United Kingdom.
When we arrived we immediately discovered a 3-metre fracture, which required careful examination and analysis. As a result the reach stacker in need of repair was transported under escort directly to our workshop, where it was dismantled and all the components were thoroughly cleaned and checked. We then performed a full NDT test before liaising with various bodies for authorisation and feasibility.
The fractured area of the 15mm S355 grade non-alloy structural steel plate was cut out of the reach stacker and removed, incorporating radiuses on each corner to alleviate stress cracking at a later date. All the edges were then re-welded and prepared to a full plate thickness of 15mm. A new 15mm S355JR plate was bent through 90° with an internal radius of 25mm.
Having completed all external welding, one run of welding was applied to the inner services of the plate, paying particular attention to welding the new plate to the existing spread frame vertical partitioning plate. On the completion of the reactive repairs all of the reach stacker surfaces that the wear pads travel over were flattened back and smoothed, before NDT tests were carried out on all of the welded areas.
The repairs were carried out expertly over a 7 day period by staff members Alex Grosset, Ben Farman and apprentice Jack Miller, whose NDT and welding skills were essential. A wide array of tools were utilised throughout this reach stacker repair, including both mig and stick welders, and grinders along with air tools, oxygen and propane and acetylene for the removal and cleaning processes.
“I have enjoyed my time repairing this reach stacker and it has helped me improve my knowledge that can be transferred onto other jobs as we have had to repair a variety of components. I especially enjoyed learning how the reach stacker spread frame worked and why it required repairs and the repair route cause.”
“I am currently studying a Machining Apprenticeship but due to the wide range of jobs coming through the door I am interested in getting to know about all of the different procedures required to work here. It is great that the Manager allows me to learn other areas away from the machine shop.”
“With it being my first time repairing one of these machines it was a challenge for me, but with the help of the qualified engineers here I was able to overcome the challenging times by asking for help from people who knew this machine better than I did. The end result is exactly how we planned it to be and a very good experience throughout.”
Jack Miller, Apprentice
If you have a machine that requires major repairs, you can give us a call on 01469 571010 or get in touch at office@portequipmenteng.co.uk and find out how our engineering expertise could benefit your project.
