Tele Radio enhances safety for VDL Container Systems
Loading and unloading trucks is now safer for customers of VDL Container Systems, thanks to Tele Radio.
VDL Container Systems is a leading manufacturer of demountable container handling systems and spreaders, with more than 25 years in the industry. Based in the Netherlands, it has a global customer base and is a market leader in the Benelux region. Its truck product range includes hooklifts, cable systems and chain systems for container handling, as well as skip loaders.
The company’s customers required a remote-control solution to help improve safety when loading or unloading. “We were looking for a partner that could address three key challenges: visibility, precision, and reliability,” said Paul van der Loo, product manager at VDL Container Systems.
When using cab-based controls, operators face restricted sight lines around hooklifts, skip loaders and chain systems. This can make it hard to judge swing radius or tip risk. Precision via proportional controls is also vital as two- or three-position systems can jolt loads, leading to unpredictable movements or even vehicle rollover.
For the same reason, uninterrupted performance is vital. One broken link between transmitter and receiver can have costly, potentially fatal consequences. In addition, VDL’s customers operate in extreme environments from working near industrial ovens to sub-zero Nordic yards. Its controllers need to withstand heat, cold and debris.
After searching the market for the right solution, VDL invested in the Tiger T14-7 and T15-7 remote controls from Tele Radio. Tiger is a robust radio control system adaptable to standard and complex applications. SIL3 and PLe certified, it is available in several radio bands with frequency-hopping technology. Designed for harsh environments, the push button transmitters are rated to either IP65 or IP66.
Crucially for VDL, they also provide millimetre-level proportionality. The pressure-sensitive buttons modulate hydraulic flow in real time, eliminating load jerk. And the secure, failsafe connection maintains control even in the most extreme circumstances. With up to 1,000m working range, operators can step well clear of heat, noise, or swinging objects while maintaining full visibility of the lift.
“Container handling operators face multiple, high-stake hazards every shift,” said van der Loo. “Operators require precise control. Tele Radio provides both the connection and precision we require.”
Fundamentally, Tele Radio helps to ensure the safety of VDL’s customers. “Operators gain perspective on their surroundings when using a remote control,” he added. “They can distance themselves from the intense heat of an industrial oven or a precariously balanced offloading truck.
“Imagine transporting a load of molten metal, an offloading garbage truck that tips backward to the point it could turn over, or an inner-city delivery amidst bustling traffic. Tele Radio provides end-users with the ability to take a step back and gain a full overview of the situation.”
The company’s clients operate in the harsh conditions found in industries such as mining, agriculture, and construction, as well as extremely cold weather in the north of Europe and very hot temperatures in the south.
“Tele Radio is unmatched in establishing a secure connection, ensuring our users’ safety,” he added. “We have a great working relationship with Tele Radio. They listened closely to what we needed, making them a great partner for now and also to develop future products.”
To find out more about Tele Radio’s work with VDL Container Systems, visit https://www.tele-radio.com/vdl-container-systems-tele-radio-ensures-our-users-safety/
