New Zealand port automates straddle carrier tire monitoring

ERJ staff report (TP)

Christchurch, New Zealand − Lyttelton Port of Christchurch (LPC) installed wireless sensor technology from Identec Solutions and partner Advantage PressurePro to provide real-time condition monitoring for tires on its straddle carriers, reported Port Technology International.

The New Zealand port operator has implemented the new system as an extension of its existing investment in CTAS, Identec Solutions’ real-time fleet management and process automation platform for container port and terminal operators.

As installed at LPC, the Identec Solutions CTAS tire management system (TMS) uses PressurePro’s heavy-duty 10 Wheel Monitor to continuously capture and record tire data, including automatic alarms for low or high pressures and temperatures.

The sensors, which are fitted to the valve stem of each straddle carrier tire, can read pressures from 10 to 199 psi, with data displayed in psi, bar or kPa. Information from the PressurePro monitors is integrated into CTAS via the straddle carriers’ PLC controls and is displayed on the Fuel/Tire dashboard of the CTAS Fleet Management software module. This allows LPC maintenance and engineering staff to remotely track, manage and analyse the performance of individual tires and machines.

A special feature of the LPC system is a “limp home” safety mode. When a low pressure tire is identified, CTAS sends a signal to the straddle carrier PLC to automatically restrict the speed at which the equipment can be driven. At the same time, drivers receive a “Return to workshop” message on their CTAS cabin display unit. This ensures that drivers cannot continue to operate equipment normally until the fault has been properly checked and rectified by maintenance staff.

LPC has so far installed CTAS TMS on four new Liebherr straddle carriers commissioned earlier this year, with an option to roll the system out across its existing fleet of 18 Kalmar straddle carriers in the future.

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Full story from Port Technology International