2 Positioning CTUs

2.1          Wheeled operation

2.1.1       Road trailers and freight containers on chassis can be left at the packer’s premises for a period of time without a tractor unit. When this happens, the correct positioning of the CTU is particularly important as a safe shifting of the CTU at a later stage might be difficult. After positioning, brakes should be applied and wheels should be chocked.

2.1.2       Trailers with end door openings and general purpose freight containers on chassis can be backed up to an enclosed loading bay or can be positioned elsewhere in the premises. For this type of operation a safe access to the CTU by means of suitable ramps is required.

2.1.3       When a semi-trailer or a freight container on a chassis is to be packed, care should be taken to ensure that the trailer or chassis cannot tip while a lift truck is being used inside the CTU (see figure 5.2).

Figure 5.2 Inadequate support of a trailer

              If there is a risk for forward tipping the semi-trailer or chassis should be sufficiently supported by fixed or adjustable supports (see figures 5.3 and 5.4).

2.2          Grounded operation

2.2.1       Freight containers may be unloaded from the delivery vehicle and be placed within secure areas for packing. The area should be level and have a firm ground. Proper lifting equipment is required.

2.2.2       When landing freight containers it should be ensured that the area is clear of any debris or undulations in the ground that may damage the understructure (cross members or rails) of the freight container.

2.2.3       As freight container doors may not operate correctly when the ground is not level, the door end of the freight container should be examined. When one corner is raised off the ground, when the doors are out of line (see figure 5.5) or when the anti-racking plate is hard against one of the stops, the freight container doors should be levelled out by placing shims under one or other corner fitting, as appropriate.

Figure 5.5 Racked freight container

2.2.4       When a swap body standing on its support legs is to be packed, particular care should be taken to ensure that the swap body does not tip when a lift truck is used for packing. It should be checked that the support legs of the swap body rest firmly on the ground and cannot shift, slump or move when forces are exerted to the swap body during packing (see figure 5.6).

Figure 5.6 Swap body landed on support legs

2.3          Access to the CTU

2.3.1       After the CTU has been positioned for packing, a safe access should be provided. For loading a CTU by means of forklift trucks driven into the CTU, a bridging unit between the working ground or loading ramp and the CTU floor should be used. The bridging unit should have lateral boundaries and be safely connected to the CTU for avoiding dislocation of the bridging unit during driving operations.

2.3.2       If the CTU floor is at a height level different to that of the loading ramp, a hump may appear between the loading ramp and the bridging unit or between the bridging unit and the CTU floor. Care should be taken that the forklift truck used keeps sufficient ground clearance over this hump. Lining the level differences with suitable timber material under the bridging unit should be considered (see figures 5.7 and 5.8).

2.3.3       If forklift trucks are employed for packing, any roofs or covers of the CTU should be opened if necessary. Any movable parts of such roofs or covers should be removed or suitably secured in order to avoid interference with the loading procedure.

2.4          Packing of CTUs in poor daylight conditions may require additional lighting. Electric lighting equipment should be used under the strict observance of relevant safety regulations, in order to eliminate the risk of electric shocks or incentive sparks from defective cables or heat accumulation from light bulbs.