Latest News

Recycling Success - 04/08/2009

Following the purchase of a SMC pallet fork clamp for use on a JCB Loadall in 2008, our customer had no hesitation in ordering a second unit when setting up his new recycling operation in 2009. The units robust structure and low maintenance design gave trouble free operation in a tough application. SMC also manufactured and supplied the quick release adaption to allow the JCB to quickly swop between equipment.

For more details look in our product guide > Clamp Units includes Beer Clamps > Side Clamp > Fork Clamps > SMC Fork Clamps

Series 5 Keg Clamp Released - 03/08/2009

Now available the latest series 5 keg clamp.

The series 5 builds on the success of our series 4 unit by incorporating an improved stabiliser design, having a symmetrical chain to enable an even pull on the stabiler arm, this significantly improves the bearing and chain life. To achieve this we have use four chains opposed to the two off on the series 4. In addition as we have twice as many chains it results in half the loading on each chain.

Whilst we were making this improvement we elected to standardise the lower clamp slide bearings in solid bronze material, this combined with the close fitting dirt scrapers possible due to the round slide design, improve on life of the bearings.

These extra improvements have all been absorbed into the cost price and series 5 units maintain the same low cost as the original series 4. The series 5 still features the full backplate design enabling class 2 and 3 adaption with only the need to unbolt the top hooks.

The load stabilser design features the load headroom as well as the narrow chassis width making this the most compact unit on the market.

Units are available for demonstration and hire, in addition we will have units available ex-stock from the end of August 2009.

Steel Ring Manipulation - 12/05/2009

Mid 2008 we were approached by a customer who had invested in a new steel ring forming machine and was looking for a solution to handling before and after forming.

This particular customer had prior experience of the SMC product having purchased a rotating billet handler back in 2004 of which this attachment had given him trouble free operation despite the arduous foundry application. The customer wished to handle blank rings from the furnace to the machine, carrying them in a manner which allowed loading into the machine that had yet to be installed. With details of the forming machine SMC designed, manufactured and supplied a rotating clamping unit for this application. The addition of a tippling unit which enabled large rings to be handled on the outside diameter as well as pinching the tube wall was also supplied. A revisit to the site this month confirmed both units had been intergrated within the operation and operating above customers expectations.

9.5M Jib Crane - 18/03/2009

Our fork mounted jib cranes can be manufactured to your requirements. This example achieves an outreach of 9.5M, The multi point lift reduces the live load element associated with single hook jib cranes enabling a larger capacity to be handled. This example was used for unloading containers containing steel bars.

For more information refer to the product guide

Product Catalogue > Milk Tines,Booms,Jibs & Carriage Adaptors > Jib Cranes > Fork Mounted Jib Cranes

Hydraulic Brick Tines For Unloading Kilns - 14/03/2009

SMC have found unexpected interest in one of our new designs the Hydraulic Brick Tine Attachment. Its over four years since one of our customers approached us to seek a solution for a problem with their existing handling equipment being used loading brick kilns. The weekly replacement of inflatable grippers used by their device, and the regular maintenance of the pneumatic power pack used to inflate them was costing them dearly. Apart from SMC no other manufacturer had been able to offer a solution , meaning they had no choice other than to continue with the expense of maintaining the existing equipment. With our experience it was natural that we would look to solve the solution using hydraulics, the end result was the Hydraulic Brick Tine Attachment. The unit consists of individual pistons for gripping each brick. These extremely compact hydraulic cylinders are built into the tine, and enable the bricks to be handled before they are completely cool, which increased kiln down time dramatically. Due to the tines being a self contained unit, it can be simply anchored to a frame with as many tines and tine pitches imaginable. We are currently specifying units with 12 Tines and a 5000 Kg capacity, but this is by no means the limit. Truck and kiln size are the only limiting factors.

Our hydraulic brick tine width can be reduced to a mere 65mm whilst maintaining a 25mm clamping stroke, however we are prototyping a uniquely designed mechanical piston arrangement who's width is only 55mm yet still retains a 25mm stroke.

Information and photgraphs of some of the versions produced can be found in the Product Catalogue

Section 7 - Brick & Block Clamps + Bucket Scoops & Skips > Brick and Block Clamps > Brick Tine