Vehicle restraint: Loading dock equipment manufacturer Rite-Hite has introduced a new version of its Dok-Lok vehicle restraint
that can be used with overseas container chassis.
Like Rite-Hite’s other Dok-Lok units, the new RHR-4000 hooks
onto the rear impact guard to prevent all types of trailer-separa-tion accidents from such things as early departure and landing-gear collapse as well as trailer creep, pop up, upending, and tip
over. The RHR-4000 differs from previous Dok-Loks in that its
rotating hook restraint can also be secured to overseas container chassis, which typically have a plate or obstruction above the
rear impact guard.
The RHR-4000 offers a water- and dust-resistant IP66-rated
motor and a longer-lasting, corrosion-resistant finish that meets
the ASTM B117 testing standard.
All Rite-Hite restraints come standard with the Rite-Vu Light
Communication System, including Corner Vu (which provides Dok-Lok status-at-a-glance to the forklift driver before he or she enters
the trailer) and Leveler-Vu (which confirms Dok-Lok status to the
forklift driver while inside the trailer). (Rite-Hite, www.ritehite.com)
Pick racks: Akro-Mils, a maker of storage, organization, and
transport products, has introduced a new line of 18-inch-deep
pick racks. According to Akro-Mils, these are the first 18-inch
pick racks in the industry and provide 50 percent more storage
capacity than 12-inch-deep pick racks.
The racks feature angled shelves for easy access
to and visibility of parts and supplies. The manufacturer says that the racks are suitable for 5S,
Lean, and other productivity initiatives.
The new systems include single-sided, double-sided, and mobile options and are made out of
The new racks are available separately or packaged with shelf
bins or drawers. (Akro-Mils, www.akro-mils.com)
Maersk invoice and payment solution: The containerized carrier Maersk Line has rolled out MyFinance, a new Web-based
electronic invoice and payment solution with dispute resolution
for customers. This e-commerce tool streamlines invoice and
payment processing and reduces customer costs by eliminating
time spent writing checks, e-mailing, and/or making phone calls.
MyFinance includes four key functionalities: eInvoice,
eDisputes, eStatements, and ePayments. The eInvoice feature
allows users to view, print, and download single or multiple
copies of current invoices in various formats, including PDF, XML,
and CSV. eDisputes allows for faster processing of disputes as
well as the ability to redispute and raise multiple disputes.
eStatements gives customers an up-to-date view of current
account status. With ePayments, customers can pay invoices in
full online. (Maersk Line, www.maerskline.com)
Three-wheel electric forklifts:
Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks has
announced the new FB16PNT-
FB20PNT series of forklifts.
Featuring a compact design,
these three-wheel forklifts are
equipped with wet disc brakes
for improved performance in wet
or corrosive environments, electric power steering for enhanced
energy efficiency, and an ergonomic operator compartment.
The FB16PNT–FB20PNT series trucks are designed for powerful performance and productivity in crowded and tight work
areas, the manufacturer says. The new vehicles feature heavy-duty alternating-current (AC) drive and hydraulic motors, along
with Mitsubishi PM-1000 controllers. The forklifts’ motors are
sealed, which protects them from contaminants such as dust and
moisture. This feature allows the forklift to perform well in both
indoor and outdoor applications.
The series also features smart technology. The controlled cor-nering-speed feature progressively reduces the speed of the forklift as the truck’s steer angle increases.
There are a variety of options available. Pneumatic tires and a
full-suspension seat can be added to create a smooth ride on
rough surfaces or uneven floors. Other options include the Cold
Storage Modification for forklifts operating in refrigerator or
freezer applications, and quad masts and sideshifters for
increased productivity in dock-to-stock applications. (Mitsubishi
Forklift Trucks, www.mit-lift.com)
Airfreight tracking: Southwest Airlines Cargo has introduced an
asset-tracking service. Cargo Companion lets customers know the
location and environmental status of high-value and time-/tem-perature-sensitive items shipped via Southwest Airlines Cargo.
The service is designed for freight forwarders, couriers, perishable commodity shippers, and shippers of time-critical and high-value items. Cargo Companion features state-of-the-art wireless
asset-tracking devices that monitor the location, shock level,
light level, temperature, pressure, and humidity of cargo during
transit. Customers can monitor their cargo at
www.swacargo.com as well as elect to receive e-mail alerts when
their shipment crosses predefined checkpoints, arrives at the destination, or experiences a potential issue during transit. These
early-warning notifications enable customers to initiate contingency plans in the event of an unavoidable delay or temperature
alert en route to the destination.
Customers using Cargo Companion must prearrange the service for a specific flight the next day. The asset-tracking devices
are provisioned in advance and sent overnight to the customer
to be packed with their shipment. Southwest makes it easy for
customers to return the devices for subsequent use.
Cargo Companion is available now and can be arranged in
advance by contacting the Southwest Airlines Cargo Customer
Care Center at (800) 533-1222. (Southwest Airlines Cargo,
www.swacargo.com)
