Delft University of Technology
Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Transport Technology



A.J. Hogewoning Ontwerp van een mobiele continu-losser voor overslag van stortgoed vanuit binnenvaartschepen
Masters thesis, Report 92.3.TT.3076, Transport Engineering and Logistics.


A continuous unloader has several advantages over a grab-crane. Less dust-emission, less spilling and low dynamic loads are the most important advantages. A continuous unloader can be designed as a mobile crane. A mobile crane rides on pneumatic tires, but stands on stamps during unloading. The mobile continuous unloader doesn't need especially designed quays and can be used at different locations. Because of the severe demands considering dust-emission, a mobile continuous unloader can well be used at inland harbours.

While the mobile unloader stands on stamps during unloading, a large reach is necessary. Therefore the unloader must be a luffing crane. When luffing, the transport-system of the unloader must follow the luffing movement of the crane, this makes luffing more difficult. A continuous unloader consisting of a luffing crane with a single jib and a articulated transport-system can make a sufficient luffing movement. Lifting and luffing are separated and the crane is a level-luffing crane. To ensure levelng, the luffing movement of the jib must be coupled to the movement of the transport-system. This is a mechanical coupling.

The mobile continuous unloader can compete with existing grab-cranes. A less experienced crane operator can reach full capacity for a long time. This capacity is comparable to the capacity of a 20-tons mobile grab-crane. A thorough cost-estimation must prove, whether a market for the mobile continuous unloader exists.


Reports on Transport Engineering and Logistics (in Dutch)
Modified: 2006.05.10; logistics@3mE.tudelft.nl , TU Delft / 3mE / TT / LT.