Fuchs MHL 380F – Well equipped for Scrap and Port Handling
Regardless of whether you are operating within the heart of a busy scrap yard or a harsh coastal climate, you have the right tool for the job with a Fuchs MHL 380.
Thanks to Fuch’s modular design principle, the MHL 380 can be individually adapted to meet the needs of the customer, meaning that this machine can excel in both scrap and port applications. Banana booms for unloading ships, wide undercarriages from minimal ground pressure or pylons for increased visibility, Fuchs can offer all of this and more to ensure that your MHL 380 is the perfect fit.
The MHL 380F has a maximum reach of 22 metres and a maximum operating weight of 71.8 tons (without attachments). The machine has a Stage V 328hp Deutz engine or comes as a fully electric alternative which has a 220kW engine. The second largest machine within the Fuchs line-up is also available in several configurations included Wheeled, wheeled with pylon, tracked, tracked with pylon, stationary with static legs or stationery with pylon.
Blue Machinery (Scotland) recently installed two new MHL 380s, one into a long standing scrap customer and the other into a first time customer that specialises in crane-hire and ship to shore stevedoring.
Scrap Application – J Denham Metals
J Denham Metals are the largest independent metal recycler in the North East of England with over 60 years of experience, specialising in Ferrous and Non-Ferrous metals. The company have extensive knowledge of the secondary metal markets which allows them to compete at the very top of both domestic and international markets, supplying material to consumers all over the world.
Operating out of their 6-acre site in Bishop Auckland, J Denham Metals run an extensive fleet of metal processing and handling equipment. Blue Machinery (Scotland) have been supplying the company with Fuchs material handlers for many years now and they currently run three blue handlers in their fleet. Murray Plant (A Blue Scotland Company) also recently supplied J Denhams with a Fortress FS-95R mobile shear which has allowed the company to process larger items more efficiently.
The MHL 380F is the company’s latest handler in the fleet and is being used to load their static shear, as well as the loading and unloading of trailers. The new MHL 380 is the largest Fuchs handler that J Denhams have run and is fitted with a Fuchs five tine scrap grab.
John Joe Denham, Director at J Denham Metals comments “We have a great relationship with the guys at Blue Scotland, they provide us with great service and quality material handlers. We decided to go for a larger Fuchs model this time as the amount of material arriving onsite is always increasing and the handler is feeding the largest shear baler in the country. We buy the best to stay ahead of the rest.”
Port Application – Hugh Simpson Contractors
Starting off as a two-man operation in 1964, Hugh Simpson Contractors are now Northern Scotland’s leading lifting and crane-hire company. From harbour bases in Wick and Scrabster, the 3rd generation family business specialises in contracting lifting, crane and plant hire, heavy haulage, and ship to shore stevedoring.
As part of their port handling operation the company run a number of material handlers which includes a 2003 model Fuchs MHL 360. After deciding it was time to replace one of their existing handlers, Blue Scotland brought in an MHL 380F on demo. David Simpson at Hugh Simpson explains “We weren’t initially looking to bring in a handler as big as the MHL 380, however, once we spent some time using the machine it soon became the obvious choice for us. With vessels getting bigger and deeper, it made sense for us to go with a larger machine that could keep up with the larger volumes that we are dealing with”.
The machine was fitted with a 3.6m3 clampshell grab which the company will use for the unloading of materials such as fertilizer and limestone. However, they have also several other attachments for the handler which will be used to handle timber and piping projects.
David went on to discuss the performance of their new handler: “We know how reliable the Fuchs handlers are as our old MHL 360 is now over 20 years old and has served us well with no major issues. However, we have been blown away with the performance of this new machine. Its power, stability and ease of use is miles ahead of any handler we have ever operated.”