Buttimer’s DOCKSOLID ship-unloading hoppers

Flexibility and optional customization make Buttimer’s DOCKSOLID ship-unloading hoppers a popular choice.

 

Buttimer Engineering has been designing and manufacturing mobile handling systems to handle all types of dry bulk materials since it was established in 1978. The company, through decades of experience and innovation, has positioned itself at the forefront of the cargo handling industry both domestically and abroad.

 

Over the years Buttimer as a company has expanded and diversified into one of Ireland’s most innovative mechanical engineering companies. A key part of this has been the emphasis placed on the mobile ship-unloaders and other port equipment.

 

Buttimer Engineering owns the DOCKSOLID brand, which is well known within the industry for providing mobile bulk hoppers. DOCKSOLID port unloading equipment is the result of more than two decades designing, refining and maintaining ship unloading hopper systems.

 

The DOCKSOLID range has been meticulously designed for use in situations where ease of use, robustness and effectiveness are the key considerations.

 

Undoubtedly the most popular piece of DOCKSOLID port unloading equipment is the ship-unloading hopper, which has become a cornerstone of the brand. Buttimer’s ship unloading hoppers compete on their state-of-the-art dust control techniques, but also on their reliability. The sophisticated design of DOCKSOLID range of ship-unloading hoppers guarantees that the equipment is easy to use, easier to maintain and repair, and therefore has greater availability and longevity for the operator.

 

Ship-unloading equipment is designed with a detailed understanding of the impact and dynamic forces and loads exerted during the unloading and flow of the specified dry bulk cargo, to ensure a robust structure and frame. The hoppers have to be ‘fit-for-purpose’ in a demanding environment, therefore, all the equipment is custom made to meets Buttimer’s customers’ needs.

 

On top of providing excellent quality, the significance of adhering to strict environmental laws cannot be understated. Buttimer is committed to making sure these hoppers are environmentally friendly and hazards such as airborne dusts are kept to a minimum. This is done through state-of-the-art dust prevention systems and environmental control techniques incorporated into every hopper design, meaning that DOCKSOLID not only guarantees the highest quality, but also environmental peace of mind.

 

One of the key competencies of Buttimer Engineering and, in turn, DOCKSOLID, is incredible versatility, offering a diverse range of ship-unloading hoppers. The standard hoppers come in a range of pre-set models which address the most common handling requirements, but Buttimer is flexible enough to handle custom requirements through the manufacturing of bespoke models at the customer’s request. Whilst the standard hopper can perform the vast majority of cargo handling duties, Buttimer offers options within DOCKSOLID in order to fully satisfy the needs of any and all potential clients.

 

The Environmental hopper is fundamentally similar to the standard hopper, offering everything one would expect from the standard variation and more. However, the Environmental hopper also includes state-of-the-art modernizations, such as a dust control Flex-Flap, dust extraction filters and a discharge chute to minimize the potential of noise and air pollution. Whilst these hoppers are renowned for their excellent manoeuvrability, amongst other things, Buttimer also offers rail-mounted or static hoppers. The rail-mounted hoppers are mounted onto new or existing tracks of any width, whilst the static hoppers can be permanently installed as part of a port terminal or industrial facility. This diverse range of products, catering to almost every eventuality is one of the key reasons why Buttimer and DOCKSOLID have proven to be so successful in the ship-unloading market.

 

The DOCKSOLID range offers incredible diversity and versatility, with units ranging from simple open-ended hoppers up to fully aspirated self-drive dockside mobile loaders. The company can also offer units that are rail-mounted or pneumatic tyre-mounted, but arguably the most impressive aspect is not just what it can offer but also in what it handles. Buttimer is capable of handling an extensive list of commodities, with very few products beyond its capabilities. Products handled include, but are not limited to;

 

 

Apart from the ability to handle a large variety of commodities, the DOCKSOLID brand can be spotted in many different locations. One thing which Buttimer prides itself on is its willingness to move out of its comfort zone. Having started dealing predominantly in the Irish market, Buttimer has gone on to have clients and provide ship-unloading capabilities across the globe. Over the years, clients have included some major players in the cargo handling sector, such as;

 

 

Whilst everything that Buttimer Engineering offers as part of the DOCKSOLID range is of the highest standard, what truly sets the company apart from competitors are patented innovations.

 

* DOCKSOLID suspension system: wheel-mounted hoppers are fitted with a jacking and suspension system, designed in house, to give the mobile units exceptional load handling without putting undue stress on the hopper’s structure, or the quay surface, during driving and unloading. The patented system equalizes the pressure across all four wheels while the hopper is in driving mode, allowing the units to easily handle uneven surfaces without putting strain on the upright columns or the hoppers structure.

 

* DOCKSOLID steering system: DOCKSOLID hoppers possess a purpose-designed steering system to give the mobile hoppers a high level of manoeuvrability, for quick and agile repositioning. The dual tie bar steering mechanism allows much greater wheel rotation than standard systems allowing for an agile turning radius with reduced power consumption. Dual tie-bar steering ensures that there is no misalignment of wheels during turning, preventing scrub on the tyres and premature failing of bearings. DOCKSOLID units therefore achieve significantly better manoeuvrability with less wear and tear than other mobile equipment.

 

* Loading pads: a bespoke jacking system allows operators a simple and quick transition between driving and operating modes. While the hopper is in operating mode, the loading pads are lowered and the weight of the hopper and the product being handled is transferred from the wheels to the loading pads, allowing grater dispersal of weight over the quay surface.

 

Ship Unloaders: Dry Cargo International