IMT tyre manipulators featured on new Hyster handling trucks

Iowa Mold Tooling (IMT) has announced that IMT TireHand tyre manipulators are featured on a new series of heavy-duty Hyster Company tyre handling trucks. The new Hyster tyre handlers with IMT TireHand attachments offer “total tyre handling solutions” that help “maximise equipment uptime, and promote operational safety in the mining, ports and intermodal industries.” The versatile new line of Hyster tyre handlers includes 14 models with IMT TireHand tyre manipulators. Eight IMT TireHand-equipped units are integral configurations ranging from 2,268 kg to 16,330 kg of capacity for dedicated tyre handling. The other six have hang-on quick connect IMT TireHand attachments for flexible transition between tyre handling and forklift modes.

Featuring a full range of tyre handling capacities, the new Hyster dual-function trucks with IMT TireHand tyre manipulators can be reconfigured within an hour.
The collaboration combines the strengths of IMT TireHand tyre manipulators and Hyster lift trucks into one vehicle package, which the companies state provides customers with “efficient tyre handling performance, lower total cost of ownership, easier on-site installation and assembly, and excellent all-around visibility.”

“Maximising equipment uptime is critical to customer success in the mining industry and other demanding applications,” said John Field, Product Manager of material handling at IMT. “Hyster units optimised with IMT TireHand tyre manipulators will provide customers faster and more cost-effective service of heavy-duty tires, increasing productivity and profitability. With our hang-on quick connect TireHand attachments, Hyster dual-function trucks can reduce the number of specialised service vehicles needed in a fleet and lower operating costs.”

Key features of IMT TireHand tyre manipulators include:

• Hydraulically controlled fallback protection: IMT TireHand tyre manipulators offer integrated fallback protection arms for easy operation and operator safety.
• Optimised pad design: Featuring an optimised grip pattern and tapering on the pad, IMT TireHand tyre manipulators maintain their grip on the tyre without damage and handle rim flange hardware with ease.
• Longer arm length: Longer arms allow IMT TireHand models to reach the back flange on wheels.
• Minimised arm profile: IMT TireHand arms are narrower to minimise interference with chassis components during tyre handling operations.
• Dual pinion pad rotation: The pad rotation on IMT TireHand models utilises two motors and two pinions, reducing pinion stress and extending pinion life.

Featuring a “plug-and-play” system, Hyster tyre handlers with IMT TireHand tyre manipulators can be simply installed and assembled on-site. They offer efficient body and pad rotation for proper positioning of tyres and wheel assemblies. Optimised flow settings with fully calibrated hydraulics provide greater handling performance. Hyster trucks with IMT TireHand attachments are designed for all-around visibility of tyre grab pads, fallback arms and wheel assemblies while providing enhanced rearward visibility. A two-stage mast offers “exceptional” visibility of the tyre handling application.

At rated capacities, the new Hyster tyre handler trucks with IMT TireHand tire manipulators are sized to provide tyre handling solutions while consuming less fuel. This results in lower acquisition costs and lower long-term operating costs. “With their performance and flexibility, IMT TireHand tyre manipulators are a perfect complement to dependable Hyster lift trucks,” Field said. “We’re proud to collaborate with Hyster Company to offer customers one of the industry’s most optimised tyre handling solutions.”