Container Handling Frequently Asked Questions

How heavy is a Mobicon?

The Mobicon weighs only 13,000 kg.

What is the wheel weight of a loaded Mobicon?

Because the Mobicon has 8 wheels, and the load is evenly spread over 8 wheels, the wheel pressures are very low.

For example: loaded with a 25 tonne container, the maximum wheel pressure is only 5,500 kg.

What size container can a Mobicon handle?

The Mobicon can handle all ISO containers, including

• Flat racks (bolsters)
• 62 foot containers
• The Mobicon can also lift open top containers.

How does the Mobicon work?

Basically, the Mobicon consists of two towers which are coupled together when there is no container being handled. 

When a container is picked up, the rear tower is connected to the container first. 

Then the two towers are un-coupled, and the front tower is driven to the front of the container. 

The front tower is then coupled to the front of the container. 

The Mobicon then lifts the container and drives away.  The container acts as the chassis, keeping the front and the rear towers together.

How long does it take to pick up a container?

It takes around 2 minutes to pick up a container. 

The whole operation of picking up a container, and placing it on a vehicle takes around 5 minutes.

I read that the Mobicon is very flexible, what is meant by that?

The Mobicon is flexible in the way it can handle any length of containers, from 20 foot onwards, including 60 foot containers, and all type of containers, including:

• Flat-beds
• Open top containers
• Tank containers
• Half height containers and
• Curtain sided containers. 

This is a huge advantage over many other container handlers that often are limited in carrying some types of containers because of their lifting frames.

The Mobicon is also very flexible in where it can place containers. 

The Mobicon moves containers length wise, and not width wise as forklift trucks, and therefore needs less space to manoeuvre. 

The Mobicon can also work under low awnings and can even bring containers inside a building, close to where the goods are, saving time to load and unload the container, and at the same time keeping the goods protected from the elements. 

Sometimes security is also improved by placing containers inside.

What kinds of companies use a Mobicon?

We have many different kinds of companies that use a Mobicon. 

• Logistics industry, e.g. third party logistics providers and transport companies
• Importers and exporters 
• Wine Industry, Food Industry, Dairies, Meat Industry, Grain and Seed Industry
• Steel Industry
• Chemical Industry
• Removalists
• Stevedoring
• Mining
• Building Industry
• Customs Departments

Generally they are companies that, with some exceptions, handle between 5 and 200 containers per week.  Some of our clients who do larger numbers have more than one Mobicon in their yard.

Why do companies use a Mobicon?

There are many good reasons to use a Mobicon. 

• Packing or unpacking containers on the ground instead of on a trailer is safer and faster. 
• Not having to use loading docks is also a great advantage, as loading docks can be very unsafe, and they are inflexible. 
• Compared with other means of unloading containers, the Mobicon is very efficient and economical. 
• The low axle weight is also a huge advantage for many users, as the Mobicon does not damage a yard surface like a forklift truck or reach stacker does. 
• Compared with Self Loading Trailers (or sometimes called side-loaders or swing lifters) the Mobicon is more economical when container numbers increase. 
• Also, using a Self Loading Trailer, the container cannot be moved once it is placed on the ground. 
• Companies can save a lot of money by separating the transport of the container from the unpacking or packing of the containers. 
• Waiting time for the transport company is reduced, and the Mobicon owner can pack or unpack the container when they want and where they want, without disturbing the transport provider. 
• Packing a container close to where the goods are placed is another advantage, and for some companies it is essential or advantageous to handle the goods under an awning, or inside a building. 

The Mobicon can give the user all these advantages.

Can the Mobicon bring a container inside a building?

Yes, the Mobicon only needs a 5 meter wide by 4 meter high doorway.  Many Mobicon users bring containers inside, or place them under low awnings.

Can a Mobicon handle over-height containers?

The maximum height the Mobicon can handle is 10’6”.  Any higher, and the Mobicon needs to be modified, which for example has been done for the glass industry, where large glass panels are transported in open top containers.

What is the drive speed?

The Mobicon can drive 8km/hr.

How much fuel does a Mobicon use?

The Mobicon, compared with much heavier forklifts and reach stackers is extremely economical.  Depending on the driving distances, one litre of diesel (distillate) per container is normally enough.

How safe is a Mobicon?

A Mobicon is much safer than a forklift or a reach stacker.  Because containers are transported at only 300mm (one foot) off the ground, the Mobicon cannot tip over like forklifts or reach stackers. 

Also, the operator is safely away from the load while driving.  With a Mobicon, dangerous loading docks are also no longer needed.

What is the view of the operator?

The operator has an excellent view of the surroundings of the Mobicon.  In the cabin is a CCTV monitor, and 3 cameras are fitted around the straddle carrier.

How many operators are needed to lift a container?

The Mobicon is a one man operator machine.

How is a container lifted?

The Mobicon has lifting attachments that fit into the side hole of a container corner casting.

How high can a container be lifted?

The lift height is 1.75 meters.

How easy is it to maintain a Mobicon?

Maintenance is very simple.  Most components used are comparable with forklifts.  A forklift mechanic finds the Mobicon easier to repair and maintain than a forklift.

Are electronics used?

Only the drive pump is electronically controlled with an “Amplifier”, supplied by Bosch-Rexroth.

What electric system is used?

A simple 24 Volt Automotive electrical system is used.  All cables are tagged for easy fault finding.

How are the wheels driven?

The four front wheels are driven by hydraulic wheel motors.  A Bosch-Rexroth transmission pump is driven by the engine.

How many wheels are driven?

The four wheels of the front tower are driven and steered.  The wheels of the rear tower do not have drive or steering.

What road surface is needed for the Mobicon to work on?

Unlike container forklift trucks and reach stackers, which have huge axle loads, Mobicons can work on most concrete, bitumen, pavers or compacted gravel surfaces. 

We found that most surfaces that are suitable for a truck or trailer are suitable for the Mobicon.  If in doubt, a surface test should be done.  We can supply the wheel pressures at different container loads.

Does the operator need a license?

In Australia, and most other countries, no license is required.  Local regulations must be checked though.

How easy is it to operate a Mobicon?

Like all machinery, training is required. 

We find that in most cases, a 3 hour training session is sufficient.  After that, we recommend that for the first (say) 50 containers a spotter helps the operator to ensure safe operations.

What are the service intervals?

A Mobicon is serviced every 300 hours, or twice a year.  A service typically takes 3 hours. Read more about servicing your Mobicon here.

What engine is used?

Our standard Mobicon is fitted with a Hatz air cooled diesel engine.

If an LPG gas engine is required, we fit a Vortec (GM) engine, and if very low noise levels are required, we use Hatz engines.  In some countries we fit a water cooled Isuzu. As you notice we are quite flexible in which engine we fit.

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