New Omega reach stacker from Clark Equipment

The launch of the RS65 reach stacker represents the final product required to complete Clark Equipment’s Omega range of Australian designed and manufactured heavy lift trucks – and it’s the first ever to be manufactured in Australia, according to Ross Easton, general manager of Clark Equipment New Zealand’s heavy equipment division.

“We looked closely at a number of overseas reach stackers in our design phase, but concluded that the design direction we have been following with our Omega range was the right way to go for the reach stacker,” Mr Easton explains. “The $1 million development of the RS65 uses the same drive train as the well-proven 54E empty container handler with the Cummins QSM11 engine, the Clark TE27 electronic transmission and the Kessler heavy duty drive axle,” he says.

The RS65 has the capacity to lift 45 tonnes on the first row, 31 on the second, and 16 tonnes on the third. With stabilisers fitted, these capacities rise to 38 on the second and 23 on the third.

The RS65 has a regenerative hydraulic system to allow faster or slower speeds of hydraulic controls, whilst the ‘power on demand’ feature allows high precision control. “This excellent functionality is combined with high levels of safety, especially with the anti-overload feature and a sliding cabin that allows the operator to roll to the front or rear to provide good visibility at all stages, especially when handling bottom lifts,” Mr Easton adds.

Three ‘families’ are planned: the RS60, the current RS65 series and the RS70 to complete the company’s range of heavy lift trucks. “The Omega range consisting of empty and dedicated container handlers and now reach stackers are the only forklifts of this kind to be manufactured in the Southern Hemisphere, and the market leaders in New Zealand and Australia,” Mr Easton says. “They can be seen in operation in virtually every major port, transport yard or wherever heavy loads need to be moved.”

The product range includes the Omega trucks from 12 to 40 tonnes and also Noell straddle carriers and Terberg terminal tractors.

For further information, contact: Ross Easton, Clark Equipment NZ, Tel: 09 274 4974, Email:ross.easton@clarkequipment.co.nz