Original Date: 09/15/1997
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Prior to procuring Straddle Carriers, Tooele Army Depot (TEAD) used a traditional arrangement to receive, move, and issue ammunition. A crew of five to six personnel used a truck and trailer for moving forklifts, and one to two tractors and trailers. The crew required two forklifts, but the trailer could only haul one at a time, requiring multiple trips to set up at a job site. A standard box van was used to haul the ammunition and took substantially longer to load than the straddle carrier.

Equipment currently being used by TEAD for movement of material for shipment provides flexibility in equipment and manpower required to perform the tasks. The carriers are designed so truck drivers need not be at a job location at the time material is removed from storage. Only one forklift and operator are necessary to remove stock from a location and place it on platforms. A driver arrives at the location, backs the carrier under loaded skids, then raises the skids to traveling height and proceeds to the destination. The driver then lowers the skids to ground level and pulls away for another forklift to offload while the carrier operator is in transit to pick up more skids which are loaded and awaiting the driver to transport.

Carriers cost approximately $65 thousand each and have a service life of ten years. TEAD obtained three sources for purchase, and training is available from the vendors. TEAD has utilized the Straddle Carriers for 18 years and is in the process of procuring its third generation of carriers. Savings have been realized through a reduction of 50% in time to transport equipment to job sites and in the amount of time used by personnel to load and offload ammunition. The number of personnel required to receive and ship ammunition has also been reduced.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.