Ships arriving in Germersheim laden with up to 2,000 tons of gravel can be completely emptied in just two hours.

Originating in 1902 as a mining operation, digging sand and gravel from pits in Neckarsulm, family-owned Freyer Hafenlogistik now towers over the skyline with its new Sennebogen 870 E unloading ships at the inland river port of Germersheim.

Port logistics have become the focus of business for Freyer Hafenlogistik since the business began its diversification plan in Germersheim in 1969.

"Keeping up with the times meant being able to react more flexibly to market requirements. That's why we have expanded our capabilities since the turn of the millennium," Senior Manager Erich Freyer said.

The 870 M unloading a ship on the Rhine in Germersheim.

Acquiring the new 870 machine means it now has added capacity and flexibility to support the firm's varied interests in shipping commodities ranging from scrap and iron to grains and fertilizer. The giant material handler weighs in at a full 220,000 lbs. (108,000 kg), and sits perched atop a wheeled undercarriage with a 6.5 ft.-tall pylon to support the 82 ft. (25 m) reach of its massive lifting boom. While the facility still operates a pair of smaller Sennebogen telehandlers as well as Sennebogen 860 M, the new 870 M E Series now allows Freyer Hafenlogistik to unload any ship that can navigate the harbor.

Fleet Expansion for Even More Flexibility in the Port

Due to the 870, ships arriving in Germersheim laden with up to 2,000 tons of gravel can be completely emptied in just two hours. The site, employing 27, typically moves 350,000 tons of bulk and general cargo each year. Some of the material goes directly to storage in the firm's 50 ft. (15.2 m) high silo – well within the loading range of the 870.

The family's management team worked closely with Sennebogen. The team was impressed as much by the mobility of the machine as its capacity.

"As a family business, we must consider everything very carefully," Freyer said. The 870 allows us to be agile on site and use the machine's flexibility to our advantage."

The machine's hydraulic joystick control system also was a determining factor. It lets the operator handle huge loads comfortably, precisely and accurately, which is a requirement on the job. While the machine itself is compact, operators are surprised by the spacious comfort of the Sennebogen Maxcab. It's fully equipped with an air-suspension seat, climate control and dual safety cameras are standard. Freyer had an additional camera mounted on the boom to give the operator a clear view of the business end when filling the silo.

For more information, visit www.sennebogen-na.com.

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