Home page
Industries
Cranes
Industrial trucks in container handling

Energy chains for reach stackers, straddle carriers, empty container stackers and spreaders

Which cable routing and cables should be installed on industrial trucks?

When particularly efficient container handling is required, manoeuvrable industrial trucks have an advantage over large crane systems. When loading and unloading semi-trailers or stacking containers, ports therefore rely on reach stackers, straddle carriers or empty container stackers.
Unlike cranes, energy chains do not have to travel as long distances and have comparatively lower loads to carry. Nevertheless, robust systems are required that function without failure during continuous use in port operations and minimise maintenance costs. In addition, the energy chain should be easy to handle, have a space-saving design and still offer plenty of room for cables inside.

What you will find on this page

Energy chains in container handling

To the energy chains

Cables in container handling

Go to the cables

energy chain in container handling

E4.1 - For reachstackers and straddle carriers
The basic version of the E4.1 energy chain offers high stability with small dimensions and is therefore suitable for long-lasting use on straddle carriers and reach stackers in container handling. The daily load and endurance tests that the E4.1 and other energy chains are subjected to in our in-house test laboratory on an area of 2,147 m² also provide certainty. In addition, the E4.1 is always rust-free and easy to maintain in outdoor use.
The system can also be modularly extended for special requirements: Sliding shoes for particularly abrasive conditions or rollers for high speeds or long travel distances.

Learn more

The specialists - finding the right system for every requirement

E4/light - Lightweight, slim
With slimmer side panels and a thinner crossbar, this version of the E4.1 has a particularly lightweight design and more interior space for cables. This makes it particularly suitable for shorter travel distances.

Learn more

E4.1L - Sturdy and easy to install
The E4.1L combines the advantages of two energy chains: the robust design of the E4.1 and the easy installation and simple accessibility of the E2/000. The result: a user-friendly and durable e-chain®.

Learn more

E4Q - robust and durable
With the energy chain E4Q, the focus was on a particularly stable design that also allows very long and unsupported travel distances. In addition, the energy chain can be opened and closed particularly easily without tools.

Learn more

Request free E4.1L sample

Are you interested in the E4.1L system, but would like to hold it in your hands to make a final decision and get the best possible impression?

Then you are welcome to order this free sleeve from us.

Ask for a free sample now

E2.1 - For empty container stackers and spreaders
In the medium load range for industrial trucks such as container stackers or spreaders, we often recommend E2.1-energy chains. The highly stable and space-saving systems are particularly easy to fill with cable and are perfect for long-lasting outdoor use.
The service life has been further improved compared to its predecessor, the energy chain E2/000, thanks to the enhanced design. This makes the E2.1-energy chain an all-rounder in the medium load range.

Learn more

Order a free sample of energy chain E2.1

Are you interested in the E2.1 series, but would like to hold it in your hands to make a final decision and get the best possible impression?

Then you can order a free sleeve of the E2.1 from us.

[Link extid="42" title="▶ Hier mehr erfahren"]

Cable in container handling

In harbour operations, cables are subjected to heavy loads. In industrial trucks working in continuous operation at container terminals, they are often in motion around the clock. To ensure that there are no broken cores and that the cables achieve the longest possible service life, we test all our chainflex® cables extensively in advance in our in-house test laboratory with a total area of 3,800 m².
All our cables are also UV-resistant, come in a UL-certified version and come with a 4-year warranty.

chainflex control cables CF9 and CF10

Thanks to different core counts and outer sheath materials, our control cable range offers the stability required for terminal vehicles as well as for longer travel distances such as on cranes.
discover control cable CF9 | discover control cable CF10

Discover all control cables

chainflex motor cables CF37/38, CF330/340

Our motor cables ensure reliable and failure-free operation in reach stackers, straddle carriers and other industrial trucks. And that at high mechanical loads and temperatures from -40 to +50 °C.
Discover CF37 | Discover CF38 | Discover CF330 | Discover CF340

Discover all motor cables

chainflex bus cable CFBUS

We offer a wide range of bus cables for the most common bus systems. Thanks to different outer materials and their tested durability, they can be used in industrial trucks in terminals without any problems.
Discover bus cable CFBUS

Discover all bus cables

chainflex coaxial cable CFKOAX

chainflex® coaxial cables are supplied with a TPE outer jacket and are UV-resistant. They enable reliable signal transmission in reachstackers and other terminal vehicles, even under high mechanical loads.
discover coax cable CFKOAX

Discover all coax cables

Your advantages with chainflex® cable

UL-certified

We also offer a UL cable (Underwriters Laboratories) for every chainflex® cable type.

UV-resistant

Suitable for outdoor applications: Our cables are all UV-resistant.

Warranty

Thanks to our daily laboratory tests on chainflex® cables, we offer a 4-year guarantee without hesitation.

Discover all chainflex cables here

Application story: Safe cable routing on the telescopic boom

Reach stacker with igus® e-chain® and chainflex® cables

Energy chains for telescopic boom and cabin adjustment
Our energy supply systems enable light, corrosion-free and low-maintenance cable guidance on the telescopic boom as well as in the cabin adjustment of this reach stacker. The energy supply's travel along the telescopic boom totals 11 metres while the travel along the cab adjustment amounts to 1.5 metres. Two e-chains® from igus® are deployed for the cab adjustment in order to protect all the cables and ensure they move safely and securely. 4140C and H4.56 energy supplies are used. It contains the chainflex® cable CF9, CF11 and hydraulic hoses.

Picture of spreader application with energy chain

Leading spreader manufacturers rely on E4 energy chains and chainflex cables.
Some of the world's leading manufacturers of spreaders use our energy chains and chainflex cables for cable and hose guidance on their spreaders. This is also the case in this example, a series application in which an E4 series energy chain and chainflex® CF37, CF9 cables and hydraulic hoses from igus® are in use. In this spreader, energy supply and cables have a travel of 3.5 metres in length.

Straddle carrier application with energy chain

Fewer failures in the spreader lift since replacement by e-chains
A leading straddle carrier manufacturer complained of increased wear with the previous cable and hose guide system for the spreader lift and therefore a shorter cable and hose service life. Since the cable guidance in the straddle carriers has been taken on by our energy chains, the service life of the cables and hoses has significantly increased. The e-chains guide wear-resistant CF9 and CFBUS chainflex cables and hydraulic hoses.