The Feralpi Group is among the leading steel producers in Europe specializing in steels for the building industry. It boasts a strong drive toward decarbonization, which sees the company implementing increasingly green production processes and using low-polluting means.
Recover Magazine was able to visit, along with Cesaro Mac Import’s area salesman Devis Furlanetto, the Feralpi Siderurgica plant in Lonato del Garda, in the province of Brescia, which specializes in the production of reinforcing bar, plain and ribbed wire rod, rebar, drawn wire and electrowelded mesh for use in construction. A new Sennebogen 835M E-Series electric handler supplied by Cesaro Mac Import is working in the plant. The machine is equipped with PowerPack, an auxiliary motor with a hydraulic pump installed at the rear of the loader, which allows the 835 to move when disconnected from the power line.
At the company we were welcomed by Gianpaolo Foglio, Feralpi Siderurgica’s steel mill manager, who explained the choices that led to the investment of the machine and process to use increasingly less polluting means. “We have been a company launched toward decarbonization for several years now: we have started working on CO2 reduction and we believe that the means also have an important value, however ‘on the side’ of the process tells Foglio After all, sustainability is also built in the details. We bought the electric Sennebogen 835M to replace a diesel vehicle because it saves us about 330 tons of CO2 in a year. These are important numbers. This vehicle works in a fixed location and can be powered by green electricity. The PowerPack with which it is equipped is an interesting and valuable plus because it offers significant advantages over a traditional electric vehicle. It allows, in fact, quick disconnection from the power grid and the possibility of moving the machine to a safe area in case of maintenance.”
The Sennebogen 835M E-Series is equipped with a 10-meter cable that allows the vehicle to move easily through the work area without emitting exhaust fumes and extremely quietly, an added value for operators. The PowerPack also offers higher safety standards than Electric Machines, as it allows the loader to move from one area to another without the need to connect to the grid, ensuring that maintenance and cleaning operations can be carried out outside the work areas in a safe manner for the operator, and that the machine can be used in different locations, being able to move it independently.
In addition to safety and emission issues, what people liked about this machine is the height-elevating cab that reaches 7.5 meters and allows the operator to control and have a good view of all plant feeding operations. The maXcab is designed to make work comfortable and enjoyable. The operator spends many hours in the cab every day, and comfort must be high, especially given the rising working age we are seeing in the industry, which will see more and more “older” workers working in specialized positions in the coming years.
“This machine works about 16 hours a day, so it is a stressed vehicle explains Foglio The operators praise the comfort inside and especially the lack of vibration. In addition, we have equipped it with all the comforts and equipped it with several cameras, sensors and control buttons that make it interconnected. We always have very good remote support, but Cesaro Mac Import has also set up local support for us in our area; therefore, we are not bound to call to the headquarters in Eraclea for maintenance. In recent years we have purchased five Sennebogen loaders, and we are inviting partners who work for us in the steel mill to do the same. We are very happy with these machines, which we rate as high performance and comfortable. We are also renewing the fleet with wheeled models instead of the traditional tracked ones. A wheeled vehicle moves quickly from one work station to another and does not ruin the pavements, which we were forced to repair every year. In addition, the wheeled vehicles are equipped with outriggers that allow them to work with greater operator protection. Another feature of these machines that convinced me is their simplicity and the solutions they offer. If, for example, a breakdown occurs, the machine does not totally stop, but goes into safety mode for moving to a dedicated area where maintenance can be carried out.”
Predictive maintenance is standard on Sennebogen loaders and is a very user-friendly tool for both machine operators and maintenance and downtime. “Should there be any problems, the operator is immediately alerted so that action can be taken. In addition, we have installed very interesting vehicle diagnostics and tracking systems. From my office, I can see if the vehicle is running, its position, engine speed, etc. The machines are able to perform greasing and lubrication work automatically. All of these arrangements make it possible to assess the efficiency of the machines and optimize work, preventing breakdowns. We are very satisfied with Sennebogen loaders and the service offered by its Italian dealer Cesaro Mac Import. I was able to visit the company and was pleasantly impressed by the neatness of the machine area and the automated vertical warehouse, as well as the proposed offer. Relying on Cesaro Mac Import and Sennebogen machines was an excellent investment,” Foglio concludes.
