A reach stacker is a heavy-duty, mobile vehicle used in ports, rail terminals, and logistics hubs to lift, transport, and stack intermodal shipping containers. Featuring a telescopic boom and a spreader, they can stack containers up to five high and three rows deep, offering high-efficiency handling with capacities often reaching 45–50 metric tons (90, 000–120, 000 lbs). 

Key Features and Functions:

• High Stacking Ability: Typically able to stack containers 4-5 high, enabling dense, organized storage.
• Efficiency: They are faster and more flexible than gantry cranes for moving containers from trucks to storage or railcars. 

• Telescopic Boom: Allows the machine to extend forward, reaching over obstacles or deep into storage rows to pick up or place containers.
• Versatile Attachments:

   While primarily designed for containers (using twist-locks), they can be equipped with special attachments for handling steel, wind turbine components, or for dumping containers.

Common Applications:

• Port and Terminal Logistics: Loading/unloading shipping containers from ships, trailers, and railcars.
• Industrial Handling: Moving specialized cargo such as pipes, steel, or heavy materials.
• Container Emptying: Specialized models exist that can tilt a container up to for unloading dry bulk cargo. 

Leading reach stacker manufacturers include Kalmar, SANY, Konecranes, Hyster, and CVS Ferrari, known for producing heavy-duty machines for container handling and intermodal logistics. These companies offer diesel and electric models designed for high-capacity lifting, featuring advanced, durable, and highly maneuverable designs for ports and industrial applications. 

Top Reach Stacker Manufacturers

• CVS Ferrari: Specialized in heavy-lifting machinery for maritime and industrial applications.
• Hyster: Provides a range of dependable reach stackers with high visibility and heavy-lifting capacity.
• SOCMA (Fujian Southchina Heavy Machinery): A Chinese manufacturer known for customized and pure electric reach stackers.
• Liebherr Group: Known for high-quality engineering in cargo handling equipment.
• N.C. Nielsen: Specialized in heavy lifting, often developing customized, high-tonnage reach stackers.
• UP Lifting: European manufacturer specializing in versatile, ergonomic, and high-productivity units. 

• Kalmar (Cargotec): A market leader offering diverse reach stackers (like the ERG450), including electric options with Li-Ion batteries.
• SANY Group: Produces robust, high-capacity reach stackers (e.g., SRSC45V, SRSC45H1) used globally, with a focus on port machinery.
• Konecranes: Known for Generation C reach stackers featuring high efficiency, 10–46 ton capacity, and eco-efficient, smart technology.

Key Considerations

• Capacity: Ranging from empty container handlers to units capable of lifting 150+ tons.
• Power Source: Transitioning towards electric, battery-operated, and HVO100 (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) fuel for reduced emissions.
• Applications: Primarily used for containers (laden/empty), intermodal transport (road/rail), and specialized heavy industrial applications.