Poole Harbour Commissioners have recently taken delivery of a Sennebogen 870R Special Material Handler. This machine is the first of its kind to be utilised by a British Port.

Harbour Engineer, Dick Appleton and Paul Gillingham, Workshop Manager for PHC considered that a large hydraulic materials handler such as the Sennebogen was certainly the future for Ports, handling bulk, scrap and hook cargoes.

To evaluate the right machine for operations at Poole, an approach was made to Ian Hassell, Operations Director at E.H. Hassell & Sons Limited (UK and Ireland Sennebogen Distributor and after sales service provider). Hassells arranged for PHC personnel to visit Istanbul, where Sennebogen innovation is now having an immense impact on Port
Operations; ensuring high productivity and low running costs the machines could be witnessed being used to their maximum potential, loading scrap of up to 20,000 tonnes and unloading rebar.

Further visits were arranged which included a visit to the Sennebogen factory, where PHC personnel met with the technical design department and directors. Talks were held to discuss the specific needs of Poole Harbour and the ability to design and build the machine to maximise the flexibility, productivity and control and accommodate the extensive range of attachments available.

This was followed up by a further visit to the factory of E.H. Hassell & Sons Limited to reassure Poole Harbour of their commitment and ability to provide a long term, engineering on site service backup. E.H. Hassell & Sons Limited has in excess of 30 years experience in this field.

Consequently an order was placed by Poole Harbour Commissioners and the specification included the following:-

5m high pylon between upper structure and crawler frame

25m special materials handling boom giving up to 24m reach for optimum ship loading

300kW Deutz diesel engine water cooled (latest generation)

Additional 17 tonne car body counterweight to ensure maximum stability

2 No. swing gears to evenly distribute side loading on swing bearing for fast duty cycle operations

Sky lift special port cab hydraulically adjustable up to eye level approximately 13m above ground

Additional 2,500 litre bunded fuel tank to reduce refuelling intervals

Special hydraulics control circuits to accommodate various demands of attachments available

Quick change coupler for attachments

Special equipment to enable machine arm to be removed from the ship in the event of machine total failure

1 No. 3cu.m. scrap grab, 1 No. 4cu.m. clamshell grab and 15 tonne hook

1 No. safe load indicator, fully compliant with Docks Regulations

Over load test carried out at factory and site

Special paint in Poole Harbour colours


After delivery and full training for PHC staff the company have confirmed that production rates are vastly improved and are confident that this machine will attract and secure new business to the Port. Sennebogen and E.H Hassell & Sons will continue to support Poole Harbour Commissioners.