TPMS for Port Machinery and Container Handling Equipment
Container handling equipment works a yard all day on tires that each carry tens of tonnes. Unplanned downtime costs crane hours and truck waiting time, and the tires are expensive enough that a destroyed one is a real loss. We supply port machinery builders under their own brand, and retrofit existing fleets.
What matters in a container yard
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01
Machines are the production line
A stopped RTG stops the truck queue behind it. Reporting tire data into the machine's own control system means the operator sees it without a second screen.
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02
Tires carry tens of tonnes each
Under-inflation on a heavily loaded tire is where failures start. Pressure and temperature are both monitored, not just pressure.
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03
Yards standardise on one brand
We supply port machinery builders under their own brand, with their protocol, connector and packaging — around 600 machines a year across XCMG, Sany, Zoomlion and Zhongli.
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04
Retrofit has to be quick
External sensors install without breaking the tire down, so a machine is out of service for minutes rather than a shift.
Typical fitment per machine
Port machines have short wheelbases, so repeater planning is usually simple.
| Machine | Typical configuration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RTG crane | 6–16 sensors, 1 receiver, 1–3 repeaters | Widely spaced bogies; data reported into the machine's own control system. |
| Reach stacker | 4–6 sensors, 1 receiver | Compact layout; CAN output or a small cab display. |
| Container handler / stacker | 6–8 sensors, 1 receiver | Same receiver hardware as the rest of the range. |
| Straddle carrier | 8–16 sensors, 1 receiver + repeater | Long travel path between wheels; repeater placement decided on site. |
Machines we have instrumented
Real installations, not concepts. Each link goes to the field record.
Port machinery TPMS — frequently asked questions
Which port machines can be fitted with TPMS?
RTG cranes, reach stackers, container handlers and stackers, straddle carriers and yard tractors. The receiver is the same across the range; only the sensor count and repeater placement change.
Can tire data go into the machine's own control system?
Yes — that is the usual configuration. The receiver publishes on CAN or another fieldbus, and the machine controller reads tire pressure and temperature like any other node. No second display in the cab.
Do you supply port equipment manufacturers directly?
Yes, under their own brand. Around 600 machines a year across XCMG, Sany, Zoomlion and Zhongli, with their protocol, connector and packaging.
How long does a retrofit take?
External sensors do not require breaking the tire down, so a machine is typically back in service within a shift — often much less depending on wheel count.
Can one yard see all its machines in one place?
Yes. With the 4G DTU the same receiver up-links to a fleet dashboard showing every machine, alarms and history per vehicle, with an open API into your own system.
How many sensors does an RTG need?
Typically 6 to 16 depending on the bogie arrangement, with one receiver and one to three repeaters.
Building or retrofitting port machinery?
Tell us the machine type, wheel count and which control system reads the tires. For OEM programmes we work to your protocol, connector and packaging.