Mobile Transport Tray vs. Portable Roller Bed System: Which Solution Does Your Freight Need?
Choosing the right cargo handling equipment starts with understanding how your freight moves. Are you loading heavy cargo into a container for ocean or intermodal transportation? Or are you moving air freight pallets between a warehouse and an airport?
Innovative Transport Solutions (ITS) offers two specialized solutions for these different applications: the Mobile Transport Tray (MTT) and the Portable Roller Bed System (PBS).
The key distinction is straightforward: MTT is for ocean and intermodal freight. PBS is for air freight handling and ground transportation.
At a Glance: MTT vs. PBS
| Feature | Mobile Transport Tray (MTT) | Portable Roller Bed System (PBS) |
| Primary application | Ocean and intermodal transportation | Air freight transportation for PMCs, ULDs, BUPs, RKNs |
| Handling focus | Loading and unloading long, heavy cargo in containers for multimodal transportation (Truck/Rail/Ocean) | Loading and unloading air freight pallets (consolidations) trucks and trailers |
| How it works | Cargo is unitized on a heavy duty steel pallet that rolls into and out of an enclosed 20’/40’ ocean freight & 53’ intermodal container | Roller bed sections create a surface that air freight pallets roll across in 53’ Dry Vans, 53’ Refrigerated Vans, Step Deck & Flatbed trailers |
| Typical use | Containerized shipments of in-gauge machinery, steel, and heavy crates | Air cargo transfers between airports and warehouses |
Mobile Transport Tray: For Ocean and Intermodal Freight
Loading long or heavy freight into a container can present challenges. Machinery, industrial materials, and large crates may require extensive handling and careful positioning.
The Mobile Transport Tray simplifies this process. Cargo is loaded onto a steel tray equipped with heavy-duty rollers. A forklift then moves the loaded tray into or out of the container. The system incorporates a fixing mechanism, with additional straps and supports used to secure the cargo.
For suitable shipments, the MTT can reduce handling time and the need for specialized loading equipment. Standard and custom sizes are available to accommodate different cargo requirements.
When Should You Consider the MTT?
The MTT is the solution to discuss with ITS when your operation involves:
- Ocean containers carrying long or heavy freight.
- Intermodal shipments moving through a combination of ocean, rail, and truck transportation.
- Repeated challenges loading or unloading machinery, steel products, or heavy crates.
For example, a manufacturer preparing heavy equipment for an ocean shipment would discuss an MTT configuration with ITS, including cargo dimensions, weight, and container compatibility.
Portable Roller Bed System: For Air Freight
Air freight operations face a different handling challenge: moving air cargo pallets efficiently between warehouses, trucks, and airport facilities.
The Portable Roller Bed System converts a compatible trailer into a partial or full roller bed. Its sections provide a rolling surface for loading and unloading air freight pallets. Sections can be linked together, removed, and reused in other compatible vehicles.
This gives trucking companies a flexible alternative to purchasing dedicated roller bed trailers.
When Should You Consider the PBS?
The PBS is the solution to discuss with ITS when your operation involves:
- Trucking air freight pallets to and from airports.
- Transferring air cargo between warehouses and airport facilities.
- Adding roller bed capability to compatible trucks or trailers.
For example, a carrier transporting consolidated air cargo from a warehouse to an airport would discuss PBS with ITS. Although the shipment travels by air for part of its journey, the PBS supports its handling during the truck transportation portion.
Which System Fits Your Operation?
Start with the shipment’s application:
Ocean or intermodal container freight? Ask about the Mobile Transport Tray.
Air freight pallets moving by truck between facilities? Ask about the Portable Roller Bed System.
From there, ITS can review your cargo dimensions, weight, transportation equipment, and loading requirements to recommend a suitable configuration.