UTILITY VEHICLES
Ultimate utilitarians
Paul Moore looks at the world of utility vehicles in mining , which cover an astonishing range of applications and tasks , and are supplied by specialists which are experts in their field
Utility vehicles in mining represent a broad church – normally it is a term used to include anything that isn ’ t related to primary development or production drilling , or the main load and haul fleet . But that includes a vast range of machines , particularly underground , from personnel and tool carriers , to explosives and shotcrete carriers and delivery vehicles , as well as water carts , graders , scissor lifts , scalers and a huge range of other units .
By nature of their applications , safety has always been paramount in this market , but many of the trends and developments that have begun in primary fleets have now filtered down to utility machines – including a greater degree of automation , again tied to safety , but also real time machine monitoring and predictive maintenance , alternative power sources including battery electric , collision avoidance technology and others . This has taken time , as the machines are so diverse in customisation and design , with many specialist OEMs and dealers involved , but it is a definite trend . newest addition to the MacLean Elevated Work Platform product suite is a purpose-built , battery powered alternative to the use of integrated tool carriers (‘ ITs ’) in underground operations across Australia . The model is designed for mine services installation and repair work from a certified elevated work platform with a 6.5 m working height and a 4.5 t payload . With best-inclass application versatility and battery electric propulsion , miners and contractors get a dieselfree dividend along with the safety and
GHH partner UVB has developed a low profile tracked vehicle for use in high gradient ( 20 degree ) development areas
productivity enhancements that have been engineered into the design from the ground up . The ML5 Multi-Lift was designed expressly for the Australian market , but has application relevance across the mining world , complementing the MacLean Elevated Work Platform product suite - the SL2 and SL3 Scissor Lifts , and the LR3 Boom Lift - as another certified and safe working at heights solution .
Kovatera ’ s upward trajectory
Starting with flexibility along with robustness , Kovatera along with its predecessor brand
MacLean ' s ML5 set to begin trials in Australia
The global mining vehicle manufacturer MacLean Engineering recently celebrated a product launch milestone at its Perth , Australia branch , with the company ’ s first ML5 Multi-Lift mining vehicle having arrived in-country in late 2023 and minesite trials set to take place across 2024 . The
MacLean ' s much anticipated ML5 is entering the Australian market this year
MARCH 2024 | International Mining 43