AUSTRALIAN METS
New E15: Purpose-built fuel & lube support
Driven by a commitment to adding value to customer operations, Elphinstone has expanded its E15 underground support fleet with the new E15 Fuel & Lube, delivering efficient bulk fuel transport and fluid dispensing for underground mining, it said.
The E15 platform has proven its reliability, safety and productivity in some of the world’ s toughest underground hard-rock mining environments, Elphinstone said, with the Fuel & Lube being the fifth E15 variant. It joins the tilt tray, 7 cu. m agitator, delivery truck with crane and flat deck, with additional models in development.
“ The E15 has been well received in Australia and internationally, with machines deployed across three continents, with solid orders on hand indicating significant demand,” Global Sales & Marketing Manager, Tim Mitchell, said.
“ Customers value the E15’ s operator comfort, safety and serviceability. The Fuel & Lube delivers a purpose-built, configurable, standards-conformant solution for underground fuel and lubricant transport.”
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Fully enclosed rear cabinets with polyethylene sliding doors provide secure access to on-board systems. A fluid filling and dispensing cabinet is located on the right-hand side, while the pump and filter cabinet is positioned on the left, both accessible from ground level.
The filling and dispensing cabinet is fitted with powered and spring rewind 15 m hose reel arrangements, featuring high-flow and low-flow diesel and grease, DEF( or Adblue), hydraulic and engine oil, and a high-pressure water hose fitted with spray lance. Additional on-board storage accommodates filters, spill response equipment, eyewash and handwash stations. Operator comfort and machine stability are enhanced through front axle suspension, an oscillating hitch and air-suspended seating, the company said. The heavy-duty oscillating hitch maintains four-wheel ground contact, improves ride quality and reduces stress on steering and hitch components. It incorporates a 600 mm deep frame section, ± 42.5 ° steering articulation and ± 10 ° oscillation.
“ The oscillating platform prevents rough terrain impacts from being transferred
The E15 platform has proven its reliability, safety and productivity in some of the world’ s toughest underground hard-rock mining environments, Elphinstone said, with the Fuel & Lube( pictured here) being the fifth E15 variant
Purpose-built for underground mining applications, the Fuel & Lube module is available in configurations tailored to bulk fuel and lubricant transport or in-field servicing of equipment, Elphinstone said.
The module incorporates a robust tank structure with independent compartments designed for strength and durability. The first fuel and lube module to be released features a tank arrangement comprising a 10,000 litre diesel tank, two 500 litre oil tanks, a 245 litre DEF or coolant tank, a 500 kg grease tank and a 180 litre water tank equipped with a high-pressure cleaner. between the front and rear frames,” Mitchell explained.“ This enhances ride comfort and helps reduce stress on the hitch and frame structure.”
Optional hydraulic jacks allow safe egress with engine-running, while rear stabilisers level the machine for loading, unloading and maintenance.
Designed for easy maintenance, the E15 provides ground-level access to tanks, filters, lubrication points and drains.
Quick-change air filters and extended 500-hour oil service intervals help minimise downtime. A centralised on-board service centre provides convenient fluid sampling points for condition monitoring, Elphinstone said, while optional auto-lube, fast-fill and fast-evac systems further streamline servicing.
The machine incorporates a high percentage of Caterpillar components commonly used in construction equipment, simplifying maintenance and parts availability through the global Cat dealer network and Elphinstone’ s regional sales and support teams.
Most key safety features on the E15 platform are included as standard rather than optional extras. Standard safety features include illuminated emergency stop switches, fire suppression systems and controls, firewalls, heat shields, machine interlocks and centralised isolation points for batteries and starters.
An emergency spill kit, fire extinguishers, reversing camera, warning beacons and work lights promote safe operation, with additional lighting illuminating service areas.
Optional wireless remote controls allow operators to manage hose reels, pumps, fluid dispensing and hydraulic jacks from a safe distance. The remote includes a‘ Deadman’ function and dropped-remote detection for additional protection.
Advanced diagnostics with optional datalogging and Cat Product Link systems provide real-time machine information through the in-cab 12-inch( 305 mm) touchscreen display. Illuminated emergency stop switches are fitted in the cab and at ground level on both sides of the machine.
The E15’ s intelligent speed control manages underground decline speeds while reducing brake wear and extending component life, Elphinstone claimed.
The E15 is available with either a Tier 4 Final or Tier 3 Cat C7.1 ACERT engine. Both are paired with a Cat five-speed transmission and lock-up torque converter. A partial-flow DPF is available for Tier 3 models.
The low-profile ROPS / FOPS-certified cab stands just 2.4 m high and accommodates three occupants. Standard features include air conditioning, air ride seats, ergonomic controls, 180 ° field of view, smartphone charging ports and storage compartments.
A three-seat layout enables operators and maintenance personnel to travel together, reducing the need for additional personnel transport vehicles.
International Mining | OCTOBER 2026