NEW EQUIPMENT NEWS
Manitou Southern Africa launches world’s first electric mining telehandler
The MHT-790E launched at Electra Mining 2018.
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Manitou Southern Africa, a
subsidiary of Manitou Group,
launched some of its latest
innovations at Electra Mining
Africa 2018. The highlight of the
Manitou stand was the launch of
the world’s first electric telescopic
handler, the Manitou MHT-790E,
specifically designed for mining
customers.
The MHT-790E electric
telescopic handler was borne out
of the need to eliminate fatigue in
the mines associated with diesel
particulate emissions, particularly
in tight and closed-off areas. The
transportation of fuel to refuel
diesel machines is another issue
faced by mines — and this can be
costly and time-consuming with
limited or challenging accessibility.
Through a partnership with various
suppliers dedicated to alternative
energies, a Manitou MHT-X 790
diesel telescopic handler was
converted into a fully electrical
telescopic handler. of up to 6.84m, the MHT-790E
electric telescopic handler is the
first of its kind in the world. The
machine is powered by a lithium-
iron phosphate battery, known
to be one of the safest battery
chemistry compositions for its
thermal and chemical stability.
Other advantages of these types
of batteries are its low cost, non-
toxicity, the natural abundance of
iron, safety characteristics, and
electrochemical performance. All
of these advantages culminate
in a machine that emanates zero
fumes, produces less heat, and
has a lengthy expected battery
life of 3 000 cycles. This means
protecting the health and safety
of those working in confined
areas such as tunnels and mines.
A continuous battery shift time
of eight hours, combined with a
high-speed charging time of 90
minutes, or an onboard charging
time of 18 hours, ensure an
uninterrupted work shift.
Electric innovation Cool under pressure
With a lifting capacity of up to
nine tons and a lifting height Ventilation is essential
in underground working
JANUARY 2019
environments, and heat produced
by machinery within this space
puts pressure on ventilation
systems, which results in
additional costs to upgrade the
systems. The MHT-790E does not
put pressure on these systems,
which results in savings in fuel
needed to support the ventilation
systems as well as savings in
upgrade costs. Smaller haulages
can be blasted with no effect on
worker fatigue due to fumes.
An active air-cooling system,
which is completely sealed, cools
the air down to keep the battery
temperature at optimum levels,
while the electric motor is cooled
via a water-cooling method.
Safety features
Additional safety features built
into the MHT-790E telehandler
include various detection
systems, ensuring that the
vehicle slows down should a
person, vehicle, or obstacle be
detected, thus reducing the
possibility of accidents. The
battery pack included in the MHT-
790E is also 3G impact rated,
protecting it in the unlikely event
of an accident.
An automatic fire detection
and suppression system is
included, specifically designed
for lithium-ion battery systems,
as well as detection and
protection of any electrical
sparks and smoke, short-circuit
overload that may occur. The
MHT-790E unit also sports an
ingress protection rating of IP66,
meaning that the unit is ‘dust
tight’ and protected against
powerful jets of water.
Manitou’s MHT-790E electric
telehandler offers a return on
investment over a short period
of just two to four years. Savings
on fuel, possible fuel rebates,
and reduced maintenance costs,
as opposed to maintenance
on a diesel-powered vehicle,
all contribute to the cost-
effectiveness of the machine.
The MHT-790E, combined with
the multi-functionality of a
telescopic handler and an array
of available attachments, is a
truly cost-effective solution for
the mining industry.
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