Manitou targets world underground coal industry

As an above ground machine in its traditional applications, the Manitou telescopic handler

is arguably one of the most versatile pieces of equipment available on the market today.

With a quick hitch, it can be used with a wide range of attachments commonly used in

earthmoving, agriculture and many other industries. Its telescopic boom provides

additional horizontal and vertical reach capabilities and also opens up the use of man

baskets, and various jib attachments for lifting. The platform of a compact rigid chassis

with four wheel drive and steer, and a cab that is easy to enter and exit, adds to the

appeal of the Manitou telescopic handler.

Multi-purpose equipment has also been used in underground coal mining for some time.

As well as traditional materials handling and transport roles, this equipment has been

used for specialised tasks such as cable reeling, conveyor belt handling and stone

dusting; where their intermitted use makes a dedicated machine an expensive solution.

South African beginnings

It made sense that there would be a convergence of these two technologies, and this

happened in South Africa when a Manitou MLT731 and a MT732 telescopic handler were

adapted for underground coal mine use for Magatar Mining in 2003. This machine had an

additional requirement of a 1.5 metre head height, in addition to the explosion Protection

and other requirements for operation in an underground coal mine. The low height was

achieved through a mix of smaller diameter tyres and a lowered cab.

The Magatar Mining machine works with forks to handle palletised consumables such as

conveyor rollers, and with a bucket for general clean-up duties. With its auxiliary

hydraulic power outlet, it can also carry and power specialised equipment fitted with fork

pockets, such as a compressor or a stone duster. The compressor can be used to booster

start flameproof engines, pump tyres or power pneumatic tools; while the stone duster is

important in depositing powdered limestone on the walls of the tunnel to reduce the risk

of explosion.

Philip Venter of Magatar Mining sees the benefits of the Manitou telescopic handler as

being its versatility, and the reliability that comes from having something based on a

production machine produced in volume (many specialist underground mining machines

are produced in low volumes: they are costly as a result of this, and have varying levels

of reliability).

Venter sees the Manitou performing the functions of a tractor, a crane or other lifting

machine, and a clean-up machine. However the range of attachments is much broader.

Around 20 explosion protected Manitou telescopic handlers have now been supplied into

underground coal mines in South Africa. The range of attachments that they are work

with includes forks, bucket, jib, man basket, tyre handler and can handler. A can is a steel

cylinder filled with aerated concrete, which is used in South Africa as a roof support. The

can handler is similar to a rotating grab in the way that it picks up and turns a can.

These attachments by no means exhaust the range of tools that can be used

underground with telescopic handlers: imagination and innovation will no doubt see this

range expand considerably as more mine owners come to appreciate and further explore

the versatility of these machines.

Australian input

Manitou’s success in the South African underground coal market has seen the company

looking at wider markets, with the ultimate aim of having explosion protected machines

as a standard offering around the world.

Manitou Australia has taken the lead in developing the explosion protected telescopic

handlers for the world market. Not only does Manitou Australia have the required

resources for this type of project but Australian Standards for mine equipment are

accepted in most parts of the world. A machine developed to meet Australian

requirements could be sold in many other markets. (Manitou is also considering a

separate development programme for a potentially large market that has different

requirements.)

The first showing of this machine in Australia was at the AIMEX international mining

exhibition in Sydney in September 2011. The machine on show was based on the MT732

(7 metre lift height, 3200 kg lift capacity) and known for the time being as the MT732

explosion protected. It was 2.0 metres in height, with Manitou envisaging that this

machine will become available commercially in three standard heights; with other heights

available if required, through modification of the most suitable standard machine. In the

future other capacities of explosion protected machine may be developed in response to

feedback from the market.

One difference to the standard Manitou MT732 is immediately apparent: the enlarged

engine bay. This is to house an explosion protected engine and an enlarged radiator. The

extra guarding around the cab is another obvious change from standard.

Less obvious are changes such as the fail safe brake system, steel fuel tank, engine

flameproofing with an electronic shutdown system, air start system, fire resistant and

anti-static materials for hoses, protection sleeves, fan, fuel lines etc., explosion protected

and intrinsically safe electrical wiring and components such a solenoid valves and lamps.

The future

The Manitou MT732 explosion protected is not expected to be available for commercial

sale in Australia until 2012: it will be made available in other parts of the world some time

after that. South Africa is expected to remain the primary country for manufacture of

these machines.

The Manitou MT732 explosion protected will be a significant milestone in providing the

underground coal mining industry with a versatile machine based on a standard, mass-

produced machine. This not only provides economy in terms of cost, but also brings the

support of the world’s leading specialist manufacturer of telescopic handlers and its

extensive worldwide dealer network.

Manitou’s own expertise with attachments, and the attraction for specialist attachment

manufacturers of aligning with a volume telescopic handler manufacturer with worldwide

markets, will no doubt see the machine’s versatility extended even further. The

telescopic handler could become the “must have” underground mining machine of the

future.

Contact:

Manitou Australia, 94-96 Euston Road, Alexandria NSW AUSTRALIA 2015

Phone: +61 2 9517 3174 Fax: +61 2 9517 3274

Email: mining.info@manitou.com