Putzmeister expands underground vehicle range 9 Dec 2014

Underground equipment specialist Putzmeister unveils its new state of the art Minelift 4 scissor lift platform.

For more than 30 years Putzmeister has designed, developed and produced equipment for shotcrete in mines and tunnels, combining excellence in concrete pumping with experience in the field of shotcrete, acquired in many tunneling and mining projects around the world. This range of equipment for shotcrete applications is complemented by associated transportation vehicles.

The Minelift 4 scissor lift platform

To continue optimising the logistics of underground mining and tunnelling operations, Putzmeister has developed the Minelift 4 scissor lift platform. With a lifting height of 4m and a 4 tonne capacity, the equipment provides a mobile and secure working platform for load- and personnel-lifting in underground environments. It can also be set up for all kinds of installations, like piping and ventilation.

Minelift 4 is available in a configuration set-up for the installation of water, air, drainage, and tailing pipes in underground constructions. It incorporates a drop-wing platform extension that expands the wide lateral by 700 mm, providing a work surface total of 3,400mm x 2,550 mm. The high load capacity crane allows pipes to be lifted in an easy and safe way. For mounting, the Minelift 4 incorporates a pipe handling system with two independent telescopic arms, designed for pipes from 4in-8in (100mm-200 mm) and with load capacities of 300kg each. In this way, Minelift 4 facilitates safe and efficient operation during pipe installation in underground mining.

For ease of operation in ventilator mounting, Minelift 4 is available with an auxiliary lift platform that provides a load capacity of 2,500kg and lifts up to 1,100mm from the main platform. By incorporating this optional equipment, the platform becomes a complete solution for lifting and installation work for underground mining and tunnelling.

The vehicle features a compact design with heavy duty axles and 4x4 operation, as well as a powerful 6-cylinder 130kW (174 HP) engine. The Integrated Continuously Variable Drive (ICVD) without gear shift allows the operator to leverage maximum engine power at any time without loss of traction, making driving easier. The combination of the hydrostatic drive system, slope measurement, and the Putzmeister control software form the core of the automatic downhill speed control system. The equipment automatically adapts its maximum speed to the slope, taking full advantage of the engine retention capacity, thereby reducing the probability of operational errors.

Service brakes on both axles are multi disc in oil bath, hydraulically operated, with two independent circuits. This system provides great stopping power and a long working life, even in the most demanding conditions. This ensures maximum operational safety, performance, and durability of the equipment. Minelift 4 features a FOPS/ROPS certified driving cabin, designed according to ergonomic standards to reduce operator fatigue and increase productivity. The equipment has LED work lights both on the platform and on the vehicle, providing operators with a safe environment while operating underground.

Thanks to the reverse camera with night vision, the operator can maneuver in reverse with confidence and accuracy. At the request of the customer, the equipment is available with an enclosed cab which can include air conditioning and heating.