Manitou Southern Africa, a subsidiary of Manitou Group, a world leader in rough-terrain rough-terrain handling, 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.

Electra Mining Africa is the largest show of its kind in Africa, bringing together in excess of 29,000 visitors from across the globe and is a platform in which Manitou has successfully participated over the past 8 years, showcasing the latest innovations in material handling for the mining industry.

The MHT-790E electric telescopic handler was born out of the need to eliminate fatigue in the mines associated with diesel particulate emissions, particularly in tight and closed off areas. Transportation of fuel to refuel diesel machines is often another issue faced by mines in terms of time, cost and accessibility. Through a partnership with different suppliers dedicated to alternative energies, a Manitou MHT-X 790 diesel telescopic handler was converted into a fully electrical telescopic handler.

Electric Powered

With a lifting capacity of up to 9 tons and a lifting height 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 into

a machine which emanates zero fumes, produces less heat and has a long expected battery life of 3,000 cycles, protecting the health and safety of those working in confined areas such as tunnels and mines. A continuous battery shift time of 8 hours combined a high speed charging time of 90 minutes or onboard charging time of 18 hours ensures an uninterrupted work shift.

Cool under pressure

Ventilation is essential in underground working environments and heat produced by machinery working in this space puts pressure on ventilation systems resulting in additional costs to upgrade the systems. The MHT-790E does not put pressure on these systems, resulting 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 includes 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.

Cost Effective

Manitou’s MHT-790E electric telehandler offers a return on investment over a short period of just 2-4 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.

Manitou Southern Africa has an extensive network of 12 dealers throughout South Africa and neighbouring countries, as well as a Manitou Centre in the Western Cape, who distributes and services the Manitou brand.