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Rough terrain forklift enters the Southern African market

27th May 2016

By: Kimberley Smuts

Creamer Media Reporter

  

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Materials handling partner and forklift supplier Masslift Africa expects to release the B50 MP four-wheel drive Bomaq Badger in Africa before the end of this year. The Badger is a 4 × 4 rough terrain forklift, offering greater manoeuvrability on dirt roads and uneven terrain than standard forklifts.

Masslift Africa sales director Marco Caverni notes that the release is highly anti- cipated, as the 4 × 4 forklift is tailor-made to suit the terrain typically found on mines, meeting the requirements of the industry.

He notes that the B50’s biggest selling point is its turning circle – the smallest of any 4 × 4 forklift – with a turning radius of 3.280 mm. It also has a hydrostatic transmission, which removes the need for brake pads, reducing the propensity for contamination of the engine occur through rust and in dusty environments.

Its compact size (3.750 m long × 1.950 m wide × 2.225 m high) and great manoeuvrability make the B50 MP ideal for working inside narrow areas as if it were being used in an industrial product range, but with four-wheel-drive capabilities, states Masslift.

The B50 is part of the Bomaq Badger MP series, which also incorporates the B30 (3 t) and B70 (7 t) units. The B30 is available in South Africa and the B70 will be ready by end of this year.

Customers can choose between several engine options on any of the forklifts in the Bomaq Badger series, such as Perkins, Kubota or Kohler. Caverni notes that diesel engines generally run inefficiently, causing unwanted emissions. Bomaq counters this by offering both Tier 3 and 4 emission engines in line with European standards. Being able to choose the engine can, therefore, be beneficial, depending on the operating conditions.

Masslift points out that the entire Bomaq Badger series is suitable for work in the mining industry, given its combination of industrial and off-road performances, as well as “unbeatable” lifting capabilities. All the forklifts in the series have the same turning radius in two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, as well as a hydraulic solution instead of electronics that provides operators with better control.

The joysticks are connected by hydraulic pipes to the control valve block, instead of using electronics, which is much more reliable, faster responding and easier to repair.

Additionally, its hydrostatic transmission from manufacturer of heavy-duty drive systems Linde Hydraulics allows for the precise, controlled, soft and noiseless performance of the forklift. The doubled shift switches ensure the forklifts are reliable and do not have a breakdown because of a switch.

The design of the Bomaq Badger forklifts facilitates fast maintenance, as all filters can be accessed with ease and in a short time. This series also includes control systems such as dirt and temperature sensors, amongst other indicators that control the correct operation of the forklifts in the series.

For operator safety, these forklifts also offer a high-strength frame and cabin, with rollover- and fallover-protection security.

Industry Challenges

Caverni asserts that one of the main struggles in the materials handling industry is the lack of technical expertise in South Africa.

Masslift aims to mitigate this challenge through its four-year apprenticeship programme, which, once completed, enables students to qualify as formal technicians.

He stresses that mine sites and materials handling providers also need to have the correct technical training on hand, as well as the correct parts for forklifts that break down on site.

The forklift industry is unique, states Caverni, as users realise how important a forklift is only once it breaks down and there is nothing on site that can load product from the factory or mine onto the trucks.

“The forklift links different departments and is, therefore, key to the distribution channel. You can have the truck and the factory, but without the equipment to move the product, everything comes to a halt.”

Caverni adds that having the correct availability of parts is also important when respond- ing quickly to breakdowns.

Owing to the economic challenges facing South Africa, mining companies are tightening their budgets and many, says Masslift, are resorting to buying cheaper equipment. Caverni stresses the need for customers to think long-term and suggests they always look at the cost of the forklift throughout its life cycle and buy a high-quality brand that will last for the long term.

In 2014, the company supplied 18 Mitsubishi forklift trucks to JSE-listed platinum producer Impala Platinum for its Springs site.

Since 2011, Masslift has also supplied 18 and 25 Mitsubishi forklift trucks of between 2.5 t and 10 t to Johannesburg-based gold mining firm Gold Fields.

Additionally, between 2012 and 2014, the company also supplied six Mitsubishi forklifts, ranging between 2.5 t and 7 t, to integrated commodities producer Glencore for use in Rustenburg, South Africa.

Masslift asserts that it employs efficient and reliable staff who assist customers in solving their challenges at any time. “From top management to baseline staff, Masslift offers backup service with well-trained service techni- cians,” states Caverni.

Edited by Tracy Hancock
Creamer Media Contributing Editor

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