Manitou, leading distributor of high-end telehandlers and rough terrain equipment, offers an extensive product range across a wide scope of applications and industries. With machines that can be customised to suit safety, operational and working environment requirements, Manitou machines deliver high performance and optimum productivity.

Kleinkopje Colliery, part of Anglo Coal, outside of Witbank, Mpumalanga, recently invested in a Manitou Maniscopic MHT 10160 tyre handler. The Maniscopic is used to remove and fit tyres on various dump trucks on the mine.

According to Luambo Musie, Section Engineer, with tyres weighing up 6t, the process requires a high degree of safety.

In the past the mine used general forklift to change the tyres. But this proved to be unsafe because at times the wheel would not be correctly balanced or stable on the fork.

“With the mine’s increased focus on operational and equipment safety and eliminating injuries, it was decided to purchase a specialised machine that ensured complete safety,” says Musie.

Manitou was awarded the contract through tender and supplied the machine, modified according to mining safety specifications, in July 2006.

“We chose the MHT 10160 because it offered all the safety aspects as well as excellent manoeuvrability and cost-effectiveness,” says Musie.

The machine is painted white and features additional lights, guard rails over the windows and vents, a centralised lubrication system, fire extinguishers and safety guards, and fail-safe spring applied hydraulic release braking on all four wheels to comply with the mine safety standards. The MHT 10160 was also supplied with a fork attachment.

The process of fitting tyres is inherently a dangerous one and because this task requires two men, communication between them needs to be flawless. This is accomplished by the two operators communicating via walkie talkies.

The machine is fitted with a tyre handling attachment that acts as a “grabbing” device. The attachment is capable of rotating 180º to the left, right and forward, side shifts left and right, and moves up and down. The operator sits in the cab and is guided by another operator standing in front of the tyre handling attachment. This operator controls the movement of the handler via remote control.

Frik De Beer, Acting General Engineering Supervisor, notes that the Manitou grabs the wheel on both sides, ensuring that it is stable and completely balanced.

“The removal and fitment of tyres takes place in the tyre bay. The vehicle is jacked up, the wheel clamps are loosened and then the Manitou comes in. The operator in charge of the remote control and attachment directs the driver. Once the correct position is reached, the attachment secures the wheel and the Manitou reverses. The tyre is placed safely on the ground. The new tyre is then lifted up and fitted onto the rim. The tyre handler holds the heavy wheel in place while our technicians lubricate the bolts and re-secure the wheel clamps,” says De Beer.

Operator Peet van Wyk says that the machine is user-friendly, manoeuvrable and has an excellent turning circle which makes the task of fitting tyres safer and more efficient. Operators, six in total including De Beer, were trained by Manitou and are certified in the operation of both the Maniscopic and the grabbing attachment.

“We conduct a thorough check before operation and perform a risk assessment. A report is completed and filed and we then check the operation of the machine, including the hydraulics. This ensures that we are always operating within the safety parameters.”

De Beer notes that operators were a bit wary at first when the Manitou arrived on-site.
“It’s much larger than the forklift but we are getting the hang of it, especially with the specialised training that we received from the company. After a few months we can really appreciate the safety benefits of the machine.”