Innovation and safety go green

United Forklift and Access Solutions is one of Australia’s largest providers of new and used forklifts and access equipment. Expanding on its fleet of forklifts, container handlers, scissor lifts, boom lifts and telehandlers, the company’s new electric tyre handler represents a major shift in electrification.

The new machine – Konecranes tyre handler – was recently purchased by Fortescue, and is Australia’s first electric tyre handler, and potentially a world first.

These purpose-built 17-tonne forklifts feature a tyre handling attachment with 8,500kg lifting capacity, specifically engineered to provide safe, precise, and reliable solutions for lifting, rotating, and shifting up to 8.5 tonne tyres.

Developed by United, the new electric tyre handlers incorporate a suite of product enhancements and advanced safety systems.

From a fast charging, zero emissions battery that cuts energy consumption by 70 per cent, regenerative braking that redirects energy back into the battery, to the Optima Cabin, one of the safest, most spacious and quietest cabins in the industry, the Konecranes tyre handler shifts electric technology to new levels.

“The tyre handler has continued to evolve through direct collaboration with our mining customers, contractors and suppliers,” said United Business Development Manager, Samuel Gazzone.

“This has led to the integration of many critical safety systems, which have been field tested, making this one of the safest tyre handlers in the industry.”

A new wireless clamp pressure monitor works by wirelessly transmitting the hydraulic pressure of the tyre clamp to the receiver, which can be monitored on a dash-mounted digital display within the cabin. This gives operators the exact pressure of the clamp allowing them to reference the correct pressure required.

The machines also feature a light sequence safety system, which minimises risks during tyre maintenance, whereby ground personnel are alerted when it is safe to approach the tyre fitting area via a red (danger) and green (safe) light system.

“Safety is taken even further with the Blaxtair pedestrian detection system,” added Gazzone.

“This cutting-edge 3D stereo camera system uses AI to distinguish, in real-time, a person from an obstacle or object in the work environment. It utilises thermal imaging sensors to identify pedestrians in low light conditions, even multiple people simultaneously from surrounding site objects that approach from opposite directions.”

Magnetic wireless cameras are also integrated into the tyre handler, helping maximise operator visibility, particularly when handling tyres. These can be positioned anywhere on the tyre handler and attachment thanks to the heavy-duty magnets, providing operators with optimal viewing angles and more precise handling.

Sustainable Lifting

Tyre handlers have traditionally run internal combustion diesel engines. However, as customer needs change, and the world explores more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives, United have always been ready to meet these industry demands.

Fortescue’s push toward eliminating emissions through a robust decarbonisation plan has led to the progressive replacement of their mining fleet with zero emissions machines.

The Company is aiming for Real Zero, which means no fossil fuels and no voluntary carbon offsets.

Their target to achieve Real Zero for Scope 1 and 2 terrestrial emissions has been set across their Australian iron ore operations by 2030. Its decarbonisation plan includes the deployment of an additional 2-3 gigawatts of renewable energy generation and battery storage, in addition to the deployment of a green mining fleet and locomotives.

Key considerations for their pathway to decarbonise include the development of technology, future equipment acquisitions, and potential regulatory changes. Future changes to Fortescue’s decarbonisation strategy may impact key estimates and changes to asset carrying values in the Group’s financial statements.

As tyre handlers play an essential role in Fortescue’s Pilbara mining operations for tyre maintenance, and keeping up with their emissions reduction goals, it was essential for these machines to be phased to electric models.

“Through United’s direct collaboration with Fortescue and manufacturing partner Konecranes, subsequent technology improvements, and the introduction of Konecranes’ new generation E-VER electric forklift, this has allowed us to develop the first full electric tyre handler for Fortescue,” said Gazzone.

“Powered by lithium-ion technology, these electric tyre handlers deliver smooth, clean and quieter operation, with faster acceleration and lift speeds. This ensures eco-efficient heavy-duty performance with a lower carbon footprint, while maintaining an advancing level of safety in a high critical risk work environment.”

For more information, visit www.unitedequipment.com.au/