Coal giant receives CTE in Australia

CTE has delivered a telescopic truck-mounted platform to Xstrata Coal in Australia.

The B-Lift 150 was sold though Australian CTE distributor Platform Sales. It has a working height of up to 14.6 m, an 8.9 outreach and a 200 kg load capacity.

Xstrata Coal is the world’s largest exporter of thermal coal, according to CTE, and in 2011 it produced more than 100 million tonnes of it, mainly in the New South Wales Hunter Valley and Queensland's Bowen Basin, as well as in the Witbank area of South Africa.

Part of the Pro Version range, the B-lift 150 is being used at the Hunter Valley's Glendell Mine for general maintenance and on the large earthmoving equipment there. “The mine runs 24 hours a day and if a mining truck breaks down the B-lift 150 can be onsite within minutes,” said a CTE spokesman.

It is fitted on a 6 tonne GVM Mitsubishi 4x4 truck and has been customised to withstand the tough environmental conditions. “Special paint was used on the sub-frame, the lower control station is housed in a stainless steel box and all electrical cables were enclosed in conduit,” said the spokesman, adding, “All hydraulic hoses were spiral wrapped for extra protection and a fire extinguisher, driving lights and beacons were also fitted.”