Moving huge tires in a Chilean mine
Kal Tire S.A. provides a range of tire management services for mines in Chile. The company is part of the Kal Tire Mining Tire Group, an international leader in mining tire service and supply. In this specialized field, expert knowledge is required for the proper maintenance of tires to maximize the performance and safety of mining equipment.
The challenge
The Centinela mine is an open pit copper mine located some 1,350 km north of the Chilean capital Santiago, in one of the country’s most important mining areas. Enormous mining trucks need giant tires for the uneven surfaces in the mine on which they drive. Kal Tire has a tire service contract with the mine, for which they required two specialist forklifts to be continuously on-site to move and help change the tires.
The solution
Konecranes provided two SMV 33-1200 C forklifts with a capacity of 33 tons and a wheelbase of 4,750 mm for stability and maneuverability. The fork assembly has a fully-integrated WBM tire-handling clamp with a low-profile body and grip arm design to give drivers a clear view of the load. Bead-breaking arms facilitate vertical dismounts and a hydraulic accumulator on the mast provides shock absorption against rough terrain.
The benefits
Optimized for the demands of a mining environment, the forklifts provide a smoother ride for both drivers and tires, better visibility for operational safety and high-pressure filters for more durable hydraulics in dusty conditions. “After we met Kal Tire’s specific requirements, and added the WBM attachment, their tire handling operations rose to another level.” says Andrés Ramirez, Regional Sales Development Manager for Konecranes Lift Trucks. TRUCONNECT® Premium follows each truck’s performance through usage data, including tire pressure and shock monitoring, essential information to ensure efficient operation in a sometimes unpredictable mining area.
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