One of the highlights of Electra Mining in Johannesburg (at which International Mining was the only world mining magazine in attendance) at the beginning of the month was to come across a new manufacturer of low-profile utility vehicles, manufactured in Botswana. UV Botswana offers bulk emulsion carriers, tyre handlers, personnel transporters, scissorlifts and cassette carriers with a variety of interchangeable cassettes. It is part of the GHH Mining Machines group.
The MV-U40D-PT (personnel transport), for example, has a length of 6,637 mm, width 1,700 mm, height 1,380 mm, wheel base 2,715 mm, wheel track 1,510 mm and ground clearance 260 mm. Its load bed area is some 3.2 m2 and maximum payload 4,000 kg,
Tramming – 4 Wheel Drive, 3 forward gears up to 28km/h in 3rd gear
Steering/articulation – Frame Articulation +/- 34o, Frame oscillation +/- 10o, Outer Radius 5,728 mm, Inner Radius 3,563 mm.
Engine – Deutz F4L914W, air cooled, max power 104 kW @ 2,300 rpm
Transmission – Dana Clark Power Shift (Constant 4 wheel drive)
Axles – Rigid Planetry Hub Reduction
Exhaust System – Catalytic Purifier and Fume Dilutor
Tyres – 8.25 – 15
Brake system – Wet Disc Hydraulic Brakes, Spring applied fail-safe park brake on all four wheels
The MV-U40D-CC (cassette carrier) has similar specifications.