Tyre Handler Shows Omega Range Versatility

30 March 2007

A specialised tyre handler is bringing a new level of safety to a routine but potentially dangerous procedure in the mining industry.

The Omega Tyre Handler from Clark Equipment Australia Pty Ltd has been designed and built in Australia to change large size haul truck tyres with maximum safety and efficiency.

It's just one of a string of local product introductions from a company also known for its imported Clark, Bobcat and Ingersoll Rand equipment lines. The name Clark Equipment is often associated with small fork trucks, but its locally manufactured Omega range now represents 25 per cent of the business and employs over 100 people.

"The tyre handler is a piece of equipment whose time had come," said Chris Hancox, General Manager of the Clark Equipment Manufacturing Business Unit.

"It was developed to meet the specific and stringent safety procedures which were drafted as a result of serious incidents in the mining industry. We've had interest from mining companies and from the companies which maintain and operate the fleets of large trucks used in the resources industry."

The Omega unit can safely handle tyres from 1.5 metres to 3.9 metres in diameter with a weight of up to eight tonnes. The operator can complete the tyre change from the safety of the fully featured, ergonomically designed cab without going into the 'restricted zone' between the handler and the tyre.

The design is based on the chassis of Omega's 16 tonne fork truck and like all of the company's equipment, built with extensive use of XLERPLATE® steel from BlueScope Steel.

"We have used steel from BlueScope Steel since we began local manufacture nearly 50 years ago," Chris Hancox said.

"At times we have used imported steel, but we have found that merchants for imported steel come and merchants go. BlueScope Steel has been a constant. Durability and strength are at the heart of everything we manufacture. The Omega Tyre Handler incorporates 250, 350 and 400 Grade XLERPLATE® steel in thicknesses from 5mm up to 160mm."

"Because of its use of various grades and thicknesses of XLERPLATE® steel, Clark Equipment has developed close relationships with BlueScope Steel."

"In my lengthy experience dealing with their representatives, BlueScope Steel has always been very supportive in terms of solving design problems or quality issues," Chris Hancox said.

"They have worked with us when we have had processing challenges and have been very helpful with product selection. We order special plate sections from BlueScope Steel in nine and ten metre lengths for the upright rail material on our container handling equipment."

"The ability to source those lengths of specially rolled 400 Grade XLERPLATE® steel saves a considerable amount of time and cost which would otherwise be involved if we had to join shorter sections."

Although the Omega Tyre Handler has proved to be a success it is the steadily increasing volume of goods on Australia's waterfront which generates the majority of Omega orders.

Container handlers with the capacity to move 40 tonne shipping containers are in steady demand from industry leaders Toll and P&O among others.

Quality equipment with the ability to handle such weight is also in demand in the steel industry, leading to regular sales in Australia and throughout the Asia Pacific region.

On that score, BlueScope Steel has several times been a customer for the locally manufactured Omega equipment as well as a supplier of steel.

"We've always had a design team here because of the amount of customisation required," Chris said.

"With our container handling equipment the design of the upright sections takes us to the leading edge in terms of requirements for straightness. We had talks recently with BlueScope Steel's technical support specialists about the tolerance capabilities they could achieve to assist us."

"That relationship is valuable because the message goes all the way back to the mill and then special attention is paid to the plates which are being rolled for us. It's a very good relationship. There's no hint of take it or leave it. BlueScope Steel are very keen to assist where they can."