Our rescuers reach higher elevations than the others

OSTRAVA – A unique thing which does not have any analogy in our Region. These words could be used to characterize the equipment recently purchased by OKD, HBZS (Main Mine Rescue Service, Ostrava), which has included it in its machinery fleet. It is DENKA 30L, a mobile lifting operating platform. What does its unique character consist in? Using this equipment, a man can reach higher elevations than  in the case of any other similar ground equipment – a height of up to 30 meters!

“In purchasing it, we were particularly inspired by this severe winter, or more specifically, by requests for removing icicles from roofs and external cladding of various high structures,” said Václav Tesarčík, HBZS. “Dangerous ice pieces were removed by our climbers, who had to get to them through skylights, belay each other and carry out time-consuming heavy manual work in breakneck and hazardous positions. And such work also costs something!” he points out. “In addition, situations may not always be resolved by climbers. Therefore in 50 cases experienced last year, OKD had to borrow and pay a borrowing fee for lifting equipment with an operating platform from outside companies,” informed Tesarčík.

Approximately since mid-May, 16 mine rescuers have been learning to operate the DENKA 30L platform at the HBZS site. In fact, it is a relatively light trailer fitted with a hydraulic extensible arm terminated with that operating platform – a basket. The equipment may be transported to the place of destination by a towing vehicle. And since the rescue vehicle Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG U2150L is equipped with ISO 50 trailer equipment, and the trailer has its own separate brake, it is possible to drive it at a speed of up to 80 km/h. At the place of destination, only two trained persons may operate it, one of them standing on the ground, and the other one standing in the basket. Among others, the DENKA 30L platform advantage consists in the fact that it is provided with its own travel system and supports controlled from the basket. The platform is thus quite independent on access road conditions, and may also reach places which are hardly reachable by a towing vehicle. It is provided with an electric motor receiving power from a diesel-generator, or possibly, storage batteries. Its arm may be extended to a height of up to 30 meters in 60 to 90 seconds, and the period depends on the inclination or distance from the building on which the operator is to work from the basket.

HBZS will commercially use the mobile lifting equipment not only in our mine operations, but it also wants to offer its services to interested parties outside the OKD Group. The “self-moving equipment” may also be used to replace windows, repair roofs and eaves, and also to cut tree crown branches. It is certainly a good, safe and useful investment.

Technical Data of Operating Platform:

• Platform weight in transport condition: 3,500 kg
• Maximum extensible height: 30 m
• Maximum distance of the operation basket from the vertical axis is given by the extensible height in relation to the basket load, climatic conditions, etc.
• Maximum allowable basket load-carrying capacity (operator, including tools in the operation basket): 200 kg
• Platform travel after towing vehicle disconnection – self-travel system driven by electric motor
• Power supply for platform aggregates in operating mode: 230 V, 4 pc storage batteries 12V, diesel-generator
• Duration of platform operation in case of power supply from storage batteries: 5 – 8 hours as per activity; in the case of other sources: continuously
• It is forbidden to use the operating platform in the event of rain, thunderstorm, wind velocity greater than 12.5 m/s, ambient temperature of -10°C.

(Josef Lys)