Prior to the acquisition, Seneca was a manufacturer of flameproof diesel vehicles and mobile generators for underground coal mines, but struggled to provide adequate after-sales support for its equipment which was located primarily in Queensland. This all-important part of the business has now been brought under the control of DBT’s customer service centre at Mackay, Queensland.

“We now have the backup and support to match the engineering excellence of our equipment,” said DBT Diesel managing director, Greg Venticinque (previously the owner of Seneca).

From the German parent company’s point of view, the diesel capability offered by its new acquisition enhances its claims of being able to offer a complete solution, which includes longwall installation and transport equipment. The DBT Mackay workshop recently undertook the product upgrade and service on Oaky North Coal’s FBL 40 Loader — claimed to be the largest utility hauler available to the underground coal industry. Other work has included a service to a generator and two FBL 15 loaders for Allied Plant Services.

Venticinque claims the FBL40 is the most powerful heavy lifting machine in the world. Its primary application is in carrying out longwall relocations. Powered by a 305Hp engine the machine is capable of lifting and transporting 55 tonne equipment, if fitted with a counterweight kit.

“Our modelling has shown that using our equipment reduces longwall relocation time by 2?7 days,” Venticinque said.

In recent months the company’s budget and sales forecast had increased tenfold, Venticinque said, with potential customers in countries such as South Africa, the United States and Russia expressing interest in the equipment. Last year the company made its first sales into Asia with six machines shipped to the SiHe mine in China.

On the home front, the new Glennies Creek operation in New South Wales will be the first in the world to receive DBT Diesel’s newly released FBL10, a 10 tonne utility vehicle featuring a proprietary rapid attach system said to allow the vehicle to be used for a multitude of applications.

Venticinque said compared with an equivalent package the FBL10 vehicle offered carrying capacity of 10t versus 7t, was rated at 230hp versus 150hp, and offered low bodywork for improved visibility. The company also claims to be the only diesel equipment manufacturer with its own in?house developed and approved dry exhaust scrubber system.

There are other product developments underway but these are being kept under tight wraps at present. DBT Diesel’s headquarters has been established in a workshop complex at Rathmines near Newcastle, NSW, previously occupied by the Jeffrey company.

With about 300 diesel utility vehicles currently in operation in underground coal mines, DBT Diesel believes the market is more than ready to look at more powerful, lower-emission machines.