“Everybody focuses on the big trucks and loaders, often neglecting that the wrong piece of support equipment can have significant operational impacts.”
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Elphinstone is a specialist manufacturer, using the Caterpillar platform. How has your product offer evolved?
Since restarting the Elphinstone business in 2016, we have developed a line of highly configurable underground mining support vehicles. These are based on the E10 (10-ton) and E15 (15-ton) models, with a range of different attachments available including water cannons, tilt trays, fuel and lube modules, water tanks, agitators, and delivery trucks.
We also have the Mine Extraction Device (MED) for recovering bogged or buried equipment, as well as an extended distance off-highway haul truck called the Haulmax 3900.
What can you tell us about the E15 machine recently released?
Our newest machine, released in December 2025, is the E15 tilt tray, a purpose-built underground mining vehicle designed to perform tasks in a safe and more compliant manner than the on-highway trucks some mines currently use. Customers are already showing strong interest because it is new and directly addresses the challenge of moving critical refuge chambers and other equipment safely and efficiently underground.
Do you notice any shifts in customer expectations in the past decade?
There is an expectation that machines are safe, there is no question about that. What is evolving is the additional attention paid to operator comfort. I can remember a time when machines without suspension were the norm along with open operator stations, but now, operator experience and an ergonomic, comfortable machine that rides smoothly have become an important differentiator for us, both on the E15 and other products.
We also embed into all our machines innovative systems such as machine interlocks, centralized isolation points, fire systems, emergency stops at ground level, and machine diagnostics, with onboard live machine health information accessible in the cabin.
Another item high on the agenda for our customers is reducing total cost of ownership by extending the life cycle of a machine. We apply the same design ethos that made our trucks and loaders so successful many years ago, focusing on machines that are high quality, reliable and rebuildable. Just like Caterpillar’s own products and Elphinstone’s original products, our support vehicles today are designed for long-term use and can be re-manufactured, reducing total operating costs – and impact on the environmental footprint.
The push for decarbonization across the mining industry is another trend. We are investing in electrification solutions to help customers reach those goals.
What are the advantages of using a common Caterpillar platform?
Our products are based on a standard front end, so every vehicle uses the same cabin, engine, and powertrain, but the rear section differs, each configured for different applications. This creates a familiar space for the operator and common maintenance practices for the support team. Because the machines share many parts, it is easier for mining companies and our equipment dealers to service them and provide replacement parts. Integrating Caterpillar components into our machine design also gives us a strong product support edge globally, thanks to the Caterpillar global parts network. The fact that our machines are connected to the Cat Product Link system is something that our customers particularly appreciate.
What role does Africa play in Elphinstone’s global footprint and strategy?
While Australia is naturally our biggest market, we have been expanding our sales in Africa, with E15 units recently sold into Egypt and WR820s into Mali, along with the EG20 Grader. The EG20 Grader is based on the Cat 120 Grader which we purchase and modify for underground haul-road maintenance, these have been particularly favored by dealers and mines in South Africa and the DRC. All our products in Africa and other parts of the world are sold, serviced and supported through Caterpillar dealers, with factory support available from our team in Australia.
Where do you see demand for equipment heading, in Africa and globally?
Record-high gold prices and the gradual transition into deeper mining are spurring demand for production machinery. However, support equipment tends to be a secondary consideration in equipment procurement. Everybody focuses on the big trucks and loaders, often neglecting that the wrong piece of support equipment can have significant operational impacts. We are here to help in that space, and that is why we listen to the voice of our customers and design machines to suit their applications so that they are able to extract maximum value from both the mine and machines themselves.
Elphinstone is a specialist manufacturer, using the Caterpillar platform. How has your product offer evolved?
Since restarting the Elphinstone business in 2016, we have developed a line of highly configurable underground mining support vehicles. These are based on the E10 (10-ton) and E15 (15-ton) models, with a range of different attachments available including water cannons, tilt trays, fuel and lube modules, water tanks, agitators, and delivery trucks.
We also have the Mine Extraction Device (MED) for recovering bogged or buried equipment, as well as an extended distance off-highway haul truck called the Haulmax 3900.
What can you tell us about the E15 machine recently released?
Our newest machine, released in December 2025, is the E15 tilt tray, a purpose-built underground mining vehicle designed to perform tasks in a safe and more compliant manner than the on-highway trucks some mines currently use. Customers are already showing strong interest because it is new and directly addresses the challenge of moving critical refuge chambers and other equipment safely and efficiently underground.
Do you notice any shifts in customer expectations in the past decade?
There is an expectation that machines are safe, there is no question about that. What is evolving is the additional attention paid to operator comfort. I can remember a time when machines without suspension were the norm along with open operator stations, but now, operator experience and an ergonomic, comfortable machine that rides smoothly have become an important differentiator for us, both on the E15 and other products.
We also embed into all our machines innovative systems such as machine interlocks, centralized isolation points, fire systems, emergency stops at ground level, and machine diagnostics, with onboard live machine health information accessible in the cabin.
Another item high on the agenda for our customers is reducing total cost of ownership by extending the life cycle of a machine. We apply the same design ethos that made our trucks and loaders so successful many years ago, focusing on machines that are high quality, reliable and rebuildable. Just like Caterpillar’s own products and Elphinstone’s original products, our support vehicles today are designed for long-term use and can be re-manufactured, reducing total operating costs – and impact on the environmental footprint.
The push for decarbonization across the mining industry is another trend. We are investing in electrification solutions to help customers reach those goals.
What are the advantages of using a common Caterpillar platform?
Our products are based on a standard front end, so every vehicle uses the same cabin, engine, and powertrain, but the rear section differs, each configured for different applications. This creates a familiar space for the operator and common maintenance practices for the support team. Because the machines share many parts, it is easier for mining companies and our equipment dealers to service them and provide replacement parts. Integrating Caterpillar components into our machine design also gives us a strong product support edge globally, thanks to the Caterpillar global parts network. The fact that our machines are connected to the Cat Product Link system is something that our customers particularly appreciate.
What role does Africa play in Elphinstone’s global footprint and strategy?
While Australia is naturally our biggest market, we have been expanding our sales in Africa, with E15 units recently sold into Egypt and WR820s into Mali, along with the EG20 Grader. The EG20 Grader is based on the Cat 120 Grader which we purchase and modify for underground haul-road maintenance, these have been particularly favored by dealers and mines in South Africa and the DRC. All our products in Africa and other parts of the world are sold, serviced and supported through Caterpillar dealers, with factory support available from our team in Australia.
Where do you see demand for equipment heading, in Africa and globally?
Record-high gold prices and the gradual transition into deeper mining are spurring demand for production machinery. However, support equipment tends to be a secondary consideration in equipment procurement. Everybody focuses on the big trucks and loaders, often neglecting that the wrong piece of support equipment can have significant operational impacts. We are here to help in that space, and that is why we listen to the voice of our customers and design machines to suit their applications so that they are able to extract maximum value from both the mine and machines themselves.
