Gemini Power Hydraulics, who has built a reputation for itself in the AWP (aerial work platform) market, namely in truck-mounted applications showcased a wide variety of mobile fuel dispensing units, self-propelled products, aerial lift platforms and a lithium-ion battery at its booth. Speaking to Rajesh Rajgor, Aahan Sethi, Director, Gemini Power Hydraulics, explains his company’s progress in these segments.
EXCON 2022
We have been delivering the mobile fuel dispensing unit for close to a decade now. Most of the construction sites and machines in remote places would need diesel for their operation. Our ‘Hippo’ tanks as we name it give the operator an option to safely acquire fuel for his usage.
The total weight of the tank is 113 kgs which makes it a very ideal to be mounted on the smallest utility vehicle something like Tata ACE. It comes fitted with many safety features, like the spring-loaded air vent. This air vent is used to release any pressure that is generated in the tank during the movement of the diesel. The other opening is the bigger cap and if there is any cleaning requirement one can easily clean the tank.
As you can see there is a big hump in the middle of the tank which acts as a wave cutter and reduces the spikes that are generated in the tank when your vehicle is travelling in a rough terrain. It also acts as a barrier when you are traveling on a road and the driver suddenly applies a brake. Everything that you see in the tank can be locked including the top cover, the air vent, and also the front door so that there are no open ends which helps avoids pilferage.
We have a dispensing system- fairly accurate and a lay man can use it to fill the machine. The vehicle can be switched off while the fuel dispensing is in the process and the activity is powered by the vehicles’ battery. It has an auto cut off nozzle and we sell it with accessory like RFID readers to keep an account of where and how much is dispensed. Our product is an ideal replacement for the hand-held barrels and tanks the workers take to the fuel pump to refill.
We are also showcasing an Adblue refueling unit along with small ones for agricultural genset use in farfetched villages. As this market is quite cost sensitive, we have kept the basics intact and perhaps have balanced between the accessories and getting the price right.
Aerial Work Platforms & Electric products
The aerial work platform market is picking up a lot as companies are becoming aware and stringent about new machines and safety, be it the scissor lifts, self-propelled products or vehicle mounted platforms. The demand for truck mounted platforms has grown in the municipal corporations, power distribution, as it offers, safety, reliability and reduced down time. We have done good sales in these segments and expect to continue the momentum.
As we compete on quality that warrants for premium price, this year we are looking to do about 100 units. The market as such is niche and the local numbers itself are close to 400 units per annum. To acquire a sizeable number in that is no mean feat. The product acceptance and maturity of the market doesn’t hinder our momentum as much as the uncertainty in chassis issues due steel price hike, supply chain gaps and huge lead time. Despite this, 100 units per year is the number we should be achieving reasonably well.
We are also showcasing a Lithium-Ion battery with 240Ah/6V. Vehicles with battery tech are on the rise and hence we wanted to have a foot into the market. It will take time when all vehicles will be electric in truck mounted applications. However, self-propelled markets are already shifting to EVs. Currently, people are using lead acid-based batteries which have their challenges in maintenance. Lithium batteries are clean. Their use has huge potential in scissor lifts. We have shown it as a prototype and the response has been good the battery display area will also show the entire parameters of the battery and we will provide our charger too along with a 3 years warranty.
We had ventured into AWPs in 2008 through our partnership with French company Haulotte and are also selling electric booms manufactured by them. We have already supplied a couple of Haulotte manufactured electric scissor lifts to Jio World Centre in Mumbai. Given the higher lead time in manufacturing products, we are focusing on products where we can turnaround quickly, – invariably it is scissor lifts; as they are easy to manufacture, easy to transport large volume in containers and we get the right price due to volumes.