A Runner 40.13 on King George Island

Italian materials handling equipment maker DIECI boasts that its equipment can handle the most challenging environments.

It cites King George Island in the Antarctic as one of the locations where its equipment is hard at work.

King George Island is the location of the only airport in the region and serves numerous scientific bases.

The key scientific station at Carlini Base is the most important in the area and the extreme weather means that it remains isolated for months on end.

The vehicles used at the base for materials handling and facilities maintenance include a Runner 40.13, according to DIECI. The company points out that the Runner model deployed "is not a special vehicle (or) an expensive disposable prototype specifically designed for the job, but an excellent standard-production vehicle, whose basic characteristics allow it to tackle extremely demanding tasks".

The Antarctic model does, however, have some extra features from the standard DIECI options list, including a preheater for the engine air intake duct, a heater for the cooling water, and underbody protection to prevent damage that may occur due to the extremely rugged terrain of the island.

For the multitude of tasks carried out on the island (materials loading and unloading, maintenance, towing, excavation, construction, etc.), the vehicle is also fitted with a quick attachment for accessories (with hydraulic control from the cab), a fork and a toothed bucket for excavation.

DIECI has been designing and manufacturing telehandlers since 1982. The company's production is divided into five main categories: telehandlers (with fixed and rotating boom), truck mixers, dumpers, special purpose machines and wheel loaders with telescopic boom.