SMV Australia has put Australia's largest industrial tyre handler into operation in the Hunter Valley, in New South Wales.

SMV Australia general manager Chris Burns told Forkliftaction.com News this week that the 16-tonne capacity machine, a SMV SL16-1200A, was fitted with a Cascade tyre-handling attachment before delivery to Bridgestone Hunter Valley last month.

Mr Burns would not reveal the value of the sale.

The machine was ordered to meet the tyre demands of new Komatsu WA1200 wheel loaders being introduced at coal mines in the Hunter Valley, which have AUD100,000 (USD79,300) Bridgestone 65/65-57 D Lug tyres. Each tyre has a four-meter diameter and weighs 9.5 tonnes on the wheel rim.

SMV Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Powerlift Group.