Designed for the demanding environment of fire assay laboratories, the Electric Crucible Loading Forklift is a battery-powered hydraulic lifting machine built to move crucible batches safely between the mixing area, fusion furnace and cooling zone.

Powered by a DC battery driving a hydraulic pump, the machine converts electrical energy into smooth, controllable lifting force through a sealed cylinder and precision piston rod. Operators complete lifting, travelling and steering using only a foot pedal and handle — no manual lifting or carrying of crucibles is required.

Fire assay remains the reference method for determining gold and silver content in ore, following a defined sequence: sampling and sample preparation, fluxing and homogenisation, high-temperature fusion, cupellation, and finally parting and weighing.

The fusion stage is the most labour-intensive and highest-risk step. Operators must arrange crucibles filled with sample and flux into precise rows, lift the full batch to the furnace mouth, push it into a chamber above 1,100 °C, then withdraw and transfer the hot crucibles to the cooling area.

The Electric Crucible Loading Forklift serves as the critical link — the "last metre" in front of the furnace and the "first metre" behind it — connecting the fluxing area, fusion furnace and cooling zone. Without it, crucibles must be handled by hand under intense radiant heat, compromising both efficiency and safety.

Fusion furnaces operate between 1,100 °C and 1,200 °C, and radiant heat at the furnace mouth exposes operators to burns and heat fatigue. The forklift mitigates these risks:

• Reduced exposure: the electric lift keeps operators at a safe distance, cutting single-person handling time by more than 60%.
• Precise positioning: fine hydraulic adjustment prevents crucible tilting and spillage of molten material.
• Stable load: the treated fork surface keeps crucibles steady, and the brake locks the machine in any position.
• Maintenance-free battery: an integrated DC battery and automatic charger remove trailing power cables.
• Polyurethane casters: soft wheels protect floor coatings and generate no sparks.

• 25 or 50 crucibles loaded per trip for higher laboratory throughput.
• Foot pedal and handle operation for precise lifting and placement.
• Manual steering with foot brake for safe, flexible movement.
• Chrome-plated steel tube frame for durable load bearing.
• Sealed hydraulic cylinder and precision piston rod with chain lifting for smooth, leak-free operation.
• Maintenance-free battery with charge indicator and automatic charger.
• Detachable body for easy part replacement and upgrades.
• Compatible with fusion furnaces, cupellation furnaces, crucible tumblers and other fire assay equipment to form complete sampling, mixing and fusion systems.
• Fully customisable to customer requirements.

How many crucibles can be loaded at once? The forklift handles 25 or 50 crucibles per trip, depending on the model and fork size.

Is the machine safe near a hot furnace? Yes. Operators work from a safe distance using the foot pedal and handle, and the brake locks the load in place.

What is the maximum load? 400 kg, with a lift height of 1,500 mm.

Does it require a power cable? No. It runs on a maintenance-free DC battery with an automatic charger and a charge indicator.