In a significant move to improve productivity and safety in battery recycling, the Bobcat S70 Skid Steer Loader was successfully demonstrated at a lead smelting facility. The loader reduced furnace loading time from 45 minutes to just 20 minutes, resulting in lower fuel consumption, improved output, and enhanced worker safety.Streamlining Lead Recovery:Battery recycling begins with the manual disassembly of used batteries. Skilled workers separate the lead from plastic casings to maximise material recovery. The extracted lead is then mixed with soda ash, charcoal, and rolling mill waste for smelting. Traditionally, this mixture was manually loaded into rotary furnaces using a 2-tonne capacity forklift—a task that took 45 minutes per cycle.Smelting Process Overview:The rotary furnace, preheated to 1,000°C and powered by natural gas, completes three charging cycles in 3–4 hours. Each cycle consumes roughly 1,100 gas units, yielding about 10 tonnes of refined lead. After cooling in trolley containers, slag is manually removed from the solidified lead, which is then prepared for dispatch to battery manufacturers.Performance of the Bobcat S70:The introduction of the Bobcat S70 significantly improved operational efficiency by saving 25 minutes per cycle. Key benefits observed during the demonstration included:Reduced burner idle time, boosting heat efficiencyLower natural gas consumption, reducing fuel costsLess manual labour, ensuring safer working conditionsThe S70’s compatibility with various attachments added further value:Breaker attachment to aid battery dismantlingGrappler attachment for more efficient scrap handlingApplications Enhanced by the Bobcat S70:Battery breakingMaterial shiftingMixing and furnace loadingCore Benefits:Faster loading timesLower gas usageImproved productivityReduced physical effortEnhanced operator safetyMulti-tasking capabilityThis deployment showcases Bobcat’s commitment to delivering compact, reliable, and versatile machinery that supports industrial recycling processes with a strong emphasis on efficiency and safety.