A mutual history

The wireless control of construction cranes has become a popular trend all over the world. The advantages of radio technology are obvious: the operator can move around freely at all times and can always move to a location where he or she has the best view of the load. In addition, the user can attach and then accompany the load safely to its destination. An additional person to guide the operator is therefore no longer necessary.

In recent years, technical development in the field of construction cranes has corresponded with the growth of radio technology. Wireless controls for construction cranes now offer a virtually unlimited variety of useful functions such as HBC-radiomatic’s automatic frequency selection systems. Previously, if two crane drivers happened to be controlling their cranes on the same radio channel, radio interference would occur repeatedly, leading to the transmitter shutting down automatically. The new advanced systems automatically search for unoccupied radio channels, hence offering decisive improvements.

Today there is a wide variety of radio controls with display. Modern LCDs enable useful crane-specific data to be clearly displayed, such as crane overloading or high wind speeds. This provides for greater safety on the construction site. Modern radio controls also leave nothing to be desired in terms of flexibility. HBC radio systems now allow connection to the crane via all common interfaces.

Numerous innovations in radio technology have come about from the successful cooperation between Liebherr in Biberach and HBC-radiomatic. The two companies have always had much in common: quality is the number one priority.

The latest joint project by the two companies is the introduction of a new generation of HBC radio controls for LIEBHERR construction cranes from the MK, K and EC-H Litronic series. The cranes are fitted with the spectrum A transmitter or, for larger applications, the spectrum B transmitter. Both products have an integrated display, which makes information about the load and status of the crane available to the user just as it would be when controlling the crane from the cabin. This provides for considerably more safety and convenience of operation on the construction site. Radius flags on the jibs are no longer necessary because all information is easily visible on the display.

Furthermore, the new radio controls have been updated from already existing models. HBC-radiomatic engineers have designed and programmed a customized display to Liebherr specifications. The crane information that is displayed on the LCD has thereby been expanded considerably. It was already possible to display hook height, slewing angle, overload pre-warnings, overloads, EGZ operation, warnings, messages and errors; now information on the maximum load for the current working radius or the maximum radius for the current load is also available. As a result, the loading of the crane can be made more efficient. In addition, the signal strength and the battery status are now also displayed.

Another advantage of these updated controls is their compact, ergonomic design. The LCD is placed at an optimum angle to the crane driver’s natural field of vision, and the new controls are more compact and significantly lighter. This provides noticeable relief to the crane operator who could be working for several hours.

One important innovation is equipping new HBC systems with AFS as standard. The automatic frequency selection system provides for trouble-free working on construction sites with a high density of radio operation. When switched on, the radio control automatically searches for an unoccupied radio channel. If radio interference occurs later due to another crane driver working on the same channel, the control only needs to be quickly switched off and on again. The system immediately searches for an unoccupied radio channel, and work can continue with no loss of time. This saves the crane operator time and money.

Also, the HBC-radiomatic controls have a wear-free electronic key that enables the fast, simple activation of a spare transmitter. If the original transmitter can no longer be used, the electronic key only needs to be removed and inserted into a spare transmitter. The radio control is immediately ready for use, thereby minimising downtime.