Features Archive
Archive of features from the global cranes industryFeatures By Date
August 2021
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India the Chinese Charge
India’s lifting industry is changing from its accident-ridden past. Stuart Anderson, president of Chorley Barr Associates, sees China leading growth, the used-crane market on the wane, and welcomes the decline of the tractor crane.
Back on the road
Even the best-designed cranes can have accidents. Mobile cranes especially share public roads with other vehicles so are specially vulnerable. Julian Champkin talks to the people who repair the damage.
Decades of Evolution
100-tonne all terrains - lighter, stronger, more reach and more compact - spoilt for choice! Stuart Anderson, President of Chortsey Barr Associates, reports on the evolution of the all terrain crane and the choices available today.
Heady Task in High Alps
Tight curves and hairpins; steep and narrow roads; the High Alps are demanding for any vehicle. Driving those roads with a car needs undivided focus and attention. Doing the same with a five-axle crane is a one-of-akind scenario that comes with extreme challenges for both operator and machine.
July 2021
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Up we go
Sotiris Kanaris talks to jack-up systems suppliers about their product portfolio and the advantages that this technology offers.
Down to zero
Battery-powered cranes have existed for decades, but the first emission free crawler cranes were only launched less than a year ago. Sotiris Kanaris reports.
Trains and cranes
HS2, Britain's new high-speed rail link, is a huge infrastructure project that demands cranes of every kind and size. Julian Champkin reports.
Focus on the boom
In early June, Link-Belt Cranes announced the launch of a new truck crane and telecrawler. Sotiris Kanaris speaks to Andrew Soper, Link-Belt’s product manager for telescopic trucks and all terrain cranes, about the new models and the US crane market.
Teamwork
Contractor Estermann has rented three Wolff flat top tower cranes, two 6031.8 Clear and a 6015.8 Clear, for the construction of the BareTower in Berne, Switzerland.
June 2021
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Different places, different cranes
The knuckleboom crane is a standard product, the same around the world. Or is it? Julian Champkin finds local habits die hard, and the knuckleboom has many regional forms and favourites.
Strong rebound
The demand for used mobile cranes is very strong at the moment, can supply keep up? Sotiris Kanaris reports.
Power boost
The significant increase in the size of offshore wind turbines is creating demand for ring cranes. Sotiris Kanaris reports.
Investing in Europe
Zoomlion Europe has opened a new plant in Italy, where its cranes will be manufactured. Sotiris Kanaris speaks to the newly-appointed general manager Petre Babiceanu about the new factory as well as the company’s current and future crane offering.
Jaso duo in Puebla
Jaso tower cranes are being used for the construction of the Helea Tower, a skyscraper with a unique design being built in Puebla, Mexico.
Investing in Europe
Zoomlion Europe has opened a new plant in Italy, where its cranes will be manufactured. Sotiris Kanaris speaks to the newly-appointed general manager Petre Babiceanu about the new factory as well as the company’s current and future offering.
May 2021
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A Challenging Market
Julian Champkin speaks to heavy lifting and special transport companies about the demand from the onshore oil and gas industry over the past year, the future market as well as the challenges associated with serving this sector.
Industrial Workhorses
Stuart Anderson, president of Chortsey Barr Associates discusses business and technical developments in the pick-and-carry mobile crane industry and analyses trends in the fast-growing Italian market.
Data Abundance
Mobile crane manufacturers are investing in telematics, with new products and updates introduced to the market in recent years. Sotiris Kanaris speaks to manufacturers about the benefits of telematics and how the market has responded to this technology.
April 2021
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On home ground
Self-erecting tower cranes have established themselves as the lifting machinery of choice for housebuilding in Europe. Julian Champkin looks at their advantages.
Who's on the right track?
Stuart Anderson, president of Chortsey Barr Associates, looks into the increased popularity of crawler-mounting and more specifically of telecrawlers. He also makes a comparison between telecrawlers and rough terrains in regards to market demand and day-to-day lifting work.
