Ready for Delivery

3 October 2019


As Comansa planned a September open house to show off its new large flat top, the 21LC1400, Sotiris Kanaris spoke to group marketing manager Javier Militino about the new model and the company’s strategy.

“Ten years ago, the Comansa catalogue consisted of small and medium-sized flat-top cranes and three luffer models, with maximum loads of up to 24t,” says Militino. “Since then, Comansa has developed a new range of medium and big-sized flat tops as well as a new series of luffers, expanding its range of cranes for heavy and very heavy loads.”

The latest example of this expansion is the 21LC1400 flattop, which was due to be shown at the open house in September. Orders are already open for the crane, which comes in two versions, with maximum load capacities of 50t and 66t.

The main expected application of the 21LC1400 is to work in prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction (PPVC), infrastructure projects and shipyards. “This crane mainly responds to a growing demand for automation in construction due to faster construction requirements and higher quality demands. That’s happening around the world but mainly in Asia, Singapore being the trendsetter,” Militino says.

Like Comansa’s other recentlylaunched large models (21LC750 and 21LC1050), this model features a modular design of the counterjib to reduce the radius in constrained jobsites. Minor improvements on the design have resulted in the minimum radius being smaller than the 1050.

A new single and compact trolley has also been designed for the 21LC1400 instead of the manufacturer’s double trolley system—standard in other models—as this crane will work mainly in projects in which the maximum load is needed in almost every lift, as in PPVC.

Last year, the manufacturer launched another large flattop, the 21LC1050, which has a maximum capacity of 50t and a maximum radius of 80m. It is one of the best-selling models this year, alongside the 21LC550 and 21CM335.

Militino says the 21LC1050 is mainly being used for commercial and residential projects following precast construction methods, infrastructure projects, industrial projects with heavy structures and shipyard projects.

Apart from the launch of these two new models, the manufacturer recently upgraded the 21LC660 and 21LC750 flat tops, showing increased investment in this crane line.

“Our focus is to have a product range as wide as possible, and our flat top range is the widest in the market. Recent product upgrades in this domain have been focused in maximising our modularity concept among crane models, making the components more compatible within the family and building a more comprehensive and competitive product range,” Militino says.

Another new innovation by Comansa is Quick Set, an electronic limitation system that will reduce the set-up time of the cranes and the number of staff during such operation.

Militino explains that Quick Set goes beyond standard functions, such as zoning indication and control. The new system makes it easier to set up limits on position, speed, and slewing. It adds motion monitoring and other safety features.

“The limitation procedure can be carried out directly from the screen of the digital indication system and only a single lift is needed to set up capacity indicators and limiters.” He explains that this drastically reduces commissioning time and minimises the need for mechanical adjustments. “Safety enhancements such as dual sensor signals and motion monitoring ensure fail free limitations and stop the machine in case of mechanism malfunction respectively.”

The new Quick Set will be available as an option in all flattop models of the LC range and will be an important benefit for rental companies who have to dismantle their cranes and move them to another jobsite very often.

With products like Quick Set boosting efficiency, and an enhanced portfolio of tower cranes the manufacturer is optimistic about the future. “In the current global situation, we are focused in strengthening our position,” says Militino.

Two 21LC1050 cranes working on a PPVC project in Singapore.
A 21LC750 at Oruro Cement Plant in Bolivia.
The new 21LC1400 flat-top comes in two versions, with maximum load capacity of 50t and 66t.