Italian crane manufacturer BG Lift has filed three new patents for crane designs. It claims the new designs will revolutionise lifting operations in tight and complex spaces, enhancing both safety and efficiency.
One of the patents is for the T4000 hydraulic crane – which is designed for installation on four-axle trucks. The system delivers performance comparable to that of conventional mobile cranes, BG Lift claims, while offering greater operational efficiency, deployment flexibility, and movement precision.
The crane is equipped with a hydraulic circuit featuring up to three load-sensing pumps: one driven by the vehicle’s combustion engine and two electric. This configuration allows the crane to operate in enclosed environments, such as industrial facilities, without running the truck’s engine – reducing energy consumption and emissions.
The hydraulic distributor enables dynamic fluid flow management and immediate response to commands. The flow rate is adjusted based on the specific movement requirements. This ensures precise manoeuvres and a high level of control, even in complex operating contexts, says BG Lift.
The separation between the crane’s control system and the stabiliser system eliminates the risk of interference between the two functions, preventing simultaneous operations that could compromise vehicle stability.
The second patent is for BG Lift’s M100 mini crawler crane. It has a hydraulic system designed to optimises boom movements and track motion, adapting to various job site conditions.
The machine is powered by two engines – one combustion and one electric – each paired with two hydraulic pumps, allowing flexible power management according to specific operational needs.
The hydraulic circuit includes two independent distributors: one dedicated to controlling the tracks and winch, and the other to boom functions such as lifting, extending, and rotating.
A key technical feature is the presence of an intelligent solenoid valve which, in the absence of active boom commands, automatically redirects flow to the track motors. This setup enables the full capacity of all four pumps to be used, increasing travel speed and improving overall operational efficiency.
The third patent is for the M100 E crawler crane, powered by a lithium battery. The system combines what BG Lift describes as ‘an advanced hydraulic architecture with next-generation electronic control’ enabling up to 180° of operating angle.
The design includes an active stability control system based on an integrated sensor network: pressure sensors monitor cylinder loads, a rotation sensor tracks the boom angle relative to the tracks, and, on certain models, a sensor measures the distance between tracks. Data is processed in real time by dedicated software, dynamically adjusting lifting and travel operations based on detected stability conditions.
With fully extended tracks and the boom within an angle of about 25°, the machine facilitates pick-and-carry load transport. When the boom exceeds this angle, static lifting and lowering up to 90° in both directions remains possible, with load limits automatically managed by the system based on operational conditions.
The crane is powered by an electric motor driving a fixed-flow hydraulic pump – an approach designed to reduce noise, consumption, and emissions while optimising operating costs.
Roberto Marinoni, engineer and prototype manager at BG LIFT, said: “We are extremely pleased with the results achieved through these patents, which reflect our ongoing commitment to innovation in the lifting sector.”
