The German Institute for Applied Research in Building noted demand for building materials machinery was particularly high in emerging markets like China, India and certain Eastern European and former Soviet countries.
In our preview we cover cranes that are being sold worldwide, having asked manufacturers to give us a sneak preview of the cranes that will be launched at the fair. They have responded by providing details on cranes with some interesting features. We have a taller freestanding 32t HC luffer from Liebherr, an extra-long reach knuckleboom crane from Palfinger and an innovative axle-load-sensing trailer from Zandt Cargo.
Next month in Cranes Today, please stay with us as we preview the rest of the innovations from major manufactures such as Manitowoc and Hitachi.
Linden Comansa
Spanish tower crane manufacturer Linden Comansa will be displaying on the same stand, F11 1103/4, as its distributor in Germany, BKL Baukran Logistik.
Linden Comansa will display two cranes that have never been exhibited before at a trade show, the 16 LC 260 flattop tower and a LCL 165 luffing jib crane. The LC 260 Flat top is from the LC1600 flat top series.
BKL Baukran Logistik will exhibit the hydraulic crane BKL System Cattaneo CM 90S4 developed together with Cattaneo.
Since 2011, BKL Baukran Logistik has been Linden Comansa’s official distributor in Germany. It owns one of the biggest fleets in Central Europe and is a major player in its domestic market. The company has offices in Munich, Frankfurt and Hannover.
Palfinger
Palfinger has announced a new global crane that tops the PK range.
Palfinger says that the design of the PK 200002 L SH closes the gap between the knuckleboom crane and the mobile crane with a long arm design for larger outreach, designed so it doesn’t fold across the width of the vehicle as usual. The company said the PK 200002 L SH features a ‘P-profile’ extension boom system, this gives enhanced stability and reducing dead weight on the crane. It also features a front and rear stabiliser in the crane’s frame which is remote controlled and monitored by sensors. Stabiliser cylinders may be tilted upwards when encountering walls or fences.
Allowing the load position to be recorded accurately, the HPSC is equipped with an additional sensor system in the arm and easier-to-access working areas: they were blocked by electronics in the past.
To improve efficiency, the crane is fused with the truck to create a single unit at a dedicated Mounting Competence Centre (MCC). This allows mounting to be standardised and optimised on a conventional 4-axle or even a 5-axle truck.
Equipped with 8 hydraulic extensions, the crane features a hydraulic outreach of 25.6m. With the new Fly-Jib PJ 300 L, the crane can achieve a hydraulic outreach of 45.3m, and a lifting height of more than 49m.
These outreaches can only be achieved by means of the new long arm design and an additional foldable knuckle boom, Palfinger says.
Nevertheless, the PK 200002 L SH has a very low installation height of 3.8m on a conventional 8×4 truck chassis.
The PK 200002 L SH has been designed based on the concept of a high degree of user-friendliness, featuring an intuitive remote control system and rapid set-up systems. It maximuses safety thanks to constant monitoring of stability.
Liebherr
At Stand 809 – 813, Liebherr is showing new cranes, including two new towers, a new duty cycle crawler, and two mobile cranes launched last year.
The launch of two new towers is a highlight on the stand. Liebherr will be presenting the new, modular design of 150 EC B 8 Litronic flat top tower, available in a 6 or 8t version, as well as a new luffer, 357 HC-L, especially useful for high buildings.
It says the 150 EC B 8 is configuration-flexible, making it an economically attractive concept in crane leasing.
The flat top is available either in FR.tronic or Litronic versions; meaning operated by programmable logic control PLC or traditional contactor control. There is a choice between cabin and non-cabin operation.
The 8t version has a freestanding hook height of more than 52m, a maximum lifting capacity at the tip of 1700kg at 60m radius and a maximum load capacity of 8000kg.
It can be fitted to a 120 HC tower system, and optionally onto 185 HC and 256 HC tower systems.
Also launching at the show is Liebherr 357 HC-L 18/32 Litronic luffer. It has been developed as the successor to the 355 HCL and is available in 12/24t and 18/32t versions. The 32,000kg version will be on the stand.
Liebherr explained one of the 357 HC-L’s features is a compact 6 x 6m cruciform base and uniquely narrow tower system. "The 355 IC standard tower system, unique in this crane class, is available as a climbing tower system for the 357 HC-L both for interior climbing and for climbing outside the building. A striking feature is the exceptionally compact 1.9 x 1.9m tower cross-section, meaning the 355 IC can also be climbed in narrow elevator shafts," it said. This is also the first exhibition for Liehberr’s new duty cycle crawler, HS8300HD. One of the interesting features that it has is a Patronic-fuel conservation system, successful on Liebherr’s mobile harbour cranes.
The 220t LTR1220 telecrawler will be at the stand, with applications in installing prefabricated components and on long term energy or infrastructure sites.
One of the standout features of the LTR1220 is a 60m telescopic boom with a larger load moment than other telescopic crawler cranes on the market, Leibherr said. The LTR 1220 telecrawler can carry out installation work in two-hook operation using an erection jib 3.4m long and second hoist gear. It is suited as an auxiliary crane in the installation of windpower systems, and for the handling of windpower components, the company said.
Also, the LTM 1750-9.1 all terrain launched last summer and now available to buy, will be at the stand.
The load capacity positions this crane the second largest at the top of Liebherr’s LTR telecrawler series. The LTM 1750-9.1 all terrain is notable for its high degree of roadability. The complete telescopic boom can be carried by the nine-axle vehicle during travel on public roads.
The design of LTM 1750-9.1 takes worldwide differences in transport weights and axle load variations into account and is designed for short set-up times.
The company designed a broad range of equipment options to give LTM 1750- 9.1 an especially wide operational spectrum.
Different boom systems of LTM 1750- 9.1 include a 52m long telescopic boom, telescopic boom Y-guying system, allowing for larger loads and lateral stability, along with many different lattice jibs.
The luffing fly jib extends out to 91m, and there is a special auxiliary jib, with a load capacity of 56t. The luffing of the fixed lattice jib can optionally be hydraulically moved and operated under load. The maximum achievable dimensions with these are particularly tall 154m height, with 112m reach.
Tadano
Tadano will be at Bauma with 3 mobile cranes launched in 2012, the ATF 400G- 6 all terrain, the ATF 180G-5, and the HK 65 truck mounted crane.
The ATF 400G-6 has a 400t maximum lifting capacity, a 15-60m main boom, a 5.5-78.5m extension, and a maximum lifting height of 122m.
Tadano designed the ATF 400G-6 with strong components that have a bearing load of 400t, such as the main boom. The company said the ATF 400G- 6’s strong boom gives it the ability to lift loads that other cranes need a guy to lift.
Tadano says the strength of the boom decreases the expense of transport and time involved in rigging and dismantling of a guy. Nonetheless, Tadano advises that certain load situations will still require a guy.
The strong boom extension supports the strong bearing load profile, says Tadano.
The other new all terrain mobile crane is the ATF 180G-5, the ‘allrounder’ with a wide application spectrum and good bearing loads.
The ATF 180G-5 has a maximum lifting capacity of 180t, allowing use in the 120 to 200t class. It has 13.2-60m main boom, with a 13.2m boom extension. The extension can be 5.4- 37.2m.
ATF 180G-5 can be used with no counterweight, a lorry loading counterweight or a full counterweight, Tadano says.
The ATF 180G-5 carries a 13.2m long boom extension in such a way that it achieves a system length of 73.2m with 12t axle loads.
Tadano’s truck crane on the stand is the HK 65, with a maximum lifting capacity of 65t.
Allowing wider application scope, the HK 65 was designed for approval-free truck transportation, with a total weight of 32t and axle loads of under 9.5t, even when a 12.5t hook block and 750kg tackle are included. The truck crane can transport a ballast trailer with a counterweight up to 5.1t on one permit.
The company said the HK 65 can be assembled on different conventional lorry chassis such as Mercedes Benz, MAN, Scania and Volvo.
Zandt Cargo
German Zandt Cargo will have innovations in trailer solutions on display at booth N 825/1, with 10 low loader trailers and tandem trailers also on display.
New products on the stand include a new three-axle product, a new lashing system for its AT-P 400 trailer and an innovative axle load weight indicator.
The light system for use on trailers shows the operator in the cab whether the axle load limit has been exceeded. It also makes visible to the operator when the centre of gravity of the trailers is aligned with the centre of gravity on the load.
The company owner, Manfred Zandt, explains, "The system was innovated for placing the load and axle loads because of a new EU standard. The operator can see the light while in the cab. It automatically detects the weight both on the hook and on the trailer.
"Since last Bauma we have done much work with new lashing systems, especially on the ATP range," says Zandt.
On the AT-P 200, 300, and 400, various options in the range of applications have been further enhanced. With container locks both 20ft container and complementary telescopic extension up to 3000 mm wide, it’s possible to transport space cells.
The AT-P 400 series features straight chassis, which the company says is optimized for the center of gravity enabling balanced load distribution among the four 10t or 12t axles.
Multifunctional stanchion grid systems allow improved transport and site logistics of long material, formwork and scaffolding.
Olsbergs
Electro-hydraulic control system group Olsbergs will launch its new, upgraded generation of hydraulic valves, valve Q200 and valve Q300. Q200 and Q300 will replace valve PV91 and valve PV90 in Olsbergs control systems.
Olsbergs control systems are installed in more than 20,000 machines. These are mainly truck loader cranes and forestry cranes.
The valves are load-sensing and pressure compensated. Load-sensing technology in combination with variable pumps provide energy-efficient hydraulic systems. Olsbergs valves are equipped with a unique positioner, or actuator, allowing for mechanical feedback of the valve spools. The valve can be controlled very accurately without affecting the flow.
The valves feature improved design and capacity, with a Monoblock design for coping with high pressure. They operate with a maximum pump pressure of 450 bar and at a flow of 300l/min maximum. The valve Q200 has two levels; the lower level houses the pressure compensator and shuttle system and the upper level houses the valve spools. However, the Q300 valve is equipped with a third level at the top level, which houses shock relief valves and anti-cavitations valves.
Olsbergs offers a number of specially adapted inlet and outlet sections of modular design for connection to different types of hydraulic systems and pumps. For example one type of inlet section is designed to provide pressure compensated flow to e.g. an outrigger valve, and one type of outlet section has an integrated pressure reducer and filter unit.
The company develops hydraulics and electronics in parallel to provide efficiency, speed and precision.
Enerpac
Enerpac are launching the EVO-Series Synchronous Lifting Systems, a jacking system, and will be at stand F 1305/2. After the prototype was displayed at Bauma China, the company is evolving its offering by combining several of its technologies.
It is being marketed to crane clients globally and its key applications are bridge building, maintenance and other infrastructure construction. "Basically this is a combination of all the technology we have developed and this is the next generation," says Maarten Franken, marketing director, Europe and India.
It’s useful in infrastructure works, Franken adds, "Decommissioning, heavy lifting structures are getting bigger and bigger."
The EVO-System combines highpressure hydraulics with the high speed of today’s PLC-controlled systems. EVOsystem may control 4, 8 or 12 points with one hydraulic power unit (HPU).
One standard PLC-controlled hydraulic power unit can be used for eight hydraulic movement functions with a 9in touch screen. The user can monitor movements and cylinder positions during the lifting procedure using a visual realtime presentation.
The EVO HPU is designed for single use with 4, 8 or 12 lifting points and can be extended into a network with up to four units. When operations require 2 or more HPUs, the networked system has to be controlled using a separate portable master control box.
It is a multi-functional system with 8 standard hydraulic movement modes to control most synchronous movement applications and capabilities: manual, pre-load, automatic, retract fast, depressurize, tilting, stage lifting (stepby- step) and centre of gravity.
PLC-controlled systems with warning and stop functions offer advantages over manual, multi-operator control approaches, the company says.
Programmable failsafe monitoring and safety alarms reduce the risk of structural damage by bending, twisting or tilting due to uneven weight distribution or load-shifts between lifting points. Partial automation of lifting processes also allows for increased productivity, as there is less staffing required than for manually controlled lifting. One operator controls the entire lifting process while the status of every lifting point is constantly monitored and displayed. The process does not have to be stopped after any incremental value, checked, manually remeasured and corrected.
Additional features of the system include network capability, enabling it to link up 4 hydraulic power units (HPU) to a separate master control box. It also has a wireless remote, a VFD motor, and a 3.0kW hydraulic power unit with 250ltr reservoir. Customers can use their existing standard Enerpac cylinders with the system.
As an option for more complex and demanding applications, the company offers the EVO-W Series (EVO-W System), containing additional control features for weighing systems with load cells.
Hirschmann
Hirschmann, a supplier of software to crane OEMS and dealers, is launching the qScale I2 telescopic crane control system through its mobile machine control solutions segment.
It calls the qScale I2 system hightechnology available to the low end. It is initially available for telescopic cranes only, but it can be used on any kind of crane, such as a lattice boom crane.
With a basis in current standards, it is intended to further simplify easy applications for smaller and medium sized telescopic cranes. It features both visualization and load moment indication. Hirschmann designed the system for highly accurate load measurement to improve the utilization of load charts.
The comparatively easy configuration tool eliminates the need for complex programming, reducing setup times.
CoDeSys and C++ knowledge is not required for client programming. Hirschmann nonetheless can provide programming at the high end. The configuration tool is available in 3 versions: Service, Basic or Expert. They can be selected depending on what should be done: management functions, controlled calibration or complex crane diagnostics.
A graphical user interface, a new concept with qScale I2, can help simplify the work of the crane operator with images that compare directly to the crane. Text plays a smaller role. This makes it a safer option because numerical lists are not necessary and errors in mode choice are reduced.
SKF
The global components supplier plans to debut a new system for detecting whether the lubrication hose is leaking in centralized lubrication systems for construction machines, Lincoln Hose Connection Control (HCC). Centralized lubrication systems help ensure that all lubrication points receive a precise quantity of required lubricant at all times.
With this system the operator immediately knows if there is a fault and the cause can be investigated before serious damage occurs. The new system, which can be retrofitted on a crane or installed on a new crane from an OEM, is intended to prevent expensive damage to bearings, downtime, and removal affected parts.
Aimed at eliminating leakage, it also can prevent the impact of leakage on the environment, which can incur expensive clean-up and disposal costs.
Lincoln HCC can be used on metal and hose lines for the entire centralised lubrication system. In comparison to other systems, the system has minimal components, is reliable and simple, with no pressure rise or decline necessary for the required sensors. The basic unit consists of an analyzer unit, a connector functioning as an electric isolator between the lubrication line and the lubrication metering device, and a connector cable to the analyzer.
It works electrically and independently of line lengths, ambient temperatures, and pressure differential or pressure losses. Lubrication hoses must be electrically conductible, which is achieved with a copper strand or a metal armor. The lubricant cannot be conductible, while operating temperatures range from -50 to +70 OC. If the electrical circuit is closed, a green LED indicates that no faults are present in the monitored lubrication hoses.
If the circuit is interrupted, a red LED immediately lights. The activated or nofault signal can be read on a display on the dashboard or in the cabin of the machine.
Also, the monitoring of the lubrication lines is not limited from the lubricant metering device to the lubrication point. The mainline from the pump to the metering device can also be monitored.
