Truck crane is a term that means different things to different people. While to many people it means any crane on a conventional commercial chassis, Dematic’s truck cranes (called TC models) feature a carrier from its all-terrain (AC) range and a lattice boom superstructure from its crawler crane (CC) range.
Lattice boom truck cranes went out of fashion in the 1990s. Only Link-Belt of the USA has had any success with them, meeting the needs of those construction contractors using the ‘tilt up’ method of construction – erecting buildings from precast concrete panels.
Dematic has always offered lattice boom truck cranes and there are plenty of TC 650, TC 2000, TC 2400 and TC 2600 cranes around the world. But in recent years there has not been much demand. In 1999 it sold just a single unit, for example. Now, however, there is renewed interest and Demag has produced truck crane versions of its two newest crawlers. Mounted on the carrier of the 500t all-terrain AC 500-1, the CC 2500 and CC 2800 become the TC 2500 and TC 2800.
Depending on the type of superstructure, seven or eight axles are used, with the total length of the carrier in each case being 17.95m. Both cranes are roadable within the 12t axle load limit with the complete superstructure including rope drums and A-frame. For tougher transport conditions, a quick-connection is available as an option. Even with long boom and jib combinations these cranes can travel on site without load thanks to support wheels mounted on the outriggers.
There will never be huge demand for this type of crane, but there will always be applications where their advantages are decisive. Lattice boom truck cranes offer flexibility in transport and erection, as well as strong lifting capacities and long outreach thanks to the large outrigger base.
This is why the boom lengths of the TC cranes are slightly longer than the comparable crawler model. For example, the main boom length of the CC 2500 is 72m but on the TC 2500 it is 84m. Maximum boom length in the SWSL configuration is thus 168m (84m + 84m). Compared with the CC 2800, a 12m section has been added to both the main boom and fly jib on the TC 2800. This gives a maximum boom length in the SWSL configuration of 192m (96m + 96m).
