Kato Crane Works is giving a first public showing to two new cranes at the Conet exhibition in Japan this month. First is the 50t-class rough terrain SL-600 which debuted on site in November 2000, since when more than 50 units have been delivered to Japanese customers.
This crane is a two-axle rough terrain model with a maximum rated lifting capacity of 51t at 2.9m. It has hydropneumatic suspension and four-wheel drive. Maximum speed is 49km/h.
The SL-600 has a new design 43m full power boom and a ‘Super’ luffing jib with variable length and offset. Fly jibs are from 8.3m to 13.2m and the offset angle is from 5° to 60°. Adjustments operate by hydraulic power, controlled from the operator’s cab.
Kato says that this crane has the longest main boom and the longest hydraulic powered fly jib in its class. It claims that the 4.5t winch line pull and line speeds of 145m/min (main) and137m/min (auxiliary) are also class-beating. Derricking from 0° to 80° in 50 seconds also makes it the fastest derricking crane in its class, Kato claims.
A more recent development is the upgraded MR-100 Lsp-V, which was first seen just in July this year. This is is Kato’s familiar 10t-capacity two-axle RT with a new fly jib added to the 23.5m full power boom. From the operator’s cab the two-section 3.3m/5.5m powered fly jib can be luffed hydraulically up to 45°. As reported in the July issue of Cranes Today, this is one of four Kato models that Kobelco has taken legal action against, alleging infringement of its design patents.
Other product development at Kato includes the addition of a powered fly jib option to its SR-250 VR model, a 25t-capacity, two-axle RT, although this is not being exhibited at Conet. Previously this crane came with a two section 7.9m/13m fly jib, offsettable to 5°, 25°, and 45°. Now there is the option of the fly jib being offset hydraulically anywhere from 5° to 45°. This crane has also been updated to comply with the latest noise and engine emission requirements.
As the main exhibit area of Conet is indoors, there is no space for Kato to show any of its larger cranes such as its new 300t and 400t all-terrain models.
The 300t capacity KA-3000 was launched in February this year. It is mounted on a six-axle Nissan carrier and has a maximum driving speed of 60km/h. The 50m full power boom lifts 300t at 2.5m. To this can be fitted a telescoping four-section luffing jib that extends from 10m to 31m and can be offset between 5° and 60°. The chart shows it can lift 24t at 22m, 12t at 36m and 1.8t at 66m. A heavylift jib, with lengths of 13m, 22m, 31m, 40m, 47m and 54m, can be offset to angles between 10° and 60°. Equipped with this, the crane can lift 84t at 9m radius, 54t at 14m, 12t at 48m, 9.3t at 28m, and 1.7t at 85m. Maximum lifting height with the heavylift jib is 106.9 m.
The KA-4000 made its debut towards the end of last year. It also has a six-axle Nissan carrier and reaches a maximum driving speed of 60km/h. It is rated 400t at 3m and the full power boom extends to 40.2m. A 9m/16m heavy tilt jib can be offset at angles from 8° to 45°. On the chart there is 65t at 12m radius, 45t at 14m, 28t at 16m, and 7.2t at 60m. A heavy lift jib has lengths of 18m, 27m, 36m, 45m, 54m and 63m and can be offset by between 10° and 60°. It can lift 107.5t at 8.0m, 71t at 12m, 29t at 20m, 11.5t at 55m, and 3t at 95m. Maximum lifting height is 118.6 m with the heavy lift jib.
