• CKE2500-2, successor to the 250t CKE2500 (of which more than 220 units have been sold in the last five years). The CKE2500-2 on show has been sold to Dutch rental company PVE Cranes and Services, part of Van Es Holding. PVE will use the crane for a variety of applications from the construction of breakwaters to dredging operations.
• BME800HD, an 80t heavy-duty foundation crane, which has been sold to Spanish company SilsoiI SL, and will be used mainly with diaphragm wall bucket and clamshell attachments.
• CKE600, a 60t multi-purpose crane sold to UK crane rental company Weldex.
• CKE1350, a multi-purpose crane in the 135t class. This crane has been sold to UK crane rental company JH Johnson Crane Hire Ltd.
The main features of the new cranes are, says Kobelco Cranes Europe:
• Operating comfort – The cranes include a seven-way adjustable seat, and full free upper and lower view. The beamless roof construction of the front window is said to provide unobstructed upward field of view. An optional tilt-cab, up to 30 degrees, is designed further to enhance operating comfort.
• New Stage 3 engine – Power from the Hino water-cooled power plant with direct fuel injection has been increased by 5% as the 235kW engine has been replaced by a 247kW engine that complies with Stage 3 (EUR 3) American and European emission regulations. Engine speed, hydraulic flow, and pressure demands are co-ordinated by a computer-controlled engine speed sensing system.
• Doubled lifting performance – The performance of the auxiliary sheave of the CKE1350 and CKE2500-2 units has been increased from 13.5t to 27t by using two-line reeving.
• Easy, efficient transport, and fast assembly / disassembly – The crawler side frames and lower boom remain on the CKE600 and BME800HD during transport. With a transport weight of 40t (CKE600) and 44t (BME800HD), the crane can travel on a trailer. The lower boom, translifters and 35t hook block remain on the CKE1350 during transportation. At the jobsite, the crane can lift itself clear from the trailer and continue with self-assembly of crawlers, boom, jib and counterweight without the need for an assistance crane.
• Inching speed for precise control – This reduces the machine’s hydraulic functions (excluding swing) to one-third of normal speed to improve manoeuvrability.
• Powerful winches with oil-cooled multi-disc brakes.
• Large, extra-wide main and auxiliary drum capacities are designed to promote smooth operation and enhanced component service life, especially of wire rope and drum. The multi-disc brakes are self-adjusting and self-equalising. Free fall is standard on the BME800HD, and optional on main and auxiliary winch of CKE600, CKE1350, and CKE2500-2.
