For five days next month the construction industry will descend on Las Vegas, not for a mass orgy of gambling and carousing (though some of that may go on) but for North America’s largest and greatest fiesta of construction equipment – Conexpo.
Conexpo-Con/Agg 2002, as the exhibition is formally known, is the largest trade show in North America. Conexpo takes place on a three-yearly cycle.
The previous Conexpo, held in 1999, had more than 1,880 exhibitors covering a net area of 156,400m2 (or 1,700,000 sq.ft). According to the organisers, Conexpo 99 drew more than 124,000 attendees, including 20,000 from outside the USA.
As of 1 January 2002 there were 1,854 exhibitors registered for this year’s event. Whether visitor numbers match those of 1999 remains to be seen. The US construction industry is not so buoyant this time around, and equipment sales have been in decline after record years of conspicuous consumption. One thing is for sure, though: the exhibitors will be pulling out all the stops to impress visitors. Cranes – gathered together this time in the Gold Lot across the road from the main convention hall – will be a major draw.
At time of going to press, many exhibitors were unable to provide details of what they plan to show. What follows, therefore, are just some of the highlights. Further news of what to see at Conexpo will be covered in next month’s issue which will also be available at the show from the Cranes Today bus, parked at 181 in the Gold Lot.
Further information on Conexpo, travelling to Las Vegas or finding accommodation can be found at www.conexpoconagg.com Braden Winch S-13240 Braden Winch will introduce the CH210 hydraulic planetary hoist, which has a first layer line pull rating of 9.5t (21,000lb). Improvements in oil flow and internal gear design improve high-speed operation while increasing the service life of the winch. Also new is the CH640A, rated at 29t (64,000lb) and featuring the technology of the second generation CH Series with the torque of the Braden Magnum Series planetary transmissions. The SD Series swing drives will also be displayed.
Bridon N-2671 Bridon American, a leading steel wire rope manufacturer to the crane industry, will be displaying its full Endurance range of high performance crane ropes. New product launches include Endurance Dyform 34Max which claims superior breaking loads, and has been specially designed for high heights of lifts says Bridon.
Cranes Today G-181 The Cranes Today team, with our big red London bus, will once again be out in force. Crane industry visitors are invited to come and meet the team. Share your views on the industry with us over a long beer.
Demag Mobile Cranes G-400 Conexpo 1999 was famously supposed to host the announcement of Demag’s co-operation agreement with Link-Belt. That deal fell through at the final stages. This year speculation is reaching fever pitch that Demag will join Manitowoc.
Regardless of any corporate developments that may or may not take place, Demag is stamping its mark on Conexpo by exhibiting one of the biggest mobile cranes at the show, the all-terrain AC 350 SSL, rated at 350t. The SSL is the sideways superlift, or ‘butterfly’, attachment that gives lateral stability to enhance capacities for lifts in near to vertical boom configurations. This model was launched at Bauma 2001 as the AC 300-1 but after load testing, the capacity was revised upwards by 20%. On a main boom length of 51.9m with a 12.2m extension and lifting at a radius of 12m, the lifting capacity was increased from 22.9t to 27.8t. To reflect this performance upgrade, the crane was redesignated as the AC 350.
The extended length of the newly dimensioned four-section main boom is 56m and with luffing boom it offers a maximum working height of 126.3m. Counterweight sections, maximum total weight 142t, are compatible with the Demag AC 500-1 and AC 650, which reduces costs for larger fleet owners.
Demag is also showing its AC 30 city crane, launched this year as the successor of the AC 25. The most significant change between the AC 25 and the AC 30 is that the main boom of the new version is made from higher tensile steel at 960 N/mm2. This gives the boom a working radius ranging from 7.5m to 25m. Added counterweight has also helped to increase capacities. A new power train has increased maximum torque from 737Nm to 990Nm (at 1,500rpm).
The third model that Demag plans to show is its 40t city crane, the AC 40-1.
Despite its impressive transportability for a crane of its size, it is sadly not feasible for Demag to display the 1,250t-rated CC 8800 crawler that was shown to customers in November 2001.
Grove Worldwide G-220 Making its bid to steal the show, Grove will display its biggest ever rough terrain unit alongside its biggest ever all-terrain. The rough terrain, the RT 9000E, rated at 115t (130 US ton) and with a maximum tip height of 52m (169ft), was shown to selected customers in October 2001 and was featured in the November issue of Cranes Today (First sight, p17). This is the largest two-axle production model RT on the market.
Never seen in public before is the GMK 7450, Grove’s newest and biggest all-terrain model. This seven-axle machine is rated at 450t (500 US ton) and we can expect it to be the biggest mobile crane at the show.
Grove is also exhibiting its line of truck cranes, a range which has been significantly rationalised since the last Conexpo in 1999. The new generation of truck cranes, like the new RTs, are designated the E series.
Hetronic G-257 A full range of remote control systems will be exhibited. Hetronic designs and manufactures radio remote controls for tower cranes, overhead cranes, hydraulic cranes, material handling, coil handling, aerial work platforms, concrete pumps, and many other niche applications.
Ikusi G-296B This Spanish company is showing radio remote control systems for controlling tower, loader and EOT cranes, as well as for mobile crushing machines and concrete pumps. Ikusi also has transmitters with LCD data display.
Kobelco G-134 Kobelco Construction Machinery America has two booths. Inside the North Hall it will display a range of excavators. Outside in the Gold Lot it will show two crawler cranes, the CK 1000 and and CK 2000, rated at 100 US ton and 200 US ton respectively. These machines are the American versions of the models known in Europe as the CKE 900, rated at 90t, and the CKE 1800, rated at 180t. The CKE 900 was launched in Europe last year at Bauma. The CKE 1800 followed on later in the year.
With an optional, heavy-duty boom tip attachment, the CK 2000’s maximum lifting capacity, obtained with a base boom length of 12.2m (40ft) and a 3.7m (12ft 4in) operating radius, is 181t (400,000lb). Maximum boom length is 85.3m (280ft) and maximum boom plus jib combination is 73m + 30.5m (240ft + 100ft). Equipped with 73m of main boom and 30.5m of fixed jib, offset at a 10° angle, it can lift 5.3t (11,600 lb) at a radius of 36.6m (120ft).
A luffing jib is offered as an option, and maximum boom plus luffer combination is 55m + 51.8m (180ft. + 170ft). Luffing jib capacity is 48.6t (107,100lb).
The CK 2000, which supersedes the 7200 model, has forced-circulation, oil-cooled, wet-type multi-disc brakes installed in each winch drum. According to Kobelco, the forced circulation of oil through the brakes’ discs maintains their efficiency and keeps temperatures down during long/continuous operations. Kobelco says that placing the brakes within the winch drums means that the drums can be wider, which increases rope capacity and reduces the chance of uneven winding. This helps to extend the service life of the wire rope.
The machine is powered by a 235kW (316hp) Mitsubishi 6D24-TLA2F diesel engine. This six-cylinder engine is water-cooled, fuel-injected and turbocharged. The CK 2000 also features a computer-controlled Engine Speed Sensing (ESS) system that coordinates engine speed, hydraulic flow and pressure demands.
Rated line pull for both drums is 13.4t (29,500lb). The raising and lowering line speed for the front and rear drums is 100m/min, based on a single line on the first drum layer. Maximum line pull, determined by the performance of the winches, not by the strength of the wire rope, is 25t (56,000lb).
The CK 1000 features much of the technology of its bigger brother. Its maximum boom length is 61m (200ft), while maximum boom and jib combination is 58m + 18m (190ft + 60ft).
Lampson G-263 Lampson International will have a booth in the Gold Lot among the crane companies to promote its heavylift capabilities and Transilift equipment, but it will not be bringing any machinery to Las Vegas.
Liebherr G-360 The Liebherr Group’s stand will be 20% bigger than in 1999 at 2,000m2 and the 15 machines on show include several cranes not seen in the USA before. The TT series of self-erecting cranes, which have a telescoping jib as well as a telescoping mast, was introduced at the 2001 Bauma exhibition. A 32 TT model is at Conexpo. Liebherr says that with both the jib and the mast telescopic, the best configuration for every task can easily be found in the shortest possible time. Extension and retraction of the jib head section during operation means that the crane operates with a specific load characteristic at each of the seven jib lengths – with the jib either horizontal or angled upwards. TT cranes have contactor control and hoisting gear with a pole-changing motor as standard features. The trolley travel gear also has a pole-changing motor that runs at either 20m/min or 40m/min. The 32 TT, with a maximum working radius of 30m and load moment ranging from 30tm to 57tm is the flagship of this model series.
From the mobile crane range is the new six-axle LTM 1250/1 all-terrain. It is rated at 250t and has a six-section, 72m-long telescopic boom – 12m longer than the previous standard length of 60m in this class. With the carrier close to the load and the boom raised to a steep angle, the crane can lift 14.7t loads up to heights of 70m. As the boom is ‘Telematik’ it extends fully automatically to any required length and is pinned hydro-mechanically. Various fly jibs are also offered. Total ballast is 97.5t, but several partial ballast operating modes are available. The LTM 1250/1 get its first public outing at the Samoter show in Italy this month. Conexpo marks its North American debut.
The LR 1350/1 crawler crane is being premiered at the 2002 Conexpo. This 350t machine is powered by a 270kW (367hp) Liebherr turbo-charged diesel engine with an electronic engine management system. It has five hoisting winches and up to five slewing gear drives. The Liebherr LICCON computer system controls and monitors all crane functions. Maximum main boom length is 120m long, and a luffing fly jib up to 78m can be added. Adding a 27m-long back mast (or derricking boom) and up to 200t of suspended counterweight (or a telescoping ballast truck), a maximum lifting height of 118m can be reached on the main boom and 150m on the fly jib. Intermediate boom sections are 6m or 12m long to aid transportation. The slewing platform with the centre section of the crawler undercarriage and the A-bracket form a single transportation unit weighing 40t. The crawler track units weigh 22t each. The A-bracket is used to install the winches and crawler track units without an assist crane.
From the Nenzing factory in Austria is a new 90t-rated (100 US ton) duty cycle crawler, the HS 855 HD, which is a successor to the HS 853 HD and part of a new generation of HS machines. Transportation and assembly features include hydraulically telescoping crawlers. If necessary the crawlers can be detached, with help of the built in jack-up system. The self-assembly system, based on the LR lift crane series, allows the crane to be put together without the use of the hoist rope. This machine is powered by a 400kW (544hp) Liebherr diesel engine and the winches, all equipped with an internal free fall brake, have an operational line pull of 25t (55,100lb). Liebherr’s Litronic system allows various operations to be automated and enables the crane to power attachments such as pile hammers, drill rigs and casing oscillators without an external power pack.
‘We delivered the first two units six month ago to a German contractor, Stein Spezialtiefbau, which just finished a job in Hamburg,’ says Liebherr Nenzing’s Kurt Rudigier. ‘They were able to dig 340m2 of slurry wall in one single shift, which was an absolute new record for a crane that size.’ The crane at Conexpo is sold to Pennsylvania-based AmQuip.
A lift crane version of the HS 855 HD, the LR 1100 will soon be available with ratings of 90t or 100t to suit customer need.
Also on show from the Nenzing factory is the LR 1280 lift crane, an upgrade of the LR 1250 and rated at 280t (300 US ton). New features include a 64-bit processor for online LMI/LML calculation and a stronger luffing jib. The crane shown at Conexpo is sold to Bragg Crane of California. Two more units are on the way to Northern Crane in Canada.
Lift Systems G-32 Lift Systems plans to feature a range of products, including the new TF 4560, a 30 US ton telescopic forklift with optional Riggers and Mobilift booms. Also to be displayed are a sampling of hydraulic gantries. A Power Tower with 450t (500 US ton) capacity on 4 points, a 22A, 200 US ton capacity 2 point lift system and a Model 2020SC ‘MiniJack rated at 18t (20 US ton).
The TF4560 telescopic forklift, introduced last year, lifts 27t to a height of 3m on the forks, 6.7m with the Mobilift boom attachment and 7m on the Riggers boom. The telescopic feature lets users lift not only up but out. The Mobilift boom can lift 13.6t (30,100lb) at 4.3m (14ft) from the front bumper.
Lift Systems’ family of hydraulic gantries will be well represented. The model 34PT500WT Power Tower is a boom style lift system with 450t capacity to 10.7m. The model 22A, a 180t capacity lift system is one-half of a model 44A which Lift Systems regards as the workhorse of its line up.
Manitowoc Crane Group G-359 Rumours continue across the industry that Manitowoc Crane Group might have a new member by the time Conexpo comes about. Is it buying Demag? We won’t know for sure until, or unless, the deal is done.
Among the three new cranes being shown by Manitowoc is the first cross-pollination between the American operations (in Wisconsin and Texas) and the recently acquired French operation, the tower crane manufacturer Potain.
Manitowoc has mounted a Potain self-erecting tower crane onto a commercial three-axle truck and has been testing the prototype at job sites in the USA. Truck-mounted tower cranes, usually mounted on all-terrain carriers, have been gaining popularity in Europe in recent years, but it remains to be seen whether the North American market takes to the concept.
Visitors to Conexpo will also get to see the Manitowoc 555 lattice-boom crawler crane, dubbed The Triple Nickel. This 136t (150 US ton) unit was one of four new models to be announced at Bauma in April 2001. Manitowoc had promised to get all four in iron by the end of 2001 but the Potain acquisition appears to have caused slippage in the product development programme. Hence there is still no sign of the duty-cycle 915 or 1015 models, developed with the German foundations specialist Bauer. We can expect these later in the year. The fourth crane announced at Bauma was the 450t (500 US ton) rated 19000, which is a stripped down version of the 907t capacity 21000. Had customers come forward for this model, it would doubtless have been produced by now.
The third new model will be a Manitowoc Boom Trucks model 2892C-Hycas. This boom truck crane has a 28 ton maximum capacity with a four-section 92ft (28m) boom and a two-piece, 46ft (14m) jib.
From the Potain range of top slewing tower cranes will be the MDT 302 L16. In the 300tm class, this unit has a maximum capacity of 16t (35,000lb) and a maximum jib length of 75m (246ft). The crane to be displayed will be painted red, rather than Potain yellow, and will be branded with the Manitowoc logo.
Manitowoc will also have the crane operator training simulator that it has had at recent trade fairs. The simulator is based on the EPIC controls of modern Manitowoc crawlers.
Riggers Manufacturing Company G-461 Riggers reckons that its new Quad 4 Lifter is ‘revolutionary’ and has even set up a website dedicated to the product (www.quad4lifter.com).
The Quad 4 Lifter is a four-leg gantry with four hydraulic cylinders per leg. Load restraint brackets join the four cylinders of each leg at the gland nuts. These load restraint brackets are the keys to significantly increasing stiffness of the lifting structure. The brackets cause the cylinders to act as one continuous, large, rigid column and reduce side sway by 500%, Riggers claims. Additionally, if one of the four cylinders fails, three will always hold the load, according to designs.
Focus group sessions were held with rigging industry experts to generate design ideas for the Quad 4. As a result, the gantry system has portable remote control, full synchronisation of lift and travel, inserts for added height, and other safety features. An automatic load sensing system monitors both the height and weight of the load on each leg at all times during a lift. The load sensing system will warn the operator of unsafe conditions or actually halt operation if established limits are exceeded. Stellar Industries G-287 On display at the Stellar booth will be a model 120-16-20 hooklift loader with a cement mixer body, and a model 190-24-52 hooklift loader with a dump box. The Stellar hooklift allows various bodies to interchange on one chassis.
The model 10620 (4,500kg/10,000lb capacity) and the model 6620 (2,300kg/6,000lb capacity) telescopic service cranes will also be on display. These both feature 20ft (6m) of all-hydraulic extension, hexagonal boom design, and a fully proportional radio remote control as a standard feature. This is the first time Stellar has displayed its service cranes at Conexpo.
Also on display is the X-Tra-Lift, a new loading system for pick-up trucks, as well as truck mounted air compressors and portable power systems .
Tadano G-230 Tadano America Corporation is promising that five new models will be displayed at Conexpo, though is not yet ready to release details. It is likely that the TR 450 XL-4, officially launched at the end of 2001, will be exhibited, but whether Tadano includes this as one of its five ‘new’ models remains to be seen.
Terex G-140 Terex Corporation will have a major presence at Conexpo, with cranes fighting for attention alongside aerial access platforms and earthmoving, road building, crushing, and light construction equipment. New equipment includes a new truck crane series, a reconfigured 90t (100 US ton) RT, and a 250t (275 US ton) hydraulic crawler crane.
Other lifting products that will be displayed are the Peiner SK 415 tower crane, Stinger 60100 boom truck, RT 555 rough terrain crane, and four telehandler models. Atlas Weyhausen, a recent Terex acquisition, will be represented by its 25.1 knuckle boom truck loader.
The new T700 Series is Terex Lifting’s largest truck crane offering. Maximum lifting capacity for the series is 72t (80 US ton). Maximum tip height is 44.2m (145ft) and an optional 10m-17.3m (33ft to 57ft) swingaway jib takes maximum tip height to 61.6m (202ft). The four-axle carrier is just 2.6m (8ft 5in) wide and, fully equipped, it weighs approximately 47.6t (105,000lb) without boom dolly. With boom over the rear and optional boom dolly, axle weight is less than 9.1t (20,000lb) per axle. ABS brakes and front and rear air suspension are standard. T700 Series cranes are powered by a 372kW (500hp) Detroit Diesel engine with automatic transmission. Travel speed is up to 106km/h (66mph).
With the HC 275, Terex American Crane continues the expansion of its line of hydraulic lattice boom crawler cranes. This 250t (275 US ton) model, built in Japan by IHI, has a maximum boom length of 91.4m (300ft) and a maximum tip height of 115.8m (380ft). American Crane plans to introduce a 317.5t (350 US ton) model later this year.
Terex’s biggest RT, previously called the RT 1100, is now the RT 1000 but is still rated at 90t (100 US ton). It now features a shorter boom, telescoping to a maximum of 38.4m (126ft) instead of 45.5m (149ft 3in). With an optional 10m to18.3m (33ft-60ft) jib, maximum tip height is 59.4m (195ft). Maximum tip height on the predecessor model was 75m (246ft).
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) GL-3327 Conexpo co-owner and co-producer, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) will spotlight the construction equipment industry’s history and scope as well as the Association’s activities and services.
AEM is a new name to the industry, formed from the merger of the Construction Industry Manufacturers Association (CIMA) and the Equipment Manufacturers Institute (EMI), effective 1 January 2002.
AEM will highlight the construction equipment industry’s evolution, inventions and innovators with a walk-through exhibit in its booth, accompanied by an interactive video depicting the construction equipment industry’s contributions to the world’s quality of life. The AEM exhibit will also showcase the latest content and interactive features in ConstructMyFuture.com, the AEM co-sponsored construction careers website for students, teachers and parents.
