New Tadano truck loader crane series

Tadano has expanded its truck loader crane line-up with the introduction of a new series: TM-ZX1200.

The TM-ZX1200 series offers three truck loader crane lines, HRS, HS, and MH, for the inter-national market. All three have a maximum outrigger width of 5.5 metres, larger than the 3.9m of conventional eight tonne capacity cargo cranes and 5.2m of the 10t class, Tadano points out.

The maximum crane capacity is 22tm, largest in its class. Both the wide outriggers and in-creased capacity greatly improve lifting performance compared to previous models in the same class, says Tadano.

Yuichiro Yamada, assistant manager at Tadano’s Strategic Sales department said that these functions and enhancements reflect the needs of its users: “The wider outrigger base improves stability of the crane, which in turn improves the performance at larger working radius. Also, the safety devices aim to support work in the field where safety standards are strict.”

The HRS and HS lines feature AML with Safety Eyes designed to provide a greater degree of vision and control for the operator. The HRS specification adds a colour LCD radio controller that displays the lifted load, which allows changing of the operation position even when visibility would otherwise be poor in the conventional operation position.

The MH model is more economically spec’d, said Tadano, in order to appeal to a wide range of customers. It includes hook-in and anti-two-block device functionality and Tadano said it is a very reliable machine indeed.

The HRS model has a basket mode and a support mount for the basket at the tip of the boom so that it can be used for aerial work. The wider outrigger width also leads to a larger working radius in basket mode.

Tadano said the 12t maximum lifting capacity is a completely new range for its truck load-er cranes – bridging the gap between the 10t/15tm TM-ZX1000 and 15t/30tm TM-ZX1500 series models.

Significant time and research has gone into developing the TM-ZX1200 line, said Tadano.

“The TM-ZX1200HRS/HS’s product concept was to provide high safety and workability,” explained Satoshi Hirota, who works in Tadano’s Lifting Equipment Development Department. “For that purpose, it was necessary to adopt the Safety Eyes control, which is in-stalled in the latest domestic models.”

Safety Eyes is designed to monitor the overturning momentum during work and stops once predetermined momentum is reached regardless of cargo presence in the trucks. Lifting capacity is also reduced when truck cargo loads are low to avoid tipping over. In effect, the Safety Eyes control allows the crane to lift more when the truck is loaded with cargo, taking advantage of the added stability.

Increasing the maximum outrigger width to 5.5m also helped with stability when the vehicle is empty. Other major structures such as booms, posts, and frames were also newly de-signed, said Tadano, with shape being optimised through repeated numerical analysis, durability tests, and improvements in construction methods.

Tadano said its R&D team worked in cooperation with its manufacturing plants to develop and analyse these improvements, resulting in what it calls its ‘first lightweight yet high-strength post with a pentagonal cross-section’.

Following field tests Tadano said it is implementing further improvements, including a slewing cover that can be attached and detached without tools and a boom that allows easier inspection of the built-in wire ropes for extension and contraction. Both advancements are currently under development.

Tadano is also continuing tests on developing high-speed operation, fine movement positioning, and improved operability that feels safe, smooth, and stress-free.