Tadano hydraulic jib

The HTLJ is a four section telescopic boom, which can be fitted to the ATF 360G-6’s six-section, 60m, main boom. The jib can be telescoped out to 31m, and can luff between 5 degrees and 60 degrees. Tadano is currently preparing load charts for the crane, when configured with the HTLJ, and expects these to be available within the next couple of months. However, Motoo Yoda, deputy manager of Tadano’s all terrain cranes R&D department, and lead designer of the ATF 360G-6, was able to tell Cranes Today some provisional figures.

With the main boom and HTLJ both fully extended, the main boom luffed back and the HTLJ luffed down to 60 degrees, the crane can pick loads of 2.3t at 46m maximum reach. As the operator can extend and luff both jibs from the cab, with a load on the hook, loads can be carried over obstacles. Futoshi Kimura, of Tadano’s international sales division, explained that Tadano is focusing on this capability in its sales pitch for the crane, which it expects to compete with tower cranes.

The HTLJ can be fitted to the crane, without a second crane. It is brought to the job site on a trailer and then lifted and placed on the ground using the main boom of the ATF 360G-6. The main boom is then luffed down, so that electrical and hydraulic lines can be connected. A hydraulic cylinder on the HTLJ connects to a special attachment on the main boom, and pulls the two together. As the self-assembly system relies on the special attachment being in place on the main boom, and cannot be fitted later, the customer must decide whether they want to use the HTLJ at the time that they buy the crane.

Another new feature on the crane is Tadano’s new ‘release adjuster’ system. This is based on the lift adjuster, debuted at Bauma 2004. The lift adjuster was designed to reduce load sway when picking a load, by predicting boom deflection and luffing the boom back as the load left the ground. The release adjuster works on a similar principle, but in reverse. As a load is placed on the ground, the boom will straighten out. This change in deflection on the boom can cause the hook block to sway back, potentially hitting obstacles or injuring staff on the ground. The release adjuster again predicts this movement, and compensates by luffing the boom down, keeping the hook block in place directly above the load. Both systems are controlled by Tadano’s AML safety system.

The third key feature of the ATF 360G-6 is the range of outrigger configurations on offer. While most all terrains will only offer a single intermediate outrigger position, the ATF 360G-6 has three intermediate positions. Outriggers can be placed at 3m, 5.5m, 6.8m, 8m and 8.5m. The outriggers are also connected to the AML system, and separate tipping points are calculated for each position. This will allow customers to make the most of the space available to them on the ground.

Tadano is currently in talks with a number of potential European customers for the crane. These include Mammoet, in whose colours the crane on display at Bauma was painted. Once the load charts for the crane with the HTLJ are completed, Tadano expects to be able to announce who the first customer will be.


Tadano hydraulic jib Tadano hydraulic jib