All new lifters

If you want to find out about new cranes on the market, Bauma is arguably the best exhibition to visit. The show takes place every three years in Munich, Germany, and with so many of the world’s leading crane manufacturers either being based in Germany, or having manufacturing plants there, it is perhaps unsurprising that they target this ‘home show’ to unveil some of their most significant and innovative models.

A highlight of this year’s show is the new 1,000 tonne capacity lattice boom crawler crane from Liebherr, fitting into the range between the 750 tonne LR 1750 and the 1,350 tonne LR 11350.

With a maximum component weight 60 tonnes, and are possibilities to reduce this to 45 tonnes, quick setup times and a compact design that is efficient for transport are major features. It is also available with Liebherr’s Power Boom capacity enhancement system.

Also new from Liebherr is the 300 tonne capacity HS 8300 HD duty cycle crawler crane with a hybrid power system called Pactronic. This uses a hydraulic accumulator to store surplus energy that is released when required, improving performance and reducing fuel consumption and, therefore, environmental pollution, the manufacturer said. Hydraulic free-fall winches offering some 50 tonnes of line pull are also fitted and critical parts of the machine have been reinforced with carbon fibre.

Moving down the capacity scale, Hitachi Sumitomo (HSC) will display the SCX1500A-3 lattice boom crawler crane at Bauma. Applications for the 150 tonne capacity model include civil engineering, construction and material handling. Maximum boom length is 75 m and jibs are from 10 to 28 m. The maximum boom and jib combination is 63 + 28 m.

An idle stop function is fitted on the new-generation 210 kW Stage IIIB Isuzu engine to save fuel and reduce exhaust and CO2 emissions, while the transportation width is 2.99 m for easier and cheaper transit. A new winch system offers a 12 tonne rated line pull and there is a new brake system. In addition, the boom is wider for more reliable operation, HSC said.

A new crane that can be used for heavy-duty tasks on construction sites and in the extractive industry will be shown by Sennebogen. The 55 tonne capacity 655 HD duty cycle lattice boom crawler has 16 tonne winches and a double pin boom head as standard for multiple reeving and heavy load handling.

Other features include a free fall brake and the Sennebogen control system. Dynamic dragline work is one application and it can be turned into a crawler crane with a maximum tip height of 56 m when using a jib.

At 3.3 m wide, the 655 HD can be carried on a conventional flatbed truck. With the help of the hydraulically adjustable A-frame, the crane can ballast itself.

Sennebogen also has a new 70 tonne capacity telescopic boom crawler crane on show this year, the 673 R. Keen eyed readers may remember a 673 from the last Bauma exhibition in 2010. It is a long story covered elsewhere but, put simply, for many reasons it was not launched and has since been redesigned to the extent that it is a completely different machine, Sennebogen said, and is now ready for launch as a new product but with the same name.

Another 70 tonne telescopic crawler on show is Link-Belt’s TCC-750, which has a sealed lower and hydraulically retractable side frames for easy, fast transport. The bigger brother of the TCC-750, the 100 tonne capacity TCC-1100 will also be shown.

Back up the capacity scale and making its first trade fair appearance is the new Liebherr LTR 1220 telescopic crawler. The 220 tonner has a 60 m telescopic boom, giving more load capacity and greater reach than any competitors, the manufacturer said. Its boom is derived from the LTM 1220-5.2 all terrain type wheeled mobile crane.

The Telematik telescoping system allows automatic boom extension. A 12.2 to 22.2 m two-part swing away jib can be lengthened with two 7 m lattice sections. Another 7 m lattice is also available, fitted between the telescopic boom and the swing-away, to raise the connection point of the jib, which can be luffed by up to 45o.

The travel gear of the LTR 1220 can be hydraulically telescoped out from the carrier width of 4.5 m to the intermediate width of 5.88 m or the maximum 7.25 m. Charts are available in the LICCON control system for all three settings. On uneven ground the LTR 1220 can operate out of level, with side inclination up to 45o, Liebherr said.

All terrains

Manitowoc will use Bauma to launch the 60 tonne capacity Grove GMK3060 all terrain crane. The upgraded version of the GMK3055 has a 43 m boom and a three-axle carrier. An additional 2 tonnes of counterweight can be carried and there is a new operator’s cab.

Additional features include the Manitowoc Crane Control System (CCS). It is a standardised set of displays, joysticks, controls and a jog dial. Andreas Cremer, all terrain cranes product manager at Manitowoc, said CCS offers one of the most user-friendly interfaces on the market. A new boom optimisation system is designed to automatically provide optimal boom options for performing a lift.

Up the capacity scale and on show is Tadano Faun’s 180 tonne capacity ATF 180G-5 all terrain. Its 60 m boom, combined with a 13.2 m boom extension carried on board, gives a system length of 73.2 m while remaining within the 12 tonnes per axle limit. Boom extensions are available from 5.4 to 37.2 m and the maximum lifting height, including extensions is 100 m.

Up in the 300 tonne capacity class is a new Liebherr wheeled mobile telescopic crane on a six axle carrier. It will be the strongest 300 tonne crane on the market, Liebherr said. The whole crane is powered by one 450 kW V8 diesel mounted in the carrier. Advantages include simpler design with reduced maintenance, lower cost and reduced weight.

To power the crane upper works, a mechanical shaft drive runs from the engine through the centre of the slewing ring into the upper superstructure where it drives the hydraulic pumps for crane operations. It is more efficient than driving hydraulics directly off the engine in the carrier and then piping at high pressure through the slew ring into the upper, the manufacturer said.

Further up the scale again is the Grove GMK6400 all terrain from Manitowoc. Now ready for full production, the crane has a 60 m boom and rides on a six axle carrier. Also included is a self-rigging Mega Wing Lift capacity-enhancing attachment.

Also on show in the 400 tonne capacity class is the Tadano Faun ATF 400G-6 all terrain. At the design stage, emphasis was placed on making this crane a heavy lifter in its class rather than a long boom ‘taxi’ type crane. It has the strongest main boom of its class, which can lift loads that other cranes need a guy type suspension system to achieve, the manufacturer said.

That means less transport and that the time-consuming rigging and dismantling of a boom guying system is not required. For certain situations, however, where even more capacity is needed, the Tadano Power System – a boom guying system – can be used on the 60 m main boom. Boom extensions from 5.5 to 78.5 m give a maximum lifting height, including jib, of 122 m.

Towards the top of the all terrain crane capacity range is the new Liebherr LTM 1750-9.1, making its first trade show appearance. A feature of the nine-axle unit is that the complete telescopic boom can be carried onboard on public roads.

The LTM 1750-9.1 travels with 52 m boom, the front outriggers and an auxiliary one at the rear, and complete hoist gear, at a gross weight of 108 tonnes giving an axle load of 12 tonnes. Some countries, however, only allow for a gross weight of 99 tonnes with an axle load of 11 tonnes. Removing the outriggers or the boom accommodates this. Where restrictions are even tougher, the crane can be dismantled gross weights of less than 40 tonnes.

Rough terrains

Manitowoc will unveil two new Grove rough terrain cranes, the RT550E and RT770E. The 45 tonne capacity RT550E has a five section boom of 39 m – one of the longest in its class, the manufacturer said. The new Grove Crane Control System includes a boom optimisation feature that automatically configures boom length to suit specific loads and radii.

The 65 tonne capacity RT770E has a 42 m five-section boom. It can be fitted with a 10.1 m to 17.1 m bi-fold swingaway jib that combines with the main boom to give 59.1 m of reach and extends working radius to 44 m. Powered by a Cummins 6.7 litre engine, the RT770E has four-wheel drive and steering.

Of the two Link-Belt rough terrain cranes on show, the 80 tonne capacity RTC-8080 Series II is the newest addition to the US manufacturer’s range. It has a full power, four section, 38.7 m main boom with two modes for boom telescoping - the A-max proportioning system and a standard one for optimum strength and stability. Three on-board fly jib options offer manual offset positions of 2°, 15°, 30°, and 45°. One is the three-piece, bi-fold lattice fly with 3 m integrated fly. It means that there is no need to carry a separate fly to the job site.

The other Link-Belt RT on show is the three axle, hydrostatically-driven 100 tonne capacity RTC-80100 Series II. Now in its second generation, added features include extra capacity, a tilting operator’s cab and an on-board fly with extension options. It has a full power, five section 45.7 m boom and a maximum tip height of 76.2 m.

The 100 tonner transports on a trailer in two loads with the main load under 42,637.7 kg, including boom, both winches, three-piece fly jib, and wheels. Without counterweight and outrigger boxes, the RTC-80110 Series II transports at less than 4.3 m tall and 3 m wide. Power is from a Cummins Euro Stage IIIA / Tier 3 or Euro Stage IIIB / Tier 4i engine.

Tower cranes

In the tower crane sector Liebherr will present its modular design 150 EC-B 8 Litronic flat top crane. The basic 150 EC-B is available either in FR.tronic or Litronic versions. In the latter, it has a programmable logic controller (PLC), whereas FR.tronic machines are operated with traditional controls.

It is available in 6 or 8 tonne capacity versions and is designed for configuration flexibility, especially useful and economical for rental companies. The FR.tronic version can be operated either from a cabin or by remote control from the ground. Capacity of the 8 tonne version at 60 m radius is 1.7 tonnes, while the 6-tonne version, 150 EC-B 6, lifts 1.8 tonnes at 60 m.

Jib length can be altered in 5 m increments from 25 to 60 m on allversions. All loads are moved in efficient two-fall operation. Freestanding hook height is more than 52 m and assembly onto 185 HC and 256 HC tower systems is also possible.

The 357 HC-L 18/32 Litronic meanwhile is Liebherr’s latest luffing jib tower crane. It succeeds the 355 HC-L and is available with 12/24 tonne and 18/32 tonne capacities.

The luffing gear has been optimised dependent on lifting capacity so that shorter adjustment times are possible. The jib reaches its out-of-operation position at more than 70°, allowing it to rotate freely in a confined space. On sites with a high density of cranes this can be crucial.

The 355 IC standard tower system is available as a climbing tower system for the 357 HC-L, for interior or external climbing. The compact 1.9 x 1.9 m tower size means the 355 IC can also be climbed in narrow elevator shafts. For higher tower heights, it can be assembled onto the 500 HC tower.

New from Wolff is the 166 B, a first from the manufacturer with an hydraulic luffing system. It fits in the range between the 100 B and 224 B. Also new is the 7032 clear flat top tower crane in the 250 tonne-metre class. It is a modular design available in two high-performance versions. Also on show will be the 8033 cross, a 450 tonne metre model launched in 2010.

Manitowoc’s offering from its Potain brand includes a 10 tonne capacity MDT 248, the newest addition to the flat top crane line launched in 2011. Also on display is a counter jib and cab for one of Potain’s large MD cranes. It doubles as a platform for the launch of the 200 kW 270 LVF winch for large Potain MD cranes.

Two options are available for rigging its top section. The cabin, tower heads and hoist can be lifted as a single element by a larger mobile crane for less assembly in the air and faster erection. For owners using a lower-capacity mobile crane, the cabin and tower head can be lifted as a single component (a 1.6 m section weighing 7,880 kg) and the hoist winch can be lifted separately.

Spanish tower crane manufacturer Linden Comansa, and its official distributor in Germany, BKL Baukran Logistik, are exhibiting together. On show are two new cranes: a 16 LC 260 flat top tower from the LC1600 Series and an LCL 165 luffing jib model. Also on show is the hydraulic crane BKL System Cattaneo CM 90S4, developed with Italian manufacturer Cattaneo.

As ever of course, the best way to find out about new cranes is to visit Bauma. The show runs from 15 – 21 April this year, and there are sure to be new machines on show that are not preview here, but which will be unveiled on the first day. Terex for example, has not yet disclosed what new machines it will have at Bauma.