The UK’s Commercial Vehicle Show, held in Birmingham last month, saw the first UK showing for several loader crane models, below the hook handling equipment and components. Advance registrations to attend the show were up 30% on last year’s event, according to show organisers.
For Atlas-Terex it was the company’s first appearance at a major show since the acquisition of Atlas Hydraulic Loaders by Terex last year. All cranes on the large stand were liveried in the new Atlas-Terex colours instead of the old familiar Atlas orange.
Making its UK debut was the 12tm-rated 120.2E with a maximum outreach of 14.4m and radio remote control fitted as standard. (The ‘E’ in the model number indicates electronic.) The 95.1 in a roll loader version was also shown. This crane moves up and down the truck and has self-contained power from a Hatz diesel power pack. Other Atlas-Terex models on the stand were the 35.1, 95.1, 105.1, the 9.7tm 3500C and the 330.1 LMPlus which is rated at 33tm and lifts 2.51t at a 12.4m radius.
Fassi UK showed 10 models between 6tm and 60tm, two of which were getting their first UK airing. The mid-range 26tm and 45tm models from the Italian manufacturer are aimed at handling containers and cabins. This is a particularly active market for Fassi in the UK. Kier Plant has five Fassi cranes, for this work, each mounted on Scania 340 6×2 rigid chassis.
The larger of the two models, the F410A/450AXP, was fitted with a radio remote control that has an operating radius of more than 200m. XP in the nomenclature indicates that the crane has the switch-operated extra power facility to give higher capacity at a lower operating speed. It can also be used as an inching facility for more accurate load placement, useful when positioning site cabins on their fixing lugs.
Second of the new machines was the F240A/260AXP which, like the F410, has the electronic moment control system that is designed for error proof operation.
Italian manufacturer Fratelli Ferrari is now distributing directly to body builders and strategically placed outlets around the country and is looking for more of these local distributors to expand its network. West Midlands-based distributor Kingswinford Hydraulics, which has been selling Flli Ferrari loaders since October last year, and Greg McTigue who has looked after Ferrari sales and marketing since January, have sold around 20 units between them.
On show in Birmingham were Ferrari models 308A1, 530A2, 710A2, and the largest, a 733A4. The Ferrari range has been expanding upwards in capacity ratings and the current largest is 90tm.
A wide range of PM cranes, also made in Italy, were shown by UK distributor Technocrane. Sold at the exhibition was a huge PM 68028 S which, PM claims, lifts 1,960kg at 20.6m, reached with eight hydraulic extensions. A further two manual extensions can be added to extend the reach to 24.2m. Stabiliser spread is 8.8m and the legs tilt hydraulically to 90° within the crane base. Slewing is continuous with twin hydraulic motors, there is an oil regeneration system for quicker extension, a Danfoss valve block and Hetronic radio control. For easier maintenance the extension wear pads can be changed without having to dismantle the boom sections.
Austrian manufacturer Palfinger’s distributor, TH White, had its largest stand yet at the CV show. The technology and innovation theme included a first showing of the reverse angle linkage system which can eliminate double handling a load. The double linkage system, between the main and outer boom, allows the outer boom to be reverse folded by 15° so that the outer boom remains parallel with the ground when the main boom is lowered. This means a load can be taken straight from the bed of the truck and telescoped horizontally into, for example, a building. Placing a load directly inside the building means no extra equipment such as a forklift needs to be brought in, site congestion is minimised and time and money are saved. Shown on the 54tm-rated PK 56002 the double linkage system is to be a feature of cranes rated 35tm and above.
Also on the Palfinger stand was the Epsilon E100L 67 with a Palfinger PZG-500 bulk grab for muckaway applications. Loads can be collected from up to 8m away from the truck. The crane is built to the B4 requirements of DIN 15018 for grab cranes and has load holding valves on the main, outer and extension booms. It also has larger bore hydraulic pipes to prevent overheating. The return oil system enhances operating speeds.
Among cranes shown by HMF (UK) was the1060-L1 model developed specifically for the UK builders merchant market. Lifting 1,700kg at a 6m radius, it has load holding valves on all load bearing cylinders and it has dual control stations. The new crane is based around the 1060-K1 from Danish parent company Højbjerg Maskinfabrik. Key differences are that the main boom is 500mm longer on the L1 and it has a centralised column.
An RCL 5100 safety system helps prevent overloads. Fault diagnostics and load indication from 80% to 100% also feature and an additional emergency stop button is fitted next to the lever controls. A boom position safety device prevents the boom from being lowered onto the operator while on the stand-up platform.
Stabiliser beams spread to 4.6m and the stabiliser cylinders have a stroke of 625mm. For hydraulic attachments such as grabs and rotators there are two extra valve functions with hydraulic piping to the end of the boom. A nylon drag chain system protects the piping to prevent wear and tear.
Loader cranes from Hiab were shown on a Partek Cargotec group stand. Hiab products on show included two new additions to the XS range, the XS 600 and XS 800, a bucket crane, a rolling base crane, models from the T-series of smaller loader cranes and a range of accessories.
The XS 800, rated at 76tm, has a computer controlled Space 5000 operating system incorporating CombiDrive radio remote control.
The smaller 106 HD is a heavy duty 9.8tm model classified B4 and developed specifically for the UK. It has an inline boom and protection for the hydraulic cylinders, valves and hoses. The oil filled base has twin slewing cylinders as standard. It is designed for good operating speed at both low (60 litre/min @ 800min-1) and high (90 litre/min @950min-1) flow rates. It has stand-up controls with either a single or double sided platform. Power can be from either fixed or variable displacement pumps. The Space 3000 safety system which monitors crane functions gives overload protection and warnings, is standard.
Other cranes at the show included a selection of Cormach units, a range of smaller cranes from Penny Hydraulics and Tipmaster’s Swiftlift.
