ACT BAUMA PREVIEW: Not-to-be missed

The equipment used by North America’s lifting, rigging and specialized transportation sector has become more global, making the Bauma tradeshow in Munich, Germany a world stage for purchasing cranes, rigging gear, transport systems and remote control systems. Efforts to lure American customers to global brands has grown exponentially over the past decade, and more North American OEMs have found Bauma to be the ideal place to launch new equipment and grow their international presence. Plus, American OEMs have increasingly acquired or merged with global brands, giving the world’s largest construction equipment tradeshow even more status. And as markets have improved, there has been a concentrated effort by European and other global manufacturers to expand their distribution channels to North America.

Held every three years, Bauma also gives American customers the opportunity to engage more directly with their international vendors. The trek to Bauma has become a ritual for American customers who often travel beyond Munich to OEM factories in Europe to see where and how the equipment they are purchasing is made.

While all OEMs will show equipment that all buyers will deem “must see,” following is American Cranes & Transport’s preview of the particularly interesting equipment, technologies and services on show. Our April issue will feature a more comprehensive Bauma Show Guide, for those readers who attend the event and those who do not.

New 120-ton RT

Link-Belt Cranes will introduce the never-before-seen 120|RT 120-ton (110 metric ton) rough terrain crane. The 120|RT delivers outstanding reach with a six-section 38.3 to 164.1-foot (11.6 to 50 meters) pin-and-latch formed boom that is built at Link-Belt’s Lexington, KY facility. An available two-piece 35 to 58-foot (10.7 to 17.7 meters) on-board offsettable fly provides flexibility and reach. It manually offsets at 0, 15, 30 and 45 degrees. The crane’s one-person fly erection technology minimizes work at height with ground controls for fly assist and boom hoist cylinders. Two 16-foot (4.9 meter) lattice insert extensions provide a maximum tip height of 261.7 feet (79.8 meters).

The 120|RT’s six-speed transmission is powered by a dual compliant Cummins Stage V/Tier IV QSB 6.7L 232 hp (173 kW). Also available is a Cummins Tier III QSB 6.7L 240 hp (179 kW) diesel engine.

Link-Belt’s Variable Confined Area Lifting Capacities (V-CALC) system features 81 different outrigger configurations with real time 360-degree charts. Once outriggers are set, the

Link-Belt Pulse 2.0 system indicates the crane’s available capacity. The system previews the operator’s real time capacities given the crane’s current configuration at the next five radiuses for a set boom angle.

The 120|RT has the same cab design as the 75|RT, introduced in 2017. All electrical components coming into the cab are bulk headed for “plug and play” assembly. The cab features a 20-degree tilt and ergonomic seat and electronic joystick/single axis controllers. The 120|RT will transport with base unit fully equipped minus modular counterweights at 94,472 pounds (42 852 kg). It has an overall height of 12 feet 10 inches (3.91 meters).

Boom aid system

Crane operation can be demanding, even when the hook is empty. Liebherr is rolling out a new assistance system on the LR 1300 SX crawler crane. Known as the “Boom Up-and-Down Aid,” this system promises to increase operational safety as well as simplify handling.

If the center of gravity of the crane is too far forward, there is a risk that the crane can tip when lowering the boom and jib. The Boom Up-and-Down Aid indicates the approach to the tipping border and automatically stops operation before the operator unintentionally enters an unsafe zone. It assists the operator in leaving the danger zone without having to activate the safety bypass switch, Liebherr said.

The new Liebherr LR 1300 SX is fitted with wind sensors on the main boom and jib. Both the measured wind speed and the actual crane configuration – boom length and boom angle – are taken into consideration when calculating a hazardous situation for the crane. When the conditions become dangerous, the system gives a warning. At higher wind speeds, the operator can adjust the maximum lifting capacity through a simple selection on the control panel.

The assistance system is available for the following crawler cranes from Liebherr-Werk Nenzing: LR 1110, LR 1130, LR 1160, LR 1200, LR 1250, LR 1300 SX

Grove three-axle AT

While Manitowoc will debut six new cranes from its Grove and Potain lines, a highlight will be an upgrade of the three-axle Grove GMK3060 all-terrain crane. The new model is based on its predecessor’s design but has a longer, seven-section twin-lock hydraulic pinned main boom of 157.5 feet.

The GMK3060L chassis is up to one meter shorter than competitive three-axle cranes, with a carrier length of 28.47 feet and a minimum overall height of 11.41 feet with the suspension fully lowered.

Comansa flat top

Comansa’s latest high capacity model is the 21LC1050 flat-top tower crane. The crane can load up to 110,230 pounds and has a maximum radius of 262.4 feet. An optional 279-foot reach is available.

The 21LC1050 features high speed hoist mechanisms, up to 984 feet per minute, and the capacity for 5,150 feet of wire rope. Designed with a single-double trolley system with automatic reeving change, the 21LC1050 has an optimized load diagram. Working with the simple (or front) trolley, the crane improves its tip loading capacity and reaches higher hoist speeds, the company said. The 21LC1050 is delivered with the new CUBE cab in its XL size, the largest cab from Comansa.

New Kobelco crawlers

Two new G-2 series models will be the main attraction in the crane section of the Kobelco stand. The 90-metric ton capacity CKE900G-2 and the 300-metric ton capacity CKE3000G-2 will make their debut.

With a maximum lifting capacity of 200,000 pounds, the CKE900G-2 has a boom length that spans from 40 to 200 feet. The fixed jib offers a maximum lifting capacity of 24,000 pounds. The maximum combination between the two is 190 feet + 60 feet.

The crawler’s engine is a 285-hp 2100-rpm HINO four-cycle, water-cooled, vertical inline, direct-injection, turbo-charged model with an intercooler. Its main and auxiliary winches have a maximum line speed of 390 feet per minute and a rated single-line line pull of 46,800 pound per force. It has an operating weight of 198,500 pounds and a transport weight of 95,800 pounds plus 69,100 pounds of counterweight.

The CKE3000G-2 has a maximum lifting capacity of 661,300 pounds with a crane boom length from 78 to 295 feet. Its fixed jib offers a maximum lifting capacity of 58,600 pounds with a maximum jib length of 100 feet. The maximum combination between the two is 256 feet + 100 feet offering a maximum reach of 356 feet.

The crawler’s engine is a 450-hp 2100-rpm Scania four-cycle, water-cooled, vertical inline, direct-injection, turbo-charged model with an intercooler. The crane’s main and auxiliary winches are offered in non-free fall or optional free fall capabilities, and a rated single-line line pull of 61,640 pound per force. It has an operating weight of 721,075 pounds, minimum car body transport weight of 93,615 pounds and a maximum of 352,795 pounds of counterweight.

Largest two-axle RT

Tadano has a range of surprises planned for Bauma, but the company is keeping them under wraps. Sources say Tadano will show new four and five-axle all terrain cranes.

Shown for the first time in Europe, Tadano is showcasing the largest 2-axle rough terrain crane in its crane lineup, the 120-ton GR-1200XL. This crane gives buyers a rig between the GR-1000XL and the GR-1600XL and meets the need for a higher reaching rig with longer boom length and larger lifting capacities, the company said.

The GR-1200XL has a strong yet light, high-tensile steel, rounded boom that features a single telescopic cylinder. It gives the crane a 184-foot (56.1 meter) lifting height and 150-foot (45.7 meter) load radius. Its jib provides additional reach, extending the lifting height to 241.4 feet (73.6 meters) with a load radius of 159 feet (48.4 meters).

Additional features include Hello-Net telematics and Tadano’s new Smart Chart System. Hello-Net telematics help customers optimize their operations with real-time monitoring of crane activity, history, position data and maintenance information. The Smart Chart System is a safety device and control system that gives a square-shaped rated-load capacity footprint which taps the potential of a crane by expanding the conventional circular working area which enhances both efficiency and safety, Tadano said.

Telecrawler technology

In the telecrawler class, Tadano Mantis will show the 88-ton (80 metric ton) capacity GTC-800 telescopic crawler crane. The GTC-800 is CE marked and made its European debut in 2018.

The GTC-800 is a collaboration between Tadano Mantis and Tadano Ltd. resulting in a purpose-designed telecrawler. Integration of Tadano winches, jibs, hydraulic cylinders, AML-C and Hello Net telematics increase reliability and commonality with other Tadano models, the company said. The full power, 5-section 37 foot 8 inches to 141 feet 1 inches (11.5 to 43.0 meters) hydraulic boom is designed for flexibility – performing well for lift work, while also enabling out-of-level, pick-and-carry and foundation work. The main boom is complemented by a 33.1 / 58.1 foot (10.1/17.7 meter) bi-fold jib with offsets at 3.5, 25, and 45 degrees. The maximum lifting height with the jib erected is 198 feet (60.4 meters). An optional 98.2-foot (2.5 meter) heavy lift jib with a maximum capacity of 23.5 tons (21.4 metric tons) with 3.5 degree and 30-degree offsets is also available.

The GTC-800’s out of level operation is enhanced by market leading capacities on up to 4-degree slopes, 1.5 degree “level” ground charts, and automatic load chart switching, the company said. Equipped with Opti-Width, the GTC-800 is capable of limitless combinations of symmetrical and asymmetrical track width setups with no requirement for pinning of the track frames in fixed positions, the company said.

Liebherr EC-B series

Liebherr’s tower crane division will be rolling out the company’s new EC-B series of eight cranes. An element of this series debut is that three of the eight new cranes are rigged with fiber rope.

The first eight units of the new series range from small city cranes to large cargo handling cranes with maximum payloads from six tons to 16 tons. The maximum peak load capacities are from 1.6 tons to 2.8 tons.

The two largest cranes in the new series, the 340 EC-B 12 and the 370 EC-B 12 Fiber, each have a reach of up to 78 meters. The new EC-B series also features the new LiCAB cabin.

The 240 EC-B Fiber and 370 EC-B Fiber are rigged with high-strength soLITE fiber rope, which was developed by Liebherr and Teufelberger over the last 10 years.

In addition to up to 20 percent higher peak loads of the fiber cranes compared to the steel cable variants, the fiber rope has four times longer service life with the same usage as a steel cable, Liebherr said. The rope weighs about one-fifth of the weight of steel cable.

Terex flat top debut

Terex will show off the 11-ton capacity Terex CTT 202-10 flat top tower crane. The new model offers three chassis options: 12.5-foot, 14.8-foot and 19.7-foot base selections. Using Terex transfer masts, the new crane can be configured with H20, TS21 and TS16 masts, offering from 5.2- to 6.9-foot widths so that customers can manage component inventory while cost-effectively meeting tower height needs.

The CTT 202-10 can be configured in nine different jib configurations from 82 to 213.3 feet. It delivers a maximum 11-ton capacity at a length reaching 79.4-feet, depending on jib and counterweight set-up, and can hoist up to a 2.3-ton load at the maximum 213.3-foot jib length. Terex Cranes’ Terex Power Plus feature will temporarily allow for an increase of the maximum load moment under specific and controlled conditions by 10 percent, giving the operator extra lifting capacity during those conditions.

Depending on tower configuration, the CTT 202-10 has a maximum under hook height of 251.6 feet and provides a maximum crane height to shorten erection time. The CTT 202 will also be available with an 8-ton capacity version, the CTT 202-8.

Augmented reality

CM Labs Simulations, developer of Vortex training simulators, will be launching its new Augmented Reality (AR) application, which makes it possible for instructors to bring a virtual mobile crane right into the classroom, where trainees can interact with it, conduct walkarounds and learn the fundamentals of machine inspection.

Two training simulators will be on display at CM Labs’ booth: the Vortex Advantage and the desktop Vortex Edge Plus. Both simulators can run CM Labs’ full catalog of lifting and earthmoving training packs, including mobile crane, flat-top tower crane, luffing tower crane and crawler crane as well as excavator, wheel loader and other machines.

Maeda mini

The CC423 crawler crane is the newest addition to the Maeda crawler crane range. With a capacity of 2.93 tons, the CC423 was developed for use in tight spaces. Due to the crane’s highly compact tracked footprint there is no need for outriggers and near zero-tail swing.

The main feature is the 1,465 kilogram pick-and-carry capacity. Other features include a new engine equivalent to EPA Tier 4 standard, an open but covered superstructure mounted operator’s cab and a gross weight of 4,400 kilograms.

In control

WIKA Mobile Control, WIKA and Tecsis bring together three technologies that make lifting loads safer, according to the company.

By developing robust sensors, mobile controllers and application software, WIKA Mobile Control ensures that customers benefit from maximum safety and equipment uptime. As a system integrator, WIKA Mobile Control will present the gSENS LWG cable reel with CANopen safety signal transmission. Also don’t miss the vSCALE D6 console with a 12-inch high-resolution color display.

The big Wolff

Wolff has impacted the American market with its tower crane range, and the company will show several new models and features. The company will present a trio of cranes, the new Wolff luffing crane 133 B, the Big Wolff 1250 B and the latest Wolff 6020 clear crane.

The Big Wolff 1250 B has a jib radius of 80 meters and a lifting capacity of 60 tons. The U.S. version of the Big Wolff 1250 B was adapted to meet the needs of the American market with quick lifting speeds and high load capacities. It is currently in use at the construction of the New Patient Pavilion for Penn Medicine in Philadelphia together with a Wolff 700 B.

Heavy lift crawler crane

Heavy lifting capacities and low-cost transport are the main features of Liebherr’s new 800-metric ton capacity crawler crane, the LR 1800-1.0. The crane features a luffing jib and derrick system, and for the first time, the boom system features lattice sections with three system dimensions that can be telescoped into each other for transport.

Even though it is just three meters wide, the LR 1800-1.0 is particularly rigid as a result of its increased design height, Liebherr said.

The new LR 1800-1.0 also features the derrick ballast with VarioTray – after raising the lattice boom with the large derrick ballast, part of the ballast can be unbolted quickly. Only a small proportion of the ballast is required for hoisting work with the boom fully or almost fully raised. This avoids the task of stacking and unstacking of ballast slabs. A new type of ballasting system is used for the suspended ballast – a hydraulically adjustable folding frame allows the ballast radius to be adjusted to up to 23 meters.

Lift and shift

Of interest to the American buyer at the Faymonville stand is the DualMAX trailer that was designed for heavy-load transportation in North America. The DualMAX can be widened from 14 to 20 feet loaded out.

Dubbed the “lift and shift,” this patented system is used when the load distribution must be adjusted for infrastructure reasons, such as crossing bridges or making tight turns. The steering system does not need to be modified during the widening process of the DualMAX, with everything remaining fixed.

The Faymonville BladeMAX will also make its premiere. This trailer offers a solution for transporting the newest generation of wind turbine blades, Faymonville said. Rotor blades can be picked up, erected up to an angle of almost 90 degrees, swiveled and rotated by 360 degrees around their own axis using the adapter, which is mounted on a self-propelled vehicle or between modular axle lines. The BladeMAX works without the use of counterweights.

Also at the Faymonville stand will be products from the Cometto brand, which is a member of the Faymonville Group. Cometto will show its electronically steered modules, specifically the 6-axle MSPE 48t, on which the Faymonville BladeMAX is mounted.

Two towers from Jaso

Jaso will show the two largest cranes in its tower crane line, the J1400 and J780 models. The J1400 features a jib of 80 meters and can lift a maximum load of 64 metric tons. It has a tip load of 10.5 metric tons at 80 meters.

A highlight at the Jaso stand will be a Hoist Cam by Netarus mounted on the JASO J560 crane block, showing the features of this visualization technology.

Enerpac trolley system

Enerpac’s electrically-driven ETR125 integrated trolley system recently made fast, continuous work moving three 500-ton monopile transition wind energy components some 90 meters across the deck of a ship. Visitors can see the attributes of the new ETR125 in person at Bauma.

The Enerpac trolley solution is a faster and more capable alternative to traditional skidding systems, offering faster travel speeds, digital synchronization and improved load stability, Enerpac said.

Goldhofer unveiling

The latest generation of the ADDRIVE will be a highlight for North American buyers as will the optimized versions of the THP modular heavy-duty trailers and the latest generation of the PST self-propelled modules. Visitors will also be able to take a close look at the FAKTOR 5.5 high girder bridge. With its payload

to deadweight ratio, it is a good solution for customers looking for a lighter version of the FAKTOR 5, Goldhofer said.