Luffing first for HKTC

South Korea: South Korea's Hankook Tower Crane (HKTC) has launched its first luffing jib tower crane. The 1250HKL is something of a departure for the company, which has previously only produced saddle jib cranes.

According to HKTC president and CEO, Seok Ho Kim, the new model has been introduced in response to legislative changes. “In the Seoul area there are laws coming in prohibiting oversailing outside the boundaries of the construction site,”Kim explained.

The 1250HKL can lift a maximum of 12 tonnes (13 tons), and can lift 3 tonnes (3.3 tons) at the tip of its 50 m (164 foot) jib. The maximum tower height is 45.8 m (150 feet) with this jib configuration, but rigged with a 28 m (92 foot) jib this can be increased to 54.1 m (177 feet). This would provide a theoretical maximum under-hook height of 106.1 m (348 feet).

According to Kim, the most popular class of tower crane in Korea before the change in law was 70 m (230 feet) saddle jib models lifting a maximum of 12 tonnes. However, over time he has seen capacities go up, prompting the company to develop an 18 tonne (20 ton) luffer.

HKTC has a technical cooperation agreement with Liebherr, which allows it to import key components such as winches and control systems. This relationship dates back to 1978, over which time the Korean partner has gone through several changes. The most recent was in November 2002, when HKTC was reincorporated as a stand-alone independent company.