Blog Archives | Page 33 of 45

New brake guidelines after accident

A New Zealand engineering and crane hire firm has issued new handbrake safety guidelines following an accident involving one of its Kato NK250V 30t all terrain cranes.

Croucher & Crowder Engineering Co Ltd issued a statement, also published by the Crane Association of New Zealand (CANZ), outlining new safety recommendations. The release came after the incident with the all terrain which saw the parked crane roll from a car park across a site access road, knocking down 25m of a boundary fence before partially tipping over the edge of a bank.

The company said the failure was caused by the crane operator misunderstanding the crane braking system with the operator believing the crane operated on an air-maxi braking system, where in fact it had the air over hydraulic type system. It said the operator had confirmed the handbrake had not been engaged.

The new directive says all handbrakes must be applied when the vehicle is stopped, with a low gear engaged.

It has also immediately addressed a “systematic failure” in its management processes that let an incorrect crane handbrake assumption carry on.

There will also be a biennial re-assessment of crane operators with a registered crane assessor so operations are carried out in accordance with legislation and company procedures, and in a safe manner.

“Luckily there was no injury to people or damage to the crane and we are putting things in place so this cannot happen again, hence the safety alert,” Croucher & Crowder managing director Marvyn Towers told Cranes Today.

Liebherr reports turnover boost for cranes business

The Liebherr Group’s tower crane and mobile crane divisions performed well in 2013, recording a turnover growth of 10.4% and 7.1%.

Liebherr’s annual results showed an increase in its cranes business, despite an overall 1.4% dip in group turnover to €8.96bn, which the firm explained as being partially due to reduced sales in the earthmoving and mining divisions. A 34% overall fall in group earnings to €364m was put down to a backdrop of “moderate economic progress”.

Liebherr’s tower crane turnover was €395.5m which the manufacturer said was due to an improved performance in Germany, Switzerland and Russia. Whilst its mobile division reported a €2.07bn turnover explained by the firm as being linked to growth in Germany, the Netherlands and the USA. The maritime cranes division saw a small rise in turnover to €830.1m.

Western Europe was Liebherr’s strongest growth region with turnover up by 4.8% to €4.15bn. Eastern European business shrank by 13.2%, while the Middle East was steady at €306.5m. Significant increases were seen in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

In America, Liebherr described business as positive, with turnover dipping only slightly to €1.47bn. Africa registered a 2.4% turnover rise to €606m, while the Far East/Australia region was 9.7% lower at €1.50bn.

Group investments in 2013 matched the previous year’s level at €830m, with the mobile cranes division investing €86.3m. The tower cranes division invested €73.2m with €71.1m invested in maritime cranes.

The company said that initial estimates for 2014 suggested its total turnover would be similar to 2013, with the total workforce expected to further increase.

Daiya’s Grove RT550E gets to work in Singapore

Singapore-based Daiya Engineering & Construction Pte has set its first Grove RT550E rough terrain crane to work on a luxury villas development in the city. The 45t capacity crane with 39m boom was delivered to Daiya by Manitowoc local dealer JP Nelson.

Daiya specified the Grove RT550E as it needed a compact crane that could access the narrow roads and offer a good reach. It also said the crane’s fast set-up time ensured projects could progress on schedule when the units were being moved regularly and lifting irregular loads.

The crane is working on a six-month project building luxury residential homes on two sites in downtown Singapore, lifting sheet piling, steel bars, concrete and timber.

Tadano’s big all terrain goes to Colombia

Tadano has sold the first of it’s range-topping 400t ATF400G-6 all terrain cranes in South America, to Transportes Montejo in Colombia.

TAdano said, “Our dealer for Colombia, Gruas Japonesas, and Tadano have built a very good relationship with Transportes Montejo by providing high quality products and services. Before we delivered the ATF400G-6, Transportes Montejo had already bought two boom trucks and two rough terrain cranes.”

Tadano says the Colombian rental house had seen the ATF400G-6 at Bauma 2013 and been impressed by the crane’s main boom capacity and compact carrier. The new crane will be used for energy related installation and maintenance projects, as well as for bridge building. As well as working in Colombia, it will be available to Transportes Montejo’s branches in Panama and Venezuela.

Cranes to Morrow

Liebherr dealer and tower hire firm Morrow says it plans a major fleet expansion in 2014, with 56 cranes, worth around $70m, to be purchased or ordered this year, to meet growing demand in North America and Australasia.

At this year’s ConExpo Morrow made a major purchase, ordering close to half of its planned new cranes from Liebherr Group.

Horizontal jib EC-H models and luffing boom HC-L models were included in this order.

The rental firm said that beginning in late 2013 it had purchased a substantial number of Liebherr luffing boom cranes. These cranes were bought in order to fulfill the needs of its customers in high-density urban centres. Some of these cranes would be used for the first time in the Australian market.

Manitowoc show Algerian ambition

Manitowoc has said it intends to use two Algerian trade shows, Batimatec and Algiers International Fair, to demonstrate its determination to expand and develop in country. The firm is showcasing a Potain self-erecting crane and Grove rough-terrain crane at the events with two of its local dealers, Sarl VIBA and Eurl MGP.

The manufacturer said that as well as its direct sales and support services, it would work closely with its dealers in Algeria who supply its full range of Potain tower cranes, Grove mobile cranes and Manitowoc crawler cranes. The dealers will also provide complete after-market services including technical assistance, assembly, handling and training.

Carlos Pimenta, Manitowoc area manager for Algeria, said: “Demand for our cranes in Algeria has steadily increased over the past few years and the country’s growing economy makes us very ambitious for this exciting market. We have operated in Algeria for many years and have built a strong dealer network and widespread support service. Now is our time to build on this foundation, and these two trade shows are an ideal way for us to showcase our capabilities and highlight our desire to grow.”