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EOT Cranes Under Control June 2011
Industr ialLiftandH oi st . com
June 2011
Contents
On the Cover: Over the last six months, demand for radio remote controls for overhead cranes has returned at a strong pace.
FEATURES 16 Site Review Hybrid Hookup By Lucy A. Perry
When Hagie Manufacturing Co. needed to integrate a more efficient assembly system as it expanded its facility in Clarion, Iowa, it called Riekes Material Handling to help it improve workflow and provide better lifting solutions.
20 Business Issues Heavy Industry Presence By Mike Larson
Heavy-duty telehandlers with 15,000 to more than 45,000 pounds of capacity have rapidly grown in popularity in specialized applications, including power plants, mining quarries, logging, oil-field work, and a long list of other heavy pick-and-carry or pick-and-place work.
Upcoming Articles Below-the-Hook Crane Attachments Optional AWP Equipment Aftermarket Parts
4
Industrial Lift & Hoist
25 Product Focus
COLUMNS
Lightweight Personnel Lifting By Katie Parrish and Guy Ramsey
By Richard Howes Travel Money
In 2010, low-level access equipment re-emerged in North America, as several new products from Haulotte, Custom Equipment, Absolute E-Z Up, Skyjack, Orange Machine, and Snorkel made their debuts. The wide diversity of designs among these products, ranging from single-mast lifts, dual-parallelogram lifting devices, and self-propelled and push-around scissor lifts, added to the appeal of reviewing this product category.
29 Trends & Technology Cranes Under Control By Myra Pinkham
As the U.S. industrial sector continues on the road to recovery after taking a hard hit from the Great Recession, radio remote control demand for lifting equipment, especially overhead cranes, is returning at a pretty good pace. Manufacturers note that demand has been outstanding over the last two quarters, and quoting activity and order taking is expected to continue to be strong for the next few years.
6 Commentary
7 Best Practices
By Brian Feehan Tax Credit for Propane-Fueled Forklifts Enhances Cost Effectiveness
DEPARTMENTS 8
Conference Update
9
From the MHIA
11
Headlines
14
Products
34
Equipment in Action
34
Ad Index
industrialliftandhoist.com • June 2011
Commentary
Travel Money
PRESIDENT Guy Ramsey 602-368-8552 gramsey@maxcapmedia.com
By Richard Howes
Publisher Mark Bridger 480-231-9672 mbridger@maxcapmedia.com
My
Associate Publisher and Editor Richard Howes +44 (0)20 8318 7551 rhowes@maxcapmedia.com
job requires me to frequently cross the
Atlantic, so I am privileged to get such a broad perspective on the state of the economy on both sides of the pond. There has been some positive movement both in Europe and North America of late, which has eased the jet lag. At the time of writing this page, financial markets are in a different kind of turmoil following the scandal engulfing Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who has recently resigned as head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Interestingly, Angela Merkel has used her position as the chancellor of Europe’s biggest economy to try to influence the appointment of Strauss-Kahn’s replacement. Agree or not, her voice does carry weight with Germany now in clear recovery mode, leading Europe out of recession with more than healthy gross domestic product growth. ILH publisher Mark Bridger and I saw this upturn first hand last month when we traveled to the CeMAT show in Hannover. Held every three years, it is the largest material handling show of its kind in the world. A lot has happened to the world’s economic markets since the previous fair in 2008, and I wonder how things will look come May 2014 for the next installment. “The record participation from abroad impressively highlighted the profile of CeMAT in Hannover as the foremost international business platform for the intralogistics sector,” said Dr. Andreas Gruchow, managing board member at Deutsche Messe, which stages the show. He had a point. North America was well represented. The Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) had a booth, where John Nofsinger, CEO; George Prest, chief operating officer; and Tom Carbott, vice president—sales and events, got a feel for this economic recovery. Nofsinger gave a presentation on the economic outlook of the U.S. material handling sector at a European Federation of Materials Handling (FEM) breakfast on the third morning of the show. Elsewhere, Jeff Allan, CEO of remote control firm HBC-radiomatic Inc., Hebron, Ky. (headquartered in Germany), was another familiar face. We take a closer look at the North American market for control technology in this issue. Radio remote control demand for lifting equipment, especially overhead cranes, is returning at a pretty good pace and is expected to continue to be strong for the next few years at least, as Myra Pinkham reports on page 29. HBC’s Allan says customers are continuing to replace fixed or tethered controls with industrial radio control systems. “With an ever-expanding range of functions, coupled with the obvious safety advantages, we are seeing a rapid increase in activity in new markets and applications,” he adds. Ron Snyder, president of Cervis Inc., Warrendale, Pa., adds that demand in the past two quarters has been outstanding. “It is among the highest levels that we have seen in the recent past, with a pickup in quoting activity and actual orders,” he says. Also in this issue, we look forward to the Houston installment of the Industrial Crane & Hoist Conference (ICHC), which is staged alongside the Crane & Rigging Conference (CRC) and Reach Expo, at the Crowne Plaza Houston/North Greenspoint in Houston, Texas, July 19-20, 2011. The program is now complete, which we have summarized in these pages. Find out more at reachexpo2011.com.
6
June 2011 Volume 4, Issue 5
Industrial Lift & Hoist
vice president of operations Barbara Benton 800-231-8953, ext. 2114 bbenton@maxcapmedia.com
EDITORIAL & DESIGN
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Tracy Bennett 816-536-7903 tbennett@maxcapmedia.com Contributing Editor Katie Parrish 480-241-5625 kparrish@maxcapmedia.com Staff Writer Lucy Perry 816-214-5032 lperry@maxcapmedia.com ART DIRECTOR Jeffery Hanson design@maxcapmedia.com
ADVERTISING SALES
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Maximum Capacity Media LLC Publisher of Industrial Lift & Hoist, Crane Hot Line, and Lift and Access magazines, and Lifting 360 and ILH eNews electronic newsletters 1003 Central Ave., P.O. Box 1052 Fort Dodge, IA 50501 515-574-2312 • Fax: 515-574-2361 Change of Address: Send new address with mailing label to above address. Industrial Lift & Hoist is a registered trademark. Copyright 2011, All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. The information and advertising set forth herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable and has been compiled with great care. Maximum Capacity Media, LLC, however, does not warrant complete accuracy of such information and assumes no responsibility for any consequences arising from the use thereof or reliance thereon. Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement or space reservation at any time without notice. Publisher shall not be liable for any costs or damages if for any reason it fails to publish an advertisement. Our advertisers are solely responsible for the content of their respective advertisements appearing in this publication and Publisher shall not be responsible or liable in any manner for inaccuracies, false statements, or any material in such advertisement infringing upon the intellectual rights of others. This publication may not be reproduced, in whole or part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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industrialliftandhoist.com • June 2011
Tax Relief
Best Practices
Tax Credit for Propane-Fueled Forklifts Enhances Cost Effectiveness By Brian Feehan
Brian Feehan is vice president of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)
T
he recent economic resurgance has resulted in increased orders and throughput for manufacturing plants, warehouses, and distribution centers around the country. Owners and managers of these facilities are meeting this demand with propane-fueled forklifts, which provide efficient, cost-effective technology capable of handling the influx. Propane-fueled forklifts offer high performance in the areas that matter most to facility owners and managers, particularly in the area of economics. Passage of the federal Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 enhances the cost effectiveness of propane-fueled forklifts, as it makes available a 50-cent-per-gallon propane fuel tax credit. While fuel purchases from 2011 are eligible, the propane fuel tax credit also is retroactive to 2010. Claims for 2010 propane fuel usage can only be filed once and must be applied for by Aug. 1, 2011. Now is the time to take advantage of this unique opportunity. Tax credit savings
There are more than 600,000 propane-fueled forklifts operating in U.S. factories, warehouses, and distribution centers today. These forklifts maintain consistent, 100 percent power throughout operation and have faster ground speeds than forklifts fueled by other energy sources. They also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 19 percent compared with gasolinefueled forklifts and 7 percent compared with diesel-fueled forklifts. Those are compelling reasons to augment a current fleet by introducing propane-fueled forklifts—each of which are enhanced by the 50-cent-pergallon propane fuel tax credit. Taking advantage of the tax credit is easy. For example, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has provided guidance to the industry regarding proper procedure on filing claims. Relevant IRS forms may be viewed and downloaded by visiting www.irs.gov/formspubs/index. html. Further information about the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 can be found at http://npga. org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1717. Keep in mind that this commentary should not be construed as tax advice. Instead, owners and managers of warehouses, distribution centers, and factories should consult their tax advisor regarding claims for credits or refunds, and the IRS website for appropriate dates and forms. Claimants must register with the IRS and follow proper procedure and documentation requirements.
Efficient output and easy refueling
The available propane fuel tax credit is only one of the ways that propanefueled forklifts can help warehouses, distribution centers and factories maintain an efficient, cost-effective operation. Since propane-fueled forklifts provide consistent power throughout operation along with faster ground speeds than other energy sources, the time to transport pallets of products and materials to and from various areas within a manufacturing facility is reduced. That time saving compounded over weeks, months, and years can provide facility owners and managers with an edge as business conditions improve. June 2011 • industrialliftandhoist.com
Some propane-fueled forklift models, like the Toyota 8-Series IC pneumatic, feature a swing-down bracket that makes propane cylinder changes fast and easy.
The high-performance characteristics of propane-fueled forklifts can play an integral role in business growth as the economy continues its rebound. Refueling also plays an important role in maintaining an efficient operation. For example, the ease with which an empty propane cylinder can be exchanged is a quick and an efficient use of time. Additionally, propane-fueled forklifts have become ubiquitous in manufacturing plants, warehouses, and distribution centers, which has resulted in establishment of a time-tested and reliable refueling infrastructure. Through this process, propane is delivered to meet just-in-time inventory as often as needed, through either cylinder exchange programs or on-site refueling. Cylinder exchange programs offered by propane providers usually require installation of a cage in a spot convenient for the customer, either indoors or out. The propane provider replaces empty propane cylinders with full ones during regularly scheduled deliveries, which conserves time and resources for facility owners and managers and is virtually transparent to forklift operators. When a propane cylinder is depleted, an operator simply installs a full one from the cage and continues working. Some facilities may require large volumes of propane to refuel forklifts and other vehicles, such as on-road fleet trucks that operate on propane autogas. In that scenario, the best option may be installation of a no-spill dispenser on site, which can be handled by a propane provider and used to refill both propane cylinders and vehicles. In either case, exchanging and refueling propane cylinders must be conducted by appropriately trained personnel using proper safety procedures. Propane providers can provide more information on safety and training courses. Seizing the opportunity
Propane-fueled forklifts provide unique advantages for multiple facility types due to their high-performance capabilities, economic benefits, and a proven refueling model. Additional cost savings are available with the propane fuel tax credit offered through the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. Introducing propane-fueled forklifts to a fleet is a simple matter of contacting a trusted equipment dealer or a local propane provider. Further information can also be found at www.poweredbypropane.org. Basics of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 The legislation makes available a 50-cent-per-gallon propane fuel tax credit for ownership and management of warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing plants through Dec. 31, 2011, and retroactive to 2010. Claims for 2010 propane fuel usage can only be filed once, and must be applied for by Aug. 1, 2011. Claimants must be registered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and follow all documentation requirements. Facility owners and managers should consult their tax advisor regarding claims for credits or refunds, and the IRS website for appropriate dates and forms.
Industrial Lift & Hoist
7
ICHC Houston
Conference Update
One Month to Go The countdown continues for the second annual two-day Industrial Crane & Hoist Conference.
Whether you are a project manager, fleet or facility manager, safety leader, or operator, the Industrial Crane & Hoist Conference (ICHC) in Houston, Texas, will provide the very latest information available to support your work with, and use of, overhead cranes and hoists. In industrial plants and facilities where overhead cranes are a part of everyday operations, there are opportunities to improve the use of the equipment before, during, and after the lift. ICHC offers sessions that will help you apply new regulations; evaluate and safely prepare the work environment; hone your inspection skills; manage and maintain your equipment; and learn from colleagues and competitors. “I am very excited about the quality of content we have been able to build into this year’s ICHC Houston event,” said Richard Howes, associate publisher and editor, Industrial Lift & Hoist (ILH). “I am certain that delegates will find the conference to be two of the most valuable days they will spend away from their workplace this year. The lessons they will learn will better equip them to improve safety and efficiency at the huge variety of facilities in which they use cranes and hoists.” Scheduled to take place July 19-20, ICHC is geared toward users of overhead cranes and hoists working in heavy industrial or manufacturing facilities. Attendees will represent heavy industrial contractors; energy contractors and manufacturers for wind, nuclear, and oil and gas industries;
public utilities; aviation; mining; chemical manufacturing; and steel producers, as well as crane and hoist manufacturers, installers, and service providers. ICHC will be held in conjunction with the Crane & Rigging Conference (CRC) and Reach Expo 2011, which is a two-day exposition allowing suppliers of rigging gear, training services, software products, and other crane-related components and accessories to show their latest products and services. Produced by Maximum Capacity Media, publisher of ILH, the CRC and ICHC events and Reach Expo 2011 will be held at the Crown Plaza Houston/North Greenspoint (with free shuttle service), conveniently located just eight miles from George Bush International Airport.
Agenda
A keynote address presented by Hal Vandiver, CEO, Vandiver & Associates Inc., will open two days of discussion, debate, and exchange of ideas and information. On the second day, a panel will address crane ownership and the issues surrounding it, including inspection, training and modernization. Additionally, Mike Parnell, president, ITI Field Services, will explain what is needed to ensure a critical lift is safe and efficient, while Chris Hess, manager of engineering, Harrington Hoists Inc., will discuss certifying products by nationally recognized testing laboratories. See the box below for the complete agenda.
AGENDA
Day One 7:00 a.m. Registration and Breakfast 8:30 a.m. Welcome Richard Howes, Associate Publisher & Editor, Maximum Capacity Media
12:15 p.m. Lunch and Reach Expo
5:00 p.m. Closing Remarks Richard Howes, Associate Publisher & Editor, Maximum Capacity Media
Day Two 7:30 a.m. Registration and Breakfast
8:45 a.m. Keynote and Market Overview Hal Vandiver, CEO, Vandiver and Associates, Inc.
1:45 p.m. Remote Controls Case Study Jeremy Pearson, Director of Sales, USA, EOT cranes, Industrial Locomotives, Cattron Group International
9:00 a.m. Operator Certification and Training Ted Blanton, President & CEO, North American Crane Bureau (NACB)
2:15 p.m. Crane Standards Tom Berringer, Sales/Project Manager, Gantrex Inc., a member of the Gantry Group
8:35 a.m. Event Partner Introduction
9:45 a.m. Equipment Certification and Testing Laboratories Chris Hess, Manager of Engineering, Harrington Hoists Inc.
3:00 p.m. Break and Reach Expo
8:40 a.m. Event Partner Introduction
10:30 a.m. Break and Reach Expo
3:30 p.m. Planning a Critical Lift Mike Parnell, President, ITI Field Services
11:00 a.m. Structural Inspections of Cranes Gary Davis, P.E., Director of Consulting Services, Integrated Machinery Solutions
4:15 p.m. Automating an Overhead Crane and Hoist System Dan Beilfuss, Director of Sales, Material Handling, Magnetek, Inc. Gary Davis
8
11:45 a.m. Hoist Case Study Presented by a Representative of Columbus McKinnon and a Local End User
Industrial Lift & Hoist
8:30 a.m. Welcome Back Richard Howes, Associate Publisher & Editor, Maximum Capacity Media
8:40 a.m. Proper Sling Use Mike Gelskey, President, Lift-It Manufacturing Company Inc. 9:40 a.m. Review of ASME B30.1 Hydraulic Gantry Standard David Duerr, P.E., 2DM Associates, Inc.
12:30 p.m. Lunch and Reach Expo 2:00 p.m. Crane Ownership Panel Discussion Presented by a Group of Industry Experts 3:00 p.m. Hydro-Electric Dam Case Study Allen Skillicorn, Director of Marketing, Power Electronics International Inc. 3:30 p.m. Closing Remarks Richard Howes, Associate Publisher & Editor, Maximum Capacity Media
10:30 a.m. Break and Reach Expo 11:00 a.m. Wire Rope on EOT Cranes Scott Fleming, Manager of Training and Education, Unirope Limited
Dan Beilfuss
11:45 a.m. Ergonomics in Industrial Facilities Presented by the Ergonomic Assist Systems and Equipment (EASE) Council, an industry group council of the MHIA
Register to attend at ReachExpo2011.com or call 602-368-8552. Scott Fleming
industrialliftandhoist.com • June 2011
Association Update
From the MHIA
Material Handling in Academia MHIA tackles topics that make the supply chain successful for students.
Member Company
Industrial Lift & Hoist,
like many of our readers’ suppliers and manufacturers of the equipment in their facilities, is a member of the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA). The MHIA is the largest U.S. material handling and logistics association representing the leading providers of material handling and logistics solutions. “Solutions that make the supply chain work” is its catchline. Here, in the latest of a series of articles submitted by the MHIA, Mike Ogle, vice president, educational and technical services, explains the importance of investing in the future. We also round up the latest news relevant to the material handling supply chain.
Investing in the Future When industries and colleges don’t work closely with each other, the disconnect typically results in a misunderstanding of each others’ needs and capabilities. Industries that want the next generation of customers and employees to be well-educated must invest in the future to have a future. Since 1952, the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) has invested every year in a group called the College Industry Council on Material Handling Education (CICMHE) so the industry and academics can work closely together to develop the next generation. I serve as the managing director of CICMHE. This article will help you understand more about the group, how the industry provides value to the colleges, and how CICMHE delivers value to the industry. CICMHE’s mission is to undertake educationally oriented activities designed to increase awareness, understanding, exploration, and development of material handling in both academia and industry. Under this broad mission are many programs and projects focused on
June 2011 • industrialliftandhoist.com
teaching and research to aid college education, plus the development of tools and information for use by the industry. Teaching is enhanced by offering a biennial, week-long Material Handling Teachers Institute (MHTI), plus the development and distribution of lecture resources, classroom modules, and case studies. Students are challenged through an annual design competition judged by a panel of academic and industry judges. Research is enhanced during a week-long International Material Handling Research Colloquium held every other year, plus the direct funding of research grants to keep professors and students focused on challenging applied research opportunities that are of interest to the industry. In addition, CICMHE recognizes top research papers every two years to again encourage professors to concentrate their work in the industry. Interaction with MHIA industry members is enhanced by co-locating CICMHE meetings with MHIA’s Spring and Fall member meetings. CICMHE members have worked with the industry groups that
By Mike Ogle, Vice President, Educational and Technical Services, Material Handling Industry of America meet at those meetings by developing educational materials for end users, plus developing computational tools that help both users and industry members evaluate potential solutions. CICMHE also brings more than 100 students and professors to MHIA’s annual shows through an event called “Material Handling & Logistics Classroom Day.” This one-day program provides an overview of the industry along with guided tours on the show floor, visiting a cross-section of MHIA member booths as they present a broad range of industry solutions. CICMHE’s 17 academic members are drawn from a variety of backgrounds in engineering, logistics, operation management and supply chain management. The members serve fouryear terms, providing them with at least eight meeting opportunities with industry. CICMHE alumni continue to be engaged in projects with the industry due to the contacts they make while serving on the council. Every two years, one CICMHE member that demonstrates leadership and strong interest in the council’s work will
be elected to serve as a CICMHE officer. This starts an eight-year run from vice president, to president, to past-president, to liaison to the MHIA Board of Governors. That final position provides an opportunity for CICMHE to work closely with MHIA’s board members, resulting in stronger ties between the council and the industry. I invite the readers of this article to visit cicmhe.org to explore the many tools CICMHE offers that help not only students and professors, but also demonstrate value to end users of material handling solutions. Any questions may be addressed to me at mogle@mhia.org or CICMHE’s senior administrative assistant, Carmen Murphy at cmurphy@mhia.org.
Industrial Lift & Hoist
9
From the MHIA
Association Update
Latest News
View ProMat Seminars as Webinars
ProMat 2011 featured over 90 educational seminars that can now be viewed online. These webinars offer in-depth education on best practices, the latest equipment and technology innovations and leading supply chain trends. Watch, listen, and learn from today’s material handling and logistics solution experts. View webinars by topic: Best Practices Cost Saving Ideas Supply Chain Visibility Data Capture & Information Management Sustainability/Green High-Performance Warehousing/Distribution Operations World Class Material Handling in Manufacturing
ProMat Exceeds Expectations
As an indicator of the continued economic recovery of the material handling, supply chain and logistics industry, U.S. and international attendees registered in record numbers for ProMat 2011—the industry’s premier North American trade event. The show and conference is sponsored by the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA). Nearly 32,000 key decision makers in virtually all manufacturing, logistics, distribution, and supply chain industries participated in ProMat 2011. Reflecting the growing global nature of the event, attendees from outside the United States at this year’s John Nofsinger ProMat represented 110 countries and six continents. They were welcomed by ProMat’s international visitors center. “By all accounts, ProMat 2011 met, and in many cases exceeded, exhibitors’ and attendees’ expectations. Attendees were engaged and exhibitors expressed satisfaction with the quantity and quality of attendees,” said John Nofsinger, CEO of MHIA. According to Nofsinger, “Manufacturing and supply chain professionals were greeted with a remarkable display of traditional, new and emerging equipment and technology solutions that are key to their productivity and profitability.” The show featured 677 exhibitors covering 270,000 net square feet. These exhibitors saw a 33 percent increase in attendee leads over ProMat 2009, indicating not only an increase in attendee quantity, but also in quality and intention to engage with exhibitors and their solutions. “Participants came with very specific objectives and with buying plans totaling $75 billion over the next 18 months. They know that investing in the latest equipment and technology is the key to building and maintaining their competitive edge,” added Nofsinger. Along with the healthy traffic on the show floor, other highlights of ProMat 2011 included the educational conference that accompanied the ProMat exhibition. This included two keynotes featuring former Homeland Security secretary Tom Ridge and the developers of Robonaut 2, two educational tracks on sustainability and the people side of the supply chain, and show floor educational sessions on a variety of topics. More than 7,000 attended ProMat 2011 educational conference sessions. The ProMat 2011 Classroom Day introduced students and educators to career opportunities in material handling, supply chain and logistics
10 Industrial Lift & Hoist
ProMat 2011, held March 21-24, 2011, was the largest material handling, supply chain, and logistics event in North America. The show featured more than 700 exhibits and more than 90 educational sessions. The next MHIA-sponsored trade event will be in 2012. MODEX 2012 will be held February 6-9 in Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center. For more information on exhibiting at MODEX 2012, or to register as an attendee, visit www.modexshow.com. The next ProMat show will be held at McCormick Place South in 2013.
through hands-on learning and networking with industry professionals. This year’s Classroom Day combined an interactive educational session with a dynamic guided tour of North America’s premier materials handling, supply chain and logistics exhibition.
nbc’S Today Show Covers MHEFIand MHIA-Backed Program
Giada De Laurentiis, Food Network star and best-selling author, stopped by the Rock Hill, S.C., in early March to film a segment for NBC’s Today Show on the Back the Pack Program. This program distributes non-perishable food items on Fridays to undernourished children in the Rock Hill school system. The segment aired Thursday, April 14. The Back the Pack program was started by Sue Kutz, a local community volunteer, in 2008. Kutz was inspired to start the Back the Pack program after learning that almost 53 percent of Rock Hill’s students were on free or reduced lunch, and 1 in 17 students had little to no food to eat over the weekend. Initially, the program had to rely entirely on volunteers to stuff each of the bags and, in turn, they were only able to serve one school per week. However, in April 2009, an opportunity presented itself with the opening of the Don Frazier Supply Chain Training Center at the Applied Technology Center (ATC) on Northwestern High School’s campus. The Don Frazier center offers an academic curriculum designed specifically for 9th-12th grade students, providing students essential knowledge, skills, and experiences related to career opportunities in the warehouse, distribution, logistics, and transportation/automotive industries. The Don Frazier center is a pilot program of Material Handling Industry of America’s Technical Career Education Program (TCEP). TCEP was conceptualized by MHIA’s director of continuing education and professional development, Allan Howie. MHIA members donated equipment and systems for the facility through The Material Handling Education Foundation Inc. (MHEFI). With the opening of the Don Frazier center, Back the Pack could utilize the students and facilities to automate and streamline their processes. Students, in turn, learned the concepts behind packing, shipping, order-picking and more in a real-world situation that would contribute to their community. The Back the Pack program currently is able to accommodate 650 students in 17 schools per week. The Today Show segment focused on Back the Pack and the negative impact of hunger on students in the classroom. De Laurentiis is a recurring personality on the Today Show and is an outspoken advocate for awareness of the widespread problem of chronic hunger. industrialliftandhoist.com • June 2011
News Briefs Lifting magnet manufacturer Eriez, Erie, Pa., has promoted John Mackowski to the newly created position of metalworking product manager. In his new role, Mackowski will be responsible for product management of Eriez’s Hydroflow and Magnamation products, serving as the main liaison between field sales, engineering, production John Mackowski control, and manufacturing on will also product-related issues. He acquired support the continued integration of the recently Hydroflow product line. NACCO Materials Handling Group Inc. (NMHG), Greenville, N.C., has launched a new website leader that reinforces the company’s position as a global com, in the materials handling industry. The website, nmhg. e unicat comm to NMHG for ce provides an improved interfa also with its target audiences worldwide. The website potential facilitates better communication with current and and the employees, suppliers, dealers, investors, media, ional general public. Site visitors will understand the operat es. breadth and the unique advantages NMHG provid
Headlines
ILH Names First Member of Editorial Advisory Board Overhead crane industry stalwart Jim Vandegrift, president of R&M Materials Handling Inc., Springfield, Ohio, is the first member of the Industrial Lift & Hoist (ILH) magazine editorial advisory board. The advisory board will be involved in editorial planning and will dedicate its work to sharing information among manufacturers, suppliers, and users of overhead cranes, lift trucks, access platforms, and other lifting and moving technologies in North America. “I am very grateful for the opportunities that I have been afforded within the material handling industry, and I am honored to be offered Jim Vandegrift a means of giving back to the industry,” said Vandegrift. “I have also been blessed to have had several key mentors during my career and would enjoy helping others develop into the next generation of industry leaders.” He added that the industry needs a collective voice to promote the virtues of overhead lifting technologies as compared to other areas within the material handling sector. “Leading trade publications such as ILH have the ability to provide an open forum in which to communicate information through editorials and articles to a broad range of industry stakeholders that might not be possible through a single interest group or a trade association,” he said. “The overhead lifting industry is fortunate to have partners like ILH.” Richard Howes, associate publisher and editor of ILH, said: “It is a hallmark of quality trade media to facilitate an industry in its constant quest to better share information and improve best practices. The ILH advisory board will gather the leading experts within the product and industry sectors we represent to ensure our editorial pages continue to carry the best, most relevant, and timely content for our end user readership.”
Trico Lift Recognized by Sunoco for Safety Record
ed a new Laurens, Iowa-based Positech Corp. has launch userdesign for its website, positech.com, to make it more sa feature site new ny. The compa friendly, according to the ilities, video library of its products, enhanced search capab site is and a variety of case studies. The goal of the new ns educating end users seeking material handling solutio s, injurie and fatigue r worke that will help decrease tivity. decrease product damage, and increase produc ed The Raymond Corp. in Muscatine, Iowa, has receiv Award nce Excelle g acturin Manuf the annual President’s tine given by Toyota Industries Corp. Raymond’s Musca the of use lary exemp for ized facility is being recogn several Toyota Production System principles to transform areas the in s ement improv in ng production lines, resulti ony of quality, cost, and delivery. The official award cerem ed presid was and , facility tine Musca was held May 9, at the over by James Malvaso, president and CEO of Toyota president Materials Handling North America; Michael Field, nd; and of operations and engineering division for Raymo division Chuck Pascarelli, president of sales and marketing for Raymond.
June 2011 • industrialliftandhoist.com
Trico Lift, Millville, N.J., was recently recognized by Sunoco Inc. with a Certificate of Safety Excellence. Sunoco presented Ken Pustizzi, Trico Lift president and CEO, and Steve Phillips, safety vice president, at the petrochemical company’s Annual Contractor Safety Recognition Luncheon with the 2010 Award “for having achieved excellence in Safety Performance.” According to Sunoco officials, the award is given to those who have demonstrated a commitment to safety at Sunoco’s Marcus Hook, Philadelphia, and Frankford Plants in Pennsylvania by achieving an OSHA compliance record of no recordable injuries. “Having been a contractor at Sunoco’s refineries since 1986, we’re very pleased to continue to be recognized for our work there,” Pustizzi said. “Their use of our equipment and services to maintain their facilities and conduct their refinery operations is a partnership we take seriously.” Trico Lift has been previously recognized in the industry for its safe work performance, having received annual awards from the American Subcontractors Association of New Jersey and the American Builders and Contractors Chesapeake Shores Chapter and the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association. The aerial work platform company serves customers in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Gulf region markets. Its equipment fleet is made up primarily of boom lifts, scissor lifts and rough terrain forklifts.
North American Distributors Wanted for JMG Pick-and-Carry Cranes U.K.-based Compact Lifting Equipment Worldwide Sales Ltd. is looking for North American distributors to supply its Italian-manufactured JMG pick-and-carry battery crane line. Cranes range in capacity from 4,400 to 132,000 pounds, and are all powered by DC battery technology. JMG is a company operating in the self-propelled industrial cranes sector. The company designs, manufactures, sells, and rents a full range of electric battery-operated cranes from 2 to 60 tons in Italy.
Industrial Lift & Hoist
11
Headlines
Standard for Cable-Less Controls for Electric Overhead Cranes Now Available
LiftSmart Plans to Open California Manufacturing Facility LiftSmart, a manufacturer of portable material lifts for the construction and equipment rental markets, has secured a production facility located in Vista, Calif. The complex has office and production areas and offers room for expansion, providing the company with more than 20,000 square feet of prime manufacturing space that will house their technology center and production operations. “The city of Vista has been very helpful over the past year, and the location is ideal, close to major freeways and the ports in both Los Angeles and San Diego for our international customers,” said Steve Citron, managing director of the company. LiftSmart unveiled the first of several material lift models from its MLC Construction Pro Series, offering at the Rental Show in Las Vegas earlier this year. The Pro Series provides up to 800-pound load capacity and model heights of 12, 18, and 24 feet. “Our products have been well received, and this new facility will allow us to begin production of the MLC Pro Series and to continue introducing our complete range of material lift product lines to meet our customers’ needs,” Citron said.
Doosan Names New Forklift Affiliate Company Doosan has announced the formation of a new affiliate company, tentatively named Doosan Industrial Vehicle Co., Ltd. The new business will oversee all Doosan’s global forklift activities, while the existing forklift management teams, dealerships, and sales networks currently structured within Doosan Infracore (DI), Warrensville Heights, Ohio, will be absorbed by the new company after July 1, 2011. The move effectively separates the forklift business from the construction, engines, and machine tools operations and comes as the company looks to focus closely on recent successes in forklifts, including an increased market share, a growing distributor network, and the expansion of the product range. Removing some of DI’s non-forklift related cost burdens and allowing the business greater independence is also expected to have a beneficial effect on the company’s bottom line, with profits ploughed directly back into product research and development. Managing director of the new company, Kun H. Lee, said the move would also allow the business to react quickly to market requirements. “As our business has matured, we believe that the challenges we have faced have also changed,” he said. “And whilst we feel our approach is one of the most flexible and responsive around, we believe that by setting up a company focused solely on materials handling, we will be able to respond even quicker.” With the new ownership structure, Doosan expects to provide more targeted investment into the new company, as well as increase efficiency and develop a stronger sense of purpose. “We have a very successful business model that has made great gains in recent years,” Lee said. “Our dealer network and sales staff are second to none and we are very proud of the achievements we’ve made so far. This move is a testament to their hard work in growing the operation from a relatively minor business group within the Doosan Group to a global success.” Over 100 Doosan models are available from 1.3 to 5.0 tons, electric models and 1.5 to 18.0 tons for IC models.
12 Industrial Lift & Hoist
The Electrification and Controls Manufacturers Association (ECMA) Industry Group of Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) has published the ANSI ECMA 15: 2010: Specifications for Cable-Less Controls for Electric Overhead Traveling Cranes industry standard. This specification was developed to promote standardization and provide a basis for equipment selection. The use of this specification should not limit the manufacturer but should provide guidelines for technical procedure. ANSI ECMA 15: 2010 is directly referenced in CMAA Specifications 70 and 74, and users considering controlling overhead traveling cranes via remote/cable-less/wireless devices are encouraged to obtain this specification in conjunction with obtaining the 70 and 74 CMAA specifications. ANSI ECMA 15: 2010 can be purchased from the MHIA Bookstore at MHIA.org. Any questions regarding the standard can be addressed by contacting Allan Howie at 800-345-1815, extension 8712.
Terex Launches Tender Offer for Demag Cranes AG Terex Industrial Holding AG, Westport, Conn., has launched a voluntary public tender offer for all outstanding shares of Demag Cranes AG. Terex Industrial Holding AG is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Terex Corp. The tender offer, which is set to end on June 30, 2011, is subject to the condition of a minimum acceptance level of not less than 51 percent of all Demag shares outstanding. Terex is offering Demag shareholders a price of EU41.75 in cash, which represents a premium of 41 percent to the pre-takeover speculation share price on October 6, 2010. The offer also represents a premium of 19 percent compared to the volume weighted three months average share price prior to the publication of the decision to launch an offer on May 2, 2011, and a premium of 15 percent to the closing price on April 29, 2011 of EU36.30. Demag’s business compliments that of Terex, it said, and the combination has a compelling industrial logic, it added. The combined entity would have had total revenues of approximately U.S. $5.8 billion in 2010, with a strong footprint in Europe and emerging markets, especially in China. “We see Demag as an excellent fit with our existing business and believe that we can build upon business opportunities much more effectively and accelerate growth for both companies,” said Ronald DeFeo, Terex chairman and CEO. “We have a lot of respect for the Demag management team and its work force and would welcome the opportunity to discuss the compelling industrial logic of a combination of our businesses.”
Manitex Receives Approval from Creditors to Purchase CVS Assets Manitex International Inc., Bridgeview, Ill., has been notified that a majority of the creditors of CVS SpA has voted in favor of a proposal to allow Manitex’s subsidiary, CVS Ferrari srl, to purchase certain assets of CVS SpA from the court. Since July 2010, Manitex’s subsidiary CVS Ferrari srl has been utilizing certain assets of CVS SpA under a rental agreement approved through the Italian, Concordato Preventivo proceeding. Recently, a majority of the creditors of CVS SpA approved the final liquidation plan for CVS SpA, which includes the purchase by Manitex’s subsidiary, CVS Ferrari srl. of assets including certain drawings, designs, and equipment of CVS SpA. The final court approval and legal documentation is anticipated to be completed during the third quarter of 2011. “We are very pleased with the completion of the next step in the process, and now, with the approval of the creditors secured, we expect to complete the transaction in the near future,” said David Langevin, chairman and CEO of Manitex. “During the past year, through our rental of the CVS assets, we have learned a great deal about this business area, and have been gratified by the positive results our subsidiary, CVS Ferrari srl, has achieved. We are hopeful that the acquisition, and full implementation of our business plan will be completed soon, and that CVS Ferrari srl will have a significant positive impact on our company as a whole.”
industrialliftandhoist.com • June 2011
Toyota Doubles Genuine Parts Warranty Toyota Material Handling USA Inc. (TMHU), Irvine, Calif., has doubled the manufacturer’s warranty on new Toyota Genuine Parts purchased through an authorized Toyota Industrial Equipment dealer from six months or 1,000 hours to 12 months or 2,000 hours—whichever occurs first from the date of sale. The warranty is also offered on remanufactured Toyota replacement parts at no extra charge and includes labor. All Toyota lift trucks are constructed with Toyota Genuine Parts and Accessories. According to the company, Toyota’s quality control system makes certain that every Toyota component is constructed to the same exacting tolerances and strict quality control standards as the part it replaces. To maintain the highest levels of safety and quality, any replacement part used on a Toyota lift truck is recommended to be a Toyota Genuine Part. “This warranty is a testament to our confidence in Toyota Genuine Parts’ and our reputation for providing the highest level of quality and durability,” said Terry Rains, vice president of aftermarket sales. “Toyota’s industry-leading one-year parts warranty including labor is designed to deliver to our customers Toyota parts and accessories that help their lift trucks run at optimal performance.”
Eriez Marks 1,000 Days without a Lost-Time Accident Eriez, Erie, Pa., which manufactures lifting magnets, has marked 1,000 days that headquarters employees have worked without a lost-time accident. “This milestone achievement distinctly demonstrates the personal accountability our employees take when it comes to safety,” said Tim Shuttleworth, president and CEO. The Erie plant’s previous record for days worked without a lost-time accident was 259. “We credit our improved safety record to increased employee awareness. We have made a number of changes to better integrate safety into every aspect of our day-to-day operations,” said Shuttleworth. Recent modifications at Eriez included the revamping of its new employee safety orientation to emphasize safety, increased safety training for all employees, and the incorporation of safety into the company’s health and wellness program.
June 2011 • industrialliftandhoist.com
Nissan Forklift Corp. Adds Carolina Industrial Trucks to Dealer Network Nissan Forklift Corp., Marengo, Ill., has announced Carolina Industrial Trucks as its new authorized distributor to cover the Charlotte, N.C. regional area. Effective immediately, Carolina Industrial Trucks has responsibility for Nissan Forklift new equipment sales, aftermarket parts and service in the following counties: Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan and Union. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Carolina Industrial Trucks also has branches in Monroe and Statesville, N.C., to service its customers. According to Mark Manninen, director of distribution management and sales intelligence for Nissan Forklift, “Carolina Industrial Trucks’ emphasis on quality products and superior customer service makes the company an ideal partner. Their expertise in the material handling business combined with a reputation for keeping long term, loyal customers will strengthen the Nissan-brand position in the Carolina region.” Founded in 1989 by John Cotham and Mike Moore, Carolina Industrial Trucks has built its reputation upon customer service and quality products. Much of the company’s success over the last 20 years is attributed to its “customer first” philosophy. Cotham, dealer prinicipal, said the company looks forward to expanding its business with Nissan forklifts.
Industrial Lift & Hoist
13
Products
Mitsubishi Delivers Radiation-Shielded Cabin Forklift for Cleanup in Japan
LiuGong Offers Pneumatic Tire Diesel Forklifts LiuGong has introduced its line of forklifts to the North American market, including the 2030P-D3 and 2050P-D3. The 2030P-D3 Tier 3-compliant Yanmar diesel is well-suited for applications in outdoor storage yards, such as lumber pipe and concrete, as well as general rental applications lifting up to 3 tons. The cab offers an ergonomic design with a cushion-mounted operator’s compartment to isolate the driver from vibration. Coupled with the available full-suspension seat and seat-side hydraulic controls, these features improve operator productivity and minimize fatigue. The hydrostatic steer axle is rubber mounted to the frame for additional vibration reduction. Standard equipment includes a backup alarm, two front combination flood lights, turn signals, rear-view mirrors, and LiuGong’s rear light bar with LED turn/brake/backup lights for increased protection for the operator and others on the jobsite. An open step and spacious foot room allow for easy access and room to move for the operator. The all-new, three-stage forklift mast design provides forward visibility due to a low-profile cylinder design, single lift chain, and wide channel spacing. The secondary lift chain and auxiliary hydraulics are mounted 90° degrees behind the channels and won’t interfere with visibility through the mast. Mast cylinders feature internal drain lines and hydraulic cushioning. With available mast heights that allow stacking up to 18 feet and a variety of attachments, the 2030P-D3 offers a versatile platform for many applications. LiuGong’s 2050P-D3 forklift truck comes with a Cummins Tier 3 turbo diesel engine, and it is designed for outdoor industrial material handling, saw mills, steel mills, concrete yards, lumber yards, and heavy warehousing. For dusty applications, the machine has an elevated air intake with pre-cleaner and dual element engine air filtration as standard equipment. The 2050P-D3’s design features most of the operator comfort and productivity enhancing features of the smaller forklift but is capable of lifting up to 5 tons. A heavy-duty fabricated steer axle features hydrostatic steering and tapered roller bearings to make operations easy and precise, while adding to a long service life. Dual hydraulic pumps mounted to the transmission give powerful, responsive hydraulic performance and are easily accessible for service. liugong.com
Haeco Introduces 880-Pound Capacity Ergonomic Manipulator Haeco, Loveland, Ohio, has launched a new, 880-pound capacity ergonomic manipulator for maneuvering and orienting heavy loads. The Famatec Friendly manipulator counter balances heavy loads to allow an operator to suspend, rotate, tilt, and transfer product with precision. It is suitable for pallet loading, handling wheels, bags, dashboards, and small engines, or wood, glass plate, and barrels. Three different models offer load capacities of 330, 550, and 880 pounds, with a working radius of 20 feet. Available exclusively from Haeco, the Friendly costs less than an average worker’s compensation back-injury claim, according to the company. haeco.us
14 Industrial Lift & Hoist
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., parent company of Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks, Houston, Texas, recently developed two special heavy-duty forklifts with radiation-shielded cabins to help handle and dispose of contaminated rubble at the crisis-hit Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The units were delivered to a joint venture formed by Taisei Corporation, Kajima Corporation, and Shimizu Corporation, which is handling the cleanup at the site. Developed and manufactured within one month, MHI incorporated its expertise in vehicle systems, filtering, heavy plate welding, and radiation shielding and management into the new unit based on the company’s 15-ton heavy-duty forklift. The new forklifts will allow workers to efficiently handle rubble while simultaneously securing a safer environment for the machine operator in areas exposed to radiation. The first radiation-shielded cabin forklift has a fully-sealed cabin constructed using 100-mm -thick steel plates and 230-mm-thick lead glass, with all sides welded to enable the operator to maneuver the forklift with maximum shielding against radiation. The forklifts are equipped with special filters that remove dust and other radiation-contaminated material, thereby enabling a stable supply of purified air. The air-conditioned cabin is also pressurized by air purifier to prevent external air from entering. Each forklift measures 7.3 m in length, 2.5 m in width, and 3.9 m in height. They weigh 30 tons and have a load capacity of 9,000 kilograms. The forklifts will be supplied with various attachments including hinged forks, bucket, box clamp and pivoting fork. Using these attachments, the forklift will enable efficient transfer and placement of rubble into low-level radioactive waste transfer containers. mitlift.com
Associated Wire Rope Takes on GN Rope Fittings A new line of forged shackles, ROV and eye hooks, master links,and other products from GN Rope Fittings is now available through its distributor Associated Wire Rope & Rigging in Playa Del Rey, Calif. Associated maintains a large inventory in its southern California and Houston, Texas, distribution centers, including shackles up to 600-metric-ton capacity that are ready for immediate shipment. In addition, it has the ability to provide special items. The company recently received an order for a 500-ton master link product to be built to customer specifications. “The addition of the GN products is a perfect complement to our RopeBlock line of crane and rigging blocks, end fittings and other products,” said Bob Levy, vice president of operations at Associated Wire Rope. associatedwirerope.com
Rigging Charts Available for iPhone Drew Merschat has developed the RigIT mobile app to give instant access to all necessary rigging capacity chart information. Every chart in the app includes the three basic hitches and their load capacities. This includes vertical, choke, and basket hitches. Also included in the charts are screw pin shackles with working load limits and pin diameters. rigitapp.com
industrialliftandhoist.com • June 2011
In The Field
Cargotec’s New Range of Heavy Forklift Trucks Cargotec has launched a new range of Kalmar ‘F’-series heavy forklift trucks. Comprising four models with lift capacities spanning from 18 to 25 tonnes, the range promises cleaner engines with better fuel efficiency, a new hydraulic system, an ergonomic cabin, and a state-of-the-art diagnostic system—all lowering the total cost of ownership. The new Kalmar DCF180-250 models have been developed to meet the high levels of performance and reliability demanded by the global forklift market. The reliable and versatile new models are set to become the obvious choice for heavy-duty handling in a broad range of different industries and applications. At the forefront of the new developments is Cargotec’s fully variable hydraulic system. The load sensing axial piston pumps only use as much pressure as needed for the specific load. With reduced pressures and temperatures, this significantly improves the reliability of the entire hydraulic system. Fuel consumption is also reduced with further savings on operating costs. A Volvo TAD761VE with SCR-technology delivers a powerful 160kW at 2200rpm with torque of 1180Nm at 1200rpm. Despite this robust performance it complies with the stringent new Stage IIIB/Tier 4i emission regulations. The drivetrain also incorporates a ZF 3WG-171 automatic gearbox as standard. The F generation Spirit Delta cabin provides driver comfort, safety and efficiency. Separately suspended and isolated, the cabin affords 360° visibility and boasts strategically placed working lights and ergonomically positioned controls all contributing to a fatigue-free and productive operator environment, Cargotec said. Noise levels have also been reduced to 109dB(A) to comply with EU Directive EN2000/14/EC. The new F Series models boast a chassis that is designed to be resistant to turning forces yet enables reduced fuel consumption and minimal tire wear. Rounded counterweights within a new engine hood design give excellent visibility to the rear and three lifting mast options are offered. The duplex, duplexfree lift, and triplex-free lift provide for maximum operational flexibility. cargotec.com
Systems Material Handling Offers the Safe-T-Alert Electronic Horn Systems Material Handling, Olathe, Kan., has released the Safe-T-Alert electronic horn, which has a continuous tone pulse rate. It has an expected life twice as long as a normal mechanical horn. With the mounting bracket included, the electronic horns are easy to mount and have a two-year warranty. The horn is housed in metal with black power coating. It measures 3-5/8-inch in diameter and 1-13/16-inch deep. The frequency is 300Hz ± 20Hz and the decibel rating is 110 ± 5dB. smhco.com
June 2011 • industrialliftandhoist.com
Industrial Lift & Hoist
15
SITE REVIEW
Hybrid Hookup
Overhead Cranes The hybrid mixed-capacity system using the Tarca-patented track runways allowed six Gorbel aluminum bridges to be added to one 202-foot long runway system in Hagie Manufacturing’s sub-assembly bay.
Unique mixed-capacity system eliminates assembly plant’s inefficiencies. By Lucy A. Perry
When long-time customer Hagie Manufacturing Co.
needed to integrate a more efficient assembly system into a Clarion, Iowa, facility expansion, it called Riekes Material Handling. The Waukee, Iowabased company has provided customers throughout the Midwest with material handling solutions since the 1930s and was ready to answer this call in a new and innovative way. Improved workflow and better lifting solutions were Hagie’s goal. A provider of agricultural crop sprayers and snow removal equipment, the company wanted the solutions for its sub-and final-assembly work bays integrated into the expansion of its manufacturing facilities. The need was for overhead cranes to move parts between the two 50'x202' assembly bays. The sub-assembly bay handles parts and components for the final assembly of the crop sprayers, which span up to 48 feet across. The company’s old final assembly bay was only 30 feet wide and sub-assembly of parts and components had to be transported from another part of the plant for final assembly. The new addition’s layout allowed sub-assembly and the final assembly to be side by side, improving production time and greatly enhancing the overall work process. “Hagie has been a long-term customer of Riekes,” explained Gary McCall, project manager. “We’re a local Gorbel dealer, and we supplied them with Gorbel long-boom jib cranes because they needed to reach bay areas and their building wasn’t able to support ceiling-mounted cranes. When they looked to expand their new building, they wanted this crane to last a long time. I suggested a couple of track systems, and they were very interested in that, so I went in with a Gorbel rep and interviewed them, found out what they needed and supplied their architect with loading calculations.” Hagie’s biggest challenge was the facility’s 30-foot-wide bays. A system had to be designed to run the length of the final assembly bay, so Riekes sold the customer on installing a Cleveland Tramrail system with Tarca track runways. The ceiling-supported system included five 1.5-ton capacity powered bridges on 202-foot long patented track runways, and a 50-foot bridge span with 50-foot runway support centers. Five Harrington electric chain hoists, with motorized trolleys and Electromotive Electrification from Magnetek, were installed. The Cleveland Tramrail system suited the final assembly side because it is designed with track runways, which feature a smaller hardened steel bottom flange. The hardened steel won’t flex or bend and reduces wear on the crane’s end trucks, features critical to Hagie because the five bridges constantly move back and forth along the runways, throughout multiple shifts each day. Hagie also liked that multiple bridges could be installed along one long runway system. The ceiling-supported Tarca hybrid mixed-capacity crane system, installed in the sub-assembly bay, comprises patented track runways,
16 Industrial Lift & Hoist
each 202 feet long, with three 1.5-ton capacity by 34-foot long, and three 0.5-ton capacity by 34-foot long Gorbel aluminum bridges. The Gorbel bridges are all manually operated, enclosed models. Six Harrington electric chain hoists, with push trolleys and Electromotive Electrification from Magnetek, were also installed on this side. The Tarca system using the patented track runways allowed the addition of the six aluminum bridges to one 202-foot runway system without buffers or dead areas along the way. The aluminum bridges ensure easy movement of parts and components along the sub-assembly bay. “Now they can set up a final assembly side, 50'x202' long, and a subassembly side right next to it,” explained McCall. “Each part can be completed and sent to the final assembly side as-built and move down the line.” The hybrid system proved the perfect solution because it was the only option for installing multiple bridges along one long runway, and Gorbel doesn’t offer an enclosed track with the necessary capacity. The Cleveland product can handle that type of capacity configuration, and it can be retrofitted. “We came up with the solution that fit what they were looking for, and they love it,” McCall said of Hagie. Jim Schafer, Hagie’s maintenance manager, agreed. “It gives us so many more opportunities to change our manufacturing process, to give us an opportunity to change ourselves so that we’re not married into one design,” Schafer said. “As our machines evolve, and our build processes change, we’re able to address those.” Typical of the work Riekes performs for customers throughout the Midwest, this project was larger and more complicated than usual, said McCall. It was also the first hybrid system involving a Gorbel aluminum bridge with Tarca runways and end trucks which Riekes has drawn up for any customer. “Riekes has done several mixed-capacity cranes in the past. We have done several building-length cranes including a recent 40-ton by 92-foot span bridge crane for a tire manufacturer,” he said. And though the company has no plans to tackle anything as complicated as the hybrid system in the near future, they are answering another call from a good customer. “We’re looking at installing more cranes,” McCall said. “It won’t be a mixed-capacity system; we’re just adding onto another bridge system for Hagie.”
industrialliftandhoist.com • June 2011
Business Issues
Heavy Industry Presence Telehandlers with capacities greater than 15,000 pounds make a growing impact. By Mike Larson
Mike Larson is the editor of sister publication Lift and Access.
Popular Heavy-Capacity Telehandler Models Available in North America Model
Maximum Capacity (lbs)
Maximum Lift Height (ft-in)
Maximum Forward Reach (ft-in)
Maximum Capacity at Maximum Forward Reach (lbs)
Operating Weight (lbs)
Outriggers Required
Hercules 120.10
26,458
30'10"
16'0"
6,613
36,800
N
Hercules 160.10
35,277
33'5"
16'10"
11,023
52,300
N
Hercules 210.10
46,300
33'5"
16'8"
15,432
60,400
N
LK 150
15,000
26'4"
25'0"
3,500
28,840
N
LK 200
20,000
25'0"
12'0"
10,000
53,000
N
LK 300
30,000
25'0"
12'0"
15,000
65,400
N
MHT 780
17,600
22'3"
13'1"
6,000
28,220
N
MHT 10120
26,400
31'6"
17'6"
6,400
35,055
N
MHT 10160
36,000
31'10"
18'0"
9,260
49,165
N
MHT 10210
46,000
31'9"
19'0"
11,000
59,282
N
Panoramic P 120.10 HM
26,455
32'0"
19'0"
6,065
34,508
N
ARM XL ARM XL
16,000 20,000
32'0" 42'0"
18'9" 28'6"
6,000 4,000
36,800 42,500
N N
ARM XL
30,000
32'0"
18'9"
8,000
65,000
N
Pettibone
Extendo 1530
15,000
30'10"
17'3"
7,500
32,250
N
Skyjack
Zoom Boom 20044
20,000
44'10"
27'5"
7,000
45,000
Y
TL 16-44-34
16,000
34'0"
23'0"
4,500
36,000
N
TL 20-22-25
20,000
25'0"
15'0"
6,000
43,200
N
XR 1534
15,000
34'0"
17'0"
6,000
29,000
N
XR 1642
16,000
42'0"
24'10"
5,000
41,000
N
XR 2034
20,000
34'0"
16'7"
10,000
40,150
N
XR 2045
20,000
45'0"
27'4"
8,000
44,750
Y
XR 2050
20,000
50'0"
36'0"
9,000
48,750
Y
XR 3034
30,000
34'0"
17'6"
12,000
47,850
N
Manufacturer
Dieci
Manitex LiftKing
Manitou
Merlo (Manulift)
Omega Lift
Tovel
Xtreme Manufacturing
20 Industrial Lift & Hoist
High-capacity telehandlers make tire handling and removal for mining machines easier.
Heavy-duty telehandlers
with capacities ranging from 15,000 to more than 45,000 pounds have rapidly grown in popularity in specialized applications, including power plant construction, mining quarries, logging, oil-field work, and a long list of other heavy pick-and-carry or pick-andplace work. Served by a budding group of manufacturers, they include Manitou GroupAmericas, Waco, Texas; Skyjack, Guelph, Ontario; Omega Lift, Bolton, Ontario; Xtreme Manufacturing, Las Vegas, Nev.; Manitex Liftking, Georgetown, Texas; Pettibone, Baraga, Mich.; Dieci, which is distributed by Degelman Industries Ltd., Regina, Saskatchewan; Merlo, which is distributed by Manulift in Sainte-Foy, Quebec; and Tovel, Concord, Ontario. Even more entries are expected in the following years.
industrialliftandhoist.com • June 2011
Lift Trucks
Pipe-handling attachments are popular with highcapacity telehandlers.
These manufacturers offer about 25 models in the heavy-handler capacity range. The number of high-capacity telehandlers sold each year is not easy to determine, but the segment seems to be faring better than the overall telehandler market, which has suffered during recent years. Although equipment industry analyst Manfredi & Associates, Chicago, says it doesn’t track telehandler sales by size of machine, a total of 14,000 were sold in 2007. By 2010, president Frank Manfredi says total sales had dropped to just 4,000 units. He projects that 2011 sales will rise about 14 percent from 2010, but they will still be 9,500 units below the 2007 level. The growing number of manufacturers entering the big telehandler market and the expanding range of models they’re offering indicate that demand for the high-capacity machines is expected to stay strong. Ryan Ford, product specialist for Manitou, says high-capacity telehandlers have existed as specialty products since about 1990, but the North American market really began growing after Manitou introduced three high-capacity models at ConExpo 2008. “Before that, three or four manufacturers served the North American market,” he says. Now, just three years later, there are more than eight.
High-capacity telehandlers are not typically found in conventional rental fleets. Instead, users often rent them from equipment dealers or specialty companies that also rent cranes and other large equipment. “One of the keys to success in equipment rental is having something no one else has,” says Bob Kalhagen, president of Ideal Crane Rental Inc., Madison, Wis. “We have had one 36,000-pound and one 46,000-pound Manitou telehandler in our fleet since 2009, and they rent frequently. Because of their unique capacity and capabilities, their rental rates have held up well—unlike those of smaller telehandlers.” Transport Equipment Sales (TES), South Kearny, N.J., also has a 46,000-pound Manitou MHT 10210 in its rental fleet. Manager Pete Smeretsky says: “This is definitely a specialized product, but for the right customer, it is a big time and cost saver. Right now, it’s on a six-month rental in Ohio, where it handles materials in a railroad right of way without disrupting train traffic.”
Considered a specialized product, heavy-duty handlers can save time and money for some end users.
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Industrial Lift & Hoist
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Business Issues Xtreme Manufacturing, Las Vegas, Nev., offers the broadest range of heavy-capacity telehandlers. Six machines are available with capacities greater than 15,000 pounds. Lee Kramer, president, says his company sells a number of its units directly to end users. “Many of our units are sold directly to large civil contractors, energy contractors, and specialty users like pipe yards,” he says. “The important feature of these machines is not so much how high they can lift, but how much they can pick, carry, and reach forward with.” Omega Lift’s larger units often go to mines, steel and aluminum manufacturers, railroads, and utilities.
22 Industrial Lift & Hoist
Xtreme has the broadest range of heavycapacity telehandlers in the industry.
Application-driven equipment
So what are these high-capacity telehandlers used for, and why are they being chosen to replace more traditional types of machinery? “A lot of our highcapacity telehandlers work in the mining industry,” says Manitou’s Ford, whose company will soon add a 17,600-pound capacity model to its U.S. lineup. “They handle cylinders, tires, cables, and engines for huge mining shovels and dump trucks,” he adds. Larger telehandlers also are taking over work once done by small rough-terrain cranes or by wheel loaders equipped with forks. “Cranes [often require the use of] outriggers, so they can’t pick and carry heavy loads, and large wheel loaders don’t have enough lift height or forward reach,” says Ford. Pete Haikio, vice president of sales for Pettibone, says his company has introduced the 15,000-poundcapacity Extendo 1530 in three versions for different users. “One version has 72-inch forks to handle scaffolding, another is designed for heavy civil construction, and the third has a clamp that grips pipe or poles up to 24 inches in diameter,” he says. One of the earliest high-capacity telehandlers in North America was the Zoom Boom, originally manufactured by CareLift. Skyjack bought CareLift in 2007 and has since taken over designing and manufacturing the Zoom Boom product line.
industrialliftandhoist.com • June 2011
Lift Trucks Oil rigs take advantage of the versatility heavy-duty handlers offer.
The Merlo Panoramic P 120.10 HM is drawing attention in mining, wind energy, and other heavy industries.
June 2011 • industrialliftandhoist.com
Skyjack senior product manager Paul Kreutzwiser says: “The 20,000-pound capacity Zoom Boom 20044 is our most popular high-capacity model. Demand initially came from the military sector, but these units are now becoming popular with the equipment-rental market, as well. They’re also used to handle heavy equipment on oil and gas jobsites.” John Baker, director of sales for Omega Lift says his company offers a range of heavy-capacity telehandlers with 12,000- to 30,000-pound lifting capacities. Omega’s larger units, he says, often go to mines, steel and aluminum manufacturers, railroads, and utilities. “We tend to see most of the larger models equipped with attachments, such as pipe clamps, jibs, tilt carriages, rotating carriages, long forks, and winches for specialty applications,” says Baker. Having arrived in Canada in May, the 26,455-pound capacity Merlo Panoramic P 120.10 HM is drawing the attention of the hydroelectricity, wind energy, mines, and heavy industries. Manulift also sees its potential for yard handling, and equipment maintenance. Through its heavier lifting capacity and longer front reach, the Panoramic 120.10 HM reduces the time dedicated to each task like transport or unloading of materials such as brass thread rolls, wood bundles, steel beams and other raw materials. The 19-foot front reach allows the unit to access zones with obstacles or zones that were simply inaccessible. Another supplier of high-capacity telehandlers is Manitex LiftKing, which offers Dynalugger telehandler models with capacities of 15,000, 20,000, and 30,000 pounds. The company sells through a dealer network to rental houses and end users in a variety of applications, including forestry, lumber, and railcar loading. Brian McKenzie, commercial sales and marketing manager for Manitex LiftKing, says the company’s quick-attachment mechanism enables easy switching between grapples, buckets, forks, and other specialized handling equipment.
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Lift Trucks
Business Issues Dieci’s range of products reaches up to 46,000 pounds of capacity.
Jack Degelman, president of Degelman Industries Ltd., Regina, Saskatchewan, sees the uses for big-capacity telehandlers being limited only by the users’ imaginations. Degelman’s company distributes Italian-made Dieci telehandlers throughout the United States and Canada. Its three largest models offer respective capacities of 26,000, 35,000, and 46,000 pounds. “I think this market is just getting started,” he says. “Degelman just displayed the 35,000-pound-capacity Dieci 160.10 at ConExpo, and the reaction was very promising.” He says specialized attachments like pipe grabs, wide forks, grapples, and winches will be important to customizing the machines to meet customers’ needs. “I can see them being production boosters in mills, mines, ports, fabrication yards, scrapyards, heavy-haul applications, and machinery moving operations,” Degelman adds. Ideal Crane’s Kalhagen says his large telehandlers have put overhead cranes onto rails in industrial plants, loaded huge pumps for shipment, and set concrete beams. They also handle crawlers, counterweights, and other components in crane and rigging operations. “The big telehandlers are either making us money when they’re rented out, or saving us money when they’re working in our yard,” he says. “One big telehandler and an operator can do the work of four people. Moving a 32,000-pound counterweight in our yard used to take a crane, an operator, two riggers, a tractor-trailer truck, and a driver. Now the telehandler picks up the counterweight and carries it to a new location in one step.”
Popularity likely to keep growing
As more equipment users discover how efficient big telehandlers can be, the popularity of these machines is likely to grow. “As the marketplace matures and more people become accustomed to the capacity of these machines, requirements for them will grow at an even faster pace,” says Omega’s Baker. “The marketplace will develop applications where the higher-capacity telehandler can be used, and manufacturers with the gear will supply it.”
Transport limitations
The size and capacity of telehandlers has grown significantly in recent years, so how big might they grow in the future? Thad Pirtle, vice president of equipment for heavy-civil and tunneling contractor Traylor Bros. Inc., Evansville, Ind., says he’s seen the growth. “We bought our first 6,000-pound telehandlers in 1988 to handle crane mats,” he says. “In the early 1990s, we upgraded to 10,000-pounders. They virtually replaced all the 15- and 20-ton rough-terrain cranes in our fleet. Now our field guys are asking about 13,000- and 20,000-pound telehandlers. We haven’t rented any yet, but who knows what the coming years will bring?” Skyjack’s Kreutzwiser thinks transportation restrictions will limit the size of telehandlers. “Many large telehandlers on the market need permits for transportation,” he says. “The limit will be set by the weight and dimensions you can transport economically on a truck.”
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industrialliftandhoist.com • June 2011
Personnel Lifts
Product Focus
Lightweight Personnel Lifting
Weight testing the Skyjack SJ-12 during the 2010 Equipment Showcase, hosted by sister publication Lift and Access.
Low-level access equipment makes a comeback in North America. By Katie Parrish and Guy Ramsey
I 2010,
-
n low level access equipment re-emerged in North America, as several new products from Haulotte, Custom Equipment, Absolute E-Z Up, Skyjack, Orange Machine, and Snorkel made their debuts. The wide diversity of designs among these products, ranging from single-mast lifts, dualparallelogram lifting devices, and self-propelled and push-around scissor lifts, added to the appeal of reviewing this product category, and Industrial Lift & Hoist’s sister publication Lift and Access brought a number of products in this equipment range together in Phoenix, Ariz., to compare these machines. You may be surprised to learn that this product segment has a long
history in the personnel lifting market, dating back to the introduction of the 10-foot platform height Parker Lift SP10 in 1966. It wasn’t until the now defunct Economy Engineering debuted its popular Polecat in the 1980s and UpRight launched the TM12 in the mid-1990s that any real attention was paid to this product segment. The market went quiet as demand shifted to slightly larger 15- and 19-foot scissor lifts. As technology, safety requirements, and jobsite needs have changed, the equipment owners’ appetite for lightweight aerial lifts with lower lift heights has grown, making their comeback imminent.
2010 Equipment Showcase Low-Level Access Specs Manufacturer
Model
Platform Height (ft-in)
Lift Capacity (lbs)
Stowed Dimensions (WxLxH) (ft-in)
Deck Length/ Length with Deck Extension (in)
Weight* (lbs)
Pusharound or Selfpropelled
Raising Method
Pothole Protection Style
Control System
Drive System
Wheels
Custom Equipment
Hy-Brid HB-830
8'0"
500
30" x 47” x 69.5"
44.5" / 63.5"
1,100
SelfPropelled
Scissor
Active
Proportional drive/Nonproportional lift
Electric drive
Dual front casters, rear drive wheels
Custom Equipment
Hy-Brid HB-P830
8'0"
500
30" x 47" x 67.71"
44.5"
750
PushAround
Scissor
Active
Nonproportional lift
NA
Casters
Genie
GRC-12
12'0"
500
29.5" x 53.75" x 67"
38" / 55"
1,950
SelfPropelled
Vertical Mast
Active
Proportional drive and lift
Electric drive
Solid nonmarking 10x3x8 tires
Haulotte
LiteRiser 10 SP
10'0"
500
32" x 69" x 76"
44.5"
1,100
SelfPropelled
Dual Parallelogram
Passive/ Graduated
Proportional drive/Nonproportional lift
Electric drive
Front drive wheels, rear casters
Orange Machine
XDrive
10'0"
500
30" x 45" x 72"
45" / 73"
1,250
SelfPropelled
Scissor
Passive
Proportional drive and lift
Electric drive
Ridge wheels
Orange Machine
PalX
10'0"
500
29" x 45" x 70"
45"
800
PushAround
Scissor
Passive
Proportional lift
NA
Ridge wheels
Skyjack
SJ 12
12'0"
500
30" x 54" x 69.5"
38.5"
1,750
SelfPropelled
Vertical Mast
Active
Proportional drive and lift
Hydraulic drive
Solid 12x4 tires
Snorkel
Pop-Up Drive 10**
9'10"
496
30" x 45" x 71"
43"
1,200
SelfPropelled
Scissor
Passive
Proportional drive and lift
Direct electric drive
Front twin casters, rear wide drive wheels
Snorkel
Pop-Up Push 10
10'0"
528
31" x 51" x 71"
43"
800
PushAround
Scissor
NA
Push-button control
NA
Swivel casters
* Showcase Test Result **Prototype, to be updated
June 2011 • industrialliftandhoist.com
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Product Focus Steve Gohn, southeast regional manager for Snorkel, shows the simple controls on one of the Pop-Up scissor lifts.
Small aerial applications
Jobsites have evolved over the last 20 years. Only a decade ago, drop ceilings were used specifically for installing lights. “Now you are dealing with data transmission cables when you are wiring above drop ceilings,” says Galen Wickstrom, national account sales manager for Terex Aerial Work Platforms, Redmond, Wash. “You can’t climb up a ladder and pull 50 cables.” In the U.K., workers cannot use a ladder more than one meter off the ground unless they have special needs. Australia has adopted similar laws. Both countries are currently looking for ladder alternatives. “There is also a workman’s comp issue with people standing on rungs of ladders for too long a period of time day after day,” says Steve Kissinger, owner of Custom Equipment, Richfield, Wis. Long-term use of ladders may cause repetitive-motion injuries. In the past, the construction industry has driven aerial lift manufacturers’ product development. So users in industrial, manufacturing, and low-level access applications often used products that were larger than they needed. However, today’s sites may have floor-loading restrictions that require lighter machines. “A lot of commercial and office buildings are using raised data flooring, which is becoming more common,” says Paul Kreutzwiser, senior product manager for Skyjack, Guelph, Ontario. Even on jobs that don’t demand lighter-weight machines, these units can maneuver through work areas easier, fitting into standard-sized elevators rather than construction elevators. Applications adopting the use of low-level access equipment range from building renovation to schools, hospitals, airports, hotels, food storage facilities, manufacturing, and inventory maintenance. As the cost of low-level access drops and labor laws become more strict, the need for more productive machines escalates. Steve Kissinger presents the popular Custom Equipment Hy-Brid scissor lift at the event.
Today’s growing demand for low-level aerial lifts comes from a variety of user needs, including safety and productivity. The array of these machines provides more options for replacing ladders and scaffolding with compact, lightweight, and productive lifting machines. During a roundtable discussion at the Lift and Access Equipment Showcase, representatives from Orange Machine, Skyjack, Snorkel, Haulotte, Genie, and Custom Equipment shared their views on the past, present, and future of low-level access. Representatives from several OEMs review the design differences of each machine.
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industrialliftandhoist.com • June 2011
Personnel Lifts Defining the product class
Low-level access machines generally have up to 15foot maximum platform heights, one-person lifting capability, and 500-pound maximum platform capacity. Machines can be self-propelled or push-around models. Dimensions also are important to classifying this product category. In high-rise buildings, ceiling heights are typically 13 feet, so any machine with a platform height of 8 feet or more can work effectively on these sites. Since these are used frequently in high-rise applications, one or possibly two units need to fit into a standard-sized personnel or freight elevator. There is also the need to fit through a standard doorway. “The width going through a standard doorway is 32 inches, so your width has to be around 30 inches because of door jams and the door,” Kreutzwiser says. “The other dimensional factor that all of our low-level access has in common is the step-in height. If your step-in height is low enough, you can actually drive through the doorway if the unit is self-propelled.” By comparison, operators of 19-foot scissors have to climb out of the platform so the unit can fit through a doorway. Another important feature is the ability to go around a corner in a narrow hall. Wickstrom says if a machine must turn around a right-angle corner, its chassis must be short enough to make the turn. Although computer-room flooring can normally support wheel loads from 600 to 1,500 pounds, the acceptable
One of the different designs of low-level access machines is the lifting mechanism. Haulotte uses the dual-paralellogram-style device.
machine weight is different in each case. Johnny Parker, an owner of Orange Machine, Ontario, Calif., says that the position of the weight on the lift ’s deck will affect how much weight each wheel will put onto the floor. For example, if the operator stands at one end of the platform, that end will be heavier and exert more load on the floor beneath it. “Whether you are on firm, level ground or a slight incline, that also will have a huge impact,” he adds. Computer floor manufacturers apply their own formulas in approving machines for use on their flooring, but most low-level access lifts can be approved. Earning approval requires providing key specs, such as tire size, overall machine weight, capacity, and dimensions, to the flooring manufacturer.
Design differences
OEMs at the Equipment Showcase displayed three types of elevating devices: scissor stacks, single masts, and a dual-parallelogram design. Each manufacturer explained its reasons for choosing its design. Haulotte’s LiteRiser 10 SP featured the dualparallelogram lifting device. “In our case, it was a machine we had in the past and developed it with a drive system,” says Tom Bell, regional
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Industrial Lift & Hoist
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Personnel Lifts
Product Focus territory manager-Canada for the Haulotte Group, Archbold, Ohio. “One of the reasons for using this style device is that it keeps the weight down and adds rigidity to the structure. It also keeps the center of gravity very low.” Richard Tindale, global sales and marketing manager for Snorkel, Elwood, Kan., says the use of the scissor stack on its Pop-Up units was selected because the stack is a simple lifting mechanism, with only one cylinder and one battery. “We went the other way with the TM12 [now the M1230E] mast lift ,” he says. “That’s a much heavier-duty product.” Others saw the potential of a lighter machine with the scissor stack. “We felt the unit’s overall lighter weight was more important than step height, which can be achieved with a scissor stack,” says Robert Parker, an owner of Orange Machine. Skyjack chose the mast-style lifting device for its model SJ 12 lowaccess lift because it provides a lower step-in height. “One of the major requirements we had for that class of machine, considering we already have a 15-foot scissor, was to keep the step-in height as low as possible,” Kreutzwiser says. “We just can’t do that with a bigger scissor.” Wickstrom notes that Genie has a long history with the straightmast design. In addition to reducing maintenance by keeping debris out of the lifting device, he says that the company was pushing for a pure construction machine with the GRC-12, which would be more robust for the rental or construction market. It is clear that the market is testing out various designs, looking at the differences between capacity, weight, robustness, cost, and longevity. “They can all do the work,” Wickstrom says. “It is all characterized by that experimentation, [in order to find] what’s the best medium to provide return on investment, what holds up the best, and what is utilized most.”
Choosing electric or push-around products
You also must weigh the need for a self-propelled unit versus a pusharound machine. Kissinger says there are different markets for these two product types, although the applications may be the same. “In Europe, there are more push-around machines being used in construction than self-propelled,” he adds. In terms of buyers, Kissinger says push-arounds are often purchased as a retail machine, while self-propelled machines are geared more toward the rental market. Cost considerations also come into play. Some buyers want the least expensive machine they can find and will select a push-around for the lower cost. However, other buyers and users who need to travel up and down inclines or move the machine more will choose the self-propelled aerial. Weight is a key issue, Tindale says. “Sometimes a 500-pound push-around scissor lift is the only thing that will work on a computer floor,” he says. “There are so many applications where you can only use a push-around.” Bell says that customers who are unfamiliar with aerial work platforms may be more comfortable using a push-around lift. “Some of these people are afraid of running into a wall or person,” he says. “So they want a push-around.” Because a push-around unit will be less likely to be driven off a curb or over a drop off while it is elevated, the inexperienced user can do less damage with it. Operating self-propelled units hold as many dangers as running a larger scissor lift or boom lift, and more training is required to use this type of machine competently. Regardless of the style or design of the low-level access units available today, it is important to note these units are safe for properly trained users and allow for more productivity than scaffolding or ladders. As the technology improves, they will continue to become more popular for an ever-wider range of applications.
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industrialliftandhoist.com • June 2011 3/25/10 8:54 AM
Remote Controls
Trends &Technology
Cranes Under Control
Demand for remote controls, especially for operating overhead cranes, is improving and expected to remain strong. By Myra Pinkham
A
Myra Pinkham is a New York-based writer and editor with nearly 30 years of experience writing about the North American and international manufacturing markets, both from an equipment and raw materials perspective, for various industrial trade publications.
Demand for radio remotes is making a comeback.
The industry is seeing strong demand for basic remotes and more complex radio systems for multiple cranes and hoists in the same location.
U.S.
s the industrial sector continues on the road to recovery after taking a hard hit from the Great Recession, radio remote control demand for lifting equipment, especially overhead cranes, is returning at a pretty good rate and is expected to continue to be strong for the next few years at least. “During the past two quarters, demand has been outstanding. It is at among the highest levels that we have seen it in the recent past, with a pickup in quoting activity and actual orders,” says Ron Snyder, president of Cervis Inc., Warrendale, Pa. Miguel Tellez, managing director of Tele Radio America LLC, North Miami, Fla., agrees. “We are now seeing for the first time in years a strong demand not only on basic remote controls for standard cranes, but also on more complex radio systems suited for large cranes or projects involving multiple cranes or hoists in the same location,” he says. He adds that these types of cranes are usually linked to large projects requiring significant investment with long-term objectives. Demand for lifting equipment, therefore for remote controls for lifting equipment, was severely impacted during the economic downturn, Tellez says. “Radios were still being sold in reasonably good quantities for retrofit applications, but the sales of radios for new cranes, especially for larger ones, were significantly reduced,” he adds. In step with the manufacturing sector, demand for cranes and other
June 2011 • industrialliftandhoist.com
lifting equipment—as well as remote controls for that lifting equipment— started to pick up significantly in the second half of last year. “We are reasonably optimistic that demand will continue to grow,” Snyder says. “Most economic indicators have been positive, and the purchase of capital equipment has been on the rise.” Institute for Supply Management’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index, which is a well-watched indicator of the current and future health of both the U.S. economy in general and the manufacturing sector in particular, indicates that as of April the U.S. manufacturing sector has expanded for 21 consecutive months (and for 23 consecutive months for the overall U.S. economy) with April’s PMI reading of 60.4 percent marking the fourth consecutive month that it was above 60 percent (a reading of more than 50 percent indicates expansion). Likewise, ISM’s April production index was an
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Trends &Technology Industries like aerospace, petrochemical, and energy continued to purchase radio remote controls like Magnetek’s Telemotive XLTX during the downturn.
Also, the fact that the manufacturing rebound is, at least thus far, largely a jobless recovery could be a good thing for the remote control industry, James Kingerski, executive vice president of marketing and sales for Cattron, a unit of Laird Technologies, Sharpsville, Pa., maintains. “Many companies who have had their capital equipment budgets cut could look toward remote controls to increase their efficiency and productivity and reduce labor costs while also increasing safety,” he says.
Applications for acquisitions
even stronger 63.8 percent. Its new orders index was 61.7 percent, and the backlog of orders index was 61 percent.The rate of recovery, however, has varied greatly by the end-user market, observes Ben Stoller, manager of radio controls for Magnetek Inc., Menomee Falls, Wis. He notes that the aerospace market, for example, actually remained pretty steady even through the downturn, as has the petrochemical and energy markets. But now even some end-user markets that were very hard hit by the economic downturn, including such heavy manufacturing industries as the steel industry, heavy off-road equipment, and the automotive industry, are improving significantly. The average operating rates of the steel industry, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute tallies, have recently been hovering between 70 and 75 percent. While being nowhere near the 90-plus percent pre-recessionary rates, these numbers have had quite an improvement over the 40 to 50 percent capacity utilization during the depth of the recession. Likewise, even with supply chain issues as a result of the earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan, North American automotive production appears to be on track to reach 13 million light vehicles this year, which is an improvement over the 8.5 million produced in 2009. While these trends are very encouraging, some makers of remote controls warn that demand has still not come back as quickly as this seems to indicate. Erik Petersen, business development manager for Chicago, Ill.-based Drivecon, notes that after being stung by the downturn, many OEMs have gotten increasingly cost conscious, “which has resulted in somewhat of a lack of interest in purchasing remote control systems as they see remote controls as being a value-added purchase vs. standard modus operand.”
Tellez says Tele Radio expects radio remote control growth to remain strong during 2011 and hopefully in years to come. “The main reason for this increase is that most applications that can be radio controlled are now becoming, or will soon be, radio controlled,” he adds. “We have seen this not only in the industrial and lifting radio control business, but in many essential facets of our daily life. The world is going wireless.” For example, he cites the increased use of remote controls for even the cheapest automobiles, as well
Although many companies have had their capital budgets cut, they have been looking to radio remote controls to improve productivity and safety.
Radio controls are ergonomic and keep crane operators from being bound to the equipment.
Brian Landries, vice president of sales and marketing for Control Chief Corp., Bradford, Pa., states that some companies at least had been “very tentative” with their capital expenditure budgets. “At first they wanted to be sure that economic recovery would be sustained,” he says. “But now people are finally more confident.” 30 Industrial Lift & Hoist
industrialliftandhoist.com • June 2011
Remote Controls as the growth of cellular phones even in less-developed countries, and the use of Wi-Fi vs. wired connections for computers. When it comes to radio-controlled cranes, Jeff Allan, chief executive officer of HBC-radiomatic Inc., Hebron, Ky., says recently there has definitely been a robust bounce. “Customers are continuing to replace fixed or tethered controls with industrial radio control systems,” he says. “With an ever-expanding range of functions, coupled with the obvious safety advantages, we are seeing a rapid increase in activity in new markets and applications.” Cattron’s Kingerski says that remote control usage especially in heavy manufacturing industries like steel mills and foundries can take workers out of harm’s way. He notes that several studies state that remotes are much safer than other forms of controls. “One of our customers says he has saved millions of dollars a year due to the elimination of accidents” using radio controls, he says. “Industrial remote controls used to be an expensive and sometimes unreliable accessory that some companies decided to buy in order to improve safety and productivity in the workplace,” says Tellez. However, more recently radio remote controls have become standard components of many cranes. “Current prices and reliability of high quality remote controls has reached a point in which a radio control is cheaper than using a wired pendant, while offering added safety, reliability and increased productivity,” he adds, calling installing a quality radio control in a crane “a no-brainer.” “Up until about 10 years ago, remote control systems were considered a high-end addition for more specialized crane applications,” Control Chief ’s Landries says. “Over the years, industrial manufacturers have come to realize that wireless remote control is a cost effective, reliable solution that greatly enhances the safety of their operations.” This realization is driving remote controls, he says, and they are now seen as a staple feature on most new crane installations. “It is one of those things that once you use it, you really get attached to it. It has become an important part of business today,” says Steve Cunningham, director of sales and marketing for Microtronics Inc., Iola, Kan.
the loads the crane moves,” Petersen says. However, such lower-end systems do not have some of the new capabilities available with higher end, more robust, value-added remote controls. “Some companies are just looking for a cheap and dirty solution, something that is inexpensive but works well, while others demand more functionality, including more information from displays and two way communication,” Stoller says. “A lot depends on what they are handling. Companies in the nuclear industry, for example, want to constantly know the status of what they are handling, as do many government service companies that have critical loads. The same goes with people handling expensive materials or equipment. Meanwhile, a service center handling rebar doesn’t need, or want, a higher end remote control system. They need to be more cost effective.”
Purchasing points
Customers buying remote controls tend to fall into two distinct categories—those looking for a low -ost alternative to pendant controls and those seeking a value-added solution. Falling into the first group are price-conscious buyers, many of which have not used radio controlled systems previously but are considering doing so now because of their cost, serviceability, and ergonomics, Drivecon’s Petersen says. “Pricing points are coming down considerably now that the radio control technology has been legitimized and people are finding out that, at least at the lower end of the market, that they can buy a radio control for about the same price as it would take to purchase a replacement pendant control and that with the radio control they aren’t tethered to the crane and don’t have to be close to June 2011 • industrialliftandhoist.com
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Trends &Technology Latest technologies
Various companies are taking different approaches to providing customers with the latest remote control technology. One thing that Control Chief is doing, Landries says, is providing customers who still use its MDR 8400 systems, which were developed in 1984, with a quick upgrade retrofit package. “That way it doesn’t result in a lot of downtime for them to upgrade their system—only about a half of an hour compared with the day and a half to two day downtime that is typical to install a remote control system upgrade,” he says. What customers are looking for in new remote controls is constantly evolving, Allan says, noting that one thing that is becoming more popular is color feedback display screens. “They had always been grayscale before, but we are trying to give our customers additional information,” he says. “Displays are clearer. They are higher resolution, which allows you to display more information in a smaller space.”
Remotes have new capabilities, such as operator logins, which allow the controller to track what each operator is doing and when.
The Enrange Fex EX Series of remotes is touted as a cost-effective solution to hardwired pendants.
HBC-radiomatic’s Spectrum D transmitter has a 3.5-inch color feedback display screen.
He notes that HBC-radiomatic’s new Spectrum D belly box transmitter has a 3.5-inch LCD screen with its own operating system, allowing it to display anything that the customer wants, including what load is on the hook, where the crane is positioned, and, if it is outside, what the wind speed is, and more. Tellez says Tele Radio’s Tiger and Panther families of products offer a number of advances over older systems, including safety, reliability, ergonomics, lighter weight, enhanced battery life and advanced functions. Advances in microprocessor technology have been at the forefront of technological changes for radio remote controls, Cervis’ Snyder observes. 32 Industrial Lift & Hoist
“That has allowed us to decrease the size of the remote control while increasing the complexity of the overall system,” he says. He adds that the latest wireless control development from Cervis is its SmaRT wireless systems, which utilize state-900 MHz and 2.4 GHz DSSS transreceiver RF communication standard to provide feedback to operators via three tri-colored LEDs on each handheld or LCD display. He says the SmaRT products are fully programmable, therefore taking on the characteristics of a mini PLC. In general there has been a trend toward more communication, Stoller says. “Magnetek has launched a line of more integrated communication industrialliftandhoist.com • June 2011
Remote Controls
equipment that allows the operator to have more information at his fingertips. He can set a number of faults and alarms allowing him to know if there are any problems with the load.” Kingerski says that Cattron has introduced a more durable line of belly box controllers, CattronControl. Also being released is the new CattronConnect software that can incorporate real time reports on the equipment allowing management to immediately know if something is faulty or if the equipment is overloaded. “Right now it is being utilized by three Class 1 railroads and we are planning to bring it to the industrial market shortly,” he says. “Not everything is visible,” Allan says, stating that new systems also use vibration alarms for certain standard triggers. “That overcomes problems with noise or if the operator isn’t paying attention to the panel.” A number of new products also have range limitation, Snyder says, addressing questions of the reliability of radio controls, which previously weren’t able to control the limits of use. “Now there has been technological improvement allowing us to limit ranges.” He says several truck and automotive OEMs are currently using range limitation products, “And we are currently exploring it with other end users as well, including those in the aerospace industry,” he adds. Microtronics’ Cunningham notes that radio controls are getting smaller. At the same time, Drivecon’s Petersen notes there are many new capabilities, such as operator log-ins, which allows the controller to track what each operator is doing and when. There is also an increase in safety features that automatically shut off the lifting equipment, or the transmitter, when something is going wrong, Allan says.
June 2011 • industrialliftandhoist.com
HBC-radiomatic’s micron 7 radio control combines the micron series design with an integrated color LCD.
The lightweight LJ bellyboxstyle transmitter from Control Chief will communicate with the MDR-8400 and Advantage Series receivers.
Overall, producers of radio remote controls expect continued improvement. “2011 is proving to be a very successful year for the radio control business in general,” Tellez says. “We are now on track to surpassing our all-time high in sales, and we foresee 2012 will continue on the current upward trend, perhaps at a more moderate, yet stable rate.”
Industrial Lift & Hoist
33
Rubber-Tired Gantries
Equipment in Action
Efficient Container Handling Standardizing equipment provides benefits to Brazilian terminal operator.
I M ,C
n ay argotec received an order from Santos Brasil S/A for 12 Kalmar E-One2 rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes to equip the newly inaugurated Tecon Santos Terminal 4 expansion. Delivery of the machines will take place in Q4 2011. The purchase confirms that the South American container terminal operator is the biggest customer of Kalmar E-One RTGs worldwide. It now has 41 Kalmar RTGs, as well as empty container handlers, reachstackers, and heavy-duty forklifts from Cargotec. Santos Brasil’s new all-electric, environmentally-friendly 16-wheel RTGs will be 7+1 wide and 1-over-6 high and come equipped with Kalmar Smartrail, an autosteering and container position verification system. Cargotec’s 16-wheel design, in combination with the light weight of its cranes, puts less stress on terminal surfaces compared to conventional eight-wheel units. The terminal operator’s cranes will feature 55-tonne capacity twin-lift Bromma spreaders with load sensing capability via the twistlocks. Caio Morel, Santos Brasil’s operations director, said that standardizing equipment offers some important benefits. “In terms of maintenance, it is a significant advantage to have a standardized set of equipment,” he said. “If the equipment is in need of maintenance, all we need to do is cross the road from Tecon Santos to Cargotec’s service facilities, where we benefit from quick and personalized after-sales service.”
According to Santos Brazil, Tecon Santos is the largest and most efficient container terminal in the country. It is capable of handling 2 million TEUs per year and features a warehouse area of 12,000 square meters, a berth quayline with four cradles totaling 980 meters, and four internal railroad branches. In total, the container terminal is 596,000 square meters and has 1,780 employees. It employs a state-of-the-art operating system for online control of all processes, and 100 percent of the equipment is controlled by GPS. An increase in international trade has influenced the handled container volume for Santos Brasil. In the first quarter of 2011, the company’s terminals, including Tecon Santos (SP), Tecon Imbituba (SC) and Tecon Vila do Conde (PA), handled 226,999 containers—a substantial 30.8 percent increase over the first three months of 2010.
AD INDEX
Company Name
Phone
website
Page
Company Name
Phone
website
Page
Ace World Companies
800-431-4223
aceworldcompanies.com
18-19
Harrington Hoists
800-233-3010
harringtonhoists.com
28
Ace World Companies
800-431-4223
aceworldcompanies.com
5
HBC-radiomatic, Inc.
800-410-4562
hbc-usa.com
15
All Canadian Training Institute
877-452-2284
allcanadiantraining.com
27
IPAF
518-280-2486
awpt.org
31
Applied Machinery Sales
704-552-8180
appliedmachinerysales.com
2
KWS
800-872-9313
kwschain.com
13
800-288-8178
magnetekmh.com
3
Cattron Group
724-962-4310
cattrongroup.com
35
Magnetek Material Handling
Cervis
727-741-9000
cervis.net
22
R&M Materials Handling
800-955-9967
rmhoists.com
33
800-282-6651
simscrane.com
24
Columbus McKinnon
800-888-0985
cmworks.com
21
Sims Crane & Equipment
Control Chief
800-233-3016
controlchief.com
36
Winches Inc.
800-361-8543
winchesinc.com
17
Custom Mobile Equipment
785-594-7474
versa-lift.com
27
Wy East Products
888-401-5500
clearcap.com
23
34 Industrial Lift & Hoist
industrialliftandhoist.com • June 2011