Cranes and Lifting
THE DEDICATED RESOURCE FOR THE CRANE INDUSTRY / MAY/JUNE 2022
May/June 2022
SANY HEAVY LIFTERS DELIVER FOR TUTT BRYANT
Official Media Partner
FEATURES ‘Middle Ground’ major inspections
Palfinger innovation
CICA Industry Day
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IN THIS ISSUE
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86 New service manager TRT Australia appoints new service manager 89 Quicklift boosts capacity Quicklift recently took delivery of a new Liebherr 92 Major collaboration in NZ New Zealand collaboration develops an innovative excavator crane 96 TRT innovation key to versatile solutions McLeod Cranes takes delivery of two TRT Crane Support Trailers
12 Up Front Sany Heavy Lifters deliver for Tutt Bryant 16 CICA President’s Report The crane industry continues to play a critical role 18 CICA Member Profile Lindores Mobile Cranes mobilises to assist flood victims 20 CICA Industry Day NSW Bringing builders and crane businesses to the same forum was a huge success 24 Embracing innovation and technology Palfinger innovation embraced by RC Lift & Shift 28 Tidd crane the first choice Vamp Cranes launch new business with Tidd 31 Building Brisbane with Zoomlion Brisbane builder relies on Nationwide Machinery Group 35 Humma a welcome addition Pivot Crane Hire expands with new Humma 39 JV boosts heavy lifting capacity JYM joint venture relies on Tadano
52 Major inspections: Experience can’t be bought Ben Baden Service takes the middle ground with major inspections 56 Four Katos to boost fleet FG Crane Hire takes delivery of four Kato city cranes 61 Take it to the top Maxilift recently installed the largest vehicle loading crane ever seen in Australia 64 Used Liebherr a perfect addition Action Crane relies on Liebherr to deliver the right used crane
104 Manitowoc launches largest Potain New Potains destined for the Asia Pacific markets including Australia 106 New Groves headed to NT Why Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift Northern Territory relies on Grove 109 Post-flood praise for UAA You Hire relies on UAA following flood disaster
68 Booming start to the 2022 FY Boom Logistics announce positive financial results
112 Grove celebrates 75th anniversary A significant milestone for the renowned manufacturer
71 Eight new MEWPs for Boom Bronto Skylift supplies MEWPs to Boom Logistics
114 Bridge collapse requires bus lift rescue US land slide disaster leads to complex bus lift recovery
72 Best of both worlds Tadano launches new all terrain 75 Towering performance in the Philippines Comansa tower cranes build suspension bridge in the Philippines
43 Alfasi Hire opens in the Pilbara Alfasi Hire opens Pilbara operation
78 A SuperDeck solution for every project SuperDecks critical to the construction of high profile projects
48 Mass Hire’s concept to completion Melbourne’s Mass Hire a big fan of Maeda crawlers
82 Trusted advice The Baden Davis Crane Connection delivers another quality used crane
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100 Buy, sell or recondition MCT equipment busy with new and used equipment sales, service and support
116 From ship to site LCR Group’s focus on port to site capabilities 118 Turkey’s 1915 Çanakkale Bridge opens Marrs Contracting assists in delivering bridge 18 months ahead of schedule 121 Lift of the month Borger Crane Hire and Rigging Services delivers complex tower crane dismantle May/June 2022 CAL / 3
FROM THE EDITORIAL TEAM Published by:
WELCOME TO THE MAY/JUNE 2022 ISSUE CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES TO LEAD THE economic recovery, with the March Budget announcing a further $17.9 billion in infrastructure building. With a record $120 billion investment in infrastructure, this has to be good for the crane sector. But industry groups are insisting the construction sector requires significant industry reform to ensure these funds are well spent. The construction sector has been slow to embrace technology and the available innovations designed to improve productivity throughout the construction process that could slash billions from the cost of constructing the planned infrastructure pipeline. For example, according to analysis undertaken by BIS Oxford Economic for the Australian Constructors Association, just halving the productivity gap between construction and other major industries would unlock $15 billion in savings annually. The Australian Constructors Association is calling on the federal government to coordinate and incentivise reforms to state procurement and delivery processes in order to realise this opportunity. The construction industry and crane sector proceed hand in hand, and both are facing dire skills shortages. With a predicted 105,000 construction worker shortfall in less than 18 months, measures announced
in the March Budget to improve skills and increase participation, particularly from women, will go some way to addressing this issue. In this issue, you will read how the Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) is working hard to address the skills shortage issue and also bringing builders and crane businesses together through forums such as the New South Wales and Victorian Industry Days. You will also read about new innovations and technologies designed to increase productivity and efficiencies in the construction process and also address the increasing demands to reduce carbon footprints and to be more environmentally sustainable. Easy to write, not so easy to implement. Another reminder regarding the CICA Lift Of The Year Awards. Please consider entering your over 20-tonne and under 20-tonne lifts for this years’ awards. Cranes and Lifting magazine sponsors the awards and every entry will receive a profile in the magazine. This May/June issue is the last of the bi-monthly frequency. From the July issue Cranes and Lifting magazine will be publishing 11 times a year, meaning you will receive more frequent magazines, filled with the same quality content. The team at Cranes and Lifting encourages you to contact us about your business and tell us what you are doing as there are no doubt so many untold stories. And, as always, we hope you enjoy the read.
Simon Gould Editor, Cranes and Lifting 4 / CAL May/June 2022
11-15 Buckhurst St South Melbourne VIC 3205 T: 03 9690 8766 www.primecreativemedia.com.au CEO John Murphy E: john.murphy@primecreative.com.au Chief Operating Officer Zelda Tupicoff E: zelda.tupicoff@primecreative.com.au Publisher Christine Clancy E: christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au Group Managing Editor (Northern) Syed Shah E: syed.shah@primecreative.com.au Editor Simon Gould E: simon.gould@primecreative.com.au Journalist Joshua Farrell E: Joshua.farrell@primecreative.com.au T: 0420 298 087 Business Development Manager Emily Schlegel E: emily.schlegel@primecreative.com.au T: 0466 317 555 Client Success Manager Justine Nardone E: justine.nardone@primecreative.com.au Production Co-Ordinator Cat Fitzpatrick Art Director Bea Barthelson Advertisement Designer Lee Mawdsley Imaging Assistant Paul Breen Subscriptions Frank Rapone T: 03 9690 8766 E: frank.rapone@primecreative.com.au The Publisher reserves the right to alter or omit any article or advertisement submitted and requires indemnity from the advertisers and contributors against damages or liabilities that may arise from material published. © Copyright – No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the permission of the publisher.
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INDUSTRY NEWS ZERO EMISSION, FULL POWER – LIEBHERR LTC 1050-3.1 MOBILE WITH ELECTRIC POWER UNIT The accelerating climate revolution demands drive concepts to be used in the construction industry that reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. To meet the needs of customers and the demand for greener equipment as well as possible, Liebherr is working on alternative drive units, which are perfectly tailored to the application and location of the machine, without focusing on a single technology. The new LTC 1050-3.1 compact crane from the Liebherr plant in Ehingen features an electric motor in addition to its conventional internal combustion engine. This enables crane movements to be powered electrically as an option. The new version of the compact 50-tonne crane therefore helps to reduce CO2 emissions and meets the requirements for operating on ‘zero emission’ sites. Liebherr developed the electric power unit for the LTC 1050- 3.1 using the slogan ‘Zero emission, full power’. Dr Ulrich Hamme, technical director at Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH, said: “We want to be able to offer our customers full crane performance even with the alternative electric power unit. The LTC 1050-3.1 still has a conventional internal combustion engine, powered by diesel or hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), for driving on roads and for crane operations. However, as an alternative, it also has an electric power unit for crane operations so that it generates zero emissions. That means that all the familiar usage properties of the crane will be retained, regardless of whether the crane operations are powered by its zero emission electric motor or its internal combustion engine.” Maximum flexibility for full green credentials and customer benefits The new alternative LTC 1050-3.1 delivers the best possible combination of green credentials, customer benefits, and efficiency. On the road and off-road, it has a conventional, low emissions internal combustion engine that complies with emissions stage 5 and 6 / CAL May/June 2022
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produces 243kW (326 bhp). The engine can be fuelled with HVO with absolutely no restrictions, enabling it to reduce its CO2 emissions by up to 90 per cent compared to fuelling it with diesel. Either the engine or the electric motor can be selected in crane mode depending on the conditions for the job. The latter reduces both air and noise emissions to a minimum. This also means that the machine is suitable for use in noisesensitive areas and in zero emission areas. Simple, clever electric motor concept – flexible electric power unit The newly developed power unit featuring an electric motor develops 72kW and therefore enables the crane to be operated without restriction – in other words, with almost the same performance as using the six-cylinder engine. The electric motor uses the existing hydraulic pump, which is mounted direct on the powershift transmission on the conventional LTC 1050-3.1, to transfer the power to the consumers in the crane superstructure. Only the electric motor and a distributor gear, as well as the required
control equipment, must be added to the conventional LTC 1050-3.1 model to transform it into an electric version. The distributer gear is located directly between the crane pump and the powershift transmission. This clever, yet simple, solution enables the operator to switch flexibly between diesel-hydraulic power and electro-hydraulic power. Site current at 125A is required to achieve full performance, but the crane also operates very well with a 63A supply. Alternatively, the crane can operate using an external conventional battery pack if the site does not have the appropriate electrical infrastructure. Liebherr supplies the electric model of the LTC 1050-3.1 for the version with the 36 metre Telematik telescopic boom. The RemoteDrive option for remote-controlled driving and a heightadjustable elevating cab are also available for the new crane. The prototype with the electric power unit is currently undergoing intensive testing and Liebherr is planning to deliver the first models in 2023. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
CRA OUT
Nationwide Machinery Group Australian Distributor
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MINI CRAWLER
INDUSTRY NEWS INTRODUCING THE FRANNA LIFT PLANNER The new Franna lift planner provides customers with a simple tool to complete lift assessments, enabling more efficient planning and encouraging safer practices around the job site. Built on the same calculation underpinning the machine’s onboard computer, the gap between planning and reality is able to be reduced. The newly launched platform is available for the AT 40 and, at the click of a button, users can input a number of variables to produce a final result which includes: • boom angle • rated capacity • f ront axle load • total height • % utilisation. Michael Atherden, principal engineer at Franna, said: “We are delighted to launch the new Franna Lift Planner and look forward to supporting additional models and further enhancing functionality in the near future. This is another prime example of Franna addressing customer feedback and we will continue to invest in our in-house software capability. Special thanks to Michele and the team at Fleurieu Cranes for their insight and ongoing support for this project as well as Borger Cranes, Johnson & Young Cranes, RAR Cranes, Burpengary Crane Hire, Elevates Cranes & Transport for their feedback.” Fluerieu Cranes has been heavily involved in the development of the Franna Lift Planner. Michele Ciccone-Mercuri, an engineer at Fluerieu, commented: “The Lift Planner software is excellent, it provides the ability to efficiently input parameters such as radius and load constraints and output a solution of great accuracy. Our staff and customers are enjoying the increased definitive parameters to 8 / CAL May/June 2022
assist with our projects. Furthermore, Fleurieu Cranes’ investment into my attending, along with the privilege of Terex Franna allowing me to assist with the development of their new software, was greatly appreciated.” For more information on the Franna Lift Planner or to request access to the software, please email Franna@terex.com.
ABOVE: The newly launched platform is available for the AT 40 and, at the click of a button, users can input a number of variables to produce a final result BELOW: The new Franna lift planner provides customers with a simple tool to complete lift assessments
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Tadano is aiming to launch the first all electric rough terrain in late 2023.
TADANO TARGETS LAUNCH OF THE WORLD’S FIRST ELECTRIC ROUGH TERRAIN CRANE FOR PRODUCTION As a critical next step in achieving the Tadano Group’s long-term environmental targets, Tadano Ltd. has announced its plans to commercialise the world’s first electric rough terrain crane. Currently in development, the crane will be able to drive to the jobsite and complete all lifting operations using battery/electric, rather than diesel power to deliver zero-emissions operation. Beyond environmentally friendly operation, the electric motor of this rough terrain crane promises to emit lower noise when operating. This will result in significant advantages for customers when working in congested urban areas with noise ordinances, completing lift projects at night, and operating indoors. Tadano is currently working with a variety of industry suppliers and partners and targets commercialisation of the new electric rough terrain crane in late 2023. Operating more sustainably In April 2021, the Tadano Group announced its long-term environmental targets, which include a 25 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions from business 10 / CAL May/June 2022
activities and 35 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions from product use by 2030. Even more importantly, achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Working toward these targets, the company has gathered all of its sustainable solutions under the name Tadano Green Solutions (TGS). Combined with lifting technology, the innovations introduced under TGS will contribute not only to sustainability but also to operating safety, quality, and efficiency, it says. Introducing the world’s first electric powered rough terrain crane is the next evolutionary step in meeting the company’s environmental targets. Most of the crane equipment on the market today consumes diesel fuel to operate. For many models, the engine and drivetrain are required to both propel the crane to the jobsite and power the hydraulics used to lift loads. Diesel fuel is burned in the process, generating CO2 emissions. Under the banner of TGS, electrification of the rough terrain crane product line is one of the key efforts for lowering product emissions. Other mainstay TGS initiatives include the Tadano E-Pack and the ability of most cranes manufactured by Tadano in Europe to be operated with reduced-emissions
fuels like hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) without modification. Tadano’s innovative E-Pack solution is currently available in Europe, and soon it will be available in Japan. The E-Pack allows crane operation without starting the engine. This electrohydraulic system quickly connects to the crane to deliver the ultimate in zeroemission and low-noise operation. E-Pack’s intelligent electric motor control system ensures efficient power use at a lower operating cost versus diesel-powered cranes. “In the spirit of greater harmony, Tadano contributes to a better global environment as a part of the surrounding society,” said Toshiaki Ujiie, president, CEO and representative director of Tadano Ltd. “We have set aggressive goals for lowering both operational and product emissions, and we will partner with industry leading companies to attain those goals. In conjunction with previous product innovations to lower CO2 emissions, we are excited to introduce the first battery/electric rough terrain crane, which will be a key driver for our goal of 35 per cent reduction in product CO2 emissions by 2030.” www.cranesandlifting.com.au
AAAAND IT’S
LIVE!
Online Lift Planner
The Franna Lift Planner provides customers with a simple tool to complete lift assessments, enabling more efficient planning and encouraging safer practices around the job site.
For more information contact the Franna team today: T: 1800 837 395 E: franna@terex.com
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UP FRONT / SANY AND TBHL&S
As industry demands the lifting of larger elements, larger modules, and extended heights, the requirements on crane capacities have increased significantly.
SANY 800T CRAWLER PASSES FIRST TEST WITH FLYING COLOURS The East Coast operations for Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift (TBHL&S) recently took delivery of the Sany SCC8000A 800-tonne capacity lattice boom crawler. It is the largest capacity crane on the East Coast. Scott De La Rue, TBHL&S projects & heavy lifting manager East Coast, provides background information to the new Sany 800t capacity crawler and what TBHL&S has been doing with the crane since its arrival. “AS INDUSTRY DEMANDS THE LIFTING of larger elements, larger modules, and extended heights, the requirements on crane capacities have increased significantly. TBHL&S saw a gap in the market for large capacity cranes on the East Coast. This is the main reason why we examined the capabilities of the 800t Sany and we decided it was the crane for our operations,” said De La Rue. The SCC8000A features 99 metres of main boom in standard crane, 111m of
12 / CAL May/June 2022
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main boom with superlift attached, 123m of mixed (heavy and light) main boom in standard crane, 147m of mixed main boom and full superlift. The crane also comes with 168m of power boom, which includes 3.5m sections that are fitted into the boom and it features a super power boom. This is made up of two booms side by side for a certain portion of the main boom. TBHL&S has also purchased the crane with a short fixed wind jib that can be used to install wind turbines over 100t at a hook height of 175m. It also has a full luffing fly of 96m that can lift up to 68t at 194m hook height. “We bought every option for the crane. We have the superlift and the power boom, which provides an increase to the torsional strength of the boom at increased heights. It also features the wind turbine short fly and the large luffing fly. This crane has greater capacities than anything else on the East Coast market right now,” said De La Rue. “The Sany is perfect for the heavy work and lifts in large infrastructure projects. It is ideal for large and heavy bridge builds or removals such as the one we completed recently. The Sany SCC8000A is also very suitable for the work coming on the next generation of wind turbines, no other crane in the East Coast market has the capabilities for heavy lifting at large radius or extreme heights. “With 800t capacity it is well suited for heavy industry and we are working on quotes for customers operating refineries, mine sites as well as oil and gas facilities. I’ve mentioned its relevance to the infrastructure space and we’ve also been quoting on marine work as well,” he said. De La Rue went on to explain how busy the Sany SCC8000A has been and provides details regarding the projects it has worked on. “We recently removed an old pedestrian bridge, which had spanned the rail line at Auchenflower in Brisbane. The lift involved the removal of the 221t pedestrian bridge. The load was lifted at 30.5m radius, which the SCC8000A performed with ease. We had to lift the bridge with a 30 per cent safety factor, which meant we had to be good for over 270t capacity, which we were www.cranesandlifting.com.au
The SCC8000A features 99m of main boom in standard crane, 111m of main boom with superlift attached, 123m of mixed (heavy and light) main boom in standard crane, 147m of mixed main boom and full superlift.
able to manage easily. Using 300t of the available 390t of superlift counterweight, the bridge lifted at 72 per cent capacity of chart with the superlift tray at the minimum radius of 16m. “Countless hours of planning and engineering went into this project. The extremely restrictive build site on top of a hill with live rail on one side, overhead
Upgrade Program – a $500 million plus Queensland government initiative designed to upgrade stations across the South East Queensland network, to make them accessible for all customers. “The bridge was approximately 70-years-old and, due to our extensive planning, we were able to remove it during a rail possession on a weekend at the end
“We bought every option for the crane. We have the superlift and the power boom, which provides an increase to the torsional strength of the boom at increased heights. It also features the wind turbine short fly and the large luffing fly.” powerlines on the other side, a car park not long enough to assemble the boom, and large trees at each end presented TBHL&S with many challenges. Many said it couldn’t be done but we were able to overcome these problems safely and efficiently. As a result of the planning the lift was executed perfectly,” he said. Queensland Rail is upgrading Auchenflower station to improve accessibility and make it easier and safer for customers to use. The works are part of the Queensland Rail Station Accessibility
of March. As I’ve said, the most difficult part of the project was the site, which complicated the build of the crane to get it ready for the lift,” said De La Rue. The rigging for the lift was also complex. A 300t capacity spreader bar featured at the top with two 170t spreaders bars below. Four sync hoist inline hydraulic jacks were also utilised by TBHL&S to allow for very specific sling lengths required to compensate for an offset center of gravity and also to slightly rotate the bridge midair to land it evenly onto sloping ground. May/June 2022 CAL / 13
UP FRONT / SANY AND TBHL&S
suggestions into the more recent models. “We can see Sany is in this for the long haul, and they recognise large capacity cranes like the SCC8000A provide the perfect platform to showcase their rapidly improving technical prowess and quality. An organisation like ours needs to be confident the crane will withstand the rigours of the work we perform. And they need to perform over an extended period of time, ensuring they are well utilised assets providing a significant return on investment. Sany is engineering longevity into the cranes we are seeing today,” said De La Rue. “The mobilisation of the crane to the Auchenflower project was a challenge in itself as 52 trailers were required. These included one eight-row platform, two 100t floats and three 50t floats, while the rest were oversized flat tops. “The crane goes together quite nicely but there was a fair amount of slave cranage needed, with 300t and 130t capacity all terrains required for a couple of days to build the crane. However, this was largely due to the difficult build site, with an open
The Sany is perfect for the heavy work and lifts in large infrastructure projects. It is ideal for large and heavy bridge builds or removals, such as the one completed recently.
De La Rue provided more detail about the planning that went into the and how it was a collaborative effort by the TBHL&S team to be able to complete the lift safely. “The first stage involved a feasibility study to ensure we would be able to get the crane into the right position. I worked with a couple of my team members on the various elements of the study. As far as the engineering plans for the lift were concerned, our engineering team based in TBHL&S Western Australia worked on this part of the project. “The process involved three different engineers who were tasked with the various elements of the project. Obviously, we have a significant advantage on being able to draw on the greater capabilities of the TBHL&S organisation when it comes to projects like this,” he said. De La Rue and his team were impressed with the performance of the Sany SCC8000A. “In my opinion, this crane is a quantum leap for Sany. The crane operates beautifully and everything about the crane 14 / CAL May/June 2022
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“In my opinion, this crane is a quantum leap for Sany. The crane operates beautifully and everything about the crane is finished off really nicely.” is finished off really nicely. I would say the gap between the brands in this class from Europe has significantly narrowed. The quality of this crane is there for all to see. “Our operator was really impressed with the performance and said it was as good as any crane he had operated, and he is a very experienced operator with years of heavy lift experience. Even the inspector who conducted the CraneSafe said it was a big step forward for a Chinese product, and he should know,” he said. “TBHL&S has been involved with the Sany product for some time and we have been impressed with the approach of the Sany factory. They have worked closely with our teams, listened to our feedback and suggestions when it comes to improvements to the machines, and they have worked hard to engineer our
and flat space we could comfortably build this with one of our SANY SCC1300TB telescopic boom crawlers,” he said. De La Rue can see the SCC8000A is going to be a well utilised asset for TBHL&S. “We’ve been working on the front end engineering for a number of projects which are in the pipeline. The crane will be on Sydney & Brisbane projects for the foreseeable future. “TBHL&S now has the largest capacity crane permanently based on the East Coast and this provides us with a leading edge on major projects. Combined with our engineering and turnkey project capabilities, TBHL&S stands alone in our comprehensive ability to deliver competitive and efficient packages for our clients,” he said. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
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WA
QLD, NT, VIC, SA, TAS, NSW, ACT
Robert Smith 0436 307 679 E: sany@ronco.com.au
Peter Lawgall (QLD,NT,NSW,ACT) 0411 256 388 E: Peter.lawgall@tuttbryant.com.au Philip Chadwick (VIC,SA,TAS) M: 0457 510 097 E: Philip.Chadwick@tuttbryant.com.au
CICA PRESIDENT’S REPORT
THE CRANE SECTOR WILL ALWAYS PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE
Throughout the devastating flooding seen by the nation in March and April we saw crane businesses step up and help those in most need. Although our industry continues to face many challenges, we know our capabilities and our self-belief will be important to see us manage the increasing demand on our collective services. THROUGHOUT THE LAST FEW MONTHS, things have been opening up again, restrictions are easing, and life is moving into a post-Covid phase. We’ve since had our Victorian and New South Wales Industry Days, which were of a high standard and well attended. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, and participants from outside of the crane industry found the days particularly informative. The regional day in Bathurst went well and branch meetings have also been growing in numbers. It is great to see more and more members becoming invested and working towards positive outcomes. ROAD VEHICLE SERVICES ACT Under the former Motor Vehicle Standards Act (MVSA), the crane industry was exempt from complying with the Australian Design Rules (ADR) due to the width of vehicles, steering, and other design features that are unique to cranes and how they operate safely on-site. The MVSA was superseded by the Road Vehicle Standards Act (RVSA). While the MVSA was in desperate need of reform, it was becoming increasingly clear that the complexity and major significant costs of the RVSA’s legislative and regulatory requirements, as well as pandemic-linked workplace and supply chain disruptions causing major delays for businesses, was making the 12-month transition period to full RVSA impossible to meet. Without changes, the RVSA would have had marked negative consequences for the 16 / CAL May/June 2022
crane industry, which was compounded by the fact that neither CICA nor the crane manufacturers were consulted (or invited for consultation) until May 2021, one month prior to implementation of the Act. CICA lobbied the Department for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development for sufficient extra time to work through the issues and make adjustments to the new RVSA requirements. A simple amendment to the Road Vehicle Standards (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2018 was passed in Federal Parliament in March to extend the current transitional year by 12 months from current deadline of 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023. This was an important achievement for our industry and we appreciate the bi-partisan support from both sides of Parliament for this reasonable solution. FEDERAL ELECTION At the time of writing, the date of the Federal Election has just been announced, but by the time this report goes to print, the outcome will have been determined. Regardless of the result, we know that a low interest rate economy reduces government stimulus options and skews it toward spending on infrastructure. With the potential of the Russian war in Ukraine spilling into Europe, the growing aspirations of imperialism by China, the prominence of manmade climate change as a key community issue, Covid recovery, and a renewed focus on local manufacturing to reduce international dependency, for
CICA president Tom Smith
example, in areas such as semi-conductor shortages; we know investment in critical infrastructure will be supported by the newly elected federal government. HELPING OUT This issue you’ll see how Lindores Mobile Cranes quickly despatched its Frannas and crew to help with the clean-up of the devastation from the Queensland floods in March. Chantelle Lindores and her crew make me extremely proud to be a part of the crane industry and on behalf of CICA, I thank them for their quick action and willingness to help their community, especially those in need. Our thoughts go out to those in Queensland and New South Wales who were impacted and now face the difficult task of rebuilding. I also extend this gratitude to all members and volunteers who have pitched in and helped during these unforeseen events. CRANE OPERATOR TRAINEESHIPS Traineeships continue to be a major focus for CICA, as we are acutely aware of the need to replenish our retiring workforce with competent operators. Hopefully, by the time you are reading this, the WA traineeship has been given the go-ahead. This has been a long time coming and I thank Anthony Grosser and the WA branch executive for their vision and perseverance. I would also encourage our experienced folk to consider taking on a trainee, you will be contributing to the next generation of crane operators and the Federal www.cranesandlifting.com.au
Government trainee rebates are there to assist. We are all where we are because someone was willing to invest in us, at some stage. HRWL AND CREWSAFE The High-Risk Work Licence for Crane Operators is currently undergoing a welcome and necessary review. As we head towards winter, and the potential downtime due to storms and wind, please consider using this time to have your crew complete CrewSafe assessments. This standardised Verification of Competency for the crane industry uses the peer assessment model, which has been found to be the most effective model as: it is not just a ‘tick box’ or ‘teach to the test’ exercise; the people who know the crane best are assessing the operator’s competency, using preloaded assessments and an obstacle course to test knowledge and practical ability; CrewSafe reinforces an internal safety culture and builds a web of accountability within your organisation; you are able to identify knowledge gaps among your team and address them; and assessments can be done during ‘downtime’ on site. 2022 CICA NATIONAL CONFERENCE The CICA Conference planning is well underway, with Underwriting Agencies of Australia (UAA) as this year’s platinum sponsor. CICA is very appreciative of UAA’s tremendous support. Remember to keep 10–12 November free. IT’S A WRAP And finally, Cranes and Lifting magazine are moving from a bimonthly magazine to a monthly magazine. The magazine has really grown in size and quality over the last couple of years, a testimony to the hard work of Simon Gould and his team. So you’ll be seeing more, albeit shorter CICA President updates from now on. Thank you for your support and interest, stay safe. Tom Smith CICA president managing director – McKay United 0439 130 567 www.cranesandlifting.com.au
CICA BOARD Tom Smith – President Ben Pieyre – Vice President Danny Adair – Director Danny Black – Director Andrew Esquilant – Director Marcus Ferrari – Director David Solomon – Director Bart Sutherland – Director
CICA OFFICE Brandon Hitch Chief Executive Officer 03 8320 0444 04 2822 8048 ceo@cica.com.au
Damien Hense CICA Road Policy Advisor 03 8320 0460 04 8800 7575 damien@cica.com.au Jed Kenwright Road Technical Engineer 04 3955 6867 jed@cica.com.au Julie Turner CICA Executive Assistant / Office Manager/Vic Secretariat Direct: 03 8320 0411 Email: julie@cica.com.au
Paul Arztenhofer Membership Engagement/Business Development Specialist 04 9093 9274 paul@cica.com.au
Ashleigh Gould CraneSafe and CrewSafe Administration Officer NSW/ACT QLD & NT Branch Sectretariat Direct: 03 8320 0466 04 0371 7626 Email: ashleigh@cranesafe.com.au
Alice Edwards Technical Project Engineer 03 8320 0440 alice@cica.com.au
Michelle Verkerk Marketing Communications Officer 040 493 8714 michelle@cica.com.au
Patrick Cran CraneSafe and CrewSafe Technical Advisor 048 800 4274 pat@cranesafe.com.au
Unit 10, 18–22 Lexia Place, Mulgrave Vic 3170 Phone: 03 9501 0078 Fax: 03 9501 0083 Email: admin@cica.com.au Website: www.cica.com.au
For information, please visit our website or call the CICA office.
May/June 2022 CAL / 17
CICA MEMBER PROFILE
The Frannas – a 20t and 25t with Superlift – were despatched to a property Bundamba. The crews said it was hard to comprehend the levels of devastation.
LINDORES FRANNAS IN FLOOD CLEAN UP Following the devasting floods in early March, Crane Industry Council of Australia member Lindores Mobile Cranes despatched Frannas and crew to help with the clean up process. CHANTELLE LINDORES, MANAGING director of Lindores Mobile Cranes takes up the story. “The first lift was in Bundamba, a suburb of Ipswich, which was absolutely decimated in the floods. I volunteered to help with our Frannas after a call out from the Ipswich Mud Army, which helped mobilise hundreds of volunteers during the clean up process “The Frannas, a 20t and 25t with Superlift, were despatched to a property called High Tides in Cornish Street, Bundamba. When they got to site, the crews said it was hard to comprehend the levels of devastation. The smell was revolting, there was debris everywhere, the place was an absolute mess. 18 / CAL May/June 2022
“The owner had lost everything including his 4WD business, which had been washed down to the back of his property. Before the flooding, they were told it wouldn’t be worse than the 2013 floods. They took everything out of the house for those floods, having been totally devastated and losing everything in the 2011 floods. So they moved everything in 2013 in fear of being flooded but it didn’t get to the house. On the advice they were given, they thought they were OK this time and left everything in the house, absolutely everything,” said Lindores. The Frannas conducted a dual lift on a Panelfab site shed that had been washed up and was leaning against the
house. The owners had been using the shed as a pottery barn to conduct pottery classes in. “It needed to be a dual lift because the site shed was completely sodden and unstable, and we had concerns it could shift during the lift, causing more damage to the house or to the shed itself. The owners had lost just about everything and the little they could retrieve was left outside the house to dry out and these possessions were stolen by looters over a few nights. After putting the shed back into place what you don’t see is the effort these people need to go to, to rebuild their lives. It is so, so sad,” said Lindores. She volunteered to help these people www.cranesandlifting.com.au
after a call out from the Ipswich Mud Army. Hundreds of generous volunteers inundated flooded homes armed with cleaning supplies, brooms and shovels across Ipswich’s flood impacted suburbs. Local Disaster Management Group chair Mayor Teresa Harding welcomed the volunteers as clean up efforts ramp up, now that it is safe to do so. “It is important volunteers keep safe during the recovery clean up,” Mayor Harding said. “It’s great to see spontaneous volunteering and community helping community wherever needed. “I want to thank everyone who came together today to help us get the city back up on its feet. “Ipswich people rally around each other and I am seeing it everywhere I go – the grit and resilience of the Ipswich community. “My fellow Councillors and I are touched by the selflessness of our volunteers and responders on the ground, and the comfort they are spreading to those going through a truly traumatic experience.” Local Resilience and Recovery Group chair Councillor Kate Kunzelmann said volunteers gave the flood-impacted residents more than just clean floors. “Our community wants to help, and when the volunteers entered homes today, they also gave people some hope and let them know they are not alone,” Kunzelmann said. “We ask anyone who wants to volunteer to take their own protective clothing and supplies and don’t park in front of rubbish piles, as our kerbside collection trucks continue picking up flood waste.” Council is working with Volunteering Queensland in coordinating assistance for residents and businesses who have registered their need for help with council. The second lift required a 20t Franna and dogman travelling to Goodna, which is another suburb of Ipswich, this time to lift a displaced container full of pallet racking. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
A 20t Franna and dogman travellied to Goodna, this time to lift a displaced container full of pallet racking.
“It’s great to see spontaneous volunteering and community helping community wherever needed.” Lindores says the crew didn’t see the same levels of devastation as the Ipswich Mud Army had already tidied up. “The Mud Army had already been through the area but there was nothing they do about the container, it was sitting in the dirt just like an elongated a diamond. It was amazing to see how simply containers can balance on their edges. “The lift was a little complicated because the container was being held
up by a star picket and access to the site was tight. We had to get the Franna under a car port, which only allowed 20mm of tolerance. We had to work with a tree immediately situated to the right of the Franna and there was a mound of gravel immediately in front of the crane. “But we were able to manage the lift and we got the container back into position safe and sound,” said Lindores. May/June 2022 CAL / 19
CICA NSW INDUSTRY DAY
CICA NSW INDUSTRY DAY A BIG SUCCESS In mid March, the New South Wales division of The Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) staged its Industry Day in Western Sydney’s Parramatta.
THE CICA INDUSTRY DAY PRESENTED A forum for both crane hire companies, related businesses, and Sydney’s major building and construction firms. The Industry Day attracted over 100 delegates and the interaction between the different groups proved a popular formula. A broad range of topics were presented during the day, which was mc’d by Anthony Heeks, managing director of Pace Cranes and vice chair of CICA NSW. Jeff Wilson kicked off proceedings reflecting on how the crane sector has developed over the last 50 years. He provided the example of how all terrains have progressed from a maximum lifting capacity of 50t, 50 years ago, to 1,200t capacity today. He also highlighted how construction processes have changed to reflect this progress, with construction design and methodology based on the availability of the capacities in today’s cranes. Finlease generously sponsored the appearance of economist and the ‘media’s money man’ Peter Switzer. He posed the question: “In 2022 are we facing an economic doomsday or a boom?” He highlighted many of the key economic indicators that have market analysts a little nervous, including increasing interest rates
Finlease generously sponsored the appearance of economist Peter Switzer who posed the question “In 2022 are we facing an economic doomsday or a boom”.
in the US, the Ukraine conflict, fresh outbursts of Covid, a looming federal election, and unions pushing for six per cent wage rises. But he also confirmed the Australian economy is very strong, with unemployment down to four per cent, tourism – the third largest
export for Australia – is back, and the Central Bank is impressed with the way the economy is rebounding postCovid. Switzer credited the JobKeeper program for keeping the economy on track during the pandemic and concluded 2022 would reflect other major economies that are predicting a
The Industry Day presented a forum for both crane hire companies, related businesses, and Sydney’s major building and construction firms.
20 / CAL May/June 2022
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24.03.22 13:47
CICA NSW INDUSTRY DAY
Alice Edwards, technical project engineer with CICA, made a presentation regarding multi crane lift operations and the challenges of tailing lifts.
fast growing global economy, postpandemic. Michael Selinger, partner in Sydney law firm Holding Redlich, presented a number of case studies around the topic ‘Contractor or Employee’. This remains a grey area for many industries, with various courts handing down varying outcomes. Selinger concluded there still wasn’t enough clarity on the subject. Alice Edwards, technical project engineer with CICA, made a presentation regarding multi-crane lift operations and the challenges of tailing lifts. Kane Fuller from Fuller Mobile Cranes, Stephan Bercherand from Preston Hire, the team from WGC Freo Orange, and Dave Brown from Two Way Cranes presented lift case studies and recently completed projects for their businesses. Brandon Hitch, CICA CEO, provided a national overview of activities and started by acknowledging the passing of three CICA Life Members, Rob Way, Bob Parker, and John Gillespie. They will be sadly missed. His presentation confirmed 100,000 cranes had been inspected over the last 20 years through the CraneSafe program and the data captured from these inspections had been used to lobby authorities to the benefit of CICA members. Hitch also confirmed CICA’s role 22 / CAL May/June 2022
in harmonising standards around the globe and how CICA is working with Standards Australia and ISO in adopting international standards. He also spoke about the proactive role CICA is playing with the International Crane Stakeholders Assembly. Transport for New South Wales Working Group, including Pete Church, Cam Wheatley, Brian Sheedy, and Andrew Taylor, presented the progress being made on the Dogging and Rigging Handbook. They explained this is a work in progress project and when the details are finalised, the handbook will assist in ensuring the correct rigging equipment is being specified for any particular lift. The final presentation of the day was also very interesting. Moderated by recent retiree Paul Churchill, the panel included Angela McDonald from Worksafe NSW, Kenny Smith from AW Edwards, Ian Sheils from Lendlease, David Solomon from the Masters Builders Association NSW, Ryan Melrose from Melrose Cranes,
and John March from JPM Cranes. The question and answer panel session covered a number of important topics including the importance of lift plans and lift studies and how frustrating it can be to a crane hire business to agree on a lift plan and get the crane to site, only to find the configuration of the site, and therefore the lift, have completely changed. The session also covered the importance of Safe Work Method Studies (SWMS) when it comes to High Risk Construction Work (HRCW) and how the compliance processes for SWMS could be streamlined by Tier One builders. The conversations were robust but overwhelmingly positive and it was obvious the audience was highly engaged with a detailed question and answer session with the panel to conclude the day. CICA should be commended for bringing the different elements of the construction industry together to better understand the challenges we all face.
“The question and answer panel session covered a number of important topics including the importance of lift plans and lift studies.”
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IN FOCUS / PALFINGER AND RC LIFT AND SHIFT
The fly jib enables the Palfinger to get into windows for example or to get up and above gantry cranes and other hard to reach spaces.
EMBRACING PALFINGER’S INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
RC Lift and Shift may be a relative newcomer to the Brisbane crane market, but owner and director Andrew Popp is forward thinking when it comes to the equipment he wants to offer customers. He recently took delivery of the first Palfinger PCC 57.002 crawler crane to be delivered into the country. MR POPP IS AN OWNER OPERATOR WHO, IN 2019, set up a crane truck business called Coast and Country Crane Trucks. Based in Park Ridge on the south side of Brisbane, and with a new name of RC Lift and Shift, he services various industry sectors in South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales. However, Mr Popp is prepared to travel for his clients and has completed projects in Moree, Gympie and as far as Townsville, Cloncurry, and Sydney. Mr Popp provides some more detail regarding the new Palfinger crawler crane. “The Palfinger PCC 57.002 is a knuckle 24 / CAL May/June 2022
boom crawler crane. You would normally associate knuckle booms with a crane truck. The crane has a load moment of 52.7 MT [typical rating of knuckle boom cranes] and, if you compare charts, it would be competing with a 25–30t all terrain,” he said. “One of the benefits of the crane is its compact size. When it is folded in on itself it only measures 5.9m in length x 1.9m in width. Depending on the configuration it weighs between 19t and up to 26t and features 5t of counterweight. Within minutes it can further disassemble itself with the heaviest item, the superstructure,
weighing 12t. The counterweight is slightly different to those on all terrains for example, because the crawler crane doesn’t need the counterweight if it can be set up on full outriggers. “The purpose of the counterweight is primarily to maintain the lifting capacity of the crane when you are working on short outriggers because there isn’t enough space for full outrigger widths. It also increases pick and carry capacity and it provides full lifting capacity if you are working with the crawler tracks disconnected from the super structure,” said Mr Popp. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
The crane has the ability to shift sideways as well as backwards and forwards on its outriggers, similar to the way a dragline walks. This enables the crane to get into positions where other types of cranes can’t get to Mr Popp explained. “It is a really beneficial feature, and I can’t think of another crane that has it. You can pick yourself up onto the outriggers and get over the top of obstacles or cross ditches or small excavations on a construction site. Shifting presents another great advantage when set up in restricted spaces on short outriggers. By shifting the crane inbetween lifts it can archive full outrigger lengths to the required working side and increase its lifting capacity without having to actually move the crane. “The main benefit of this shifting ability is you can disconnect the superstructure from the crawler crane, which enables you to access entrances or doorways as low as 2.1m in height. You can ‘walk’ on the outriggers through the doorways with the crawler unit, which incorporates the diesel and electric powerpack, following the crane. It is a very clever feature of the crane. “You can also operate with the crawler unit disconnected. If you were working in an environment where diesel emissions are unacceptable, and three-phase power isn’t available, the PCC57.002 has 13m of hydraulic hose, which enables you to walk the crane on its outriggers inside the building whilst the power pack unit remains outside. This is another smart feature of the crane,” he said. The PCC57.002 is equipped with a hydraulic, six-section fly jib, which is great for the really difficult to reach spaces. “The hydraulic fly jib is also a great feature. You can go straight up with the main boom and then extend the fly jib to get into windows for example, or to get up and above gantry cranes and other hard to reach spaces. The crane also has a 3.5t winch mounted to it and features a running rope that can be used with up to a four part of line,” said Mr Popp. “The crane also comes with a workman basket, which is fully certified to work as an EWP [elevated work platform] www.cranesandlifting.com.au
in Australia. The workman basket is monitored by the electronics of the crane, with the remote control hardwired to the basket. The crane automatically knows when the basket is attached, and the speed of the crane is reduced to comply with EN280 Workman Basket Standards. “I also ordered a couple of different lifting attachments for the crane, which are similar to the rhino hooks known from articulated cranes. These relocate the lifting point from the bottom of the boom to the front of the boom and to about the same height as the top of the boom. These are ideal for working in restricted height situations.” The PCC57.002 crawler crane features a hybrid engine concept that includes a 3.6-litre Tier V rated diesel engine from Caterpillar. You can also use 32 amp three-phase power onsite to eliminate engine noise, vibrations, and emissions. This is ideal if the crane is working in food processing areas, factories, shopping centres, or on a site in the city overnight when noise is unacceptable. The PCC57.002 provides a sustainable approach to lifting. If the crane is on a job site with three-phase power available, simply plug the crane in and there is no fuel consumption, zero emissions, and all features work without the loss of speed or capacity. The crane is fully remote controlled, which enables the operator to always place
himself in the safest location, “hand’s on”, close to the work and will also reduce the need for additional riggers on site. Another interesting feature is a set of forks that can be attached to the outriggers. This enables the crane to carry up to 3t of load along the side of the crane. This feature is ideal for transporting steel beams, columns, or other long items, and negates the need for a forklift or transporting the goods on a truck. Mr Popp explains his history with Palfinger products. “I have had some experience with Palfinger products in Germany, including operating a Palfinger PK150.002 knuckle boom crane with a 116MT rating, so, for some time, I have been aware of the quality of Palfinger products. When I started my business, I had my eye on setting up a large truck-mounted knuckle boom crane, but I had to get myself established in the construction sector first. “My initial plan was to purchase a second crane truck with a much bigger crane. But I looked at the overseas markets, compared to the Australian market, and I can see the Australian construction sector starts following trends where builders are wanting to extract every last inch from a building site, and access for cranes is getting tighter and lifts more difficult. “The Palfinger PCC57.002 crawler crane is going to be ideal in these scenarios. It is a very versatile and compact machine and an Andrew Popp likes the compact nature of the Palfinger.
May/June 2022 CAL / 25
IN FOCUS / PALFINGER AND RC LIFT AND SHIFT
excellent heavy lifter for its size. I started researching the crane around September 2020 and, in November, I approached Palfinger Australia for pricing and with questions I couldn’t answer myself. Dave Murray from Palfinger has been very helpful in terms of organising and planning the whole project,” he said. The crane is the first of its kind to arrive in Australia and it brings ‘not seen before’ innovation to the market. Mr Popp is excited by this and is confident the crane will provide him with a competitive advantage. “In my opinion, it is time the Australian market embraced new innovations. Compared to other world markets I would say the Australian construction and crane sectors are, in some aspects, still a few years behind when it comes to embracing innovation and new technologies,” he explained. “There is also still a strong, negative opinion surrounding crane trucks or knuckle boom cranes in the industry. The days where a crane truck was good enough to load and unload itself are long gone but many people still share that point of view. “We’ve seen some improvement in recent years, but I wanted to make a push with this crane. It features innovation not seen before in this country and these features enable me to think outside the square when it comes to planning and executing lifts. There is always a safe solution to a problem,” he said. Mr Popp was prepared to pay the premium for the Palfinger PCC57.002 crawler crane. “Yes, it was the most expensive machine in this class, and there are a couple of manufacturers with similar products, but I wanted the extra functionality that the crane provides and Palfinger guaranteed the workman basket would comply with our standards and it would be approved for EWP work. The other brands couldn’t make this guarantee,” he said. “Palfinger have been very helpful throughout the whole process. If I had questions, they were always prepared to answer them. And if the question couldn’t be answered immediately, they would do their research 26 / CAL May/June 2022
The crane also comes with a workman basket, which is fully certified to work as an EWP in Australia.
“Currently, we are recognised as delivering a ‘one stop shop’, which includes the ability to deliver materials to a construction site and lifting them to where they need to be.” and then come back with the answer.” Mr Popp started the business with a Mitsubishi 8x4 truck fitted with a front- mounted 24TM capacity HIAB 244 E-8HIPRO. “The crane has an eight-section boom with 21m of reach and it features a winch as well. We recently added the Palfinger crawler crane, which is a significant investment for the business. I also invested in a flattop car trailer, which also features a small crane, and I am using this as a rigging trailer for the crawler crane so I can get my rigging gear to site. The trailer crane has a 1.5t capacity is Australian made by Kevrek in Perth,” he said. In the start-up phase, one of Mr Popp’s first big clients was a Tier 1 contractor’s maintenance depot in close proximity to his depot. In the first 18 months of starting his crane truck business he also started sub-contracting to a number of companies as a rigger and as a crane operator.
“This additional line of work just developed by itself but wasn’t actually part of my original business plans” he said. He found himself on various sites rigging and driving cranes up to 280t capacity Liebherr crawlers as well as rough terrains cranes, all terrain cranes, and Frannas. The added line of work and the purchase of the new Palfinger PCC 57.002 crawler crane led to the change in the business name to RC Lift and Shift, with the RC representing ‘remote controlled’. “With the new Palfinger, I now have the opportunity to broaden my approach to the lifting sector. I am moving forward from being exclusively a crane truckfocused business, with a sideline in rigging and crane operating,” he said. The PCC is going to open up huge opportunities for the business he added. “Currently, we are recognised as delivering a ‘one stop shop’, which includes the ability to deliver materials to a construction site and lifting them to where they need to be. This compares to a service where the materials are off-loaded to site and the builder needs to organise a Franna or city crane to move the materials around the site,” he said. “That’s a big point of difference. I have always been customer-focused and this keeps our customers happy and re-booking our services. “With almost every job, I build in extra time because customers will frequently ask for lifts to be completed when we are onsite. We always try to accommodate the customer whilst we are onsite. “We don’t have a typical customer profile. One day I will receive a call from a member of the public who needs something shifted, and the next I will be working with one of my regular builders delivering or shifting just about anything. I can get the truck crane on site and lift the equipment to the required locations which is huge advantage and point of difference. “Customer service and satisfaction is my highest priority in business. It is the main focus with everything I do because a satisfied customer will continue to use you rather than try another supplier,” he said. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
PCC57.002 | PCC71.002 | PCC115.002
GAME CHANGER IN COMPACT LIFTING LIFETIME EXCELLENCE
13 CRANES 13 27 26 | PALFINGER.COM.AU Palfinger Australia - Head Office: 66 Industrial Avenue, Wacol, Queensland 4076
IN FOCUS / TIDD AND VAMP CRANES New business owner Ross Giammona describes the Tidd pick and carry as a versatile, safe, and reliable first choice to kick start the Vamp Cranes fleet.
TIDD CRANE, THE FIRST CHOICE FOR NEW BUSINESS VAMP CRANES New mobile crane hire and rigging company Vamp Cranes, based in Melbourne, recently welcomed its first Tidd pick and carry crane. With a second being delivered in July, the first is now up and running at Levenswell Road in the Melbourne suburb of Moorabbin. WITH A HUGE 28-TONNE LIFT CAPACITY, 18.64-metre-high tensile full power boom, and unparalleled focus on safety, Vamp Cranes’ new Tidd is proving to be the ideal first crane for this new business. Vamp Cranes owner, Rosario Giammona (Ross), describes the crane as a versatile, safe, and reliable first choice to kick start the fleet. “This is our first dealing with TRT,” said Giammona. “I’ve got friends that own a crane hire company, and they have a Tidd in their fleet. One of my friends, who is a diesel mechanic, engaged in a conversation with me about how reliable and safe the machines are. Recapitulating the fact that these were the safest pick and carry cranes in the market.” 28 / CAL May/June 2022
Giammona has extensive experience and networks in the crane industry. “I’ve been working in the crane industry for over 15 years and four of those were devoted to construction. I initially learned to operate cranes with a company that used to make concrete panels,” he explained. “Before our new business venture, I was managing an entire yard. I can operate mobile cranes, tower cranes, crawler cranes, pick and carry cranes, basically anything with a lifting capacity. “Since accepting delivery of our first Tidd, it wasn’t long before she was on the job site, and we quickly saw the value the crane had for us. “The crane has been very busy working on different projects from the
day it was delivered,” said Giammona. Currently, the Tidd is being used to support a major program of construction work for Ryman Healthcare Villages, along with other civil and precast panel duties. “The crane has been installing shutters, unloading waterproof semitrailers, rotating precast panels, and lifting and lowering equipment,” said Giammona. “I was introduced to one of the site supervisors for Ryman Healthcare and we got talking about the Tidd crane. Conversations started on how awesome it was to see a New Zealand manufactured product on site for another Australian business that started in New Zealand. “Between Ryman Healthcare and www.cranesandlifting.com.au
The safety focus of the crane and the way in which it mitigates risks to stakeholders and protects staff was a significant factor that influenced Vamp Cranes’ decision to purchase the Tidd.
some other major civil construction projects, the Tidd pick and carry crane was the ideal lifting solution we needed to gain traction in those areas of the industry.” “The safety focus of the crane in the way in which it mitigates risks to stakeholders and protects staff was a significant factor that influenced our decision. “The construction sectors are constantly evaluating their safety on sites, and I believe the Tidd crane is becoming extensively talked about and more popular due to the safety innovations. Setting new standards in articulated crane expectations.” When we asked Giammona what he enjoyed about the service and support from TRT, he said: “Firstly, the support www.cranesandlifting.com.au
from Troy Hand was outstanding and John Mahoney was amazing to deal with. Troy is the type of person that will answer his phone any time of the night. The experience as a whole was really good.” Vamp Cranes is a family business that officially opened its doors to customers in November 2021. It specialises in mobile crane, equipment, operator, and ground staff hire. “We can provide our customers with a mobile crane, an operator, and a ground crew to support their needs with the utmost emphasis on customer contentment,” Giammona explained. “I enjoy the industry and I have been working in it for the majority of my career. In the next four to five years I
“Since accepting delivery of our first Tidd, it wasn’t long before she was on the job site, and we quickly saw the value the crane had for us.”
hope to solidify a strong customer base for the business so I can take a step back from operating the cranes and spend more time with my family.” To order your Tidd, or for more information, phone 07 3890 8800. To contact Vamp Cranes you can email ross@vampcranes.com.au or call +61 401 399 352. May/June 2022 CAL / 29
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IN FOCUS / BRISBANE BUILDERS AND ZOOMLION
BUILDING BRISBANE WITH ZOOMLION Brisbane Builders use the Zoomlion 16t Hammerhead for precast panel jobs, because it has a 16t lifting capacity and 70m of jib.
Brisbane Builders has been working with Zoomlion tower cranes and Zoomlion hoists for many years. Owner and director Jason Habchi talks about the Zoomlion product and the importance he places on the relationship with distributor Nationwide Machinery Group. HABCHI STARTED BRISBANE BUILDERS IN 2007 and the business now specialises in the construction of multi-residential and commercial construction, with projects valued up to $40 to $45 million. At any given time, Brisbane Builders will be running two jobs and operating two crews including foremen, leading hands, and two crane crews. Initially Habchi was renting tower cranes for his projects but, as the business grew, he could see it made economic sense if he owned his own cranes. “As the business and the size of projects grew, I could see the benefits of owning our own cranes,” he said. “We had a project which suited a self-erecting crane and I bought it. I figured we were going to consistently be requiring cranes for our sites and I worked out that, by the time you hire the crane and hire the operator, it made better sense to me to buy one. “My guys are carpenters by trade, and many have been with me for over 10 years. They are now trained as dogmen and crane operators, meaning they can multi-task on our projects. From my foremen to our labourers, everyone has a crane ticket,” he said. The construction process is streamlined, more productive, and efficient as a result of owning and operating his own cranes, says Habchi.
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May/June 2022 CAL / 31
IN FOCUS / BRISBANE BUILDERS AND ZOOMLION
Nationwide Machinery Group is in the process of building a new premises, complete with service bay and bigger facilities to stock more spare parts.
“Because I have my own crane crew and my own cranes, it makes the construction process so much more efficient. Everything is under our control, it is our crane and our crew. And, if a job runs over time, I don’t get stressed about the additional fees involved in hiring the crane and the overtime we are having to pay the crew – it is all in house. “Owning our own cranes and running our own crews saves us a lot of money. By the time you’ve used a crane on two jobs you will be pretty close to paying it off,” he said. Habchi speaks about the relationship he has developed with Shane Rouhan, managing director of Nationwide Machinery Group. “I bought my first crane from Shane, which was a Saez self-erector, and I have been dealing with him ever since. We’ve developed a really good relationship and I’ve gone on to buy several cranes from him. This includes a Zoomlion hammerhead tower crane, which lifts 16 tonnes at 20 metres and features a 70m jib. We also have a Zoomlion topless tower crane with a 6t lifting capacity and 55m jib. The Saez self-erecting tower crane, A Cataneo self-erecting crane and a Cataneo bottom slewing tower crane,” he said. “We use the Zoomlion 16t hammerhead for the precast panel jobs, because it has a 16t lifting capacity and 70m of jib and lifts 3.5t at 70m. It is a decent-sized crane. The Zoomlion 55136 has a 6t lifting capacity and a 55m jib and it will lift 1.3t at that distance. 32 / CAL May/June 2022
This crane is good for block work. With projects up to five levels we use the selferecting crane. “I’m a builder and I don’t pretend to know everything about cranes, so I have come to trust the advice Shane provides. He has vast experience and knowledge when it comes to cranes, he’s honest and I trust his judgement,” said Habchi. Shane Rouhan was born into the crane industry and started working with his father at the age of 14. They had a successful crane hire business
both organisations for the long-term. Tracey Rouhan has over 17 years experience in the crane industry. She worked for Zoomlion overseas department specialising in the Oceanic region and was offered the role of team and organisation leader for the Australian & New Zealand operation, based in Sydney. This led her to joining Nationwide Machinery Group in 2009 as a partner and business manager. With cranes in his blood, Shane’s eldest son, Trent Rouhan, joined the
“Everyone in the Brisbane Building organisation is happy with the Zoomlion product. I have my operators licence and I like operating the cranes. They are easy to operate, they are reliable, and we have never had an issue with them.” and then, in the mid 90s, Shane moved from Ballarat, Victoria to Queensland to start his own business importing used Japanese cranes. In 1999 he started Nationwide Crane Hire and, in 2006, expanded his activities to include buying and selling Chinese crane imports. This was the start of a strong and enduring partnership with Zoomlion. In 2007, Shane and Nationwide Machinery Group were authorised as the sole Australian distributor for Zoomlion cranes. Two years later, Zoomlion’s chairman, chief executive officer and top management team visited Australia to visit Shane and his team. This visit reinforced the mutual cooperation for
family business at 17 as an apprentice diesel fitter. Trent is now the operations manager, making Nationwide Machinery Group a family-run business with three generations possessing a passion for cranes and lifting. Shane has sold, supported, and serviced hundreds of cranes in his time, including importing and selling the first Spierings mobile tower crane in Australia. Nationwide Machinery Group and Nationwide Crane Hire have experienced significant growth over the past few years. Nationwide Crane Hire now boasts a fleet of 14-plus cranes, five trucks and trailers, excavators, and lifting gear such as safety and material cages, etc. The www.cranesandlifting.com.au
Brisbane Builders specialises in the construction of multi-residential and commercial construction, with projects valued up to $40 to $45 million.
business also employs a staff of 24plus, including fitters and mechanics, in Australia. There is also a division in China that helps with purchasing, parts, and technical support. “We build relationships with our customers. We don’t just sell them a crane and walk away, we commit to the relationship long-term by providing ongoing support with spare parts and servicing,” said Shane. “This way, we see customers coming back to us with enquiries for new cranes and we also see customers being referred to us, as was the case with Scott Harris from A1 Lift Crane Hire and so many other long-term relationship customers.” www.cranesandlifting.com.au
Nationwide Machinery Group is in the process of building a new premises, complete with service bay and bigger facilities to stock more spare parts. “The new premises will assist us to further service our customers with 10year inspections and major services like this,” said Shane. Habchi is impressed with the service he receives from Nationwide Machinery Group. “Shane and his team haven’t, and will never, let me down, and it is his experience and the high levels of support we receive, including spare parts availability, that makes Zoomlion a great crane for our business,” he explained.
“Everyone in the Brisbane Building organisation is happy with the Zoomlion product. I have my operator’s licence and I like operating the cranes. They are easy to operate, they are reliable, and we have never had an issue with them. The 16t Zoomlion lifts 10t panels at 35m and it does this all day long every day without missing a beat. “Zoomlion represents value for money. If I priced the 16t tower crane against another European brand, I would be paying three or four times the price. Couple this with Shane’s experience and the support from Nationwide Machinery Group – choosing Zoomlion is a no brainer,” he said. May/June 2022 CAL / 33
CRANE HIRE AND TRANSPORT EXPERTS
CRANES & TRANSPORT 1300 554 458 ı lcrcranes.com.au Wacol ı Port of Brisbane ı Chinchilla ı Blackwater ı Port Moresby ı Lae
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IN FOCUS / HUMMA AND PIVOT CRANE HIRE
HUMMA A WELCOME ADDITION FOR PIVOT CRANE HIRE
For a company like Pivot Crane Hire, they can continue to grow what they offer to customers in the pick and carry market with the recent arrival of the Humma 35 tonne. THE HUSBAND-AND-WIFE TEAM OF SAM and Lorien Welch have faced numerous challenges since starting their business in September 2020. Starting the business during the Covid pandemic was always going to place great demands on the duo, but a strong background in mining, civil construction, and business generally ensured they were prepared for the leap and would overcome the hurdles they encountered. “There was an opportunity in the market to do things differently, we wanted to jump in and capitalise on that and we wanted the flexibility of running our own business,” Welch said. The opportunity was to grow the pick and carry offering in Queensland and northern New South Wales, by providing customers a variety of options including the new Humma UV35-25 35-tonne crane. “We have a diverse customer base, and the work can range from moving precast barriers, to bridgeworks and formwork. The heaviest capacity machine we currently run is our 35t Humma, which allows our team to be agile onsite, but gives us impressive capabilities when performing lifts,” Welch said. It is unsurprising that Welch was drawn to the Humma 35t as it provides the toughness of the mining equipment he is used to whilst ensuring his drivers are comfortable. “We’re quite selective in who we bring on board to ensure they not only have the experience, but also fit with our company culture,” Welch said. “If we want to bring the best on board, we have to ensure we have the best equipment for them to operate, so we always buy the highest quality, and the brand Humma from Peter Dalla Riva and DRA Engineering is testament to this.” www.cranesandlifting.com.au
It is unsurprising that Pivot Crane Hire was drawn to the Humma 35t as it provides the toughness of the mining equipment the Welch’s are used to whilst ensuring the drivers are comfortable.
Peter Dalla Riva, operations director at DRA Engineering, had this to say about the relationship with Pivot Crane Hire. “Sam contacted us in October 2021, enquiring about Humma 35. At the time he was operating two MAC25s. We had recently delivered a Humma 35 Mk3 to Lindores Mobile Cranes and I suggested Sam contact Chantelle Lindores, see the crane, and get Chantelle’s feedback. “Sam was still unsure if he should buy a Humma or stick to MAC25 because he understood the crane but wanted a larger capacity crane with an established performance record. 2021 was the year Humma celebrated 25 years and DRA Group 50 years and, over a number of telephone discussions, I pointed out DRA is a family company and is well respected as a design and build engineering company
with 50 years’ experience with a number of repeat clients. “I told Sam I would like him to buy a Humma, not because DRA was desperate for a sale, but for him to evaluate the performance of Humma 35. I wanted to place another Humma in South East Queensland, Franna’s backyard. I explained the features which are unique to Humma as it is our innovation,” said Dalla Riva. Welch had completed his due diligence, but, in the competitive crane industry, you can’t afford to make a wrong call and he still had some reservations. “I said, take the Humma 35 and, if it does not do what I say it will do over a period of three to six months, return it to us. I reinforced the fact that Humma is a 35t not a 25t and, without the 3,000kg May/June 2022 CAL / 35
IN FOCUS / HUMMA AND PIVOT CRANE HIRE
removeable counterweight, it outperforms both MAC25 and the Tidd because the structure and boom are designed for 35t. “The boom is 2.5m longer, fuel usage is 25 per cent lower, air springs give a smooth, vibration free ride, the top safe speed is 95–100km/h and it is rated the safest pick and carry by Worksafe with the 180° unobstructed front view. The risk was eliminated as he would not be stuck with a capital investment that was a dud and he only had to pay rental for the period,” said Dalla Riva. At the end of April, Welch had been operating the crane for about 10 hours, erecting barriers using Humma 35 as a 25t, and was about to go onto the night shift. “To say Sam was ‘over the moon’ is an understatement. He was lifting 8t loads with the engine idling, no revving like the MAC25, low cabin noise with road driving quality something he had not experienced previously, saying as his business grows, he will be adding more Hummas. He also commented that what I had said about the crane was understated,” said Della Riva. “I said: ‘Sam, Humma 35 Mk3 was released in 2010 and ongoing R&D over 10 years has produced the Mk3, the best in its class.’ For me to receive genuine compliments from a young man working
in the crane industry, saying the Humma features I pointed out were understated, is a real compliment,” said Dalla Riva. Welch added: “The Humma is really comfortable and safe, they have the airbag suspension, which has been impressive. We are often travelling from site to site, and I am comfortable our operators have the safest equipment for being on the road. “Focusing on mobile cranes allows the team to be where the work is, quickly and easily without the need for lengthy setup and pack downs,” said Welch. The Humma UV35-25 35t crane is a highly versatile, high-capacity pick and carry crane. The design emphasis has been placed on the operator ,with safety and comfort key features, while retaining the toughness of a mine quality machine. The removable counterweight makes the crane at home either on an infrastructure project, operating at high capacity, or on the road travelling between jobs. Airbag suspension provides the
“Focusing on mobile cranes allows the team to be where the work is, quickly and easily without the need for lengthy setup and pack downs.”
Pivot Crane Hire saw the opportunity to grow the pick and carry offering in Queensland and northern New South Wales, by providing customers a variety of options including the new Humma UV35-25 35-tonne crane.
36 / CAL May/June 2022
operator with an extremely stable, safe, and smooth ride while, at the same time, reducing maintenance costs as there is no articulation and boom pivot wear. The automotive spec Cummins 8.3L engine is highly fuel efficient with up to 25 per cent fuel savings over comparable machines – a big drawcard for the Pivot Crane Hire team. As standard, the engine is fitted with a Jacobs exhaust brake, which supplies greater stopping power and greatly reduces wear in the standard braking system. All these features combine to produce a very low maintenance machine. Humma UV35-25 has an advanced Load Moment Indicator comprising of Dynamic Load Charts. This system calculates the SWL for the operator for the exact boom angle and articulation angle, which gives the operator their maximum capacity for each position. Stationary load charts are also standard. This provides the operator with a boost in SWL when the crane is stationary.
A fully automatic side slope deration system is included into the software when required. The system includes digital rope compensation. The winch rope is compensated for boom extension digitally, which allows the operator to turn it on or off. This also allows the winch rope to be reeved easily over the top of the booms rather than internally, which greatly improves ease of rope replacement and maintenance. While a relative newcomer to the Queensland market, Pivot Crane Hire has established itself in various sectors. Clients can range from ongoing work with various large infrastructure companies to servicing smaller, local companies such as builders, landscapers, and arborists. “There are plenty of cranes out there, so it’s the service you offer, the relationships you form with clients, and your ability to think outside the box when it comes www.cranesandlifting.com.au
Pivot Crane Hire husband-and-wife team, Sam and Lorien Welch, are very happy with the addition of the Humma Humma UV35-25 35t pick and carry.
to solving problems that sets you apart,” Welch said. Safety is of the upmost importance for Pivot Crane Hire, and the team ensure they excel in always lifting safely across all sites. “We always complete lift studies, safe work method statements, and risk assessments. They are standard when working in the civil environment, and we carry these measures across all our jobs,” Welch said. The Humma 35t compliments these safety requirements well for Pivot Crane Hire. The advanced load moment indicator system calculates the SWL for the operator for the exact boom angle and articulation angle, which gives the user their maximum capacity for each position. The 35t Humma really allows Welch and the team at Pivot Crane Hire to www.cranesandlifting.com.au
diversify the lifts they complete and utilise it on smaller jobs to ensure they have the option of greater capacity. “By scaling up to a 35t machine, we have the extra capacity to take on heavier projects, whilst still remaining agile,” Welch said. “A huge advantage of the Humma has been its fuel economy, along with the quality of manufacturing. We’re proud to tell customers it is designed, engineered, and manufactured here in Australia. We can use it to do the work of a 25t pick and carry when needed, then take on the heavier projects as they arise. This gives us more flexibility and ensures the fleet is fully utilised,” he said. “The Humma appealed to us as every aspect of the crane is designed to reduce wear and tear, minimising downtime. A large part of our infrastructure and civil work is undertaken at night. This frees up
the days for smaller projects. As a result, our cranes are often running 24 hours a day across various projects, spanning sites from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, and further south, so we need to minimise downtime,” Welch said. Building momentum within the business has been a rewarding challenge, and Pivot Crane Hire has gone from strength to strength. From Welch’s perspective, this wouldn’t have been possible without the full support of suppliers, including DRA Engineering. “We’ve formed a great relationship with DRA Engineering. Peter and his team and have been very supportive throughout the delivery of our 35t Humma,” said Welch. “Whilst navigating Covid and border closures, and everything else that the world has thrown at us, the DRA Engineering team have been responsive, flexible and great to deal with. “The market for the Humma is much the same as it is for our Frannas, but the new crane gives us the added flexibility to take on heavier lifts as well as provide clients with the option to take on pick and carry work with a higher safety factor. From a safety standpoint this is a good advantage,” he said. Whilst the Welchs have worked hard to get the business off the ground, they will not be stopping anytime soon. “We’ve been fortunate in that prior to starting out we had built up a strong understanding of business operations, the industry, and put some good support processes in place from the get-go,” Welch said. “If the next five years is anything like the past three, we’ll continue to solidify our reputation in the mobile crane space and possibly look further afield. For us to succeed it will be all about our team and continuing to support them in their roles. “We’re really focused on the service we provide beyond simply lifting things from A to B. For us, it’s about consolidating the relationships we’ve formed with clients, continuing to provide the best possible service, and remaining focused on safety and innovation,” Welch said. May/June 2022 CAL / 37
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IN FOCUS / JYM JV AND TADANO
JOINT VENTURE TO BOOST HEAVY LIFTING CAPACITY FOR JOHNSON AND YOUNG CRANES AND MCKAY UNITED Johnson & Young Cranes along with McKay United have begun a joint venture centred around the crossover ownership of the only three Tadano CC2200s in Australia.
THE VICTORIAN COMPANIES NOTICED A gap in the market for these larger capacity machines and created the JYM brand. The joint venture also purchased two Tadano CC3800s with full SSL, boom boost, and split tray capabilities to allow JYM to focus on the heavy lift operations. The joint venture sees the two parent companies focusing on two separate markets. Johnson & Young Cranes is focusing on large civil infrastructure projects and McKay United is continuing to focus on refinery and port operations.
The crawler cranes allow the JYM team the capability to lift an impressive weight, far exceeding that of the all terrains. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
May/June 2022 CAL / 39
IN FOCUS / JYM JV AND TADANO
The focus of each ensures the joint venture can maximise the use of its fleet and opportunities are magnified. Ben Musson is the heavy lift manager at Johnson Young Mackay and is happy with the performance of the two crawler cranes from Tadano. “McKay purchased both of their CC2200 units in April and November 2017, respectively, with the purchase of the JYC machine coming in April 2019. The first CC3800 arrived in February of 2021 and JYM was born from that,” Musson said. The newly formed JYM fleet is made up of three Demag CC2200s and two CC3800s. The McKay fleet consists of several all terrain units ranging from 16 tonnes to 220 tonnes and the JYC 40 / CAL May/June 2022
fleet has numerous Tadano bubbles. Heavy lifting is in Johnson & Young Crane’s DNA and it is continuing to grow, preparing for new additions to its crane fleet. “The all terrain machines are fantastic pieces of kit. They provide a number of advantages including quick set up times and smaller mobilisation costs, but from a capacity point of view the crawlers will always take the crown,” Musson said. The crawler cranes gives the JYM team the capability to lift an impressive weight, far exceeding that of the all terrains. “The all terrain units are generally mobilised for quick assembly in tight spots with loads up to 150t
with a smaller radius or windfarm maintenance work. By comparison, the CC3800 can lift in excess of 550t at the same radius, or 150t at 50m radius, it’s really horses for courses, but sometimes only a crawler will do,” Musson said. “The crawlers really come into their own on time critical jobs where there are short windows of opportunity which need to be used with maximum efficiency, such as road and rail closures or plant shutdowns. “With the use of the heavy lift crawlers, it is possible to modularise components of a plant or structure into far larger and heavier components, which reduces downtime and increases efficiency, and, more importantly, www.cranesandlifting.com.au
With the use of the heavy lift crawlers, it is possible to modularise components of a plant or structure into far larger and heavier components, which reduces downtime and increases efficiency.
lifts and, more importantly, the bolting of bracings could be performed at ground level. By doing this at ground level we were able to remove the working at height risk and keep other operations productive on the new road alignment. Previously, an exclusion zone would have had to have been in place,” Musson said. “The addition of the girders to the deck modules also removed some potential clash issues with the reinforcement starter bars which interacted during the install, saving time on the program during the occupation. This was only possible with the additional capacity the CC3800 provided,” Musson said. Operating some of the more unique cranes within Australia poses challenges to the JYM team when planning a lift, but clear communication with clients ensures the most efficient lift is completed. “The best outcomes are generally
versatile capabilities with the Vario mast super lift, flex frame, boom booster and split tray than their CC2800 predecessor,” Musson said. “Clients are not always aware of the advantages these options can provide, so our early engagement always produces further positive outcomes in design and the subsequent delivery phase of a project. “I myself am currently working closely on permanent basis with the West Gate Tunnel Project steel installation team on behalf of JYC, to ensure all the advantages of the CC3800 configurations are utilised by the team. “Both JYC and Mckay United have excellent engineering capabilities within their respective teams. Depending on the complexity of the operation, JYM, through the parent companies, have the in-house ability to provide detailed 3D lift plans, 3D rigging arrangements and even 3D
“The all terrain machines are fantastic pieces of kit. They provide a number of advantages including quick set up times and smaller mobilisation costs, but from a capacity point of view the crawlers will always take the crown.” client satisfaction. Lifts are changing as the industry evolves. When you think back, a bridge construction involved 8 or 10 beam lifts and there would be a deck pour and parapet installation. Today, there are one or two single structure lifts with the deck already poured and parapets already attached,” Musson said. The new Tadano CC3800 has been an asset for JYM when completing a number of impressive lifts as a part of Victoria’s big build projects including a level crossing removal for Fulton Hogan at Clyde Road. “We were able to add some additional intermediate deck girders to the original design of the deck modules, which reduced the number of www.cranesandlifting.com.au
achieved when we have early engagement from the client during the initial design phase, this provides the team with an opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of the cranes, which may not always be apparent to the client’s design team. “Often this leads to the opportunity to reduce the number of modules in a structure, which obviously reduces the time required for a road or rail occupation and the site team can perform the construction in a safer, more controlled environment,” Musson said. “With the CC3800s in particular, these models are relatively new to Victoria and even the Australian market, the machines have far more
animation to identify any potential issues or clashes. “We can essentially simulate the entire operation prior to the crane even arriving on site. In the case of the Clyde Road project, the addition of the girders changed the CoG [centre of gravity] of the deck modules. Working closely with the Fulton Hogan Engineers and their partners, along with Edwards Heavy Lift, we were able to design a suitable rigging arrangement to make the changes possible and ensure the load was stable and level at all stages to guarantee a smooth installation during the time critical occupation. “To speed up the install time, we worked closely with the client to May/June 2022 CAL / 41
IN FOCUS / JYM JV AND TADANO
The new Tadano CC3800s have been an asset for JYM completing a number of impressive lifts as a part of Victoria’s big build projects, including a level crossing removal for Fulton Hogan at Clyde Road.
plan the preassembly location of the deck modules and transport delivery location of the precast elements, so that all lifts, notwithstanding the first deck module, could be picked without the requirement of the SL tray. “This removed the need to relocate the SL CW between lifts, massively increasing productivity. All lifts were in
excess of 90t with a max radius of 50m with deck modules just a touch under 110t. “The CC3800 was set up in the SSL1 configuration with a 60m boom and made light work of these lifts. 165t of the 225t superstructure counterweight, 165t of the 325t super-lift counterweight and 13.5m of
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the 21.5m super-lift mast radius was required to maintain all lifts under 90 per cent of crane capacity. “The Vario SL also assists greatly with ensuring that 90 per cent of capacity is not exceeded, which is often a client requirement. Many older crawler models only have the capability to have a set SL radius which cannot be adjusted during the lift – the CC3800 has the ability to fine tune the SL radius to any position while remaining within the capacity chart. This is also advantageous when trying to negotiate the tray and mast past obstacles or in tight set up locations. “Though the non-Vario SL PLMIN charts on older machines generally have some crossover, the versatility of the Vario mast ensures the tray can float with almost any load and, in most cases, remain under the 90 per cent capacity threshold,” he said.
IN FOCUS / ALFASI HIRE Alfasi Hire has two new Liebherr lattice boom crawler cranes, a LR 1130.1 with 137t capacity and a LR 1250.1 with 250t capacity, that have recently joined the fleet.
ALFASI HIRE OPENS IN THE PILBARA
Specialised hire equipment business Alfasi Hire is planning to open a new operation in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Simon Berridge, Western Australia and major projects manager, explains the strategy behind the new branch and the cranes that will be operating in the region. THE FLEET OF NEW CRANES PROVIDES a point of difference for a lot of project managers and subcontractors as Alfasi Hire can offer 2022 compliant elevated work platforms (EWPs), telehandlers, lighting towers, generators, and associated plant in comprehensive equipment packages. With a strong background in quality, safety and environment, Berridge has been in the hire industry for 35 years. Since joining Alfasi Hire in 2010 he has had a number of roles. Berridge started the Sydney operation in 2010 and went on to open the Darwin branch in 2015, which was designed to service activities in the Northern Territory, including the Inpex LNG gas project from 2015–2018. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
He then moved roles to become the major projects and crane manager. More recently, Berridge was appointed as the Western Australia general manager. He retains the portfolio of major projects. With the approval of several key projects in the region, in mid-2021, Alfasi Hire made the decision to open a branch in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. “Alfasi Hire has always taken a progressive approach with the equipment we purchase, including investing in the latest technology in terms of EWPs, scissor lifts, and various types and capacities of cranes,” he explained. “We saw a great opportunity for our type of service in the Pilbara. Our decision
to open an operation there is based on the number of large projects in the pipeline and throughout the region, across various industry sectors, including construction, resources and mining. “With the challenge of Covid restrictions, we were unable to travel, as well and acquiring the required resources and personnel onsite to fully establish the new branch. Now travel restrictions have been lifted we are full steam ahead with the Pilbara branch,” said Berridge. Alfasi Hire began purchasing the required cranes in 2021. Berridge provides details on the types and capacities of cranes being offered by the Pilbara operation. “The new cranes were ordered in 2021 May/June 2022 CAL / 43
IN FOCUS / ALFASI HIRE
and they are starting to arrive in the branch now and we will be ready to open in July. “We have two brand new Liebherr lattice boom crawler cranes. The first is a LR 1130.1, which is the updated model with the latest master 5 control system and a maximum lifting capacity of 137.2 tonnes. The lifting capacity of this crane is quite exceptional and can compete with other brands of cranes in the 150t capacity class,” said Berridge. “We also have a Liebherr LR 1250.1, a 250t capacity crawler. We could see a gap in the WA market for these smaller capacity Liebherr crawlers. Our research showed there were any number of large capacity Liebherr crawlers operating with capacities from 400t, 500t through to 600t, but there weren’t many smaller capacity Liebherr crawlers. Typically, this smaller capacity market is dominated by Japanese manufacturers like Kobelco and HSC. “We decided to bring to the region the leading European brand with these
pressure visualisation providing real time ground pressures with warning zones for safe operation. The reinforced main boom achieves improved lifting capacities and the sophisticated jack-up and self-assembly system allows for fast set-up without the need for an assist crane. The intelligent crane control system guarantees extremely precise load handling, even on construction sites with restricted views as these units have side, winch, and boom cameras. “Alfasi Hire’s investment in the new Pilbara operation doesn’t stop with the new Liebherr’s,” explained Berridge. “We have also purchased a new Tadano GR-900EX-4 and several Terex Franna MAC 25s each with Superlift. We’ve already put the first of these out on a two-year hire contract. We also have a LTR 1100 telescopic crawler crane coming, and this arrives later in the year,” he said. The GR-900EX-4 is part of Tadano’s next generation of rough terrain cranes. These models mark a full model upgrade
“We decided to bring to the region, the leading European brand with these smaller capacities which feature the same operating systems as the larger capacity crane” smaller capacities, which feature the same operating systems as the larger capacity crane, which have been readily accepted in this market,” he said. The LR 1130.1 crawler crane achieves very fast working cycles. Its continuous proportional control allows for simultaneous movements. Moreover, load charts are continuously calculated during operation taking into account wind factors, thus ensuring optimum utilisation of the crane. The crane’s flexible boom configurations offer a wide range of options for different lifting applications. Thanks to the proven jack-up and selfassembly system the crane can quickly be set up without the need for an assist crane. The LR 1250.1 is a newly re-designed crawler crane in the 250t class with additional operator safety systems onboard thanks to the master 5 control system. This allows for various safety inputs, ie. ground 44 / CAL May/June 2022
of the rough terrain cranes in the 60t to 80t lifting class and were developed to have improved performance and work area as well as increase work safety and comfort. With a lifting capacity of 90t, the GR900EX-4 is a highly competitive product among its own class. The MAC 25-4 is a mobile articulated crane with a maximum lifting capacity of 25t. The MAC 25-4 offers maximum safety, excellent roadability, intuitive operation, and unmatched versatility. Over the years its design has been tried, tested, and proven in a range of difficult lifting applications and is still a customer favourite today. A superlift (SL) upgrade is also available on the MAC 25-4 as an additional option. The SL kit works in tandem with the existing MAC 25 counterweight, adding a low-slung additional counterweight piece to the rear of the machine, increasing rated capacity
of the machine up to 30 per cent in some configurations. With a lifting capacity of 100t, a telescopic boom of 52m and an operating radius of 60m, Liebherr’s LTR 1100 combines the features of telescopic cranes with those of crawler cranes. Compared to conventional lattice boom crawler cranes with similar engine power, the LTR 1100 features a shorter set-up time, easier transport and enormous flexibility in use. The crawler travel gear also delivers outstanding off-road capabilities, and it can drive it with a load attached, even on constricted sites or at a lateral angle. The powerful boom has been taken from the telescopic crane and can be extended to any position and lengthened by jibs to suit all requirements. The LTR 1100 also has great transport features – two standard low loaders are all that are required, and the crane erects www.cranesandlifting.com.au
Alfasi Hire’s decision to open an operation in WA was based on the number of large projects in the pipeline and throughout the Pilbara region.
itself at the site, saving time and money. Although the Pilbara region is already serviced by a number of crane hire businesses, including some of Australia’s largest, Berridge is confident with the strategy behind the opening of the new branch. “The region is well serviced by crane businesses but there is a significant amount of work in the pipeline and, with the size of some of the projects, we are confident the type of cranes we are offering will be in high demand,” he said. “Alfasi Hire dry hires equipment so we are not competing with the crane hire businesses. In fact, when it comes to cranes, some of our biggest customers are crane hire companies. ”Alfasi Hire has been hiring cranes since 2010 and it started with a 150t Sumitomo. Since that first crane, the business has predominantly purchased Liebherr. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
“In terms of the brands in our fleet we have largely focused on Liebherr and all of our lattice boom crawlers in the fleet are Liebherrs. “We believe this gives us a competitive advantage in terms of the quality of cranes we are providing to our customers. Liebherr is a highly recognisable brand and a market leader in many crane categories, plus the support from Liebherr in terms of service and spare parts is world class. “A core strength of Liebherr is the products themselves. They are overly engineered and incredibly robust machines. The new .1 versions with the master 5 control system are particularly attractive to the operator with new safety features and numerous enhancements including the ergonomically designed cab, which will make the job not only more comfortable but easier for the operator as well as our customers.
“We obviously assessed the business proposition from other crane OEMs [original crane manufacturers], and we liked the look of models from other brands, but we have a very strong relationship with Liebherr, which has been developed over a number of years. “They have supported us throughout with their warranty and customer service support and the experience and support levels has been excellent. Thus, we were prepared to pay a premium for the Liebherr product,” said Berridge. Alfasi Hire operates 28 cranes on the East Coast and customers operating these include Brady Marine, a number of steel erecting businesses, CPB, and John Holland for major projects, including the West Gate Tunnel Project in Melbourne. Sennebogen telescopic crawlers are also operating on the M6 Gateway project in Sydney. “We have Franna MAC 25s and AT20s May/June 2022 CAL / 45
IN FOCUS / ALFASI HIRE Several Terex Franna MAC 25s, each with superlift, are also joining the fleet.
operating with various customers in the Hunter Valley, and also in Queensland, and we run four Tadano rough terrains of varying capacities,” he said. “The business is focused on providing rugged cranes for the mining applications and the heavy end of the construction sector. Our cranes are normally on hire from between three months and three years, depending on the project. We are not competing in the all-terrain market; this sector is competitive enough.” The Crane Division is one area of the Alfasi Hire’s equipment business. Alfasi Hire operates 3,000 EWPs, telehandlers, lighting towers and other industrial equipment including generators. The fleet of EWPs range from 3.6m to 60m in reach and telehandlers from 2.5t capacity to 13t. Alfasi Hire also offers a range of rough terrain and standard forklifts, spider booms, and a range of specialised equipment. The fleet includes leading
brands like JLG, Haulotte, JCB and Manitou. “As with all of our equipment, we focus on the quality end of the market,” said Berridge. “We run maintenance teams across the cranes and general equipment, and we
also have access to the OEMs for technical support. Alfasi Hire recognises the traditional custodians of the land, and we pay our respects to Indigenous leaders, past and present. We invite you to partner with us in the Pilbara region, and together we can deliver exemplary service.”
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IN FOCUS / PACE CRANES AND MASS HIRE
MASS HIRE’S CONCEPT TO COMPLETION WITH MAEDAS
Sam Maranzano has been in the crane and lifting industry for 10 years and started Mass Hire with one crane in 2016. He talks about his approach to the business and why he chooses to run Maeda telescopic crawler cranes in his fleet. Mass Hire works with customers from the concept of their projects right through to the completion.
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“I WAS THE VICTORIAN MANAGER FOR a crane hire business before deciding I wanted to give my own business a go,” said Maranzano on setting up Mass Hire a couple of years ago. “My strength has always been in the lifting sector. I wanted a business that could deliver an ‘all in one’ service and I could see there was an opportunity for this type of service in the Melbourne construction market. “The fundamental purpose of the business has been to work with customers from the concept of their projects right through to completion. From the inception of Mass Hire, our role has been to help customers plan and engineer their projects whilst implementing the highest standards of health and safety processes ensuring they have the right tool for the task at hand.” From the beginning, Mass Hire has set out to be involved with customers’ projects from the conceptual stage right through to delivering the end product, he explained. “We started the business with a Maeda 285,” said Maranzano. “I remember on the day I bought it, I sat back and had a reflective moment where I asked myself: ‘Now I’ve got the crane what do I do next?’ But, from day one, Mass Hire has focused on business philosophies including a strong work ethic, as well as developing and maintaining strong business relationships by providing customers with a service which is second to none. “We have stuck to these principles, and this has helped us develop the www.cranesandlifting.com.au
Mass Hire’s Sam Maranzano is hands on with his Maedas.
business to where it is today,” he said. Mass Hire operates in the limited access aspect of the Melbourne construction sector with its range of mini crawler cranes. “We work with builders who understand they are going to need multiple lifts during the construction process,” said Maranzano. “We provide a plan as to how these lifts will be conducted safely and efficiently. Our role is to alleviate the challenges the builder or the subcontractor will be facing during the construction process. “During a project we might have a commercial glazing subcontracting business approach us saying: ‘We need to move this piece of glass from A and install it in position B, there are height restrictions, and we are in a space restricted area with very tight www.cranesandlifting.com.au
“Our fleet of Maeda mini telescopic crawlers is our core business, and we operate these in the limited access element of Melbourne’s construction sector.” tolerances.’ We will work with them to design the best possible solution in terms completing the lifts safely but also in a commercially viable manner. “Our fleet of Maeda mini telescopic crawlers is our core business, and we operate these in the limited access element of Melbourne’s construction sector. But we specialise in lifting and we have the capabilities to organise lifts from 3 tonnes to 200t,” he said. Maranzano explains how the business has progressed and how the fleet has evolved. “Mass Hire has progressed
significantly since its inception. Like any new business it took some time to build momentum, to get our name out there and for customers to better understand what we were trying to achieve, and the difference we can make to theirs,” he said. “But we stuck to our core business principles and, when we had completed a few projects, customers understood the service we were providing. “Repeat business started to come our way along with recommendations and referrals from customers for other May/June 2022 CAL / 49
IN FOCUS / PACE CRANES AND MASS HIRE
Mass Hire services include commercial glass handling capabilities.
businesses to work with us,” said Maranzano. “As I said, we started the business with the Maeda 285 and we now operate a range of Maedas and we also have a whole range of glass lifting equipment and we have formed a joint venture with another supplier. “Over the last couple of years, Covid has challenged everyone, and our business has been no different. I realised that we needed to diversify a little and we needed to align ourselves with as many strong business relationships as possible. Now we provide a larger capacity of lifting services,” he said. Mass Hire has a number of Maedas 50 / CAL May/June 2022
“Our relationship started when I was working for other businesses and now with Mass Hire. “For me, purchasing equipment is a straightforward and seamless process. Also, working with Pace Cranes means you will always get high-value support through the asset’s life. “Anthony and Michael are proficient operators and they understand the importance of service and support. From Mass Hire’s point of view, we want to see our assets utilised to their maximum potential and we need the support of the crane OEMs [original equipment manufacturers] and crane distributors for this to happen. “Pace Cranes have always been great with the availability of parts and their knowledge of the Maeda product, and we have a technical specialist here in Melbourne who helps us service and maintain our fleet,” said Maranzano. Mass Hire operates in a competitive environment and Maranzano discusses the experience he has within his business which helps to provide a competitive edge. “As the owner of the business, I like to think our expertise comes from the fundamentals of challenging ourselves and sticking to our core
“Pace Cranes have always been great with the availability of parts and their knowledge of the Maeda product, and we have a technical specialist here in Melbourne who helps us service and maintain our fleet.” in the fleet including five 285s, two 305s and a 785 and the business operates the only auxiliary winch on a 285 in Melbourne. Maranzano highlighted the strength of his relationship with Pace Cranes, the national distributor for Maeda mini telescopic crawler cranes. “I’ve been working with Anthony Heeks and Michael Cawston for the best part of 10 years,” he explained.
values and then filtering through the team. “We are focused on the customer experience, which begins with the phone call and moves through the planning and delivery of the project. The relationship is constantly evolving, to the point that we want to ensure how our customers are and how we can help on future projects,” he said. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
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P.A. Construction Equipment Pty Ltd (Pace Cranes) was established in 1987 to provide the construction industry with an independent Australian owned and operated crane sales, crane service and crane spare parts organisation. For over 30 years Pace Cranes have offered premium quality equipment to the Australasian market with a dedicated and unrivalled service, supported by specialist technical advise across the full range of equipment sold.
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IN FOCUS / BEN BADEN SERVICES
Ben Baden Services understands the crane’s downtime costs the owner far more than the major inspection itself.
MAJOR INSPECTIONS: EXPERIENCE CAN’T BE BOUGHT Major inspections have long been a topic for discussion in the crane industry. Ben Baden Services has been conducting major inspections for many years. Ben Baden discusses the options crane owners face and some of the pitfalls they can avoid. 52 / CAL May/June 2022
“WHEN IT COMES TO MAJOR INSPECTIONS, we have tried to find the best of the middle ground,” said Baden. “The quality and depth of major inspections can vary widely. They can start with a half day check, which generates a single page report as a certificate, through to an inspection process which takes many months and includes a highly elaborate strip down of the machine.” He goes on to discuss how the ‘middle ground’ approach works for Ben Baden Services and its clients. “Our middle ground approach includes the inspection of components that are critical to the crane, and we inspect these to a point that satisfies us that they are in good working condition www.cranesandlifting.com.au
without conducting inspection processes which don’t really need to be done and can be costly and add to repair timeframes,” he said. “We look to inspect the crane in situ and by using the crane itself. For example, hydraulic cylinders can easily be inspected in situ, and we can see if they are ‘creeping’ or leaking oil externally. All the cylinders on the crane can be inspected within hours of the crane’s arrival and, if they are all OK, then that’s great. “This approach has enabled us to find a niche in the market for customers who want to complete a major inspection in the right manner but without going overboard. “Our middle ground approach has allowed us to keep the costs of the major inspection to a reasonable number but, more importantly, our approach is designed to minimise the downtime of the crane. We understand the crane’s downtime costs the owner far more than the major inspection itself,” said Baden. Ben Baden Services is conducting major inspections on cranes from right around the country.
“Our middle ground approach has allowed us to keep the costs of the major inspection to a reasonable number but more importantly, our approach is designed to minimise the downtime of the crane.” “Cranes from the Sydney metropolitan are obviously driven straight into our yard and cranes from regional areas or interstate get floated. Quite often we will tie in a major inspection if a crane has been involved in an incident and it requires extensive repairs. “Again, we are optimising on the downtime because the machine is down anyway. Why not have the major inspection as part of the repair process, have it repaired and repainted and ready to go?” he said. Ben Baden Services boasts a highly experienced team that is capable of the initial assessment of the machine with third-party engineers and third-party crack testing organisations engaged when required. “Our staff are highly qualified and make the initial assessment of the
machine, but we always use third party engineers and third-party crack testing organisations when required. “If anything is found during the inspection process and the issue requires repairs, we will have a third-party engineer inspect the crane and the engineer will always witness the final load testing of the machine before issuing a final report,” said Baden. As a result of this ‘middle ground’ approach, and because Ben Baden Services is focused on keeping costs down and time frames reasonable, Baden has seen an increase in the number of major inspections from regional areas and interstate. “We have been conducting major inspections on machines which were coming to us for major or structural repairs, and we are currently working on The ‘middle ground’ from Ben Baden Services keeps the costs of major inspections to a reasonable number and is designed to minimise the downtime of the crane.
www.cranesandlifting.com.au
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IN FOCUS / BEN BADEN SERVICES
cranes damaged during the recent floods, but we are now seeing cranes arrive from interstate for major inspections,” he said. “Our facility is set up with a mechanic shop, which includes sub assembly bays, transmission bays and engine bays. We have a fabrication shop, which includes our own inhouse fitter machinist and we also have our own large wash bay and paint shop facilities. All of our specialists are employed inhouse. “All of this provides our customers with the advantage of a ‘one stop shop’, which is focused on minimising the downtime of the crane. As I have said, we understand the cost of the repair is not the biggest cost to the crane owner.” In mid-April, Ben Baden Services had a number of cranes in the yard that had arrived from all over the country. One crane was from the Northern Territory, there was an accident machine from Tasmania and one from South Australia, and an accident-damaged crane was recently fixed and delivered back to Queensland. Recently, a boom base section from a Ben Baden Services provides customers with a generic scope of works for each major inspection and a set price depending on the make and model.
70-tonne capacity rough terrain crane was shipped from Western Australia. It had received impact damage and the section was no longer available from the original equipment manufacturer, so there was no option but to repair the boom, paint it and truck it back. Ben Baden Services provides customers with a generic scope of works for each major inspection and a set price depending on the make and model. If the machine is in good condition and if it has been serviced, maintained, and has a thorough record of annual inspections, generally speaking the quoted price will stand, says Baden. “Minor issues might be found, but problems that can really blow out costs are leaking telescope cylinders or leaking luffing cylinders and, in these instances, we would expect the customer to know this is a problem before the crane arrives in our yard. “When the customer has received and considered our scope of works, we discuss the best timeframe for them, and we try to be as flexible as possible to work
“All of this provides our customers with the advantage of a ‘one stop shop’, which is focused on minimising the downtime of the crane. As I have said, we understand the cost of the repair is not the biggest cost to the crane owner.” around what might be a quiet period for them. Shortly after the arrival of the crane, we make a start on assessing the crane to ensure our timeframe is close to as humanly possible the promised timeframe,” he said. Following a Ben Baden Services major inspection the customer will receive a detailed engineers report, including a scope of works and details of the works completed. It will also include an independent crack test report, which includes coloured images of everything that has been dismantled and inspected. “This document is quite extensive in detail and will normally run to 30-plus pages. It presents excellent documentary
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evidence so there is no ambiguity as to what was and wasn’t required,” he said. With major inspections being a significant part of the Ben Baden Services business activities, and with countless years of experience in the business, Baden provides some insights as to what a crane business should be looking for when choosing a business for a major inspection. “When a crane owner is looking to have a major inspection completed, they should certainly do their research. Most importantly and regardless of who does it, they should examine the company’s experience in the crane industry. Are they new to the industry or have they been in it for a long time? This is important because experience can’t be bought. “The crane owner should research what the company is offering in terms of facilities because this will influence the time it takes to repair the crane. The last thing a crane owner can afford is for a repairer to say it is going to be four to six weeks and it ends up being three to four months.
“The easiest way for the crane owner to ascertain the answers to these questions will be to pick up the phone and chat to the person in charge to get a feeling from them and determine if they are genuine or not,” said Baden. “My phone is always on, I always answer it and if I don’t because I am busy, leave a message and I always call back. “If there are crane owners considering major inspections call and talk to me about them. I will be straight up and down. I’ll explain what we do and what we offer. I don’t over promise and under deliver and I like to be as close to the time frame and the money as is humanely practical,” he said. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
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28/2/22 9:12 am
IN FOCUS / FG CRANES AND KATO CITY CRANES
FOUR KATO CITY CRANES TO BOOST FG CRANES’ HIRE FLEET FG Cranes in Western Australia has turned to a Kato CR-250Rv to enter the city crane market, purchasing through Tutt Bryant Equipment. Ryan Caporn is FG Crane’s crane manager, and he explains the reasons for purchasing four of the Kato city cranes.
Ryan Caporn, FG Cranes’ crane manager.
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www.cranesandlifting.com.au
FG CRANES IS ONE OF THE LARGEST tower crane providers in Western Australia and currently has nearly 50 cranes across the Perth skyline. It also operates a fleet of mobile cranes that consists mainly of Grove all terrains ranging from 60 tonnes to 400t in capacity. The comparatively smaller 25t Kato is a departure from the norm for the company. Caporn said the arrival of the new Katos are an opportunity to enter parts of the market previously outside the realms of FG Cranes.
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“FG has traditionally provided crane solutions to the Top Tier construction companies in WA in both tower and mobile crane requirements but has never targeted the residential market where Japanese city cranes or “tom thumbs” reign supreme,” he said. Caporn joined the FG team eight months ago but quickly recognised the company could enter the city crane market. “Having run a fleet of city cranes for over 20 years starting with 10t models from another supplier, I am always on the lookout for innovations in this space. So, when Kato brought out the new CR250Rv model at 25t capacity, it was of immediate interest. With a little research, they were the only option for FG,” Caporn said. The Kato CR250Rv is designed for maximum height whilst providing a small footprint that takes up as little space as possible. The CR250Rv has a new hydraulic luffing and telescoping fly jib based on the 4S concept. The necessary space for jib deployment is almost within boom derricking range at max retraction. Jib release from the boom can be carried out at any possible boom length and avoiding obstruction at any height. The CR250Rv has a range of safety features to protect operators and ensure setup is completed with little to no risks. All jib deployment work can be completed on the ground ensuring climbing to a high position for deployment will be unnecessary. An important added safety feature on the city cranes is a sonar system on the left side that will notify the driver of obstructions whilst driving. The CR250Rv has a human detect assist system that monitors blind spots and will notify the operator both visually and audibly, providing added safety on tight city roads. Parking and stopping is simple for operators with a 360-degree camera showing real time updates of the CR250Rv’s position.
The Kato CR250Rv is designed for maximum height whilst providing a small footprint, which takes up as little space as possible.
“During training our experienced operators were amazed at the machine’s capabilities. The 360-degree cameras and bird’seye view camera from above enables manoeuvrability unheard of before and has now created a new benchmark for the other manufacturers to aspire to.” May/June 2022 CAL / 57
IN FOCUS / FG CRANES AND KATO CITY CRANES
“The focus with this new model is on strength, technology, safety, speed of operation, and ease of operation in small spaces.”
The high tensile boom has a 29 metre six-section fully powered round shaped boom to give it impressive reach.
“During training our experienced operators were amazed at the machine’s capabilities. The 360-degree cameras and bird’s-eye view camera from above enables manoeuvrability unheard of before and has now created a new benchmark for the other manufacturers to aspire to,” Caporn said. The high tensile boom has a 29 metre six-section fully powered round shaped boom to give it impressive reach. “With class-leading load charts and safety, the new Kato CR250Rv is the biggest innovation in city cranes in 20 years in my opinion,” Caporn said. “With a reach of nearly 31m, utilising its onboard eight metre hydraulically operated fly jib, this machine can do the work of much larger machines.” The CR250Rv has a range of outrigging positions to ensure 58 / CAL May/June 2022
operators can complete a variety of tasks. It can range from two metres through to six, meaning those challenging residential sites can be in the domain of the Kato. The Kato CR250Rv has a Cummins B6.7 that produces 209kW and a max torque of 1,152NM. It also features a range of technology aimed at assisting operators complete a lift successfully. The CR250RV has semi-automatic outrigger levelling, with the new outrigger system facilitating the process of outrigger setting. The vertical cylinders extend and automatically stop in a horizontal position while operating the semiautomatic levelling switch. The 25t capacity city crane also has a range of features designed to make the experience of being in the cab more comfortable for operators. This includes a 12.1-inch display for the bird’s-eye view camera with
easy-to-use icons. It also comes with a powerful air conditioner, a strapless adjustable sunshade, and a shift switch to provide more room for the operator. FG Cranes purchased its Katos through Tutt Bryant, which provides a range of services for the construction, mining, engineering, and trade sectors. As a national multi-franchise distributor of earthmoving and construction equipment, Tutt Bryant Equipment exclusively represents a number of global brands in Australia. “Tutt Bryant has been excellent throughout the whole process and having such a large staff and facilities behind them gives peace of mind for servicing moving forward and backup if there is a breakdown, although, speaking with owners of smaller Kato city cranes, they appear to be troublefree when maintained correctly,” Caporn said. Peter Lawgall, business development manager for cranes at Tutt Bryant Equipment, believes the new Katos will change the city crane market. “As the largest city crane available in the Australian market, the CR-250Rv will take the Kato city crane range to a whole new level,” said Lawgall. “The focus with this new model is on strength, technology, safety, speed of operation and ease of operation in small spaces,” The newly-released crane is supported with a full Kato factory warranty and national support through Tutt Bryant Equipment’s extensive service and spare parts network. “We have been very happy with Tutt Bryant Equipment and FG will run Kato city cranes into the future without a doubt,” Caporn said.
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IN FOCUS / MAXILIFT AND EFFER
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The Maxilift Australia team recently installed the flagship model Effer 22558S+6S. This crane is the largest vehicle loading crane ever seen in Australia and one of only a handful of cranes this size in the southern hemisphere.
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Maxilift Australia details its most recent vehicle loading crane installations, including a rare sight for the southern hemisphere. MAXILIFT AUSTRALIA IS AN AUTHORITY on large vehicle loading crane sales and installation. Following recent successes with City Crane Trucks and its Effer 955, the team recently installed another Effer 955-8S+6S, an Effer 525-8S, and, in exciting news, the flagship Effer 2255-8S+6S. This crane will be the largest vehicle loading crane ever seen in Australia and one of only a handful of cranes this size in the southern hemisphere. With several more projects already secured involving cranes over 50 tonne metres coming up over the next six months, the team at Maxilift Australia is certainly on a roll. The Effer 955-8S+6S and the 2255-8S+6S were installed at Maxilift Australia’s specialised large crane www.cranesandlifting.com.au
workshop in Adelaide. Both cranes have been purchased by specialist high reach crane truck company Construction Rescue Services (CRS). The cranes are equipped with the longest reach possible on each model and all of the latest control and safety features offered with Effer vehicle loading cranes. The 955 is equipped with eight extensions and a six-extension flyjib with winch. The crane is also configured with a unique integrated base. This option incorporates the subframe into the base of the crane, allowing for an efficient installation, but, more importantly, reducing the overall height of the vehicle. This was a critical factor for CRS, which requested a compact unit for the
narrow streets in which it completes many of its lifts. Maxilift Australia states that the project for the sale and installation of the Effer 2255 has been over five years in the making. Such a large crane has not been seen in Australia before, so the engineering and regulatory approval processes have been significant. The 2255 is again equipped with eight extensions and an XL fly jib with six extensions and winch. The crane uses six stabilisers extending from the factory-built subframe. One of the more impressive features is the removable KJ boom extension system. When the KJ boom is fitted to the end of the main crane boom, an additional two hydraulic extensions May/June 2022 CAL / 61
IN FOCUS / MAXILIFT AND EFFER
are added for even more reach. This transforms the crane into a 10-extension crane and offers the operator unmatched vertical reach of over 34m. The fly jib can then also be attached to the end of the KJ boom to increase lifting height at full extension to an unbelievable 58m. Elliot Ban, operations manager at CRS, discusses the reasons behind choosing Maxilift and Effer cranes, and the new projects the truck crane will be servicing. “Maxilift have a proven track record with technical prowess in large crane installations. They certainly exceeded our professional
expectations when it came to customer service as well,” he said. “Every single employee showed a vested interest in providing a fantastic experience for Construction Rescue. They were always available to answer any query, which strengthened our confidence in the crane’s ability to perform. As Construction Rescue’s specialty is high reach and difficult access
projects, we chose Effer due to their reputable expertise in producing the largest knuckle booms in the world,” said Ban. “This acquisition is the first of two new Effer cranes that we are adding to our existing fleet of high reach crane trucks. As pioneers in high/long reach delivery, we knew it was time to expand our capacity and capability to better service our
“We look forward to continuing to grow as the market leaders in this sector of high reach knuckle boom crane trucks with the support of Effer and Maxilift.”
The Effer 2255-8S+6Se will be the largest vehicle loading crane ever seen in Australia.
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customers. To be able to achieve this while maintaining a small footprint at street level is a huge advantage, and something our clients value. “We look forward to continuing to grow as the market leaders in this sector of high reach knuckle boom crane trucks with the support of Effer and Maxilift. “The team at Maxilift Australia show real pride and passion when discussing these cranes. “The engineers and experienced installation team have been key
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in the success of these projects. The team follow a well-defined project management process that incorporates 2D and 3D modelling, finite element analysis, axle load and stability calculations. Regular project meetings, documented procedures and clear communication ensure everyone is on the same page. This allows the skilled fabricators and installers to do what they do best,” he said. Maxilift Australia firmly believes that when the vehicle loading crane
industry starts to see these very large crane trucks on construction sites throughout Australia the inquiry level will be very high. Vehicle loading cranes of this size are common throughout Europe, Asia and the US. Australia is moving in a similar direction and taking note of the benefits of large vehicle loading cranes. Maxilift Australia, with its proven track record, is in a prime position to make the most of these opportunities.
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IN FOCUS / ACTION CRANES AND LIEBHERR ALL TERRAINS
USED LIEBHERR A PERFECT ADDITION TO ACTION CRANES FLEET Action Cranes recently took delivery of a used Liebherr LTC1050-3.1 to bring its fleet size up to nine cranes servicing the Sydney region. The three-axle all terrain, with a 50 tonne lifting capacity, is an ideal addition to the Action Cranes fleet for the work it specialises in.
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ACTION CRANES WAS STARTED IN 1971 by Bob and Sharron Forner and originally began its life as a tow truck business before moving into the crane sector in 1985. Action Cranes remains a family- owned business, with the second generation of Clinton Forner and Dallas Robertson taking the helm five years ago. The company serves a range of clients and requires a diverse range of cranes to suit any custom needs. “We work in all industries, not just construction,” Forner said. “Our customers operate in high demand industries and they want a crane company that is prepared to go above and beyond. They require a high level of service, a quick reaction time, and the ability to think outside the square when it comes to solving complex lifts.
“We specialise in projects where access is difficult and space on site is constricted with very low tolerances. It’s the type of work most other crane companies don’t like to do. That’s why we have a large fleet of compact city cranes and Frannas; even the 100t capacity all terrains we chose had to be the most compact model available due to the nature of our work. “We are known for completing extremely complex small projects. We like a challenge and so do our crews. We completed a lift a few years back where we were installing roof sheets which were 148 metres long. These were dual lifted into position using two cranes and two 60m-long spreader bars. It is our understanding that these are still the longest roof sheets ever lifted in the world,” Forner said.
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Action Cranes services numerous industry sectors.
“In Europe they don’t usually have the extra components like second winch and jibs, and, in this instance, we put all brand new components on the cranes.”
Action Crane specialises in projects where access is difficult and space on site is constricted with very low tolerances.
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Action Cranes took delivery of the 50t capacity used Liebherr LTC1050-3.1 earlier in the year. The VarioBase support system on the LTC1050-3.1 ensures this crane suits the needs of Action Cranes. It comes equipped with outriggers that extend to different lengths, which mean that constricted conditions are not a problem for this compact crane. It carries all its own equipment and ballast, thus significantly reducing the time required for jobs. The process for purchasing the used crane through Liebherr was facilitated by national used crane manager Tom Grady, who worked with Forner to deliver the LTC1050-3.1. “Clinton came to me looking for a crane with a capacity of around the 50t to 60t mark. Knowing Clinton’s technical background, and that he tends to take on special lifting projects, I suggested an LTC1050-3.1. He jumped at the opportunity because I already had one of them on order as we were bringing it in for stock.” Grady said.
“As our factory in Germany had already completed the inspection, repair, and rigorous testing process, the crane would be delivered with a six-month factory warranty. New components like a second winch, rooster, and hooks were also already installed. After Clinton confirmed painting layouts, our factory painted the crane in Action’s livery. “When the crane arrived, the next step was to install our local roadability and safety package, carry out the predelivery inspection, CraneSafe, and road registration, and finish off with Liebherr familarisation training for the Action crew. May/June 2022 CAL / 65
IN FOCUS / ACTION CRANES AND LIEBHERR ALL TERRAINS The right equipment for Action Cranes is pivotal to ensure it can complete a range of complex and challenging lifts
“If Liebherr is to offer a six-month warranty, we treat the used cranes similar to a new crane. We check and test everything before it is released to the customer. For Forner and Grady it was important to ensure all of the components would be in prime condition and it came with all the equipment required by Action Cranes. “In Europe they don’t usually have the extra components like second winch and jibs and, in this instance, we put all brand new components on the cranes,” Grady said. The right equipment for Action Cranes is pivotal to ensure it can complete a range of complex and challenging lifts says Forner. “We have a large range of additional supporting equipment. This includes computer cages, goods cages, first aid cages, man boxes, kibbles, skip bins, and large steel crane outrigger pads up to 1.8m x 2.4m rated at 150t outrigger loading. Also steel plates measuring 50mm x 2.4m x 11m long, swift lifts from 1.3t up to 32t, spreader bars from 4t up to 100t and 1m up to 18m long. “Having such a large range of supporting equipment allows us to complete the most difficult projects with very short notice. We regularly hire this equipment to other crane companies and other end users,” he said. Grady explained that Liebherr was 66 / CAL May/June 2022
able to deliver the crane to Action Cranes quicker than a new crane. This can be one of the reasons a lot of customers consider and move forward with a Liebherr certified used crane. For Forner, the purchase of the LTC1050-3.1 continues a long relationship between Action Cranes and the German manufacturer. “We purchased our first Liebherr back in 1999. It was a brand new Liebherr LTM1080/1 and, at the time, it was only the second one into the country. Since then, we have owned a range of Liebherrs,
(CICA) since it began, originally called the NSW Mobile Crane Owners Association. “CICA provides huge benefit to our industry and our company,” said Forner. “Our latest purchase, the LTC10503.1, wouldn’t have been roadable in NSW 10 years ago. CICA worked hard to get the 12t per axle approved on three-axle cranes and we now enjoy fairly unrestricted road access. “I would say we will move back into the bigger crane market once CICA gets 12t per axle on five axles cranes with a much less restricted road access. Currently access
“Having such a large range of supporting equipment allows us to complete the most difficult projects with very short notice.” the LTM1055, LTM1130 and LTM1070. Our most recent purchase was a LTC 1050,” he said. “I know the Liebherr product well and I know a number of the Liebherr people as we were all mechanics at the Australian Liebherr agent back in the late 90s. “Tom Grady has been absolutely excellent to deal with from start to finish. It was such a headache-free way to purchase a used crane. I didn’t need to do much at all – pretty much picked up the crane and drove it away,” Forner said. Action Cranes has been a member of the Crane Industry Council of Australia
is too limited, but CICA has done well to get 12t an axle approved. It has been a long 25 year-plus fight with government departments to get this through. “CICA also created CrewSafe and CraneSafe, and these initiatives have helped our company immensely. “We have always trained our crane crews very well and we place a huge emphasis on fixing procedures way before there are any issues. “CraneSafe has raised the level of crane quality in Australia and forced the cowboys to start maintaining their cranes to a much higher level,” Forner said. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
Your job – our cranes.
In the city centre. No space for your cranes? With maximum lifting capacities of up to 64 tonnes and hook heights of over 1000 metres, our HC-L series luffing jib cranes are just what you need. As a result of their low slewing radius and luffing jib, they can be used on almost any site even if there is very little space. With a combination of extremely high-speed hoist units and modern assistance systems, they are fast, safe and reliable. Contact us at las-info-towercranes@liebherr.com
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IN FOCUS / BOOM LOGISTICS
In terms of asset utilisation the Boom Logistics crane fleet is running at circa 88 per cent.
BOOMING START TO THE 2022 FINANCIAL YEAR In late February, Boom Logistics announced a net profit after tax of $2.9 million for the half year ended 31 December 2021, up $2.5 million compared to the previous corresponding period (pcp). TONY SPASSOPOULOS, BOOM LOGISTICS managing director, spoke to Cranes and Lifting magazine about the performance and his expectations for the second half of the year and beyond. He also explains the organisation’s focus on safety. “At Boom Logistics we always think safety. We always start our meetings with a safety theme or a ‘safety share’. Safety is at the heart of everything we do at Boom. As part of our safety program, we start each day with a safety themed conversation. “Our leadership team meets every Friday and we discuss the week, provide Covid updates, review what has happened in the business, and address safety matters. “We then review our ‘Safe Start Monday’, which is a communication that is distributed every Monday before the teams gather for a ‘tool box’ session and discuss a topical safety issue. We are very proud of our safety record over the 68 / CAL May/June 2022
last few years; safety is now engrained in the business,” he said. Spassopoulos goes on to explain how the approach to safety benefits the business and how important the commitment to a ‘safety culture’ is for all employees in the organisation. “I think the most important benefit is the open communication generated from a safety culture,” he said. “The leadership team, including our managers and supervisors, are constantly talking to our front line crews, the operators, and riggers about safety. “This is a two-way communication, with our crews being able to talk to the supervisors and management team about what they are seeing on customers’ sites and we all learn from these observations. “A second benefit is what we call a ‘lead indicator’. If you are constantly leading
interaction within the organisation, the topic is front of mind with everyone. At the end of the day, we want everyone to think safety before anything else. “Everyone in our organisation has control of the job at hand. If they believe there is a risk or a review is needed, they can stop the job and reassess and reexamine the process and the situation. They might need more data, or lift drawings, or more engineered lift plans, whatever is required for that particular job to be completed safely. “We have found that having competent and experienced teams focused on safety helps with customer relations. Safety is front of mind with our customers and our commitment to safety provides them with a with high levels of assurance, which definitely helps with customer renewals, new customer contracts and project contracts. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
“Even with this positive focus on safety we recognise there is room for improvement, and we are always striving for zero harm throughout the business,” said Spassopoulos. In late February, Boom Logistics Limited announced a net profit after tax of $2.9 million for the half year ending 31 December 2021, up $2.5 million compared to the previous corresponding period (PCP) (first half of the financial year 2021 [1H FY21]: $0.4 million). Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation was $22.5 million, up 26 per cent (1H FY21: $17.9 million), as the group benefitted from new mining maintenance shutdown works, renewable energy and infrastructure projects. Revenue was $123.5 million, up 47 per cent (1H FY21: $84.2 million) with major projects including the SCM21 BHP Olympic Dam shutdown, Bango wind farm construction and Snowy 2.0 infrastructure tunnel work. Operational cash flow was $23.4 million before tax, up from $14.4 million in the PCP. Net debt was $27.9 million at 31 December 2021, down from $29.4 million at 30 June 2021. Gearing at 31 December 2021 was 25 per cent, in line with guidance of between 20 to 35 per cent, which allows capacity for growth. Working capital is being carefully managed to meet the timing of major projects. At 31 December 2021, net tangible assets per share was $0.26. Capital expenditure for the half was $9.4 million, increasing capacity for future Tony Spassopoulos Boom Logistics managing director.
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Boom Logistics was also active in the renewable sector and, in particular, wind farm construction.
growth through utilisation of the group’s fleet of more than 275 cranes and 80 travel towers. The group continues use of its flexible asset rental model, which allows the group to enter into operating leases on large assets to match requirements for contracted project work. Total asset utilisation for the half was 82 per cent, up from 73 per cent. Spassopoulos goes on to discuss why Boom Logistics has been successful during the first half of the year and talks about his predictions for the second half. “We’ve had a strong start to the 2022 financial year and there are number of reasons for this. Our core business is mining services and 50 per cent of revenue comes from this sector. This activity across the various regions has been strong,” he said. “Even though we had challenges including Covid, border restrictions, and moving people around, we managed our way through these and we had some major blue chip customer ‘shutdowns’ occurring in the mining sector. “An example of this was BHP SCM21 program. We have also been busy with our Central Queensland and also our Western Australian customers with shutdown activities,” he said. “We were also active in the renewable sector and in particular wind farm construction where we had the Bango wind farm, and this will progress into the second half of FY22. We also have the Snowy Hydro 2.0 project. We’ve been on site for
a while working with the tunnel boring machines [TBMs]. There were three TBMs planned in the original scope of works but a fourth TBM is arriving now planned to come online and we will be working on this also,” said Spassopoulos. The energy sector has also been busy forBoom Logistics. In Western Australia the business has been working on the Power Lines Plus project in the Pilbara region and this has been a successful project. It is in its first stage with two additional stages to come. Spassopoulos and his team have identified four key sectors for growth. “We see renewables as a growth opportunity for the business. The total wind farm market construction spend is estimated at $4 billion over the next three years and so this is a strong focus for us for growth. We not only install the wind turbines with our cranes, crews, and rigging experts, we also offer the full mechanical package. “We estimate 2000 towers will be constructed over the next three years but there are already 3,000 towers requiring maintenance and we see this as a good opportunity. Other areas we are targeting is our ongoing work in mining. We are providing support services to this sector and we see our mining customers continuing to conduct ongoing maintenance programs,” he said. The infrastructure sector presents another growth opportunity says Spassopoulos. “As we are all hearing, there is a $100 May/June 2022 CAL / 69
IN FOCUS / BOOM LOGISTICS
billion federal and state government spend planned in this sector. There is an attractive amount of work over the next three years and we see our large scale equipment, our larger capacity cranes and our engineering services as being the opportunities for this sector. “The fourth sector is the energy sector with a particular focus on the electricity infrastructure market. “This is certainly a growing market, there’s $30 billion in construction spend being planned. We see our travel towers, our cranes, and our labour services being utilised in the energy space. “With the renewables sector expanding there is obviously a need to get the energy into the grid hence the investment in energy infrastructure, which is a hot topic for our governments at the moment,” said Spassopoulos. Asset utilisation is a key metric for Boom Logistics.
“In terms of asset utilisation our total fleet is running at 82 per cent and if you look at cranes specifically, they are running at circa 88 per cent. The smaller cranes in the fleet including our range of Franna, their utilisation is above this and running in the 90 per cent range. “There are some challenges with the delivery of cranes, with longer lead times at various factories and there are production shipping delays with all the supply chain challenges. “At Boom Logistics we have our ‘flexible rental model’. We have excellent relationships with suppliers, particularly in Europe, and we have access to machines that we back onto contracts which we have won, or are planning to win. “When these projects are completed, in two or three years’ time, and if we don’t think there will be further work for them, we can send the machines back.
6 Reasons to choose CraneSafe 1. Complies with Australian Standard recommendations 2. Supported by major crane manufacturers 3. Accepted by all State OH&S departments 4. Only NATA accredited crane inspection program 5. Nationally recognised by the CFMEU 6. Assessors are independently audited
Industry-led Independent Inspections
“Our flexible rental model provides us with access to a broad range of machines and capacities including crawlers and mobiles, which will suit some of these major infrastructure projects for example,” said Spassopoulos. New travel towers have been ordered and are on the way from Bronto Skylift. “Again, there is a 12-month lead time to delivery on these and we will probably see them arrive mid-year and in the fleet for the 2023 financial year,” said Spassopoulos. “It’s a long lead time because the models have been engineered and manufactured specifically for us. “The travel towers are ideal pieces of equipment for the renewables and energy market, and we are also finding numerous applications in mining. We see the travel towers making a solid contribution to the growth of the business,” he concluded.
IN FOCUS / BRONTO SKYLIFT
BOOM LOGISTICS OPERATES ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST FLEET OF BRONTO TRAVEL TOWERS
Bronto Skylift has been the major supplier of mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) to Boom Logistics since 2004. The latest expression of this long-term collaboration is the current delivery of eight state-of-the-art MEWPs to Boom Logistic’s rental fleet. TO BE THE TRUSTED SUPPLIER TO BOOM Logistics since 2004 is of major importance to Bronto Skylift and the relationship between two industry leading companies is highly regarded. “We look forward to an ongoing partnership and developing appreciation of Boom Logistics’ needs in the years ahead. We are now in the final stages of delivering an eight-unit order of S56XR and S70XR units mounted on Next Generation Scania P450 XT 8x8 chassis,” said Bronto Skylift Aust/NZ regional manager Trevor Wing. Bronto Skylift Aust/NZ is a sales, training and technical support office for Finland-based manufacturer Bronto Skylift. The association dates back to 1992. Since then, Bronto Skylift Aust/NZ has supplied more than 220 Brontos to the MEWP hire industry and fire services in Australia and New Zealand. Heights of the supplied MEWPs range from 17 metres through to 101m. “We are now supplying our new range of S-XR models to a growing number of hire companies. Recent additions to our customers fleets include MEWPs from 47 to 101m. The 104m S104HLA is in the final design stages to be the largest road legal MEWP in Australia,” continued Wing. All Boom Logistic’s new aerials feature an advanced fifth generation Bronto 5+ control system, 600kg extendable cages, 360-degree turntable rotation, long outriggers for enhanced levelling capability, and world leading stability, even at great heights. The well-known Bronto 5+ control system is based on strict calculations www.cranesandlifting.com.au
Bronto Skylift has been the major supplier of MEWPs to Boom Logistics since 2004.
and stability parameters. Thus, it safely guarantees maximum outreach in any situation. It provides smooth, safe and very accurate movements even in most severe operating conditions. Additional functionality can be achieved when combined with the wireless remote control, which utilises an onboard wireless network paired to a tablet, allowing the operator to have a mobile control station from anywhere within range. All units also come with the updated simultaneous levelling, which enables faster and easier levelling when all four outriggers level simultaneously instead of going two by two. Another new feature is the large cage rotation that allows the cage to be rotated 2 x 220 degrees. A variety of material handling options
are also included, from a 200kg cagemounted winch to the 1,300kg boom winch – all monitored live via the load cells connected to Bronto 5+ to ensure safety at all times. All Bronto units are designed by strict safety standards and the heart of operational safety is the Bronto 5+ control system. In addition to those things mentioned above, the units are equipped with ground pressure measurement, collision guard sensors, and a crushing hazard protection at the cage control centre. “An expanded network of qualified service providers nationwide, along with the technical expertise of our resident trainer, enables the best possible support to keep the units on the road and keep them 110 per cent safe,” said Wing. May/June 2022 CAL / 71
IN FOCUS / NEW TADANO ALL TERRAIN
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS FROM TADANO The market launch for the Tadano AC 2.040-1 is a world first in two ways. On the one hand, it is the first all terrain crane to be developed jointly by Tadano’s Lauf and Zweibrücken locations in Germany. On the other, the AC 2.040-1 is the very first member of the future Tadano AC family. IN ADDITION, THIS SIGNALS THE COMPLETION of a brand merger – all Tadano Group cranes will be sold exclusively under the Tadano brand name. “That’s why this market launch is really special for us – after all, the new AC 2.040-1 is the first crane to combine the best of our two worlds with the know-how from Zweibrücken and Lauf,” all terrain crane product line VP Dr Frank Schröder proudly points out. This also means that the AC 2.040-1 is blazing a trail that all Tadano cranes will be following in the future. It is the first crane in the new Tadano AC family. And all future models will share the same DNA with the AC 2.040-1: a standardised crane control system, cab, and technologies. At the same time, the AC 2.040-1 is part of the company’s innovation push, which will see 15 new crane models come onto the market in the next few years under the Tadano brand name. “The slogan for our one-brand strategy is ‘Your Passion. Our DNA.’ CEO Jens Ennen says while explaining the idea behind the strategy. “As far as we’re concerned, cranes are more than just a product we sell. In addition, we also want to convey an exclusive sense of purpose and dedication. 72 / CAL May/June 2022
No other manufacturer is as undividedly focused on lifting equipment as we are, and this goes both for our company as a whole and for each individual member of our team. For us, every single lift that is performed out there is just as important as it is to the customer carrying it out.” KICKING OFF THE NEW TADANO AC FAMILY For the AC 2.040-1, the Tadano engineers from Lauf and Zweibrücken combined the best of both worlds. Like all future models, it features the innovative IC 1 Plus control system with automatic counterweight detection, a capacity radar, and a work area display. The system determines the crane’s lifting capacity for every boom position as a function of the superstructure’s slewing angle. This enables the AC 2.0401 to always make use of the maximum available lifting capacity with any outrigger configuration, including asymmetrical ones. This advantage is literally maximised when combined with the Flex Base system, which makes it possible to extend the outriggers to any point within their range. In addition, the crane features the oneof-a-kind Tadano Surround View camera system, which shows both the maximum possible extension lengths for the outriggers and the counterweight tailswing radius. As a result, Tadano Surround View makes it significantly easier to optimally position the crane at work sites. In addition, the system provides assistance on the way to the work site by making it easier for crane operators to notice pedestrians and cyclists when turning. The crane also comes with the IC 1 remote telematics solution, which makes efficient crane and fleet management possible and shows both the location of the AC 2.040-1 and all its operating information on the monitor. This system helps with scheduling projects and routine maintenance, ensuring that the crane will have the highest possible availability for
The new Tadano AC 2.040-1 is the first all terrain developed jointly by Tadano’s Lauf and Zweibrücken locations in Germany.
assignments. Moreover, it can be used to read error codes so that service team members can read the corresponding data remotely and run fault analyses to quickly diagnose and fix problems. In other words, the Tadano AC 2.0401 indisputably fulfills the company’s promise of taking the best technology from both worlds and offering it in a single package. A MANEUVERABLE COMPACT CRANE On top of this, the AC 2.040-1 offers an entire series of model-specific advantages. As a two-axle crane, it is extraordinarily compact and perfect for use at constrained work sites. The crane owes its exceptional maneuverability where space is tight to a number of factors, including its steerable rear axle with automatic programs for extremely tight radii and crab steering. Moreover, the compact design with an optimised weight also improves the new Tadano’s roadworthiness, giving it outstanding taxi crane capabilities. It can carry up to 1.1 tonnes of counterweight while staying under an axle load limit of 12 tonnes. Also, the AC 2.040-1 will not need any extra permits thanks to its EU Stage V classification, which means it fulfills the latest emission standards. In fact, its state-of-the-art Cummins engine rounds out this picture: The 310hp (231kW) diesel engine offers enormous power reserves www.cranesandlifting.com.au
to larger cranes – an aspect that is becoming increasingly important against the backdrop of stricter noise emission limits in urban environments, for instance. In addition, the AC 2.040-1 also features a rear storage box, which has been carried over from the successful Tadano ATF 40G. The box continues to be available with or without a wood rack and is removable. “This solution is extremely popular among our customers, and we expect it to be a fixture in all future AC developments,” Schröder announces.
“This will allow us to take full advantage of the unrivaled carrier development and manufacturing know-how of our Lauf location.” that provide both low fuel consumption and a long drive train service life. The team at Tadano is also extremely proud of the AC 2.040-1 crane’s carrier. Every single technical detail in it embodies the heavy-duty construction and high reliability for which Lauf and its carriers have always been known. This is also reflected in the company’s decision to split production responsibilities between the
two locations, with superstructures to be made in Zweibrücken and carriers in Lauf. “This will allow us to take full advantage of the unrivaled carrier development and manufacturing know-how of our Lauf location,” Schröder highlights. More specifically, the AC 2.0401 delivers excellent gradeability and acceleration, as well as quiet travel operation, particularly in comparison The AC 2.040-1 is part of the company’s innovation push, which will see 15 new crane models come onto the market in the next few years under the Tadano brand name.
HIGH POWER FOR STEEP BOOM POSITIONS In terms of its lifting performance, the Tadano AC 2.040-1 raises the bar particularly when it comes to steep boom positions. With a fully extended boom length of 35.2m at a radius of 8m, it can lift loads of up to 7.6t – something that no other crane in this class can do. In addition, the enormously powerful hydraulic boom makes it possible to take care of heavy lifts involving loads of up to 31.9t without requiring any additional sheaves. “This enables the AC 2.040-1 to take care of a very broad range of lifts without carrying out time-consuming setup changes, making it both a fast and versatile machine,” says Schröder. The crane also makes a compelling case when it comes to its ability to telescope under load with impressive lifting capacities. Moreover, the runner ensures fast and efficient work at work sites, and can be carried directly on the crane to the left of the main boom. Finally, if the maximum main boom length of 35.2m is not enough, the crane’s range can be extended with a 9m-long extension that can be offset by up to 40°. A VERSATILE MACHINE Its technical characteristics, including a fully hydraulic boom, make the new Tadano AC 2.040-1 all terrain crane an extraordinarily versatile taxi crane that is quickly ready for work. The crane is a perfect solution for a wide range of assignments, including roofing projects, photovoltaic system installations, and lifting containers and work material at work sites.
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NEW! CATALOGUE
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DOWNLOAD LATEST TADANO CATALOGUE FULL TADANO PRODUCT RANGE AT YOUR FINGER TIPS! Introducing the latest Tadano Digital Product Catalogue. This catalogue includes all current models and specifications to help you choose the right crane for your next project. The catalogue includes product videos where available, links to further information and a search function that allows you to search for exactly what you are looking for. Simply scan the QR code and add to your mobile home screen as a shortcut, save as a bookmark or download a pdf version. The choice is yours. In our hopes for a sustainable future, introducing initiatives such as a digital catalogue will assist in that transition by reducing print quantities and focusing on paperless solutions where possible.
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IN FOCUS / COMANSA TOWER CRANES
The Comansa tower cranes were used for numerous types of work including lifting heavy equipment, weighing up to 32t, to the deck during the construction.
COMANSA’S TOWERING PERFORMANCE IN THE PHILIPPINES
Comansa tower cranes worked on the construction of a cable-stayed bridge that joins together Cebu City and Mactan Island in the Philippines. TWO COMANSA 21LC660 TOWER CRANES worked on the construction of the cablestayed bridge that now joins Cebu City and Mactan Island in the Philippines – a location that had a variety of logistical challenges. Comansa tower cranes ensure that even the most complex bridge construction projects are a resounding success. On this occasion, thanks to the tower crane manufacturer’s vast experience and the commitment of its technical team, the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway bridge was built on time and is now operational. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
Two Comansa 21LC660 tower cranes (36-tonne version) were used to build the bridge linking Cebu City, the second largest city in the country, and Mactan Island, where the international airport that serves the city is located, This is a significant structure that helps to alleviate the heavy traffic that was experienced on two older bridges. Thanks to this new bridge, the journey time has been reduced by up to 40 minutes. This is helping to streamline commercial and industrial travel and facilitate the transportation of tourists landing at the international airport of
Mactan, which is the main tourist hub of the country. This is a key project for the region, awarded by Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation, a subsidiary Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, to Cebu Link Joint Venture (CLJV), a joint venture between Acciona, First Balfour and DMCI. In order to meet the specific requirements of the project, two Comansa 21LC660 flat-top cranes from the 2100 series were selected. These are the perfect choice for maximum performance in projects May/June 2022 CAL / 75
IN FOCUS / COMANSA TOWER CRANES
involving particularly heavy loads, such as bridge construction. Furthermore, the use of 80-metre long booms made it possible to provide a wide and accessible perimeter on-site surrounding the two main pylons on which the bridge was built. MODULAR SYSTEM, THE KEY TO SIMPLE ASSEMBLY The project was divided into three sections: the Cordova viaduct and causeway; the cable-stayed bridge; and the access viaducts on the Cebu City side. Comansa’s tower cranes were used to construct the main cable-stayed bridge that spans approximately 650m and is supported by two 150m-high towers. • T ower 1 is located a distance from the coast and is not accessible by land, so
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the tower crane had to be erected using a crawler crane mounted on a boat. Tower 2 is also far from the coast, but in this case a temporary island/dock was made using fill material, allowing materials to be delivered and thus enabling the bridge to be built. The tower crane was erected using a crawler crane from this provisional island.
The modular system used by Comansa, with its compact pieces, played a fundamental role in this project by allowing the tower cranes to be erected in such complicated circumstances. VERSATILITY OF TOWER CRANES The tower cranes were used for a variety of purposes: • Lifting heavy equipment to the deck during the construction phase, such
“Given the bridge’s location in a country that is affected by typhoons during the rainy season, the tower cranes were designed to support winds of up to 250km/h.”
Two Comansa 21LC660 flat-top cranes from the 2100 series worked on the project. 76 / CAL May/June 2022
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as mobile cranes, boom trucks, and concrete pumps weighing up to 32t. uring concreting operations, in D order to lift 5 cubic metre concrete buckets (weighing approximately 12t) from the pile cap to the deck and moving them in a 40m working radius, in order to feed the static pumps used for delivering concrete to the segment being executed. ifting and placing pylon formwork, L prefabricated pylon rebar cages (approximately 8t), lifting of rebar bundles for structural works, lifting of anchor boxes and installation of the stay cables, among other daily activities carried out during bridge construction.
The ability to automatically change reeving, combined with the Power Lift system, allowed the cranes to easily adapt to a wide range of loading manoeuvres, handling different volumes and weights and taking full advantage of the cranes at all times. COMANSA, ‘COME HELL OR HIGH WATER’ Given the bridge’s location in a country that is affected by typhoons during the rainy season, the tower cranes were designed to support winds of up to 250km/h. In addition, due to their height and the proximity to Mactan-Cebu Airport, both the cranes and the booms were fitted with safety lights in compliance with civil aviation regulations. Both tower cranes were struck by lightning during the construction work, but thanks to their lightning protection, the operators were unharmed and the tower cranes were able to continue working after undergoing mechanical and electrical checks (assisted by the Comansa technical team through their online support). Ease of assembly, versatility, efficiency, and technical assistance are just a few of the aspects that ensured that the constructor finished on schedule so that this engineering masterpiece could be opened to motorists on 30 April 2022. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
LIFTING STANDARDS FOR CANBERRA AND SURROUNDING AREAS The team at Capital Cranes is committed to the professional management of safe lifting operations at all times. ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems ISO 45001 Safety Management Systems ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems It is our employees professionalism, expertise and dedication that helps make our projects successful.
Our team is experienced in most industries including: ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION INFRASTRUCTURE
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
QUARRY AND MINING
INDUSTRIAL ROOFING
RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION
POOLS AND SPAS
STEEL AND CONCRETE
TELECOMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE & UPGRADES
02 6260 1120 capitalcranes@bigpond.com www.capitalcranesact.com.au
IN FOCUS / PRESTON HIRE SUPERDECKS
A SUPERDECK SOLUTION FOR EVERY PROJECT Approximately 50 x 4.2 SuperDecks are being used on the One Sydney Harbour project managed by Lendlease.
Preston Hire’s SuperDeck loading platforms have been in high demand recently, playing an important role on a number of major projects along the East Coast. WITH THREE MAIN SIZES AVAILABLE in the SuperDeck range, and multiple options available in between, Preston Hire continues to demonstrate their ability to provide solutions for even the most challenging of projects, delivering safe, easy to use, and highly efficient materials handling results. Recently appointed general manager of Preston Hire, Mike Thomas, explained the versatility of the company’s SuperDeck fleet and what they can bring to a work site. “The SuperDecks’ main use is the loading of materials, equipment, and supplies to and from the various levels of a building under construction,” he said. “They can solve a number of challenges on site thanks to their proven design that has been put to the test for decades and always delivers.” Thomas went on to provide details of a number of projects that have relied heavily on Preston Hire SuperDecks. Each project has different requirements and unique circumstances that have easily been overcome by the SuperDeck system demonstrating the varying size, scope, and uses of each platform.
ONE SYDNEY HARBOUR The One Sydney Harbour project features three residential towers with 68 levels and 322 apartments that include full floor or part floor homes. The second of the three towers will reach 230 metres and will look over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House and back west across the Darling Harbour. “Approximately 50 x 4.2 SuperDecks are being used on the One Sydney Harbour project managed by Lendlease. It is a 78 / CAL May/June 2022
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major project and one we are proud to be involved with. The 4.2m-wide platform was selected for this site as they provide ample room to work with and around a load,” Thomas said. “A project of this scale requires large quantities of materials, including the delivery of pallets of masonry or Gyprock to each floor. Our 4.2s thrive when bulky materials need to be lifted. The 4.2s have also been put to good use for façade panels and structural steel segments thanks to the size of the platform. “Working with Lendlease, we understand that safety is paramount, especially when workers are 50 floors in the air. As with all Lendlease projects, lockable swing gates have been fitted by the Preston Hire team on the inside end of each platform, preventing people walking out onto the platform, and providing an additional layer of safety,” Thomas said. “We will always go the extra mile for specific customer requests, especially when safety is concerned. We place a huge focus on all safety elements of our SuperDecks. Components like locking pins, the rear jacks, the H-frame, end stop plates, lifting lugs, and the gates are all regularly inspected and tested,” he said.
Preston Hire supplied eight 3.2 metre SuperDecks. The form worker utilised a conventional formwork system and no tables were used making the 3.2 SuperDeck a perfect fit for the project.
“Many customers are pleasantly surprised at how cost effective a Preston Hire SuperDeck solution can be when our team has the opportunity to review the project in full.” “Our maintenance teams always check the full functionality of all components and overall appearance of the platform before any SuperDeck is supplied to our customers. It is in our DNA to only deliver top quality to our customers” Thomas said. 17 SPRING STREET, MELBOURNE Hacer is building 72 luxury apartments over 32 levels in Melbourne’s CBD, with four basement levels for car parks. Preston Hire has supplied eight 3.2m SuperDecks as they are the most practical size for this building structure. “The form worker utilised a www.cranesandlifting.com.au
conventional formwork system and no tables were used. This approach made the 3.2 SuperDeck a perfect fit for the project. Stacked in a vertical row, each of the SuperDeck platforms moves in and out to receive their load, delivering reduced crane movements, and saving time and money,” Thomas explains. “We always meet with our clients prior to a job, where one of our skilled team members will discuss the project and all of the intricate needs of the build. Our team will then be able to provide suitable solutions, recommend appropriate deck sizes and provide general suggestions on ways that the client could save in the long
run. This could be through suggesting smaller propping requirements, flexible installation arrangements, or providing more efficient equipment. “Many customers are pleasantly surprised at how cost effective a Preston Hire SuperDeck solution can be when our team has the opportunity to review the project in full,” Thomas said. JEWEL, SUNSHINE COAST Jewel is a new eight-storey residential project on the Sunshine Coast that Preston Hire recently commenced work on. The company delivered 28 x 2.2 SuperDecks to the site and these were installed across the seven levels of the project. Four platforms per level have been used due to the unique layout and design of each floor. The 2.2m SuperDeck was chosen as no modification to the scaffolding was required and installation would be simple,” said Thomas. May/June 2022 CAL / 79
IN FOCUS / PRESTON HIRE SUPERDECKS
Preston Hire delivered 28 x 2.2 SuperDecks to this site on the Sunshine Coast and these were installed across the seven levels of the project. By utilising the SuperDecks for this site, Preston Hire was able to save time, investment and energy for the builder.
“By utilising the SuperDecks for this site, we were able to save time, investment, and energy for the builder. Due to the nature of the glazing on the site, our 2.2s were the ideal size with no larger requirements needed and all materials, including formwork, cabinetry, plaster board, and rubbish handling for the project can be safely handled by the 2.2 SuperDeck,” he said. Beyond these major projects, Preston Hire is also working closely with builders across the country on unique, boutique, and regionally-located builds that can also benefit from the advantages delivered by the SuperDeck. “The beauty of our SuperDeck fleet is its versatility. We know it can genuinely provide significant value and improve efficiencies no matter the size of a build. “We love working on projects of all sizes and always offer our expertise, knowledge, and engineering abilities to our customers. We want them to count on us for any services we can provide,” said Thomas. 80 / CAL May/June 2022
“The Preston Hire SuperDeck has stood the test of time for many good reasons. It is a reliable, trusted, exceptionally safe and versatile product that importantly comes with the support and resources of a global business.” In addition to typical uses of the SuperDeck, a number of customers have used the decks for a range of applications. “Most of our SuperDecks are used for delivery of supplies, equipment, and materials to and from the various levels of a building under construction. “However, some projects have hired additional SuperDecks to provide temporary overhead protection in a tricky location, as storage space for materials and tools, or to act as a central location for debris generated during the build that can easily be cleared as needed,” Thomas said. “Our SuperDecks can add value to a project in many surprising ways.
“The Preston Hire SuperDeck has stood the test of time for many good reasons. It is a reliable, trusted, exceptionally safe, and versatile product that importantly comes with the support and resources of a global business. “We have been designing and operating loading platforms for decades, we know their capabilities, we know they can withstand the elements, we know they provide a safe environment for personnel, and we love hearing from delighted customers who experience the benefits first-hand,” said Thomas. “The SuperDeck has an impressive history, however the future is what excites us!” www.cranesandlifting.com.au
IN FOCUS / THE BADEN DAVIS CRANE CONNECTION
TRUSTED ADVICE FROM THE BADEN DAVIS CRANE CONNECTION Lawrence Engineering recently took delivery of a Liebherr LTM 1130-5.1 130-tonne capacity all terrain from The Baden Davis Crane Connection. Managing director Nigel Lawrence discusses the reasons for the acquisition and his relationship with Anthony Davis and The Baden Davis Crane Connection. 82 / CAL May/June 2022
LAWRENCE ENGINEERING IS PREDOMINANTLY an engineering company located in Broken Hill. The business services a number of industry sectors including mining, water infrastructure, wind energy, and the rural sector, with a range of services and a strong focus on quality workmanship and customer satisfaction. “We have purchased the Liebherr LTM 1130-5.1, and its 130t capacity, with the future in mind. A large part of our business is maintenance, this includes mine shutdowns, heavy equipment, and almost anything else across the engineering sector,” said Lawrence. “Our customers are primarily in the mining sector. However, recently we’ve
been involved in some water infrastructure projects and we’re looking to ramp up in that area, with water being such a critical commodity in our region. “There are several significant projects on the horizon which are looking promising, and we decided we needed a crane that could facilitate these projects as well as enabling us to increase our capacities for the work that is in the region right now. “Initially we were looking at a 100t capacity all terrain, but it made sense to purchase a crane that provided the extra 30t capacity,” said Lawrence. The Liebherr LTM 1130-5.1 delivers a combination of power and compact size. The five-axle crane is very flexible due to its www.cranesandlifting.com.au
Lawrence Engineering can operate the Liebherr LTM 1130-5.1as an 80t, 100t as well as a 130t capacity crane, which makes it highly versatile.
The Tidd, with its 28t capacity, has made a big difference to Lawrence Engineering’s lifting capabilities in the pick and carry market. Recently it was approved for underground mining work, which is a big step up for the business.
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compact dimensions and can be used on constricted sites without any problems. But this does not mean the crane compromises on power. It actually has a long, variable boom system with outstanding lifting capacities in all segments. The Liebherr LTM 1130-5.1 features a maximum load capacity of 130t, a telescopic boom of 60m, maximum hoist height of 91m and maximum operating radius of 72m. In addition, the optional heightadjustable crane cab on the Liebherr LTM 1130-5.1 provides an excellent view and therefore enhances safety on site. The Liebherr LTM 1130-5.1 has been engineered with sustainability in mind as the ECOmode and ECOdrive features achieve fuel savings of up to 10 per cent whilst significantly reducing noise. There are a number of options when it comes to the purchase of a second-hand crane and Lawrence explained why he chose to purchase the crane through The Baden Davis Crane Connection. “I’ve been working with Anthony Davis over a number of years now. We bought our Tidd pick and carry from him a couple of years ago and, in my experience, his service is second to none,” he said. “He provides a fantastic service which includes terrific support, and prompt follow ups, and he kept us in the loop the whole time this crane was on order. “We wanted a recent model, and this crane is only a couple of years old. It has low hours and low kilometers. Anthony put this specification out to his international network and found the crane through one of his contacts in Germany. The crane is exactly what we wanted. “When the crane arrived in Sydney, he sent us photos of the progress the crane was making during the processes he and his team had to go through to get the crane ready for the CraneSafe inspection and, ultimately, for work. “I have always found Anthony a good, genuine bloke to deal with. He has always backed and supported our business and I trust his judgement and advice,” said Lawrence. The Baden Davis Crane Connection manage the whole process, from finding May/June 2022 CAL / 83
IN FOCUS / THE BADEN DAVIS CRANE CONNECTION
The Baden Davis Crane Connection manage the whole process from finding the crane through to arranging the shipping, quarantine, cleaning, servicing, the CraneSafe process and registration of the crane.
the crane through to arranging the shipping, quarantine, cleaning, servicing, the CraneSafe process, and registration. “Everything is included in the price, and this was very attractive for us. We don’t have the time to worry about the detail of getting the crane here – Anthony and his team managed all of this. There are no hidden costs or variables, everything is laid out from day one,” said Lawrence. “We discussed a number of options before settling on this crane but, together, we decided we should invest in the Liebherr because of the quality of the cranes Liebherr produces and the support, parts, back up, and service the local operations provide. “Another benefit of this crane is that we can operate it as an 80t, 100t, and 130t capacity crane, which makes it a very versatile crane, and we can see it will be a well utilised asset for us,” said Lawrence. With the addition of the Liebherr LTM 1130-5.1, Lawrence Engineering now operates four cranes with capacities starting with a Franna AT 18t capacity pick and carry. “Our smallest capacity is an 18t Franna and this manages the smaller end of our pick and carry work,” said Lawrence. “The second pick and carry crane we have is a Tidd PC 28 and we purchased this from The Baden Davis Crane Connection about two and a half years ago. 84 / CAL May/June 2022
“The third crane we run is a 60t capacity Tadano truck mounted crane, which we’ve been operating for eight years. We purchased this crane new, and it has been a good machine for the business. “The new Liebherr is great addition and dramatically increases our crane services capabilities. We can now provide everything in the Western Division,” said Lawrence.
roadability. The Tidd is very comfortable to drive. Our customers are very safetyfocused, especially the mines, and we promoted the safety features of the Tidd to our customers from day one. It is a very presentable crane, and it looks terrific when it is operating on a site, which the customers like as well. The Tidd PC 28 features improved operational features designed to help operators work more efficiently and comfortably on both construction sites and the road. Increased lift capacity and greater maneuverability in smaller work areas are key benefits of the new crane. The Tidd PC28 is constructed using the highest quality components with safety a major focus with every element of its design. Safety features include Dynamic LMI with a deadlock switch inside the cabin and the LMI bridging switch outside the cabin. Slew Safe is an optional safety addition for the Tidd PC28. TRT developed Slew Safe (patented: 741038), which is designed to prevent rollovers and works with a number of features including audible alarms, ECU
“We’ve had the Tidd fitted with a fire suppression system and we’ve been able to ramp up the hours on the crane as it is working regularly underground in the mines.” The Tidd PC 28 has also been a good performer for Lawrence Engineering. “The Tidd, with its 28t capacity, has made a big difference to our lifting capabilities in the pick and carry market. Because it was a brand new model, we had a few minor issues in the beginning but these were ironed out quickly and, recently, we had it approved for underground mining work, which is a big step up for us. “We’ve had the Tidd fitted with a fire suppression system and we’ve been able to ramp up the hours on the crane as it is working regularly underground in the mines. “It’s our go-to pick and carry, because of the extra capacity and also its
warnings and an engine de-rating to prevent further slewing. According to TRT, the Tidd PC28 is the only pick and carry crane with this level of safety and Slew Safe can be retrofitted to all existing Tidd PC25s. Slew Safe is an effective system to restrict the driver from operating off the chart. With audible and visual alarms along with steering restriction Slew Safe cannot be overridden but will operate again when the load is back in the green. “We take great pride in looking after our cranes, they are always well presented, and our customer know we are impeccable with our service records and maintenance programs,” said Lawrence. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
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IN FOCUS / TRT AUSTRALIA
NEW SERVICE MANAGER TO SUPPORT TRT AUSTRALIA’S CAPABILITIES TRT welcomes Kent Wilcox to the position of new service manager for TRT Australia. AS TRT AUSTRALIA’S NEW SERVICE manager, Wilcox will play a vital role in continuing to progress its commitments and strengthen its capabilities throughout the service department in Brisbane. Having worked for over 40 years in the industry with several different original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Wilcox returns to Australia with a great deal of expertise and knowledge.
“Wilcox’s role involves overseeing and managing the employees to encourage and empower the team to drive success for TRT Australia and its customers,” said Neil Webb, general manager of TRT Australia. “Wilcox is the perfect fit, with over 15 years being a regional, branch and service manager, coupled with his exceptional attitude towards safety and teamwork.” Previously, Wilcox worked in the
TRT Australia welcomes Kent Wilcox to the position of service manager.
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Extensive capability of the team includes trailer service and vehicle equipment integration
United Kingdom for 13 years with Terex. Before working in the UK, he spent two years in South Africa working for Komatsu as a technician. Wilcox began his management career in 2003 and has been managing service teams in the field and workshops for over 19 years. He has been back in Australia for over 20 years, working for Liebherr before accepting the position at TRT Australia. “It was a combination of three things that drew me towards wanting to be part of the TRT team,” said Wilcox. “Location, the industry crossover, and, most importantly, the reputation. I’ve always known TRT as a very strong business with quality people and products. Now, with the addition of Neil Webb coming on board, I see a team with a very bright future,” Wilcox explains. “I have always been a huge fan of OEM products, and TRT’s equipment has always appealed to me, whether it’s www.cranesandlifting.com.au
The TRT Service team offers crane and trailer service, maintenance, major inspections and rebuilds, crane and trailer repairs, and insurance repairs.
their ESS trailers or the Tidd pick and carry cranes. The innovative thinking behind the technology is thoroughly impressive.” Wilcox will be managing a team of experienced technicians on site and in the field. The team offers crane and trailer service, maintenance, major
inspections and rebuilds, crane and trailer repairs, and insurance repairs. “We are expanding our service department, with an ongoing focus on capability,” he said. “We are providing advanced training for upskilling and empowering the team with more Kobelco May/June 2022 CAL / 87
IN FOCUS / TRT AUSTRALIA
“We also know how important it is to have the right crane and trailer parts in stock and delivered on time. Maturing our parts division has been a prospective focus for TRT.” and Manitowoc training for our technicians.” TRT’s experience and capability extend from its Manitowoc, Grove, Kobelco, Tidd pick and carry cranes, and heavy trailer expertise to most other crane types and models in Australian crane fleets. “The service team capabilities are extensive, and we work on a variety of projects,” said Wilcox. “For example, TRT supplies tipper bodies for the Rheinmetall MAN range of high mobility logistics trucks as part of the Commonwealth of Australia’s Land 121 Phase 3B/5B program. Our
skilled service team integrates these tipper bodies with these trucks here on site.” “We also know how important it is to have the right crane and trailer parts in stock and delivered on time. Maturing our parts division has been a prospective focus for TRT. Aaron Gedge, TRT’s parts manager, has improved stock levels, response times, and parts availability for customers.” TRT has a wide range of quality genuine OEM parts for trailers and cranes, including Manitowoc, Grove, Tidd, Kobelco, Robway Systems, and TRT trailer parts.
Topless Hydraulic Luffing • • • • • •
MCH175A: 10t max lift & 55m Jib Length MCH125A: 8t max lift & 50m Jib Length Standard 1.6m masts 2m masts up to 58.5m height Fast erection < 4 hours Reduced Out of Service radius at 10m Manitowoc Australia Tel: 02 8822 4000 Mob: +61 409 757 451 infoANZ@manitowoc.com www.manitowoc.com
New Zealand TRT NZ Tel: +64 7 849 4839 trt@trt.co.nz
“This new role at TRT ticks all the boxes for me. Not only do I get to work in the industry that I love, and where I grew up, but also with an amazing team who have been highly effective in the crane, manufacturing, and heavy trailer sector,” said Wilcox. When he’s not in the office, Wilcox enjoys traveling, water sports, and being involved in the community. Wilcox is very community-oriented, being a member of the Lions Club for over 20 years. “In the short time that I’ve been here, the team have been very helpful and supportive. I am looking forward to the future, I can see some good up-and-coming technicians that will develop into great assets for the company. I am delighted to have this opportunity to lead and empower the service team here in Australia,” he concluded.
IN FOCUS / QUICKLIFT CRANE HIRE & ACCESS HIRE Quicklift Crane Hire’s latest addition is this LTM 1250-5.1 from Liebherr.
QUICKLIFT BOOSTS ITS CAPACITY WITH LIEBHERR LTM 1250-5.1
Quicklift Crane Hire, based in Shepperton, recently took delivery of a new Liebherr LTM 1250-5.1, the largest crane in its fleet to provide an even higher level of service to its customer base. QUICKLIFT CRANE HIRE IS A FAMILY-RUN business started in 1998 by husband-andwife team Jarrod and Karli Sutherland. Its fleet has grown to over 20 cranes and it recently celebrated the arrival of a brand new LTM 1250-5.1. Quicklift has had multiple Liebherrs during its time operating and Jarrod says he enjoys the functionality and ease of operation the cranes have. “It is just a good quality crane, and they are fairly universal,” he explained. “The first Liebherr we had was an 80 tonne and, even now, you can go between different cranes. They are pretty similar in their operation – that’s one thing Liebherr do well. An operator can get out of one crane and into another and, even though it’s a different size crane, it is still fundamentally the same operating system.” The LTM 1250-5.1 is the most powerful www.cranesandlifting.com.au
mobile crane on five axles on the market. It is the third crane model on which Liebherr uses its innovative single-engine concept. The Liebherr innovations VarioBase and ECOmode mean that crane operators can use the LTM 1250-5.1 with even more safety and efficiency. In the development of the new crane, Liebherr followed the concept of achieving maximum load capacity from the available weight of a five-axle mobile crane. This larger capacity is what drew Jarrod and the Quicklift team to the crane. “It is a little bit of a step up, we had a 220 Grove and we moved up to a 250 Liebherr,” he said. “We recognised there was more demand for something a bit bigger – the 220 compared to the 250 doesn’t sound like much of a difference, but in some parts of the chart it has up to 30 per cent greater capacity.”
The LTM 1250-5.1 is the most powerful crane in its class in the world. Its load capacity has been increased compared to its predecessor by around 15–20 per cent, whilst the telescopic boom has remained at the same length of 60m. With lattice extensions the maximum hook height has been increased by a massive 9m to 110m. “Obviously, the LTM 1250-5.1 allows us to do a few more jobs that we couldn’t do with the 220. Greater lifting capacity helps and obviously being a later model crane – our other one was a bit older – and we wanted to avoid reliability issue’s as well,” said Jarrod. VarioBallast is a new feature for Liebherr. The LTM 1250-5.1 can be operated with two different ballast radii of 5.58m or 4.78m. Liebherr has designed a solution to adjust the ballast radius particularly quickly and easily. The ballast radius May/June 2022 CAL / 89
IN FOCUS / QUICKLIFT CRANE HIRE & ACCESS HIRE
is reduced by 800mm using standard mechanically swivelling ballasting cylinders. This solution is a major benefit of the new 250-tonne model for use in constricted conditions. “You can put the VarioBallast in a couple of different positions and this allows you to set up in a bit of a tighter space and has been pretty handy,” said Jarrod. “Also, with the VarioBase if you are working without a full counterweight, it gives you a greater capacity over your outriggers.” Liebherr has a particularly wide and variable range of lattice jibs for the LTM 1250-5.1. The 12.2m to 22m folding jib can be extended up to 36m with 7m sections. The adapter section for the folding jib is used as a 5.4m erection jib. The pivot point for the folding jib can be raised using up to two straight 7m lattice sections acting as telescopic boom extensions. These sections and the folding jib extensions can also be used on the Liebherr LTM 1200-5.1 and LTM 1220-5.2 mobile cranes. This is a major benefit for crane operators that use these crane models in their fleets. One feature that has been unusual in the five-axle class to date is the possibility to mount a long-fixed jib that, for example, can achieve enormous radii over buildings. It is now possible to achieve a fixed jib of up to 50m in length with just one additional TF adapter (connection Quicklift says Liebherr’s technical support has been fantastic.
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Karli and Jarrod Sutherland, owners of Quicklift Crane Hire
between the telescopic boom and the fixed jib), a reducer section and a head. The existing telescopic boom extensions and folding jib extensions are used for this purpose. This jib is hydraulically adjustable between 0° and 45° and can therefore be used like a luffing jib. A six-cylinder Liebherr diesel engine in the undercarriage which develops 400kW/ 544 bhp and torque of 2,516Nm provides the LTM 1250-5.1 with plenty of power. The power is transferred to the crane’s axles by the 12-speed ZF-ASTronic gearbox. A two-stage distributor gear permits minimal creeper speeds in manoeuvring mode. The intarder, a zerowear hydrodynamic brake integrated in
the gearbox, acts as a retarder. Like almost all LTM mobile crane models, the LTM 1250-5.1 is fitted with pneumatic disc brakes. The rear axles on the 250-tonner have active electro-hydraulic steering, depending on the vehicle’s speed. This increases the manoeuvrability of the vehicle and drastically reduces tyre wear. Five steering programs can be conveniently selected at the touch of a button. “The Liebherrs have a really good resale value as well which is a bonus for us,” said Jarrod. The Quicklift team, in particular the mechanics, have been impressed by the aftersales service provided by Liebherr, especially for a regional business such as Quicklift. “The relationship we have had with the Liebherr people, particularly the technical support, has been fantastic, which gives you confidence when buying their machines,” said Jarrod. “The mechanics enjoy working on them; they think they’re good. They like them from a servicing point of view, and it is easy to get parts.” Quicklift is continuing to go from strength to strength. The LTM 1250-5.1 is currently working on a number of projects, completing a wide variety of work, including some concrete panel erection. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
Next generation technology
XCMG cranes feature next generation technology and are now backed by world class service and support. New models arriving include: • All terrains of various capacities • Lattice boom crawlers 150t to 220t capacities • Truck mounted cranes 25t and 30t capacities
Call: XCMG Cranes Australia NSW Sales – Kerry Fullbrook E: kerry@xcmgcranesaus.com.au M: 0448 373 370 xcmgcranesaustralia.com.au
VIC Sales – David Kapahnke E: david@dnddiesel.com.au M: 0418 373 128 dnddiesel.com.au
IN FOCUS / PALFINGER INNOVATION
MAJOR COLLABORATION DELIVERS INNOVATIVE EXCAVATOR CRANE An impressive collaboration between Skevington Contracting, Meister Solutions, Palfinger NZ, Crane and Carry Engineering, and Hyspecs NZ has created an innovative and versatile excavator crane – currently at work on its first job in South Otago, reconditioning a dam that forms part of the Waipori Falls Power scheme. 92 / CAL May/June 2022
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With a 1,580kg lifting capacity at a 21m reach, the excavator crane has several impressive extra features. The excavator crane can also solve other issues on complex sites, reducing man hours required to complete a job and cutting down the number of people on site.
“This unit can do the job of four machines - it can excavate the track, complete foundation work, lift materials into position, and provide a long and high reach to finish off.” THE RESULTING MACHINE IS NOT THE only excavator crane in New Zealand, but it is certainly the largest. And with projects already lined up for the next 12 months, it could also be the most in demand. The Palfinger PK53002SH has been designed to replace the counterweight on the excavator subframe, creating a cleverly spec’d specialist unit. With a 1,580kg lifting capacity at a 21m reach, the excavator crane has several impressive extra features: a P-fold www.cranesandlifting.com.au
that enables the boom to fully unfold and refold from transport position to working position with one paddle movement on the remote-control handset; High performance stability control (HPSC) that automatically downrates lifting capacity when the crane is unable to fully extended its stabiliser legs; and a two-person workman basket. Blair Skevington of Skevington Contracting kicked off the project after completing multiple projects in steep and muddy conditions.
“Building roads just to get to the work area adds cost and weeks to project timelines,” explained Skevington. “This unit can do the job of four machines – it can excavate the track, complete foundation work, lift materials into position, and provide a long and high reach to finish off.” Skevington says the excavator crane can also solve other issues on complex sites. “The excavator crane reduces man May/June 2022 CAL / 93
IN FOCUS / PALFINGER INNOVATION Skevington Contracting is known for its innovative approach to finding solutions for clients.
McFaul was so impressed by the project that his operating company, Meister Engineering, contracted the machine for its first job while it was still on the drawing board. The Waipori Power scheme project, which focused on overhauling the dam intake structure, had a start date of November 3. When shipping delayed the crane’s arrival, the full project team – including Crane & Carry Transport and Hyspecs NZ – pulled out all the stops to get the unit up and running in record time. “Palfinger devanned the crane, got it on to the test bench in the Auckland workshop and, within three days, it had been modified and tested against the design spec,” said McFaul. “The Palfinger Auckland team did an awesome job getting the crane ready while working within Covid-19 Level 3 restrictions. hours required to complete a job and cuts down the number of people on site. The risk of incidents is lowered with less equipment and people around, and less equipment means less diesel burned – cutting the carbon footprint of each project,” he said. Skevington Contracting is known for its innovative approach to finding solutions for clients. The company built New Zealand’s largest hydro excavator, used in the Christchurch rebuild in 2011, to speed up repair and replacement of earthquake-damaged vital services. At the beginning of March 2021, Skevington and Ross McFaul of Meister Solutions discussed the feasibility of putting a large knuckle boom crane onto the back of an excavator. With this idea in hand, Meister Solutions produced some initial concept drawings and then consulted on the digger crane project – bringing in Reece Dillon, regional sales manager for Palfinger NZ. Dillon worked with McFaul to figure out size and configuration of the crane – and research, price, and source a suitable unit. 94 / CAL May/June 2022
would go anywhere else,” said McFaul. “Once the crane landed in New Zealand, everyone went hard out and worked together to get the job done.” Palfinger NZ’s Reece Dillon added: “A lot of people might have said this couldn’t be done. The only other unit like it in New Zealand is half the size – but we decided to jump in. The toughest challenge for us was the set up and stability. Where trucks have suspension, diggers don’t – and when they start to tip, they tip. We solved that by specifying a bigger digger, using our HPSC system, and opting for the widest possible leg beam on the crane. “We had to trick the crane into thinking that it’s a three-axle truck – with the digger bucket as the front axle, front roller as the middle axle, and the rear roller as the last axle. “All parties collaborated to come up with that solution and make it work.
“We had to trick the crane into thinking that it’s a three-axle truck – with the digger bucket as the front axle, front roller as the middle axle, and the rear roller as the last axle.” “The unit was then transported to Crane and Carry in Christchurch. The Crane and Carry boys had just finished some tidy-up grinding when it arrived – it was on the sub frame within minutes of arriving.” James Mackay of Hyspecs applied his expertise to hook up the crane to the digger hydraulics system. Getting the two European sensing systems to work together threw up some challenges, which demanded plenty of nous and some sleight of hand. Palfinger then conducted final stability testing, and the unit was picked up on November 1 for its first day on site the following day. The unit had to dig its own path through the sludge at the bottom of the drained Waipori lake to set up at the base of the dam and start work. “Palfinger produce very good cranes, and I struggle to see why you
As technology develops, creative minds push the envelope.” With a tight deadline to meet, all parties pulled together to get the new crane on site in time.
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IN FOCUS / TRT CRANE SUPPORT TRAILERS
TRT INNOVATION KEY TO VERSATILE SOLUTIONS FOR MCLEOD CRANES
Mt Maunganui-based transportation and lifting services McLeod Cranes recently took delivery of its first two TRT Crane Support Trailers, with another two still in build. This is the first series of custom-built crane trailers for McLeod Cranes, designed and manufactured by TRT. All trailers are to support its 300-tonne Demag AC300-6 crane. THE FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS HAS BEEN supplying and specialising in crane, transport, and drilling rig logistic services in New Zealand for over 26 years. With depots based in Mt Maunganui, Hamilton, and Taupo, McLeod can find itself servicing predominately anywhere in the North Island. However, it has has serviced NZ-wide to support its customers with more distant needs. Scott McLeod, managing director, explains how the trailers have provided their team with a versatile solution. “The first two trailers are working exactly as expected, with everyone in 96 / CAL May/June 2022
our team extremely impressed. The first trailer has been designed to be the ideal first support for quick and easy crane setup,” he said. “The second trailer carries 24 tonnes of counterweight. When first delivered it didn’t make it back to our yard, it went straight to the job site. We threw the weights straight on, and away she went. “I haven’t had a chance to see this trailer yet as it hasn’t come back to base. It’s been following the crane around the country; it is the ultimate crane for pre-cast panels, so it’s been a very busy crane trailer ever since we got it. I think we will end up
getting a fifth trailer if work continues at this pace.” Trailer one was custom built by TRT to carry the base plate and first counterweight, forklift, additional timbers, single sheave hook, and TRT Crane Pads. The next three trailers feature TRT’s Versa-Lock System. Trailer three is fitted out to carry 12 tonnes of counterweight, spreader beams, an auxiliary winch when required to get crane weight down, and fly jib. Trailer four is designed to carry the first set of wing weights. TRT’s Versa-Lock System enables easy reconfiguration of the trailer to carry components for any crane www.cranesandlifting.com.au
McLeod chose TRT to manufacture the trailers based on previous good experiences, in particular the strength and quality of the crane service technicians.
McLeod Cranes recently took delivery of its first two TRT Crane Support Trailers, with another two still in build.
make or model in an optimised configuration. The system also enables the positioning of modules on the crane trailer to be moved in 50mm increments, reducing overall downtime and improving transport efficiency. “The TRT Versa-Lock System is a clever innovation that produces a cost-effective solution for carting counterweight and exchanging trailers,” said McLeod. “If trailer two was clocking up too many kilometres, we could swap it out easily for the less-used trailer. “So, effectively by purchasing one trailer with Versa-Lock, this meant we could adjust the purpose of the trailer if we need it for a different crane. That is the exact path we want to head down and, as we get more trailers, it enables more flexibility with not just one but three or four trailers. “In addition to this, we can chop and change their duty based on how hard they are working. Evidently trailers one and two will get a hard life. But three and four may not necessarily always be out. The ability to swap them between different counterweights and different cranes appeals to us as it increases the life of the trailer. “Previous to this, we would buy second-hand trailers and spend about $15,000 making them counterweight trailers. We also found ourselves spending more money each year just to keep them on the road. “This time around, we took the www.cranesandlifting.com.au
“So, effectively by purchasing one trailer with Versa-Lock, this meant we could adjust the purpose of the trailer if we need it for a different crane.” advice and decided to go with new purpose-built trailers for the problem at hand. When we looked around for a business to provide us with the solution, we didn’t need to think twice about it. It was obvious that the TRT Versa-Lock Crane Trailers were proven to be the best.”
McLeod chose TRT to manufacture the trailers based on previous good experiences, in particular the strength and quality of the crane service technicians. “TRT has some of the best technicians I know, including Jordin Hutchinson, who did his May/June 2022 CAL / 97
IN FOCUS / TRT CRANE SUPPORT TRAILERS
apprenticeship with us, and Jason Barne, who has been a contractor for us. Plus, we are only an hour and a half away, which is fantastic,” said McLeod. “It’s not just the knowledge and experience of the people but also the quality of the product that influenced our purchasing decision. Nothing compares to TRT’s Versa-Lock System, it uses the latest transport technology. “I think our first counterweight trailer purchased from TRT was in 2002, which has been used with no issues – it’s been the definition of a workhorse. The aftermarket support is exceptional and if there was ever an odd issue or concern that occurred it was always quickly resolved for us. Our relationship with TRT has allowed us to grow the business, keeping gear on the road and working.” When asked how these trailers had strengthened the company’s services, McLeod explained: “Firstly, they make our work more efficient, meaning we can be quicker on the ground. Having a trailer that is purpose-built for the crane also creates a more seamless
experience for the customer and helps us achieve two of our values – absolute promptness and operational reliability. “When we arrive at the job site, we are very professional about what we do. How the trailer is set up is something the customer pays attention to. The speed of set up is now shortened and so is the time spent transitioning from travel mode to crane mode.” When asked what he enjoyed about the service and support provided by TRT, he said: “The involvement throughout the whole design process was thorough. We were extensively involved at every stage. I believe TRT presented six or seven different designs that I saw. There were little changes to trailers one and two but,
once TRT understood our safety philosophy, the trailer designs were exactly as we wanted. Which just demonstrates TRT’s commitment to customising the solution to solve the customer’s problem. “The trailers have made a huge difference, it’s much safer for the guys and they can counterweight up and down with no need to climb up. This means we eliminate the fall from height hazard through an engineered control. I would also like to note that, given the extreme pressures of Covid, TRT still managed to push through and deliver the trailer on time, which is awesome. “Ultimately, the service we received from TRT was great. They delivered what they said they would, and the design is what actually arrived.”
“The trailers have made a huge difference, it’s much safer for the guys and they can counterweight up and down with no need to climb up. This means we eliminate the fall from height hazard through an engineered control.”
The first two trailers are working exactly as expected, with everyone in the McLeod Cranes team extremely impressed. 98 / CAL May/June 2022
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Achieve the highest breaking strength with DSC8 PI MAX Ideal as a hoist rope on overhead cranes or as a luffing rope on many industrial crane applications, Dyform DSC8 PI MAX offers the highest breaking strength, as well as excellent crush resistance on multilayer spooling.
Learn more at www.bridon-bekaert.com
IN FOCUS / MCT EQUIPMENT
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BUY, SELL OR RECONDITION WITH MCT
Whether you are looking at new, used or reconditioned equipment, MCT Equipment will have the answer. MCT Equipment provides high quality used and refurbished equipment that is serviced with compliance and safety as a prerequisite.
NOT EVERYONE CAN SELL A CRANE. JUST like selling a house, it takes a special kind of passion and experience to do it well, and that is exactly where MCT Equipment comes in. If you are looking to buy or sell high quality used machinery, or perhaps you need to give your elderly machines the ‘breath of life’, then MCT has what it takes. It combines experience, a structured sales methodology, and a deep network of industry contacts to ensure your used equipment experience is handled professionally and efficiently, with a new equipment experience. Headed by Anthony and James Grosser, together holding over 30 years’ experience across construction, mining, infrastructure, and automotive industries, MCT is a force to be reckoned with. Its synergistic and innovative approach to the business of lifting means that you’ll get the most from used machinery. It only works with the best, both locally and internationally, to ensure it attains both the best purchasing price and the best sales price, and, with its structured sales methodology, you can rely on MCT to fully manage the process so you can get on with running your business. MCT OFFERS THREE KEY AREAS OF SUPPORT: Sale of high quality used equipment MCT will source your required equipment through its international network of trusted partners, handling all stages of the process to deliver a high-quality machine ready for use. From training and handovers to repairs and modifications – its team of dedicated staff works together to ensure you receive the equipment you need with minimal downtime.
The management of MCT Equipment has 30 years’ experience across construction, mining, infrastructure, and automotive industries.
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Disposal of your existing asset Before commencing the job, the team provides a structured disposal plan to secure full visibility of the process from start to finish. High-value machines need high-value team members, and MCT guarantees that over 10 years May/June 2022 CAL / 101
IN FOCUS / MCT EQUIPMENT MCT will source your required equipment through its international network of trusted partners, handling all stages of the process to deliver a high-quality machine.
experience in the used crane market fits the bill. Refurbishment of tired machinery MCT Equipment provides high quality refurbished equipment with full warranty in constant circulation. Its refurbished units are serviced to the highest standards with compliance and quality at the forefront every time. All machines that are sourced come in for major inspection at MCT, then go through a full refurbishment prior to getting a new owner. This improves and extends the machine life-cycle, getting it ready for its second wind. MCT’s inspections include assessing the machine’s service and repairs history, and considering the the machine’s usage and the overall condition of the machine. As part of the pre-inspection, prior to preparing a scope of work, it completes full operational tests, a full machine inspection, and associated reports. Finally, the machine goes through a third-party inspection to go over the report findings. 102 / CAL May/June 2022
You can rest assured that if your machine doesn’t hold up in a major inspection, MCT’s workshop will get it back up and running. GET IN TOUCH If you’re looking to buy or sell, or
you need to chat about your servicing or maintenance requirements, contact the team today by calling 08 6500 3460 or visiting https://mctequip.com.au. Otherwise, come and visit the MCT workshop at 19 Church Rd, Maddington WA 6109. MCT Equipment provides high quality refurbished equipment with full warranty in constant circulation.
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ACHIEVE GREATNESS Unlock efficiency and reduced costs with Magni RTH
The Magni Rotating Telehandler (RTH) will save you both time and money. With multiple attachments, it’s the swiss army knife of machinery replacing your need for multiple machines.
1
City Class Crane The winch attachment is compact and sturdy. Designed for effortless lifting and moving of objects, even in tight spaces.
4 2
Elevated Work Platform Wide range of platforms available for working at heights in total safety or where accessibility is an issue.
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Pick & Carry Crane Magni approved hooks offer a wide solution for use in the construction world, including 360° rotation and load control system that detects the risks of overload during use.
4
2
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Site Clean Up The bucket is perfect for transporting sand, gravel and rubble and maintaining a safe worksite, available with up to 3000L load capacity. Telehandler With a large range to meet market needs and to assist our operators directly in the workplace. From the simplest fork carriers to those with heavy-duty capacities and larger fork sizes able to perform aggravating work in the most extreme conditions.
MCT EQUIPMENT HAS EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS FOR MAGNI IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND NORTHERN TERRITORY.
IN FOCUS / POTAIN TOWER CRANES
The new MCT 805 topless tower crane is designed with an 80m jib and Potain is offering 32t and 40t versions.
MANITOWOC LAUNCHES LARGEST POTAIN TOPLESS CRANE FOR ASIA PACIFIC Manitowoc’s Potain team in China has launched the largest Potain topless crane yet, for key Asia-Pacific and emerging markets.
CUSTOMERS IN ASIA-PACIFIC AND emerging markets have an exciting new high-capacity topless tower crane available, the Potain MCT 805, which is manufactured at Manitowoc’s Zhangjiagang factory in China. The new Potain MCT 805 topless tower crane, which is similar to the MDT 809, is designed with an 80m jib and height under hook of 84m, and is offered in 32-tonne and 40t versions. An affordable, high-quality crane, it will target customers in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. The containerised design makes it easier to transport, and it sets up twice as fast as standard 40t tower cranes. The new model offers strong 104 / CAL May/June 2022
performance and complies with international standards and requirements. The high working height of 84m comes courtesy of the reinforced K-mast system with newly developed installation bases. In particular, customers will find that the 8m cross-shaped base offers performance characteristics more commonly associated with a 10m chassis. With a counter-jib no longer than 27.3m enabling an impressive 7.5t capacity at 80m reach, the tip load of the M32 and M40 configurations is ideally suited to meet the growing need for lifting heavier loads within confined job sites. The maximum 32t load capacity of the M32 version is available to
distances of well over 22m, while on the M40 version the 40t maximum load can be handled out beyond 18.5m. Frequency-controlled hoists are available in a number of variations. Two highlights are the 150HPL80 on the M32, which can lift 1.8t at 151m/ min, and the 270LVF100 Optima on the M40, which can raise 3.5t at 162m/min. For both the M32 and M40, a maximum drum capacity of 1,063m of rope is available if fitted with the larger hoist option. Customers can choose from a two-fall configuration on the trolley for faster lifting, or four-fall for heavy lifting. BOXING CLEVER While other 40t capacity cranes can www.cranesandlifting.com.au
The new model offers strong performance and complies with international standards and requirements.
typically require up to 14 containers for transport, the rotating section of the MCT 805 can be moved in either 10 or 11 loads depending on how the crane is being transported. All jib sections fit inside a standard container, making it a compact transport solution. This is possible thanks to a jib design measuring just 1.55m wide and under 2.5m high. With best-in-class transport and erection requirements for a crane of 800mt (on par with 450mt cranes), the Potain can set up twice as fast and requires less space than conventional 40t cranes. With its full 80m jib, the crane can be assembled to a 50m working height in two to three days. In addition to being more convenient to transport, the 8m cross-shaped base is also easier to set up than its 10m alternative. It consists of a main girder and two half cross-girders that connect easily with pins. Mast and jib section lengths have also been designed to perfectly match customer requirements, including the 10m mast for rapid erection, 5m mast for telescoping, and 3.33m mast for fine-tuning height. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
also creating greater need for highercapacity models,” said Thibaut Le Besnerais, vice president brand and product management for tower cranes at Potain Manitowoc. “So the early success of the MDT 809 made it apparent that other regions served by our Zhangjiagang factory would also enjoy the benefits of its innovations, making the decision to launch the MCT 805 relatively easy. “But those innovations don’t stop at performance, transport, and assembly – for instance, there are several new features that simplify servicing, such as the jib design that aids access to key crane components.” Launched at bauma 2019, the
“The advantages of fast assembly and compact design is really driving the growth in demand for topless cranes, but the growing popularity of modular construction methods is also creating greater need for higher-capacity models.” Using the dedicated slinging points and connection systems for faster and simpler on-site assembly, the jib can be built up in 5m increments from 30m to 80m, either on the ground or in the air, depending on site conditions and available space. Its modular design without tie bars enables several configurations in addition to the lighter package weights. The rotating cab and easy-connect points for the folding counter-jib further simplify erection. Once the wired towerhead/cab assembly has been fitted, there is no need to dismantle it between jobsites. ADVANCED DESIGNS “The advantages of fast assembly and compact design is really driving the growth in demand for topless cranes, but the growing popularity of modular construction methods is
MDT 809 was an immediate hit and quickly became a key part of major construction projects across Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the US. Since then, it has been used on several high-profile projects, including the rebuilding of Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral. Due to this, it was awarded the prestigious ‘Tower Crane Project of the Year’ award by DLR and SPMDG in 2020, two respected trade bodies involved with the lifting industry. Other MDT 809 cranes have featured on large projects including the FAIR particle accelerator facility in Darmstadt, Germany, the Link Alliance City Rail Link in Auckland, New Zealand, and the City Ridge development in Washington, D.C. The MCT 805 will be available in China and the rest of Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America markets. May/June 2022 CAL / 105
IN FOCUS / GROVE ALL TERRAINS AND TBHL&S NT
TBHL&S NT run seven Groves and it is waiting on the delivery of two more: a Grove GMK5250XL-1 and the Grove GMK6400.
NEW GROVES HEADED TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY Two new Groves are about to be added to the fleet of the Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift Northern Territory (TBHL&S NT) operation. Wayne Morris is the Northern Territory state manager for TBHL&S NT and explains why a Grove GMK5250XL-1 and a Grove GMK6400 are being added and the depth of the relationship the NT operation has with the team at Grove.
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TBHL&S NT OPERATES OUT OF THE DARWIN suburb of Berrimah. Morris discussed the approach his team takes to the challenges it faces. “Our Northern Territory operation is very motivated and has a fanatical ‘can-do’ attitude,” said Morris. “One day we can find ourselves lifting and constructing a 90-tonne capacity shovel excavator at a new lithium mine and the next we will be transporting a 55t offshore module which has been sent from the Netherlands. The work is varied and challenging, which helps to keep the team on their toes and motivated. “The more complicated the projects and the lifts, the more we rise to the occasion, developing the safest and most commercially viable solution for the customer,” he said. The majority of staff have been with the TBHL&S NT operation for many years, and some have over 40 years of experience with the business.
“The roots of the TBHL&S NT operation date back almost 60 years. The operation was originally opened in Darwin by Brambles in the mid 1960s. It was purchased by Tat Hong in 2003 and a later name change saw it become Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift,” explained Morris. “Our team comprises of six office staff, five crane technicians, and 17 crane and truck operators, so it is a significant operation for this part of the world. We service all of the Northern Territory from top to bottom, east to west. We also service the Central Queensland coal fields and the Western Australian iron ore mines. “Our operation services a wide variety of industries, which include oil and gas, construction, and mining. In these industry sectors we service ‘Blue Chip’ customers including Inpex, Qube, Shell, Toll Logistics and McConnell Dowell. In terms of general hire, we can be lifting anything from containers for mums and dads, or putting in a pool, through www.cranesandlifting.com.au
to general lifts for engineering and manufacturing businesses. The list is never ending and, if it needs lifting, we have a crane to do it,” he said. TBHL&S NT operates an extensive fleet of cranes. The all terrain element of the fleet is dominated by Groves, said Morris. “We currently run seven Groves and we are waiting on the delivery of two more, a Grove GMK5250XL-1 and the Grove GMK6400,” he explained. With its 78.5m boom, the GMK5250XL-1 has the longest main boom of any five-axle all terrain crane and combines that with the best lifting capabilities in the industry. As with all Grove all terrain cranes, it features Megatrak suspension and the twin-lock boom pinning system. It is also available with the MAXbase variable outrigger function for added versatility on the jobsite. The GMK5250XL-1 is a great example of how Grove develops its products. It’s an update to the very successful GMK5250L, which remains in the product range. Grove has added 8.5m of boom for more reach TBHL&S NT has been operating in the industry for almost 60 years.
TBHL&S NT operates an extensive fleet of cranes. The all-terrain element of the fleet is dominated by Groves.
at 78.5m, so it can take on more jobs. At the same time, Grove has maintained the class-leading lift performance, manoeuvrability and fast set-up of the GMK5250L, which makes it such a popular choice with Grove customers. The Grove GMK6400 400t capacity all terrain has the best lifting capacity of any six-axle all terrain, says Morris. It features a 60m main boom and up to 79m of luffing jib, giving it a maximum possible tip height of 136m. It can handle loads out to a maximum radius of 96m and comes with the optional self-rigging Mega Wing Lift attachment for additional capacity. The GMK 6400 is an allrounder well suited for a number of industry sectors, including wind farm construction and maintenance, erecting and dismantling tower cranes, installing precast concrete panels, infrastructure projects, and data center construction. Operators like to work with the GMK6400 because of the ease of rigging and smoothness of operation. THE TBHL&S NT FLEET ALREADY INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING GROVE ALL TERRAINS: • G MK4090 – four-axle 90t capacity • G MK4100L-1 – four-axle 100t capacity x two • G MK5095 – five-axle 95t capacity MK5130-2 – five-axle 130t capacity • G • G MK5150L – five-axle 150t capacity • G MK6300L – six-axle 300t capacity
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But TBHL&S NT’s capabilities don’t stop there, says Morris. “We currently have four crawler cranes working for McConnell Dowell at HMAS Coonawarra. These include a Demag CC2800-1 a 600t crawler operating on a barge, a Sany SCC8300 300t capacity crawler operating on a new wharf top, a HSC SCX2800-2 280t capacity crawler also operating on a new wharf top, and a Kobelco CKE1800-1 180t capacity crawler working on a new wharf approach,” he said. “We also run on a daily basis six to eight Frannas of various capacities,” he said. TBHL&S is part of Tat Hong Holdings, which operates the largest fleet of crawler and mobile cranes in the Asia Pacific. Morris explained how this provides his NT operation with opportunities to access specific cranes for large projects. “We do have the luxury of having access to the wider TBHLS and Tat Hong fleet, and the CC2800-1 was shipped from Singapore for the project it is now working on. And being part of a much larger group means we are able to draw on the resources for some of the larger projects. We also help out other business units by sending machinery and specialist staff to other business units for projects,” he said. Morris went on to discuss the relationship TBHL&S NT has with the team at Grove. “Obviously, running mainly Groves May/June 2022 CAL / 107
IN FOCUS / GROVE ALL TERRAINS AND TBHL&S NT
The fleet of Groves provide TBHL&S NT with flexibility and they are good lifters. This enables the teams to get around issues on site and complete the lifts safely and as planned.
in our fleet we have a strong relationship with the team at Grove. The service and support we receive from the Grove team is fantastic. Last year, we were on a crucial project for our customer Inpex, which involved a shut down, and Grove sent us two technicians for the duration of the project, just to solve any issues which might have meant the cranes occurring downtime. This type of support is invaluable to our business and also to our customers,” he said. “Danny Hall is one of Grove’s senior technicians and he has an unbelievable amount of knowledge relating to the Grove product, and he will always take our call any time of the day or night. A few months ago I called him with a technical issue, and he was able to talk us through the various steps, and we managed to fix it remotely,” he said. “Our guys are very confident with the Groves. They like the way they operate and they move easily between the different models and capacities. The Groves are a very good solid crane, and they suit the needs of our business really well. They are good allrounders and also very roadable. “A good example of this was a recent job for the GMK 6300L. The project was a bore mill replacement at our customer Australian Imenite Resources mine. The mine was 425km from Darwin to Mataranka NT, then a 114km trip down the Roper Highway. “It was a remote site and, when the guys got there, they needed to improvise 108 / CAL May/June 2022
“Generally speaking, our cranes don’t travel too much but, when they do, we have the ability to support them in house. We are a self-sufficient operation, and we send personnel at the drop of a hat. We have our own heavy haulage and transport fleet which can carry our cranes all over the country.” to a degree as we didn’t have a lot of information about the project before we despatched the crane. “But the Groves provide us with flexibility and they are good lifters, so we can generally get around most issues on site and complete the lifts safely and as planned. “Another project was for an Inpex and Veolia Netherlands cassette media replacement. The media inside the cassette was shipped from the Netherlands and our guys worked alongside two Veolia specialists who had flown in from the Netherlands to execute the project. “Other projects involving the Groves include the Inpex maintenance contract, including the 2021 shut down mentioned earlier, New Airport Control Tower, where we had the Grove GMK6300L working, the Alice Springs Hospital carpark, where we had the GMK5150L, and Grote Eylandt conveyor replacement, where we had the GMK4100L working on a jack up barge,” said Morris. TBHL&S NT has the capability to prepare engineered lift plans but, for the more complex requirements, the team is able to draw on the resources of the TBHL&S engineering team. With such a large territory to cover, Morris relies on the expertise of his teams when they are working remotely. “We manage remote projects by sending our experienced teams, who will demonstrate a ‘can do’ attitude and are willing to work with the customer
when they get to site, which makes all the difference. Our teams have a high focus on safety and have the ability to problem solve on the run,” he said. “Generally speaking, our cranes don’t travel too much but, when they do, we have the ability to support them in house. We are a self-sufficient operation, and we send personnel at the drop of a hat. We have our own heavy haulage and transport fleet, which can carry our cranes all over the country,” said Morris. Morris has been the Northern Territory state manager since 2018. “One of my first challenges was to navigate the operation through the unfolding Covid-19 pandemic,” he said. “I have spent most of my working life around plant and machinery. My father was into earthmoving equipment so, from an early age, I was interested in how everything worked. I moved from the Gold Coast to Darwin in 1993, where I have spent some time in the hospitality and construction sectors. I also spent some time in the resources sector before joining the NT operation of TBHL&S. “I enjoy the work because no two days are ever the same and there are always challenges. The reward is getting the job done and knowing the customer is happy with our efforts. “The service and support from the Grove team play an important part in my role and this is why we have added six new Groves to the fleet during my time with the organisation,” he said. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
IN FOCUS / UAA AND YOU HIRE
YOU HIRE FLOODING WITH PRAISE FOR UAA
You Hire is a Brisbane-based specialist hirer of heavy lift materials handling equipment. Based in Rocklea, the business was unfortunately inundated during the recent floods and a number of the fleet of heavy lift forklifts, including large trye handlers and container handling forklifts, were severely damaged. UAA was on hand to help. MATT ‘YAPPIE’ YAPP, DIRECTOR AND OWNER of You Hire, explained to Cranes and Lifting magazine how Underwriting Agencies of Australia (UAA) responded to flooding events and why he has been insured with UAA for many years. “We were in cranes and haulage for over 20 years, and we were employing over 100 people in the business, but we were getting tired of the issues that went with managing a big business. The unions were making it hard, so we decided to get out of cranes and haulage and focus on the rental side of the business, which includes our heavy lift forklifts,” said Yappie. You Hire specialises in the hire of large tyre handling attachments used for changing tyres in the mining sector, container handling forklifts, reach stackers and forklifts from 16t capacity upwards. You Hire services the mining, rail, and shipping industries, and anyone who requires heavy capacity forklifts. “We have always been insured by UAA, both when we had the crane and transport business and now with the forklift hire business. We have always had a good claims history with minimal claims. We have always found UAA to be a great company to be insured with,” said Yappie. “We used to conduct all the major recoveries for UAA. These were the results of mishaps from other businesses. UAA would send me numbers of these jobs simply because we got stuck in and made the jobs happen.” Unfortunately, You Hire has been inundated with flooding on a number of occasions, and Yappie discussed how responsive UAA have been during these crises. “We had some notice that conditions were not going to be good, and we were lucky enough to get 95 per cent of our fleet www.cranesandlifting.com.au
out. The problem we have with this facility is that the street floods first, making it impossible to move the equipment. “We had a lot of gear damaged in that flood, including flys and hook blocks which were left behind, and a lot of work was required to rehabilitate the equipment. “After the 2011 flood, George Grasso, UAA’s chief claims and services officer, and assessors came straight up from Newcastle to help. UAA were here to help us make the right decisions and get the equipment back to work as soon as possible. Together we mitigated a lot of loss with that flood. “UAA has always provided a very professional service and I’ve found them to be fair, just, and good people. They understand our business, which makes so
much difference when there is a disaster like these floods,” said Yappie. There was another flood in 2013 and Yappie and his team had to think quickly. “The street started flooding again and it looked like the yard was going under, we had to do whatever we could to get the gear out. Our neighbour is a business called Cascade Forklift Attachments and we are a big customer of their tyre handlers. We asked if we could exit our gear through their premises and they said ‘come on through’. “We had to take some panels off one of their large sheds and drive the machines through and to safe ground. We also helped them get some of their gear to safe ground and together we did everything we could to mitigate loss,” he said.
A number You Hire’s heavy lift forklifts, tyre handlers and container handling forklifts were severely damaged when the recent floods inundated the Brisbane suburb of Rocklea. May/June 2022 CAL / 109
IN FOCUS / UAA AND YOU HIRE
You Hire claim. Searle explained how UAA approaches these situations. “When these types of natural disasters occur, we alert and mobilise our assessors and get them to site as quickly as possible,” she said. “When we are notified that a client has been inundated with flood water, we don’t know what items have been damaged. So, the assessor walks through the site with client, assessing the damage to the various pieces of equipment, determining if they can be repaired or if they are a total loss. “In this instance, our assessor is known to Yappie. You Hire has been a long-term client of UAA and they have worked together on previous claims. The assessor specialises in the heavy lift industry and so he has the required knowledge of our client’s business and the equipment he operates.” Following the site visit, the assessor compiles a report with details of what is a total lost and what is repairable. With the total losses there is some work that goes on in the background says Simone. “The assessor will send us reports on the values of the machines that are a total loss and, as soon as we receive this
UAA’s Simone Searle, technical claims consultant, and Michelle Morrisey national claims manager.
With the recent flood it was apparent to Yappie that none of the authorities including the state government and local councils were prepared for the magnitude of the flooding. “There were no warnings from the authorities and there were certainly no notifications,” said Yappie. “To date we have written off five or six machines. As usual, UAA have been super responsive and cooperative and they quickly accepted these write-offs. Obviously, we have been working hard to get the other machines operational. We’ve been buying a mix of second-hand and new parts in an attempt to keep the costs down. “We bought an old wreck recently. Hyster wanted $50K for a new cab with the electrics that go with it. The wreck cost $8K and it features a cab which is only 12-months-old, which UAA were really happy about. “In these types of circumstances where 110 / CAL May/June 2022
“We also understand the client’s livelihood is at stake and, if they don’t have machines working and generating income, they won’t survive. We are focused on getting funds to the client as quickly as possible so they can get the business up and running again and generating revenue.” we are trying to get everything back up and running, I will speak to George and let him know what we are proposing. He was obviously delighted with this outcome and pleased to learn we were in the process chasing another wreck and plan to harvest the components from this as well. “Looking for solutions in this way, we can save a lot of money and we can also access the parts quickly because, with the way supply chains are the moment, parts availability is an major issue,” said Yappie. Simone Searle is a technical claims consultant at UAA and is handling the
You Hire’s Rocklea site.
www.cranesandlifting.com.au
information, we start processing the claim and getting the funds out to the client for the losses they have suffered,” said Searle. Because UAA and You Hire have worked together for so long there are high levels of trust from both parties. Searle explained how this trust can see the equipment recovered and back operating in the fastest possible time frames. “With You Hire, we understand Yappie is very hands on with his equipment and he has a highly qualified and experienced team that carries out the repairs, servicing, and maintenance of the fleet. With the equipment identified as being in a condition that can be repaired, we are happy for him to start that process. “In this instance, it has involved Yappie buying wrecks from which he can harvest various components to get his machines up and running as quickly as possible. Yappie then submits his costs to our assessor, who ticks them off and agrees they are fair and reasonable. These will come through to me and I will authorise the payment of the client’s out-of-pocket expenses,” she said. This transparent communication between client, assessor and insurer is designed to speed up the claims process and to get the equipment back operating and generating revenue for the client as quickly as possible, she explained. “Having worked with Yappie for such a long period of time, we are more than confident in his abilities to repair his machines. It is a much quicker process than sending the equipment to various repairers, having to wait for the quote for
www.cranesandlifting.com.au
With the roads flooded, it was impossible to get everything out of the facility in time.
the repairs, signing off on the quote, and then waiting for the repairs to happen. Also, sending the equipment to repairers incurs additional costs as we have to float the equipment to the various repairers. “Over the years, our CEO Michael ‘Murf’ Murphy, and chief claims and services officer George Grasso have visited Yappie at this facility on several occasions, so they know what his and his team’s capabilities are,” said Searle. She went on to explain how the team at UAA approach these catastrophes with empathy. “When a flood like this happens, we prioritise our clients that have been impacted. We understand how profound the impact of the flood has at a personal level as well as the impact on the business. “We also understand the client’s livelihood is at stake and, if they don’t have machines working and generating income, they won’t survive. We are focused on getting funds to the client as quickly as possible so they can get the business up and running again and generating revenue,” she said. Yappie confirmed if the relationship with your insurance provider is to work for both parties, each has to take responsibility for the other’s wellbeing. “In my opinion, if you are going to get into bed together, you have to think about both parties, it can’t be about one party.
So, post these disasters, we work hard with UAA to mitigate cost, loss, and time,” he said. “The relationship with UAA is far more than simply paying premiums and making a claim when there is an incident. To get the full benefit of the relationship you need to be transparent and demonstrate your willingness to work on the best solution for UAA and for us. “Over the years, UAA has tailored policies to match our requirements. Today, all of our business is dry hire so there are far fewer people in the business, and I guess you could call our machinery relatively low risk. It’s not like a car rental business where every second car gets dinged every second month. Some of our big forklifts go out on hire and we won’t see them back in the yard for seven years. “Every year, the UAA team put their costs on the table, they explain the terms of engagement, and we have always been satisfied with what they are proposing. We view our relationship with UAA as a partnership and although the shape and focus of our business has changed, the strength of the relationship and UAA’s understanding of our business hasn’t. “Both my wife, Clare, who works tirelessly behind the scenes, and I believe UAA has the same business values as You Hire and these are based on ‘production not promise’, ” concluded Yappie. May/June 2022 CAL / 111
IN FOCUS / GROVE CRANES Today, Grove is one of the world’s most recognised crane brands, with operations around the world.
GROVE CELEBRATES ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY
Grove is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2022, a significant milestone for one of the world’s most renowned and prolific crane manufacturers. FOR 75 YEARS, GROVE HAS consistently delivered lifting innovation that has powered some of the best-selling mobile cranes of all time. What began in a garage in Shady Grove, Pennsylvania, US, is now a global crane brand, with operations around the world. Grove was launched in 1947. The Grove brothers — John and Dwight – and Wayne Nicarry were building farm wagons when they realised they 112 / CAL May/June 2022
needed a more efficient way to move raw materials. John designed a rudimentary rubber-tyred crane, giving birth to the first Grove mobile crane. In time, he would manufacture the first mobile hydraulic industrial cranes and Grove would transition from a farm machine company to a crane company. Today, Grove is one of the world’s most recognised crane brands, with www.cranesandlifting.com.au
Grove was launched in 1947 in a garage in Shady Grove, Pennsylvania. John and Dwight Grove and Wayne Nicarry realised they needed a more efficient way to move raw materials, which led to the first Grove mobile crane.
The original workshop.
operations around the world. In 2002, it became part of the Manitowoc crane brand portfolio and continues to grow its line of all terrain, rough terrain, truck, and industrial cranes. Despite changes in lifting technologies, one thing has remained constant: the trust and confidence that Grove instills in customers around the world. Grove is celebrating its historical milestone all year, highlighting some of the best-known models, the projects it’s completed, and the people who are driving the company’s continued success. “We’re extremely proud to celebrate Grove’s tremendous journey over the past 75 years,” said Aaron Ravenscroft, president and CEO of The Manitowoc Company, Inc. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
“A milestone like this affords us the opportunity to look back and admire what has made Grove successful while inspiring us to drive toward our future goals. “For Grove, it’s a tradition of performance, reliability, durability, innovation, and support. Our sincere gratitude goes out to our customers and the crane operators that helped promote the Grove legacy.” Throughout 2022, Grove will
“We’re extremely proud to celebrate Grove’s tremendous journey over the past 75 years.” be sharing stories about its people, products, and history on social media and Manitowoc’s Looking Up website. It will also pay special tribute to the company’s legacy at bauma 2022. May/June 2022 CAL / 113
IN FOCUS / ALLEGHENY CRANE RENTAL BRIDGE RESCUE
US BRIDGE COLLAPSE REQUIRES BUS LIFT RESCUE Allegheny Crane and Rigging successfully rescued a bus and cars trapped by a bridge collapse. President of Allegheny Crane Rentals Kyrk Pyros explained the complexities of the project following the bridge collapse near Frick Park, Pittsburgh in the United States. Allegheny deployed its Liebherr LTM 1350-6.1 and Grove GMK5275.
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THERE WERE A NUMBER OF HOSPITALISATIONS as a result of the bridge collapse and at least three people rushed to hospital were on the bus. Miraculously there were no deaths. Understandably, the bridge deck had to be cleared of vehicles before any recovery work could begin. Allegheny Crane Rentals utilised a Liebherr LTM 1350-6.1 with Y guides and luffer to perform the lift with the most challenging aspect recovering the bus. The second crane, a Grove GMK5275, 275-tonne capacity all terrain featured luffing jib and utilised 63.71m of the main boom was also used in the recovery. The Port Authority bus was the most challenging aspect of the lifts. It was situated some 26 metres below the crane and weighed in at 21 tonnes, measuring 18m in length, 2.5m in width, and 3m in height. The bus was an articulated model, posing an even greater challenge for the planners as, once the lift began, it had potential to shift the centre of gravity on the load. The Allegheny crew began the task of solidifying the bus to ensure it could be lifted and not a pose a risk of shifting and placing the crew in danger. “We used Mcgann and Chester’s 90t rotator wrecker to pull up the bus to get it straightened out so we could rig and block-knuckle it,” said Pyros. “To prevent the bus from moving, we fixed cribbing, which was braced to the structural frame members inside the bus while it was being suspended by the wrecker, then we rigged the bus from the outside with our rigging plan. “Rigging like this is an art, where engineering and style collide for a great solution. I am more of a naturalist, I keep it as it lays for simplicity and safety. We have the vision in place then we say: let’s go worst case scenario, everything that can fail, might fail, do we have a contingency for this?” Pyros said. Lifting the 21t bus required www.cranesandlifting.com.au
meticulous planning to keep it safe. “We set up a temporary office in Frick Park Automotive and we are grateful we were able to access this during the lift. We were constantly updating and tweaking right up until the pick,” Pyros said. “We had three engineers on this project from start to finish – Alex Delp, Hank Depasquale, and myself – and we were continually updating in real time and working together to ensure the project was completed successfully,” he said. The lift itself required diligent and careful planning from Allegheny Crane and Rigging and all engineers were tasked with ensuring the lift was completed successfully. “It was a great collaboration and team effort between public and private partnerships in the City of Pittsburgh,” Pyros said. “The rigging weight came in at 462kg, the hook weight was 800kg, the hook height was 33m, and the materials used were kevlar and steel.” Allegheny utilised over 140t of counterweight to successfully complete the lift. The counterweight was easily added to the crane utilising Liebherr’s vast array of safety equipment, which included pedestals, hand railing, and hand holds. The Liebherr LTM 1350-6.1 provided all the power Allegheny crew needed to lift the bus out of the ravine. The drivetrain for the LTM 13506.1 is an eight-cylinder Liebherr turbo diesel with an output of 450kW. It has an automatic ZF gearbox with 12 forward gears and two reverse gears. The LTM 1350-6.1 has active rear axle steering, which allowed it to be manoeuvred into place and ensure the lift was able to occur. The Liebherr LTM1350-6.1 is extremely compact, which allowed it to reach its position with little issue. The chassis length is 15.37m, the minimum turning radius is 12.69m, the chassis width is 3m and www.cranesandlifting.com.au
The load included a hook weight of 800kg, total rigging weight of 462kg and the bus weighed 21t.
President of Allegheny Crane Rentals Kyrk Pyros.
“It combined the FBI, secret service, NTSB USAR 51, Pittsburgh Fire, Pittsburgh Police, public works, Mcgann and Chester, KP Builders and Allegheny Crane to complete the lift.” the tail swing is only 3m. The crane has air-powered disc brakes, giving it a strong stopping capability and giving the Liebherr higher braking power and braking control. The air-controlled brakes have no brake fading at higher temperatures and a longer service life. A lift of this magnitude requires several important parts to ensure it is completed successfully. The matting that was utilised was an axion structure and reinforced with half inch-thick steel. The specs for the matting itself were: timber width 304mm; timber depth 304mm; mat length 6m; and mat width 2.5m.
The recovery of the bus was admired by residents of Pittsburgh, making local news channels and showing the wider community the importance of the crane industry. Pyros acknowledged the work of the rescue teams and his own team in the successful recovery of the bus. “It was a great collaboration between public and private partnerships in the City of Pittsburgh,” he said. “It was a true team effort from all of those involved that allowed us to recover the vehicle. “It combined the FBI, secret service, National Transportation Safety Board Urban Search And Rescue 51, Pittsburgh Fire, Pittsburgh Police, public works, Mcgann and Chester, KP Builders and Allegheny Crane to complete the lift,” Pyros said. May/June 2022 CAL / 115
IN FOCUS / LCR GROUP
The delivery of wind turbine components will continue through to the third quarter of 2022.
LCR GROUP’S SHIP TO SITE CAPABILITIES LCR Group is currently involved in a complex project involving the stevedoring, storage, movement, and delivery of components to a key renewable energy project. THE PROJECT IS APPROXIMATELY 12 months in the planning and involves relevant authorities and various stakeholders. The unloading of the first ship containing components for the wind farm started in early April. By late April, LCR Group was unloading the second ship-load of components and a total of eight ships will require unloading through to the third quarter of 2022. The components are headed for the Dulacca Renewable Energy Project, located between Dulacca and Drillham in QLD. Renewable Energy Systems’s $450 million wind farm project was granted development approval in 2019 and should be completed in 2023. The project will include up to 43 wind turbines, battery storage, 116 / CAL May/June 2022
and associated infrastructure. The project will connect into the existing transmission network located adjacent to the project. The scope of works for LCR Group was comprehensive. It started with the completion of the stevedoring for all of the components through parent company Qube Holdings. The wind turbine components were transferred into various storage locations within the Port of Brisbane, utilising LCR Group’s specialised transport capabilities. Once inside the storage locations, LCR Group using mobile cranes and reach stackers to stockpile the components. From mid-May, LCR Group began transporting the components from port to site, which
involves specialist transport and craneage on site to secure the safe arrival of the components. The amount and weight of componentry illustrates the enormity of the task LCR Group faces. The project includes a total of 43 wind turbine towers, which feature 12 key components per tower. Each tower weighs 659 tonnes and 516 components will be handled during the delivery process. On top of this, 150 containers of auxiliary equipment will be delivered. The total weight of the equipment transported will be 30,000t. The specialised transport provided by LCR Group includs multi-load clip-on trailers and specialist book end assemblies. The LCR Group heavy www.cranesandlifting.com.au
The wind turbine components are being transferred into various storage locations within the Port of Brisbane.
150 containers of auxiliary equipment will be delivered and the total weight of the equipment transported will be 30,000t.
“The project includes a total of 43 wind turbine towers, which feature 12 key components per tower. Each tower weighs 659 tonnes and 516 components will be handled during the delivery process.” lift team is deploying multiple large capacity crawlers and 70t capacity reach stackers to the port to assist with the handling of towers and componentry. They also utilise 350t and 500t capacity all terrains to handle everything on site.
www.cranesandlifting.com.au
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IN FOCUS / MARRS CONTRACTING
The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge takes its place as the world’s longest mid-span and highest tower suspension bridge.
TURKEY’S 1915 ÇANAKKALE BRIDGE OPENS WELL AHEAD OF SCHEDULE Taking it’s place as the world’s longest mid-span and highest tower suspension bridge, the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge was completed 18 months ahead of schedule, in part due to the innovative heavy lifting crane solution developed by Australian craneage expert Marr Contracting.
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SOON AFTER THE TURKISH MINISTRY of Infrastructure and Transport General Directorate of Motorways appointed the Turkish-Korean joint venture partners – DL E&C, Limak, SK ecoplant and Yapi Merkezi (DLSY) – as the construction partners on the project in 2017, DLSY contacted Marr Contracting for a craneage solution to match how they wanted to construct the project. One of multiple subcontractors from a global team of companies engaged to work on the project, www.cranesandlifting.com.au
"Early engagement with the DLSY during the front-end engineering stage of the project was key to the project’s success."
Simon Marr, managing director Marr Contracting. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
Marr’s scope of works on the construction of the 318-metre high bridge towers included engineering the heavy lift crane solution, involving its integration into the temporary and permanent works, the supply of two M2480D cranes (including installation, climbing, dismantling, and maintenance), and crane operation. According to Marr Contracting managing director Simon Marr, early engagement with DLSY during the front-end engineering stage of the project was key to its success and the constructor’s ability to align a crane solution with the joint venture's construction methodology. “The construction schedule was critically important and DLSY wanted to reduce their construction time," said Marr. "They invited us in early to discuss their ideas about their planned construction methodology, which was based on traditional construction thinking involving a greater number of lighter lifts. To build the bridge towers, they were going to lift panel after panel, weld them and go again. But we said: ‘What if those panels were modularised, joined together in pieces up to 160 tonnes, and we lift them in one piece?’,” Marr said. Marr’s innovative approach – using two of the world’s largest capacity heavy lift luffing tower cranes – the 330-tonne capacity M2480D – allowed for pre-fabricated May/June 2022 CAL / 119
IN FOCUS / MARRS CONTRACTING The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge was officially opened in a ceremony attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
modularised panels, weighing up to 160 tonnes, to be manufactured off site and transported to site to be lifted in one piece. “This meant DLSY only had to do around one-eighth of the lifts planned and the sheer lifting capacity of our M2480D cranes allowed for fewer, heavier crane lifts. This helped to de-risk the project and protect the construction schedule because off-site assembly is faster, safer, and more accurate, than welding multiple sections at height,” Marr said. Marr’s 18-month engagement on the project, between 2019 and 2021, saw two world-first engineering feats – the placement of the two M2480Ds in a single lift operation 1km offshore in the Canakkale Strait and the heaviest crane lift at height during the positioning of the upper cross beams on the bridge towers – as well as numerous other innovations 120 / CAL May/June 2022
“We are incredibly proud to have been part of this amazing project and the successes achieved for Marr and our client is a case study in how early engagement and true collaboration can drive a successful outcome on any large-scale construction project.” to integrate the heavy lift tower crane engineering into the project and minimise critical path impact to the construction schedule. “We are incredibly proud to have been part of this amazing project and the successes achieved for Marr and our client is a case study in how early engagement and true collaboration can drive a successful outcome on any large-scale construction project," said Marr. "We continue to use the same way of thinking in our engagement with clients to deliver similarly successful outcomes across a range
of different sectors in Australia and around the world." Speaking at the opening, Turkish Transport Minister Adil Karaismailoglu said: “Our country is one step closer to joining the world’s largest players in investment, production, export and employment. The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge has become a masterpiece that seals our glorious history as a monument, in a way that befits the memory of the epic battle of Çanakkale. Now, instead of a few hours, passing the Dardanelles Strait only takes six minutes.” www.cranesandlifting.com.au
LIFT OF THE MONTH
PLEASE SEND YOUR LIFT OF THE MONTH ENTRIES TO SIMON.GOULD@PRIMECREATIVE.COM.AU
COMPLEX TOWER CRANE DISMANTLE MADE EASY BY BORGER CRANES
Borger Crane Hire and Rigging Services used its Liebherr LTM 1500-8.1 in Brisbane’s South City to perform a complex tower crane dismantle for Liebherr Tower Cranes.
When a 300t, 350t, or 450t capacity all terrain can’t handle the project, it’s not a problem for the Brisbane operation of Borger Crane Hire and Rigging Services. It simply mobilises its 500t capacity Liebherr LTM1500-8.1 to the site, which has no problem performing the tasks at hand. THE LIEBHERR LTM 1500-8.1 WAS FIRST unveiled at bauma in Munich as long ago as 1998. Around 20 years later, in summer 2020, the 600th unit of the eight-axle crane was delivered. With a lifting capacity of 500 tonnes, 84m of main boom, maximum hoist height of 182m, and maximum radius of 108m, the Liebherr LTM 1500-8.1 is the www.cranesandlifting.com.au
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LIFT OF THE MONTH
PLEASE SEND YOUR LIFT OF THE MONTH ENTRIES TO SIMON.GOULD@PRIMECREATIVE.COM.AU
The crane was configured with configured with an 84m boom, Y-guy, 105t counterweight and 56m luffing jib.
To ensure fatigue was not an issue, three shifts were run over the period of the project.
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“To ensure fatigue was not an issue, we ran three shifts over the period of the project. Each team performed beyond all expectations and I can’t thank those involved enough.”
most successful large crane of all time. It is ideal for a very wide range of jobs with its high lifting capacity, enormous reliability, and mobility, both on the road and at sites. It is used wherever heavy loads have to be hoisted quickly, in industry, infrastructure, wind power, and loading. Borger Crane Hire and Rigging Services mobilised the Liebherr LTM 1500-8.1 into Brisbane’s South City development on a Friday night in early April to perform a complex tower crane dismantle for Liebherr Tower Cranes. The Liebherr LTM 1500-8.1 was configured with an 84m boom, Y-guy, 105t counterweight and 56m luffing jib – an absolute animal with 112m head height at 38.5m radius and a capacity of over 20t, even with the 65m obstruction only 9m from centre of slew. Borger Crane Hire and Rigging Services ran three shifts, working through the night and day to complete the dismantle project, said supervisor Logan Alexander. “To ensure fatigue was not an issue, we ran three shifts over the period of the project,” he said. “Each team performed beyond all expectations and I can’t thank those involved enough. “The knowledge, experience and professionalism they displayed is second to none, and the project ran seamlessly and the Liebherr LTM 1500-8.1 performed to its usual high standard, which we have all come to expect,” he said. www.cranesandlifting.com.au
PLAN YOUR ENTRY The Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) recognises excellence and innovation in the Australian crane industry with the CICA Lift Of The Year Awards. PROJECT OF THE YEAR INNOVATION OF THE YEAR LIFT OF THE YEAR - UNDER 20T LIFT OF THE YEAR - OVER 20T
cica.com.au/awards-lift-of-the-year
CICA PROJECT OF THE YEAR 2019 Winners: WALZ GROUP AND FIELD ENGINEERS BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) appointed Central Queensland business, Walz Group, for a $31m project to remove decommissioned marine infrastructure from the Hay Point Coal Terminal, south of Mackay.
CICA LIFT OF THE YEAR OVER 20 TONNES 2019 Winner: MAX CRANES Project: B3 Air Rotor changeout at Torrens Island Power Station for UGL on behalf of AGL won the Lift of the Year Award.
CICA AWARD INNOVATION OF THE YEAR 2019 A new lifting innovation, jointly developed by John Holland, Edwards Heavy Lift and RUD won the 2019 CICA Innovations Award.
Cranes and Lifting
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