The TCC-2500 offers the longest reach telescopic crawler in its class!
2,400 lbs (1 088kg) at 275 feet (84m)!
BY MIKE LACEY
Don’t
shy FROM THE EDITOR
Now is the time to brag a little bit about your company.
The one constant about the crane and hoist industry is how eager everyone is to share photos and videos of the amazing lifts their crews and equipment are involved in.
For example, right before Christmas I received an email with details about a project from OZ Lifting Products. The company provided equipment for a rig that lowered a $250,000 Lucid Air Sapphire electric car at Saks Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.
The vehicle was the centre of a holiday-season display in the jewelry section of the store. The location was below street level so the overnight operation involved four 3-ton capacity OZ Premium hand chain hoists with a lifting height of 30 feet, beam clamps attached to 30-foot long beams and a customized lifting platform. The 5,600-pound car and platform combined for a 10,000-pound load, which had to descend 28 feet down.
It was quite the job and OZ Lifting Products wanted to share it with the world.
Hopefully those in the Canadian crane industry are just as excited to share details about the fascinating lifts they have been involved in. The deadline is fast approaching for nominations for the Canadian Crane Rental Association’s (CCRA) annual Canadian Lift of the Year awards.
The annual contest is open to all members of the CCRA. This is a great opportunity to showcase your company’s outstanding skills and expertise.
Lifts will be judged in two categories:
• Over 20 MTON Load: This category is for lifts that involve loads with a mass of more than 20 tonnes.
• Under 20 MTON Load: This category is for lifts that involve loads with a mass of 20 tonnes or less.
Entering is easy. Submit your lift details and photos at https://ccra-aclg.ca/canadian-lift-of-the-year-award, or through the Member Portal Workspace.
The deadline is April 30 so don’t wait. If you have any questions, send an email to adm@ccra-aclg.ca.
The winners will be announced during
the CCRA’s annual conference in June.
Be
safe out there
Operating a crane is a dangerous, stressful job. There are many things that could go wrong – from operator error to improperly-maintained equipment to machinery defect to some other unseen mistake.
It has not taken long for 2024 to remind us of these dangers. Already, there have been three crane incidents in British Columbia. The most recent took place on Feb. 21 and resulted in the death of one person. At the time of our publishing, here is what we know about this incident:
• It took place at the Oakridge Park development in Vancouver.
• A tower crane was carrying a load when, somehow, a portion of the load became dislodged. It fell to the ground, crashing into a nearby building and landing on someone at ground level. The person was killed.
• The incident is now under investigation and stop-use orders were issued on the crane and on the Oakridge Park worksite. While this is the third crane-related incident this year in British Columbia, WorkSafeBC says preliminary evidence shows there are few similarities between the three.
All of this comes on the heels of the latest news about the tragic 2021 crane collapse in Kelowna that killed five people. (See pages 20 and 21 for our update on that investigation).
The incidents have added fuel to the International Union of Operating Engineers’ call for a series of recommendations to be implemented. These include the recognition of tower crane operation and rigging as a compulsory trade with required training and certification across the province, and mandatory training standards and licensing of contractors working in the assembly, climbing, repositioning and disassembly of tower cranes.
These tragic incidents are, sadly, an unfortunate reminder of how dangerous operating a crane is.
mlacey@annexbusinessmedia.com
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 2 | MARCH/APRIL 2024
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Tadano’s new all-terrain model makes Canadian debut with Sterling Crane
Sterling Crane has received the first Canadian delivery of Tadano’s AC 7.450-1 all-terrain crane, with the machine set to make its debut carrying out refinery work in Western Canada.
The AC 7.450-1 is a 500-ton, 7-axle machine with a 262.5-foot main boom and compact length of under 60 feet.
“Everyone knows the quality of Tadano machines, and this new all-terrain crane will be a great fit for our customers throughout the region,” said Tom MacLeod, president of Sterling Crane Canada. “The AC 7.450-1 has amazing power and reach, and it fits the roads and tough jobs of Western Canada. Tadano is known for high-performance cranes and top support, and we are excited that Sterling customers have a powerful new 7-axle option.”
Zoomlion’s crawler crane breaks world lifting records
ProLift Rigging Company appoints new chief sales officer for Canada and U.S.
The ProLift Rigging Company has promoted its vice president of sales and marketing Bill Tierney Jr. to the role of chief sales officer for the U.S. and Canada.
In his new role, Tierney will oversee revenue generation and expansion of sales operations for the industrial construction services supplier, in addition to leading the assembly of a new marketing organization for the company in Chicago.
With more than 20 years of experience working in the crane and rigging industry, Tierney has held project development and management roles across the Chicago Hardware Company, the John Sakash Company, Hilman Roller and Barnhart Crane & Rigging.
Date set for 2024’s Global Lifting Awareness Day
July 18 has been set as Global Lifting Awareness Day
The UK’s Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) has set Thursday, July 18 to be the 2024 date for its annual Global Lifting Awareness Day (GLAD) initiative.
GLAD will feature both online and in-person events led by the LEEA, featuring manufacturers, suppliers and industry professionals sharing materials and resources to promote safe and high-quality load lifting, with continuous professional development and training taking the focus for this year’s event.
Zoomlion’s 3,600-tonne capacity lattice boom crawler crane has broken two world lifting records during work on a chemical processing project in China.
Between Jan. 3 and 8, Zoomlion’s ZCC89000 crawler crane lifted three giant slurry bed reactors, the heaviest of which weighed in at more than 3,000 tonnes, at the Zhejiang Petroleum & Chemical Co.’s No. 3 material engineering project.
This lift set two world records, one for the heaviest single lift and one for fastest lifting speed. Installing these reactors advanced the plant’s construction schedule by two months, according to Zoomlion.
At 3,037 tonnes and 67.57 metres tall, these vessels are the world’s largest one-piece hydrogenation reactors to date. At the peak of these operations, the ZCC89000’s lifting moment reached 92,800 tonne-metres, with 3,160 tonnes of counterweight on the machine.
Unirope expands its Ontario manufacturing space
Unirope Limited has added 50,000 square feet of manufacturing space to its headquarters.
The Mississauga-based company is a specialist in the manufacturing, distribution, testing, certification and inspection of high-performance wire rope and rigging products. Along with its Mississauga headquarters, the company has additional facilities in Alberta and Quebec.
The facility has been equipped with a suite of state-of-the-art machining and fabrication equipment, centered on wire rope fabrication, synthetic sling manufacturing and computer numerical control (CNC) technology.
“At a minimum, we have cut lead times in half, and in the best case, we have seen a 400 per cent improvement,” stated Justin Brown, president at Unirope.
“GLAD is now positioned as a globally-recognized concept following ongoing efforts from industry stakeholders to raise its profile,” said Ross Moloney, CEO of the LEEA. “We’re looking to use its popularity to raise awareness of what our industry people do, and what those outside of the sector need to do, to become part of our world. This is why the themes LEEA will focus on this year are skills and employment.”
This year’s event is the fifth annual instalment, with Moloney eager to continue LEEA’s role in bridging the gap between safe lifting practices and the relevant knowledge required.
“LEEA’s vision is to reduce all accidents, injuries, and fatalities within the lifting industry to zero. The fundamental tool in all these initiatives is knowledge transfer, enabling CPD, and raising standards of practice,” Moloney said.
Sterling Crane shows off their new Tadano AC 7.450-1 all-terrain crane.
PHOTO: STERLING CRANE.
Zoomlion’s 3,600-tonne capacity lattice boom crawler crane sets two world lifting records. PHOTO: ZOOMLION
New report highlights hiring challenges for Canada’s crane industry
According to a recent report commissioned by the Canadian Crane Rental Association (CCRA), a significant number of companies are concerned about meeting their current and future staffing requirements.
The 2023 Canadian Crane Rental Sector Profile Study, prepared by The Portage Group Inc., conducted an online survey of crane rental companies this past June. Companies were both CCRA members and non-members. When asked about their ability to meet staff requirements over the past year, nine per cent of respondents indicated that they had no difficulties finding qualified personnel; while 12 per cent faced severe challenges; and 42 per cent indicated that they encountered moderate challenges (that number increased to 49 per cent when looking at companies with five or more staff).
Temporary Foreign Worker impact
Temporary foreign workers (TFWs) have been a relatively small part of companies’ hiring solutions with only four per cent of companies surveyed reporting that they hired TFWs in the past year to meet staffing requirements.
Note: Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
According to the results presented in Exhibit 4-12, almost three-quarters (73 per cent) of companies anticipate at least some retirements in the next 10 years while over half (57 per cent) anticipate some retirements in the next five years. More specifically, within the next five years, only 8 per cent anticipate a turnover greater than 25 per cent. Moreover, most who expect retirements (39 per cent) foresee between one per cent and 10 per cent leaving the workforce.
Looking ahead a full ten years, while one quarter (24 per cent) expect retirement of one per cent to five per cent of employees, a significant one in five (19 per cent) predict that more than a quarter of their employees will retire. The findings reflect a diverse range of retirement outlooks within the industry.
Hiring challenges could potentially grow in the future, as 59 per cent of the companies surveyed anticipate an increase in their workforce over the next 12 months (38 per cent predict their employee numbers will remain steady). This number increases to 73 per cent for companies with five or more staff.
he results presented in Exhibit 4 - 1 2 , quarters (73%) of companies anticipate etirements in the next 10 years while ) anticipate some retirements in the More speci cally , w ithin the next 5 anticipate a turnover greater than r, most who expect retire ments ( 39%) en 1% and 10% leaving theworkforce.
d a full ten years, while one quarter etirement of 1% to 5% of employees , ne in ve (19%)predict that more than eir employees will retire. The ndings se range of retirement outlooks within
An increase in the number of retiring workers could also add pressure. Of the companies surveyed, 73 per cent anticipate some retirements in the next 10 years, while 57 per cent anticipate some retirements in the next five years. Only eight per cent of companies expect a turnover of greater than 25 per cent over the next five years, while 29 per cent of companies foresee between one per cent and 10 per cent of their employees leaving the workforce over that time.
Over the next 10 years, 19 per cent of companies surveyed expect that more than 25 per cent of their staff will retire.
To purchase a copy of the full industry report, contact CCRA Executive Director Claire Bélanger-Parker at: claire@ccra-aclg.ca.
Exhibit 4 - 1 2 – Percentage of Employees Expected to Retire in 5 to 10 Years Notes:
Exhibit 4-12 – Percentage of Employees Expected to Retire in 5 to 10 Years
Next 10 years (N=71)
Next 5 years (N=72)
Notes: Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding. Next 5 years N=71; Next 10
New heights for CanLift Equipment
Ontario company has grown into one of the province’s largest lift-equipment providers. By Mike Lacey
ACanadian lift equipment company’s success continues to rise as it celebrates 15 years in business.
CanLift Equipment rents, sells and services aerial lift equipment, earthmoving machinery and material handling equipment from manufacturers such as Skyjack, Genie, JLG and XCMG. They also have a partnership with XCMG, the world’s thirdranked original equipment manufacturer, which provides CanLift with exclusive rights to sell its earthmoving equipment in Ontario.
On May 14, the Burlington, Ont. business will celebrate its 15-year anniversary. It is a far different business from the one founded by two brothers back in 2009.
“We used to work for a small, independent company. Then, in 2009, when things took a turn, we lost our jobs,” recalls Marko Dragicevic.
Marko and his brother Johnny were among millions suddenly in search of new work following the near collapse of the world’s financial system in the fall of 2008 and resulting recession the following year.
The two brothers purchased a discounted fleet of material handling equipment and launched CanLift Equipment Ltd.
Success soon followed. Today, with a workforce of more than 45 employees and a fleet of 1,100 pieces of equipment, CanLift is one of the province’s largest independently-owned lift equipment providers.
In 2012, they opened up a second location in London and in 2014 relocated their headquarters from Oakville to Burlington. Their 10 delivery trucks are busy hauling rental equipment to all corners of Ontario — from Windsor to Sudbury to Kingston.
Recently, the company invested in more than 100 large boom lifts ranging in size from 80 feet to 185 feet.
New beginnings
2020 marked a new path for the company. First, CanLift’s new Burlington home opened. The 20,000 square-foot facility contains of-
fice space, a large garage with multiple bays for servicing and repairing equipment, and a massive yard that is home to its fleet.
Marko explains planning for the building began in 2017 when the brothers decided they needed a new location for the business. Instead of buying or leasing an existing facility, they opted to build their own. They purchased a plot of land on South Service Road in Burlington and, in 2019, construction began. The facility opened in 2020, right when COVID hit.
The pandemic brought with it the obvious challenges all businesses experienced, but also opportunity. Marko admits it was tough, but it allowed them to pause, take stock and move forward as a leaner, more focused company.
“It gave us time to deep-dive,” adds Geoff Grant, vice president of sales, who joined CanLift in 2014. “In hindsight, it was a blessing.”
Reaching new heights
CanLift is now experiencing a rapid rise in business. While most of its 15-year history has brought steady, consistent growth, the
last two years have seen an explosion.
“The growth is like a hockey stick curve,” Grant says.
Joe Gould, director of business development, explains that in the past two years, the company has experienced a 100 per cent growth rate and has also doubled its fleet complement.
“We’ve invested over $40 million in new fleet equipment,” Gould adds.
That is expected to continue next year as they look to further add to their fleet and expand into eastern Ontario with a possible third location.
“We’re still on a growth path,” Marko says.
Part of that involves adapting to an evolving market. While residential construction has experienced a slowdown, that has been taken over by an increase in commercial construction. As well, previously, their customer base was evenly split between direct sales and rentals. However, they are finding that rentals are making up a greater per centage of their business.
“We’ve seen the trend from people buying their own equipment to renting,” Grant says.
(From left) Brothers Marko and Johnny Dragicevic began their company 15 years ago when they purchased a discounted fleet of equipment. PHOTO: CANLIFT EQUIPMENT LTD.
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A decade and change: heavy lifting highlights
A look back at Crane & Hoist’s first 15 years.
By Saul Chernos
The 15 years Crane & Hoist Canada has served the sector has made for an interesting ride.
The magazine’s coverage has included evolutions in lifting technologies, improvements to safety and performance and highlighting hoisting systems used for unusual tasks.
This is especially true in terms of cranes operating in crowded urban centres. In our first issue, Winter 2009, we wrote about space becoming tighter across Toronto.
“There’s usually no private property to hoist from,” Ward Crane Rentals president Dave Ward lamented.
Obstacles ranged from directly adjacent buildings to a mishmash of poles and wires.
In 2011, we highlighted Montreal’s crowded skyline, including 10 tower cranes on a single hospital project. Montreal hadn’t had this much action since the 1976 Olympics, one participant noted.
Solutions included deftly-engineered shoring, increasingly compact machines
In 2012, the planning, engineering and other preparations took longer than actually lifting the carbon dioxide stripper into place at Boundary Dam in Saskatchewan.
PHOTO: SNC LAVALIN
and carefully-worded legal contracts. In 2013, Toronto lawyers Leor Margulies and Chris Doucet recommended negotiating as early as possible to secure air rights.
“Offer a small but real compensatory amount to the adjacent owners in exchange for written permission to intrude into the air space,” they advised.
Safety Concerns Are Eternal
Safety has also proven a perennial topic. In 2010, we wrote about cranes working well past their prime. A fatal collapse in Seattle had inspectors and crane industry watchers worried about the same happening in Canada.
“If your crane is over 25 years old, stop using it,” urged Washington State inspector Gaytor Rasmussen.
Sadly, Canada has had multiple crane-related fatalities. In 2014, the federal Transportation Safety Board investigated the death of a crew member of the Federal Yoshino, a Canadian-owned ship, who fell while working from a provision crane’s basket.
“It was not certified for lifting personnel, its hoisting cable did not meet the required safety factor and it did not have additional braking capacity,” the TSB concluded.
The company that managed the ship responded that it had since taken steps to prevent a similar tragedy.
Considerable engineering has gone into addressing safety.
In 2012, Rayco-Wylie Systems of Quebec City added the R180 wireless wind speed indicator to its lineup, citing customer demand.
In 2013, we highlighted University of Alberta’s research into crane stability in high winds. Lead author Shafiul Hasan and colleagues proposed building information modelling software to sample and analyze conditions on a regular basis, all while considering a crane’s particular specifications, to warn lift personnel about potential hazards.
Regulation has also advanced. Soon after the Seattle collapse, Ontario’s labour ministry extended inspection requirements to exceed a crane’s structural elements and include electrical, mechanical and hydraulic components.
Henry Vogt, with the ministry’s construction health and safety program, said older cranes mandated out of service in stricter jurisdictions were landing in less restrictive ones, including Ontario. In 2015, Ontario introduced new working-from-heights rules, including a new training requirement that applies to crane operators.
Efforts have also been made to increase diversity in Canada’s crane sector.
In 2010, Esther Gilbert, owner of Vulcan Hoist in Montreal, spoke about going on the road to sell electric chain hoists in the 1950s and 1960s.
“I had to do much more than the average salesman because in those days people thought a woman didn’t know anything about machinery,” Gilbert recalled.
She kept her cool, read all she could, spent time inside the manufacturing plant and repeatedly proved herself.
In 2015 Perri Arnold of Alberta, Sabrina Sabic of Nova Scotia and Denika Mitchelmore of Newfoundland told us about their experiences in the field.
Certainly, there would seem to be a tie-in with the ongoing shortage of skilled labour, which was already evident in 2013 when we reported on high demand for skilled trades due in part to steady market activity.
“There’s a lot of competition to keep your own crane operator,” noted Guillaume Gagnon of Grues Guay in Quebec.
Technological Changes Continue Across the Industry
Technology has also progressed. In 2011, we reported on new rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs that generate and store juice whenever a crane lowers its load. The cranes still needed diesel or conventionally-generated electricity, but batteries helped reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
“We want to have a low carbon footprint and be as environmentally friendly as we can, so we’re certainly going to look at all the options and opportunities,” one Nova Scotia port operator said. In 2012, we reported on GPS providers working to improve crane capabilities on the basis that information generated can help enhance safety, reduce costs and improve efficiency.
In 2016, Ontario high school students began training on crane simulators thanks to a program steel producer ArcelorMittal Dofasco launched in Hamilton, Ontario.
It’s particularly exciting when cranes do unconventional jobs.
In 2010, Peiner SK 186 and Comedil CTT 311 cranes decked with blue lights created ambiance at Toronto’s Nuit Blanche outdoor arts festival. To avant-garde instrumental music, the cranes pirouetted gracefully against the dark sky.
In 2011, 10-tonne cranes assembled multi-tonne, high-end detectors physicists used to search for theoretical dark matter two kilometres underground at a Sudbury, Ontario nickel mine. To get the Kone CXT 500 monorail and CXT 504 gantry down the shaft to
Various cranes worked on the new Champlain Bridge across the St. Lawrence River in Montreal in 2016. PHOTO: INFRASTRUCTURE CANADA
Does this photo from 2009 make you feel claustrophobic? There are ways to trump that feeling when working within spitting distance of Toronto’s banking and commercial towers.
an area fully shielded from cosmic rays, crews dismantled the machines into sections, squeezed small components into an elevator, and engineered metal slings to carry larger sections underneath.
In 2012, we reported on preparation for tightrope walker Nik Wallenda’s planned crossing of Niagara Falls. Six hundred-tonne hydraulic cranes were used to anchor and support the journey.
When Canada legalized marijuana in 2017, cranes helped set up industrial grow-ops.
Of course, routine jobs — our bread and butter — have also varied. In 2012, crews used two cranes to assemble a carbon capture system at a Saskatchewan coal-fired power plant to ease its environmental load. One crane, a Manitowoc 18000 crawler, was shipped in 39 separate truckloads and its use required extensive planning and engineering.
In 2015 in Labrador, crews began working from mobile work platforms, crawler cranes and two 340-metric-tonne overhead cranes to build the Muskrat Falls Generating facility on the Lower Churchill River.
One unfortunate fact of life is vandalism. In one particularly brazen copper theft in 2013, thieves stole electric cabling from more than a half-dozen tower cranes from a Port Coquitlam, B.C. yard. That same year, a Sydney, Nova Scotia company lost use of a 45-tonne container crane under similar circumstances. We’ve also routinely reported on thrill seekers climbing cranes illicitly at night. To protect against these illegal activities, experts recommend perimeter fencing, lighting, patrol guards and alarm-activated cameras.
As time marches on, challenges continually arise. In 2019, researchers raised the spectre of zombie cranes, where hackers seize remote control of cranes. Trend Micro’s team analyzed multiple real-world set-ups — with permission, of course — and discovered surprising vulnerabilities.
Climate change also stands to present both opportunities for work on maintaining infrastructure but also considerable chaos. In 2022, flooding hampered major arterial routes in B.C., keeping crews busy even while blocking access to sites where they were badly needed.
Brave new world? No doubt. But whatever the future brings, we wish glad tidings to all.
A LONG WAY TOGETHER
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PHOTO: SAUL CHERNOS
Through the years
A look back at some of the articles published in Crane & Hoist’s first decade and a half. By Saul Chernos
under HST
Volume 1 Issue 1 Winter 2009
Harmonized sales taxes set for implementation in Ontario and B.C. were expected to impact Canada’s crane and hoist sector. But it wasn’t yet clear what those impacts might be, or if the benefits from the new tax regime might outweigh the liabilities. Crane and hoist services were exempt from provincial taxes in both provinces, but under the new HST, customers would pay the equivalent of the PST and claim business input rebates. End users were seen as unlikely to be able to claim those same inputs, however, thus effectively paying an additional seven per cent in B.C. and eight per cent in Ontario.
Massive cranes necessary to recycle Ottawa trusses
Volume 1 Issue 2 Spring 2010
It’s not easy being green. The construction firm overseeing an extensive redevelopment of the Ottawa Convention Centre turned to the biggest cranes it could find, including an AC 500-2 Terex 600-ton hydraulic mobile crane with a Superlift attachment supplied by Mammoet, to salvage steel trusses. The trusses, which weighed more than 40 tonnes each and
needed new sockets and joints, were sent to Hamilton, Ontario for retooling, then returned to Ottawa and reinstalled in the new building using a Liebherr 630 EC-H 40 Liftronic Tower Crane supplied by Oregon-based Morrow Equipment. Various eco-measures earned project proponents LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.
Cranes do the heavy cleaning at Canada’s contaminated sites
Volume 2 Issue 2 Spring 2011
Cleaning up contaminated brownfield sites can be tough, even under optimal circumstances.
Space is often tight, tanks containing toxic chemicals can be heavy and risks abound. So, it helps to have an ally with a long neck, stiff boom and serious lifting capacity.
“An average electrical transformer that contains PCBs weighs seven tons, and some go up to 30 tons,” one Mississauga, Ontario environmental contractor noted. “They’re extremely heavy, they’re bulky, and most of the time they’re in the most awkward places — inside buildings, vaults or substations. So, you need cranes to lift them out.”
Precast project a first for Newfoundland
Volume 3 Issue 2 Spring 2012
A Manitowoc 2250 mobile crane and a Peiner SK315 tower crane overlooked picturesque St. John’s harbour as they hoisted for a 12-storey office tower and parking garage in the downtown core. The building stood to be one of the tallest in Newfoundland and Labrador, largely because a low population density requires little height. It also stood to be the first building in this Atlantic province to use seawater for heating and cooling. Crews used a 60-ton LinkBelt LS128 crawler to hoist casing and install rebar cages and concrete caissons for the geothermal system. The Manitowoc hoisted and placed precast sections, some of which exceeded 50,000 pounds.
From Quebec to Alberta, huge mobiles lift turbines
Volume 4 Issue 3 May-June 2013
With a 1,200 metric tonne lifting capacity and 100-metre telescopic boom, Liebherr’s LTM 11200-9.1 did considerable hoisting at wind farms in New York State, Idaho, Montana and Texas before Northern Crane Services brought it to Alberta. “You need a
lot of muscle, reach and dexterity…to install a 100-tonne generator unit atop an 80-metre pole,” said NCS Edmonton branch manager Hugh Yake.
Mobile cranes come in from the Canadian cold
Volume 5 Issue 6 Nov-Dec 2014
“Standard-weight hydraulic oils become thick as proverbial molasses in January,” Paul Cutchall, rough terrain product manager with Manitowoc Cranes, said, outlining measures for dealing with the cold. These include appropriate engine fluids, heating systems and starting aids. As cold as it gets in places like Repulse Bay in Nunavut, Fort Resolution in NWT, and Miner’s Prayer in Yukon, Manitowoc’s cold
Telehandlers taking on lifts formerly reserved for cranes
Volume 6 Issue 6 Nov-Dec 2015
The trend is noticeable enough that the Canadian Standards Association looked at including certain telehandler configurations within the definition of mobile crane.
Telehandlers had long been frequent fliers in agriculture, retail and construction, transferring materials such as pallets, hay bales and building supplies. However, thanks to the rising popularity of modifications allowing full-circle rotation, and attachments such as hydraulic winches and specialty hooks and shackles, telehandlers were taking on jobs more typically done by mobile cranes.
Massive crawlers at work on Montreal bridge project
Volume 7 Issue 5 Sept-Oct 2016
Cranes played a key role in the 3.3-kilo metre Champlain Bridge project. With a projected $4.239-billion cost, it ranks as one of the biggest infrastructure projects undertaken in Canada. The new cablestayed bridge replaced an existing one bearing the same name that aged consider ably. With 10,000 pre-cast concrete com ponents, hundreds of steel tub-girder seg ments, dozens of 1,000-ton footings, and 450-ton steel pier caps, the job required serious lifting. The roster included Grove RT9130 and RT9150 rough-terrain cranes
NEWS ON THE
and barge-mounted Manitowoc M250 cranes equipped with M-1200 ringer attachments. Manitowoc MLC650 lattice-boom cranes, each with a VPC-Max variable position counterweight feature, were perhaps the most unique hoisting machine on the job.
Crawl stars
The latest crawler cranes for lifting your operation to the next level.
By Jack Burton
As the diversity of construction projects continues to increase, so does the need for versatile tools. Crawler cranes, with their adaptability and range of applications, play a key role in answering this demand for dynamic solutions by helping heavy lifting operations stay on the right track – literally.
Crawler cranes reinvent the wheel by replacing it: their tracked conveyors bring lifting prowess to life across a wide variety of applications, on- and off- road. From confined urban spaces to rough, uneven terrain, these cranes’ combination of mobility, ruggedness and lifting power have secured them a spot as a staple of lifting equipment arsenals.
A 10-year outlook on the crawler cranes market, published by Fact.MR, expects this demand to continue to grow over the coming decade.
According to the report, the global market for crawler cranes is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7 per cent, expanding from a $4.54 billion overall valuation in 2023 to a forecasted $7.19 billion in 2033.
With the role of these cranes in the coming future of heavy lifting solidly established, we’ve gathered some of the new, exciting models that are helping construction crawl forward at a faster pace.
Liebherr’s LTR1150
Liebherr has designed its new telescopic crawler crane with a focus on economical transport, with no-frills hauling features unmatched by other telescopic crawlers in its 150-ton lifting class.
The LTR1150 can be transported in full, including its crawler carriers, on a single low loader within a width of 3.5 metres. Each crawler carrier weighs in at 11 tonnes, and when transported together on a standard semi-trailer, have a width of 2.55 metres.
This simple-use approach is also reflected in the LTR1150’s assembly process: counterweights can be ballasted on the crane with four hoists, with an AutoBallast option making for a simple, one-button ballasting and set-up process.
The 60-tonne machine’s telescopic boom length ranges from 11.4 metres to 52 metres, with a lattice jib ranging from 2.9 metres to 33 metres in length. Operations are driven by an in-house Liebherr 4-Zylinder-Diesel engine with up to 218kW of power.
Liebherr’s patented VarioBase system, alongside the included wind speed load charts, help calculate the optimal lifting capacity and safe operations for a wide array of crane configurations and wind speeds, ranging from confined, low-height spaces to open-air wind power operations.
An ECOmode option has been included by Liebherr to drive sustainable operations. When activated, the option lowers CO2
Liebherr’s newest telescopic boom crawler crane, the LTR1150, extends the mobility of crawler cranes to numerous features supporting efficient transportation.
Easy handling
Intelligent counterweight system, slabs interchangeable for all CC cranes. The right crane for the job
Boom extensions, luffing jib, Boom Booster Kit, and other attachments can be added as required.
IC-1 Remote
IC-1 Remote gives you access to advanced real-time diagnostics and much more.
Easy rigging
Quick-connection system allows superstructure to be installed or removed in less than 15 minutes.
Designed for maximum performance on any terrain and minimum setup complexity, Tadano lattice boom crawler cranes provide enormous versatility thanks to their rugged and adjustable crawler carrier. Moreover, the optimized transportation dimensions and weights significantly reduce transportation costs.
And with an awesome lifting machine, you will get unrivaled service. From top technicians to our new parts warehouse in Houston to the convenient call center, Tadano is invested in your success.
Learn more about Tadano lattice boom crawler cranes at www.tadanoamericas.com.
emissions by up to 90 per cent and minimizes carbon and noise emissions by calculating the optimal engine speed based on working speed inputs from the operator.
Kobelco’s G-4 series
Global lifting solutions manufacturer Kobelco closed out 2023 with the launch of its next generation of hydraulic crawler cranes, the G-4 series.
The line is comprised of three new hydraulic crawler models: the CKE900G-4 with 100 metric tonnes x 3.6m maximum lifting capacity, the CKE1350G-4 with 150 metric tonnes x 4.4m maximum
Kobelco’s CKE900G-4 is just one of three models in its new G-4 series of hydraulic crawler cranes.
lifting capacity and the CKE2500G-4, which features a 250 metric tonnes x 4.6m maximum lifting capacity.
A variety of maximum boom lengths are available across the line’s three models. The CKE900G-4 sports a maximum length of 61 metres, with the CKE1350G-4 reaching a maximum length of 76.2 metres and the CKE2500G-4 leading the pack with a maximum length of 91.4 metres.
All machines in this new line have been engineered on the same technology and design principles that have driven the company’s previous G-series models, including reliability, durability and ease of operation and transportation, according to a press release from Kobelco.
Each crawler crane is equipped with a Stage V-compliant, turbocharged ISUZU engine with water cooling and in-line six-cylinder direct injection. The CKE 1350G-4 and CKE2500G-4 are powered by an ISUZU 6UZ1 9.84l, while the CKE900G-4 features an ISUZU 6HK1 7.79l.
The G-4 series makes use of Kobelco’s traditional hydraulic control system for intuitive operation and powerful results. Lever operations feature an audible start for drum movement, with hydraulics allowing for firm stopping or turning during movement.
SANY SCA900TB
SANY’s newest telescopic boom crawler, the SCA900TB, offers users the longest boom in its class at 60 metres. This five-section boom provides a lifting capacity of 90USt at 10 feet, with a net power of 325 horsepower driven by a Cummins QSL9-C325 engine.
The SCA900TB telescopic boom crawler crane from SANY offers highest-in-class reach thanks to a 60-metre, five-section boom.
Its two-piece, bi-fold jib of 10.2 and 17.4 metres offsets at 0, 15 and 30 degrees, offering a maximum tip height of 60 feet. Its lifting power is complemented by the machine’s compact design, self-retracting crawlers and self-assembly jacks, suited for steep operations and tight steering.
Variable displacement piston pumps provide power for the main machine functions while two gear pumps provide power for radiator and control circuits. An electrically-controlled positive hydraulic flow control also supports multifunction operations with safety and precision.
SANY has designed the SCA900TB with an array of on-site and in-cab safety support features, including a third wrap indicator, seat interlock and virtual wall and harness tie-offs. It also comes with self-diagnosis features that provide precise details and alerts to increase ease-of-use when it comes to dealing with maintenance issues or troubleshooting.
These data insights have been integrated into the machine’s design to further drive effective and precise operations, with a 10.4-inch full-colour touchscreen monitor providing real-time information and visual updates on ground bearing pressure, wind speed, radius, boom length and boom angle. A standard vision package, including winch, swing, boom tip and rear-view cameras, also keeps operators in the know with increased visual awareness.
Manitowoc MLC80A-1
Manitowoc’s MLC80A-1 lattice-boom crawler crane brings the versatility of crawler cranes to a number of elements
across its entire design. The machine is designed to be transported with minimal permitted loads. Its increased hook height also allows for complete self-assembly with various trailer heights.
Additionally, in-boom self-assembly sheaves reduce assembly time by allowing for assembly processes to be completed without the installation of the boom top. The machine is designed with a gantry-raised counterweight that serves to reduce components and streamlins maintenance, with button-style wire rope terminations making for easy reeving.
Each crawler assembly is 6.468m long, featuring 900mm-wide steel-cast crawler pads and sealed intermediate rollers. Each crawler is individually powered by a variable displacement hydraulic loader.
The MLC80A-1 weighs in at 80 tons and features a 55-metre boom that includes a
five-metre insert and three 12-metre inserts. Its independent boom hoist consists of a single drum that is grooved for 20mm-diameter rope.
The machine is powered by a Cummins QSB6.7 Tier 4f diesel engine, rated 224kW at 2100 RPM, that independently drives all machine operations through multi-hydraulic pump transmissions. The power system is also comprised of 240 V engine block and pan heaters, air intake heaters and a cooling system that uses a variable-speed hydraulic cooling fan alongside hydraulic oil, charge air and fuel coolers.
The cab is also designed to optimize the operator experience, with redesigned consoles that provide 10 per cent more legroom, a high-back chair with headrest, moveable riser supports and six-way moveable seating.
Kelowna collapse: three years later
RCMP recommends negligence charge as community continues to grapple with tragedy. By Matt Jones
Athree-year RCMP investigation into the Kelowna crane collapse is complete.
The RCMP is recommending a charge of criminal negligence causing death and BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) will now consider whether to move forward with the charge (A decision on this has not been made as of this writing).
“The Kelowna RCMP will be working closely with the BCPS to ensure they are best equipped on the facts of the case to make an informed decision on charges,” reads a Kelowna RCMP news release.
However, the RCMP news release did not specify who the charge would be recommended against.
There have been multiple suits filed against Stemmer Construction and crane manufacturer Liebherr in the wake of the incident. The suits were filed by a widow of a victim and other plaintiffs who were impacted.
On the morning of July 12, 2021, the arm collapsed off a tower crane and fell 25 stories, crashing into an office building and a seniors’ home. The crane had been used in the construction of a residential tower by Stemmer Construction and developer Mission Group and was being dismantled when the incident occurred. Four construction workers – Cailen Vilness, Jared Zook, Eric Stemmer and Patrick Stemmer – were killed, as well as office worker Brad Zawislak.
WorkSafeBC and the BC Coroner’s Office each conducted their own investigations into the incident but have not yet released their findings. WorkSafeBC stated it would not release its findings until the investigation was completed. However, a more recent statement indicates it will keep the report under wraps until the charge assessment process is completed.
Potential causes
In discussions with members of the Kelowna crane community, Okanagan Crane & Rigging’s owner Gerhard Ecker mentioned that he was in talks with the tower crane owners to provide mobile crane services to assist in the disassembly.
Ecker asked if the person in charge of planning the takedown was considering hiring a professional tower crane erector from the coast or Vancouver to assist them, since the disassembly of a 300-foot-tall tower crane is a critical procedure with no room for errors.
He says they replied that they would bring somebody this time and then they could do it on their own the next time. Okanagan Crane & Rigging ended up not participating in the project, as its crane was tied up until after the date for the dismantling of the tower crane. The owners replied they could not wait and needed to proceed right away and hired another crane.
Impacts on crane sector
In the meantime, the incident has led to some apprehension regarding tower cranes in the municipality. Last year, an injunction was filed to prevent Stober Construction from using a tower crane as part of the construction of a residential tower. The injunction was filed by the owners of a nearby apartment complex, who cited the hardships and stress it would place upon their tenants to have a crane looming overhead following the 2021 collapse.
“An unfortunate result of high-profile incidents is that some people might become nervous around equipment that is now a common sight,” notes Clinton Connell, executive director of BC Crane Safety. “We want to remind people that the crane industry is highly regulated under BC’s Occupational Health and Safety
The Kelowna crane collapse in 2021 killed five people.
PHOTO: MATT GUNN/CRANE & HOIST CANADA
“An unfortunate result of high-profile incidents is that some people might become nervous around equipment that is now a common sight. We want to remind people that the crane industry is highly regulated under BC’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.”
– Clinton Connell, executive director of BC Crane Safety.
Regulation. Operators require certification and documented training, and BC Crane Safety oversees an industry-governed, competency-based certification system that has become a model for jurisdictions around the world.”
Memorial fundraising continues
In the meantime, the community also continues to raise funding for a memorial to those who were lost in the incident. The North Okanagan Labour Council set a goal of raising $300,000 towards a memorial in Knowles Heritage Park. As of late last year, $123,100 had been raised and another $100,000 worth of donations were in the process of being finalized. Of that, $37,000 came from individual donations while the rest came from unions, businesses and crown corporations.
“BC Crane Safety attended both memorial events in Kelowna and the Board of Directors unanimously approved a donation to the memorial fundraiser,” says Connell. “We are also grateful to see so many contractors and other industry associations step up with donations as well.”
An artist’s rendering of the proposed memorial. PHOTO CREDIT: UNITED WAY BRITISH COLUMBIA
Magni releases redesigned and improved telehandler option
Magni has released the newest addition to its line-up of fixed telescopic handlers, the TH 7.10. A redesign of the TH 6.10, the 7.10 has the highest load capacity across Magni’s TH range and can lift one more tonne than its predecessor, with a maximum load of seven tonnes.
When at load maximum, the 7.10 has a vertical lifting reach of 8.5 metres, with this height increasing to 9.5 metres with a load of six tonnes. It has a maximum horizontal reach of 5.9 metres, which can support up to 2.5 tonnes.
Magni’s Combi-Touch System display also includes two new display modes on the load chart screen, giving operators the choice between a standard view of all load bands and a dynamic mode that limits the display to the working area available based on the load being lifted.
Four-wheel wheel drive and front, round and crab steering options support tight-space operations, while a combination of hydrostatic transmission and high ground clearance provide torque for difficult slopes and manoeuverability.
The TH 7.10 is available in both basic and premium models, with the premium variant shipping with a 75 kW Deutz engine and in-cab air conditioning and radio.
Liebherr makes moves with new LG1800-1.0 lattice boom crane
Liebherr’s new LG1800-1.0 lattice boom crane is designed for mobility and high loads. With a lifting capacity of up to 800 tonnes, the model stands as one of the most powerful wheeled lattice boom cranes on the market.
The machine features an axle load of 10 tonnes across its nine axles, making for a total weight of 70 tonnes with two supports and 90 tonnes when using all four supports. This allows the crane to safely drive on public roads in all configurations.
The chassis has a width of 3 metres and can handle gradients of up to 25 per cent. Options are available that allow the main boom to have a reach of up to 180 metres, with a main boom luffing jib combination that reaches up to 108 metres of main boom and 102 metres of luffing jib, for a maximum hook height of 208 metres.
The machine’s wind power boom systems have been optimized for height and length, making it possible to work with a boom of 174 metres and an 18-metre long lattice-type fixed jib at hub heights of 180 metres.
DICA’s LevelRight outrigger pad hits the market
After debuting a prototype model at CONEXPO last year, DICA’s LevelRight adjustable outrigger pad for boom trucks, cranes, concrete pumps and jacking applications is now available.
The pad has a rated capacity of 350,000 pounds and is 24 inches in diameter. DICA has designed the LevelRight pad to be compatible with outrigger floats in both square (up to 20 inches) and round (up to 24 inches) shapes, along with adjustable angles from zero to 10 degrees and to be adjustable in two planes up to five degrees.
All LevelRight pads are constructed from DICA’s SafetyTech material, with the company’s SafetyTexturing covering the pad’s top and bottom surfaces. The pad also features a built-in bubble level to indicate when a level surface has been achieved under an equipment’s outriggers.
Columbus McKinnon Corp. updates its motion control VFD
Columbus McKinnon Corp. (CMCO), manufacturers of intelligent motion technologies for material handling applications, has released the next generation of its digital motion control solutions, the Magnetek Impulse G+/ VG+ Series 5 variable frequency drive (VFD).
Standard features of CMCO’s Series 5 VFDs include sway control, collision avoidance technology, customizable software options, a redesigned user interface and USB connectivity to allow operators to configure and adjust parameters on personal computer devices.
Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas launches Lift Link telematics solution
Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas has introduced the Lift Link telematics platform for material handling equipment.
By providing operations with real-time, fleet-wide insights, organizations can use this actionable data to maximize uptime and usage for effective operations, the company said. The platform is compatible with an array of material handling equipment, from warehouse products to forklifts.
Lift Link also provides the option to limit equipment usage based on proximity cards or PIN codes and to enforce the completion of pre-operation forklift inspection. Additional features include impact detection and management, maintenance milestone tracking and two-way operator communication.
“We are excited to introduce the Lift Link telematics solution, which represents Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas’ significant advancement in connectivity and fleet management,” said Jerry Sytsma, executive vice president of sales and aftermarket services at Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas. “With Lift Link, our customers can harness the power of real-time data to make informed decisions, improve operational efficiency and ensure a safer work environment.”
New National NTC45142-2
45-Ton Capacity Hydraulic Crane
Looking for a top-of-the-line crane that is versatile, powerful, and easy to operate? Look no further than the National NTC45142-2. This crane boasts a 34’ to 142’ 5-Section telescoping full power main boom and a 31’ to 55’ telescoping boom extension, giving you the reach you need to tackle any job.
The crane is mounted on a Tandem Western Star 47X with a Cummins X12 and an Allison 4500 RDS automatic transmission.
The all-steel crane cab is tiltable up to 20 degrees, providing you with maximum visibility and flexibility. And with a deluxe heated seat and armrest mounted dual axis electronic controllers, you’ll be comfortable and in control all day long.
Contact our Nova Scotia Office to inquire about this equipment: (902) 883-7450
Nova Scotia Office 318 Park Road Elmsdale, NS B2S 0G2 (902) 883-7450
Massachusetts Office 136 Eastman Street South Easton, MA 02375 (508) 238-1900
SAFETY CORNER BY DOUG YOUNGER
WorkSafeBC’s focus on crane safety continues amid recent incidents
WorkSafeBC has a crane safety initiative that aims to identify and eliminate unsafe work practices and equipment hazards, while employers must adhere to stringent regulatory requirements.
Aseries of high-profile incidents have generated questions about crane safety in B.C., including what initiatives are underway to improve safety on worksites and what the regulatory environment looks like for tower cranes.
Tower cranes in Canada
With the enormous demand for new housing units across Canada, tower cranes are becoming a more visible part of the urban landscape across the country. In B.C. alone there are currently about 350 tower cranes operating.
Tower cranes are essential pieces of equipment on construction sites, and they typically operate safely and without incident. However, tower cranes have the potential to create catastrophic risk to workers and the public. That’s why tower crane safety is a priority for WorkSafeBC.
Recent crane incidents
In both recent incidents in Metro Vancouver — which involved different tower crane activities — WorkSafeBC issued stop-use and stop-work orders at the sites and both incidents are now under investigation. The investigations will seek to identify the cause of these incidents, including contributing factors, so that similar incidents can be prevented from happening in the future.
These two incidents come as the 2021 Kelowna crane collapse continues to sit at the top of mind for many workers, industry professionals and the public in B.C. This tragic tower crane failure claimed the lives of five workers.
Crane safety
WorkSafeBC has stringent regulatory requirements for tower crane operation, as well as a dedicated crane safety initiative and inspection team that aims to identify and eliminate unsafe work practices and
equipment hazards.
WorkSafeBC’s Provincial Crane Inspection Team has extensive experience and training in tower crane use. This team conducts proactive risk-based inspections across B.C. to ensure employers are effectively managing the key risks across all stages of tower crane use.
WorkSafeBC also works closely with BC Crane Safety to create resources for industry to ensure they understand tower crane erection, operation, inspection, and maintenance hazards, and how to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.
“Tower cranes are essential pieces of equipment on construction sites, and they typically operate safely and without incident. However, tower cranes have the potential to create catastrophic risk to workers and the public.”
– Doug Younger, WorkSafeBC
Robust regulatory regime
Under the Workers Compensation Act, employers in B.C. are required to provide workers with the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure they can carry out their work safely.
And employers must follow specific regulations related to cranes and hoists in B.C., specifically Part 14 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR).
• Crane operators must be qualified and certified to operate a tower crane. Sections 14.34 and 14.34.1 of the OHSR and their related guidelines explain and guide
all parties to crane operator qualification and certification requirements.
• In B.C., crane operator certification is administered through BC Crane Safety and SkilledTradesBC.
• Section 14.73.2 requires that the erection, climbing and dismantling of a tower crane must be done by qualified persons and in accordance with the instructions of the crane manufacturer, or a professional engineer if the installation varies from the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Effective March 1, 2023, regulations stipulate that a tower crane working in proximity to high voltage electrical equipment, or tower cranes with overlapping operating zones, must be equipped with a zone-limiting device to prevent collision. The regulations also require a professional engineer to supervise the inspection of equipment and certify the equipment as safe for use after both crane misadventures and contacts.
While recognizing these ongoing efforts, it’s crucial to acknowledge the need for continuous improvement. A regulatory amendment is now in progress requiring employers to submit a Notice of Project for tower crane erection, climbing, repositioning and dismantling. A second proposed amendment aims to define “safe for use” in the context of certification after an annual equipment inspection.
With the proliferation of tower cranes across the province, maintaining and improving high safety standards remains paramount. WorkSafeBC, in partnership with key industry stakeholders and worker groups, will continue advancing safety initiatives and regulatory measures to ensure tower cranes remain a safe part of our urban landscape.
Doug Younger is a Manager of Prevention Field Services with WorkSafeBC
