Cranes and Lifting November 2024

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MAEDA’S

IN

SERVICE & PEOPLE YOU CAN RELY ON.

“Our products are undeniably great, but it is the exceptional calibre of our people that distinguishes us from others”

6 Up Front with Pace Cranes New ‘game changing’ Meadas have arrived.

15 CICA Work Health and Safety CICA examines the risks when working closely to powerlines.

diquip

Hardiquip grows Jarlway brand.

tEx Gold Coast

LiftEx Gold Coast is a resounding success.

ove and Boom Logistics

More Groves to Boom Logistics.

Cranepower’s growth

Cranepower continues to gather momentum.

Zoomlion’s vision

The team at Zoomlion’s optimistic look.

utt Bryant

Sany’s SCC300TB’s major astructure role.

CMG

XCMG looks to EV and hybrid power as it reveals its new range.

ampson Australia

A deep insight into one of Australia’s ongest crane fleets.

FROM THE EDITORIAL TEAM

WELCOME TO THE NOVEMBER ISSUE OF CRANESANDLIFTING MAGAZINE

AUSTRALIA’S RESOURCES SECTOR WARNS

not to put 27,000 new jobs at risk

The Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association has underscored the strength of the mining and energy industry in a new report that identifies more than 100 new projects set to come online, creating almost 27,000 jobs over the next five years.

The Resources and Energy Workforce Forecast: 2024-2029 breaks down the estimated labour required to operate new, expansion and restarted mining and oil and gas projects.

The report shows there are 107 major resources and energy projects in Australia’s investment pipeline – either already committed or considered advanced – expected to enter production between the second half of 2024 and end of 2029.

These projects are worth about $131 billion and are forecast to drive demand for around 26,810 new production-related jobs.

While estimates are slightly down on last year’s 2023-2028 report (103 projects worth $142 billion and 28,000 jobs), the consistency reported across AREEA’s past five editions demonstrates the ongoing attractiveness of Australia as a place for investment.

Mining commodities retaining their traditional strengths include coal (13 projects for 4,836 workers), iron ore (eight projects for 4,495 workers), gold (13 projects for 2,830 workers) and critical minerals (14 projects for 3,078 workers).

AREEA chief executive Steve Knott says the strength of Australia’s resources sector has driven new economic surpluses for Australia, and has urged the government not to stand in the sector’s way.

“Approvals for major ventures such as the McPhillamys gold mine in New South Wales – which offered 1,000 jobs (construction and production) and had the full support of the local community – are being pulled from underneath investors at the eleventh hour.

“Several multi-billion-dollar LNG projects, offering much needed domestic gas supply and further export earnings, are being frustrated by continuous environmental and

cultural heritage lawfare.

“Thousands of workers will soon be paid according to bargained terms and conditions of other businesses, and unions have been given a legislated leg-up to force themselves into workplaces and entire industries that have long since left them behind.

Resources and Energy Workforce Forecast: 2024-2029 reports that while the major project pipeline remains strong, the sector in May 2024 directly employed 287,600 people, which was 35,300 or 11 per cent fewer than the historic high (322,900) of May 2023.

WA remains the powerhouse of Australia’s resources and energy industry, with 48 major projects expected to increase the workforce by 11,065 workers by 2029.

Meantime, NSW has cemented its position as the nation’s second-most attractive destination for resources and energy investment capital. The report shows 18 projects are forecast to create demand for 5,152 new production employees in NSW by the end of 2029 – an increase of 800 on last year’s figures and over 1,600 more than Queensland’s current projections.

“That data shows Queensland is slowly but surely losing its investment edge and being well overtaken by NSW. In 2022, this report forecast 5,560 new jobs in Queensland’s major project pipeline. In 2023, the figure was 4,470, and this year, just 3,527,” Steve said.

As a major consumer of craneage, the resources sector is critical to the wellbeing of our industryand there are plenty of positive signs for the forseeable future. As always the team at Cranes and Lifting has worked hard to bring what we hope is a news filled issue and we hope you enjoy the read.

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MAEDA’S TECHNOLOGY IN MOTION

The first shipment of Maeda’s MK3053C knuckle boom mini crawlers recently arrived in the Sydney yard of Pace Cranes. Featuring 12 metres of main boom, just under 17m with the hydraulic jib, and a lifting capacity of 2.98 tonnes, Michael Cawston, National Sales Manager Pace Cranes explains the difference they will make to the Australian market.

THE MAEDA KNUCKLE BOOM MODEL has been several years in design and development, says Michael.

“Maeda has actually had a knuckle boom machine for approximately 10 years, and it proved to be quite successful in Europe. It has taken Maeda some time to fully develop this machine to get the best possible reach and lifting capacity,” he said.

The MK3053C features a telescopic boom with a knuckle that folds out from underneath the main boom. The knuckle features a telescoping luffing boom with a telescoping jib attached. The 12m main boom features a four falls hook mode as well as a detachable negative angle jib. The model also features automatic and stepless multi outrigger settings, variable crawler gauge, diesel/electric and battery electric options as well fully proportional radio remote control.

“Maeda have designed this model like the other machines in the range and offer a standard diesel engine

option, diesel-electric or full battery lithium-powered for those companies wanting a 100 per cent ‘green machine’. The battery-powered option has the capability of running from the mains for unlimited working hours,” said Michael.

“Maeda displayed a prototype of the MK3053C at Bauma three and a half years ago and it was well received. At Bauma the European dealer sold numerous units and we’ve been pretty successful here having sold multiple units prior to arrival,” he said.

Michael goes on to discuss applications the MK3053C is typically suited to.

“The applications are going to be similar to those where you will typically find our spider cranes. These include glazing applications, getting product up to balconies and pushing them through windows. Lifts can be air conditioners, benchtops, glass, fish tanks, safes, anything you need to lift up and over and then push into an area where your traditional straight boom can’t reach,” he said.

“Enquiries have come from a whole range of interested parties including ‘one-man band’ glass installers up to the big crane hire companies. I’ll say it now, there’s more to the MK3053C when compared to a traditional Maeda spider crane and it will likely need a specialist operator to manage the machine.

“Some customers that have a small MC285 and an MC305 have said the MK3053C can pretty much replace those models. Sure, this model is a little more expensive, but it’s cheaper than having two cranes to manage multiple applications. We believe steel erectors will love this machine. It’s a very compact machine with a smaller setup area than the 285 but you can lift more than a 305 with the main boom. It’s a game changer for us,” said Michael.

Michael adds the jib is very easy and simple to operate, a one-person

Hayden Roper, Cranes 4 Hire with Michael Cawston Pace Cranes.

The MK3053C features the next generation of outriggers which are stepless meaning there’s no pinning system.

The MK3053C features an expandable undercarriage for the stability of the machine, but the undercarriage also retracts enabling the machine to fit through doorway access.

operation to take on and off, with all functions remotely controlled.

“Depending on what you’re lifting, you might need the winch application. You can pre-rig the jib with the single fall hook fitted and then pull the boom out and you’re ready to go. Or you can take the jib off, depending on what is required.

“Everything is remote controlled, which comes as standard. The MK3053C features an expandable

undercarriage for the stability of the machine, but the undercarriage also retracts, enabling the machine to fit through doorway access.

“The MK3053C features the next generation of outriggers which are stepless - meaning there’s no pinning system. If there is an obstacle in the way, you can stop the outriggers at any angle and the machine automatically sets up the load chart to suit,” said Michael.

“The controls feature a one touch setup, and from one button you can completely set the machine up. It swings the outriggers, extends them and puts them down, and it also selflevels the machine which is pretty exciting.

“The load charts are set up to work at multiple angles, and the LMI will read that setup and be tell the operator before the lift what you’re good for and at what particular angle, so it features

Everything on the MK3053C is remote controlled, which comes as standard

When Capital Cranes’ Digger Misner first heard about Maeda’s MK3053C, he knew he had to have one in his fleet.

very smart technology,” he said.

Hayden Roper, whose Cranes 4 Hire specialises in glass lifting and handling, purchased his first Maeda almost six years ago.

“I’d been operating Maedas previously and that’s before they had LMIs, but the 285 is where it all started for us. We run two Meadas and went with their brand for reliability, and over the last six years, reliability is what we’ve experienced,” said Hayden.

Hayden has been waiting for the MK3053C for sometime.

“I enquired about this crane before we bought our 305. I’ve been chasing a crane that’s skinnier, smaller and lighter with more lifting capacity, and Maeda have managed this with the MK3053C.

“It’s one tonne less in weight than the 305, half a metre skinnier and yet features 17m of reach, which is going to be handy. It has a good chart out to nine metres radius, so it’s going to be a very handy lifter in the domestic market.

“There are a few things coming up for the Australian Open, which require battery powered machine, and this has already been specified so we can now help them out with this crane, which is good,” said Hayden.

“Battery powered equipment is the

way everything’s going moving forward and Maeda is offering this option across the range. Government projects are specifying zero emissions and so the MK3053C ticks all their boxes. It’s also going to be nicer not having to listen to a motor humming all day,” he said..

The knuckle boom will provide more versatility when it comes to projects says Hayden.

Cranes and the ensuing conversation led me to the Maeda MK3053C.

“They informed me that Maeda had a new mini crane in the design stage and were willing to take me to Japan to visually inspect the machine. After seeing the MK3053C in its design and testing stages, I instantly knew this was the crane we needed,” said Digger.

“The engineering behind the new concept knuckle boom was impressive, and witnessing its rigorous testing gave me confidence in its performance and safety. While I know that Maeda isn’t the first or the original concept designer of this type of machine, what truly matters to me is the relationship I have with Pace Cranes and Maeda. Over the years, I’ve built a solid trust in their advice and the quality of their equipment. It’s not just about the specs; it’s about knowing I can rely on them for support and that I’ll get a machine that meets my business needs,

“The new concept detachable telescopic jib on the MK3053C makes it a standout choice, especially for handling heavy loads in confined indoor spaces or tight outdoor areas. Its compact design allows us to manoeuvre

“Government projects are specifying zero emissions and so the MK3053C ticks all their boxes. It’s also going to be nicer not having to listen to a motor humming all day.”

“Currently we use a truck crane for a lot of our glass installations, and that features the knuckle boom which helps us get inside the building a lot further, which is important when we are working with glass. With the MK3053C we can now can go up and push inside which is going to be a game changer for us, the mini crawler crane market and for Maeda,” said Hayden.

Digger Misner from Canberra’s Capital Cranes also took delivery of the new Maeda MK3053C. “When a customer asked if there was a machine that could handle some tough requirements, I reached out to Pace

through standard doorways and operate in spaces where larger cranes just can’t fit. Whether we’re lifting inside a gallery or working in a narrow outdoor location, this crane provides the flexibility and control we need,” said Digger.

“Being fully battery-powered and featuring non-marking tracks makes it ideal for sensitive environments where we want to avoid any damage. In the end, it’s about choosing a machine backed by a trusted relationship. That’s why I’m confident that the MK3053C will be a valuable addition to our fleet,” he said.

SPECIALIST IN HARD CHROME PLATING

• Long stroke & large bore specialists

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Phone: (02)9756 3077

CICA NATIONAL CONFERENCE, EXHIBITION AND CRANE DISPLAY IN REVIEW

THE POST-EVENT HAZE IS LIFTING, AND looking back on the 2024 CICA Annual Conference, Exhibition & Crane Display brings a sense of satisfaction. It was fantastic to see so many professionals from across the country come together to share ideas, showcase innovations and strengthen connections. The energy in the room was palpable and the interactions between attendees fostered a collaborative spirit that is vital for our industry. A big thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making this year’s conference such a success.

This year’s event not only provided a platform for learning but also emphasised the importance of networking within the crane community. The discussions and workshops offered practical insights that participants can take back to their workplaces, helping to drive progress and improvement in the industry. The enthusiasm and engagement shown by all attendees reaffirmed our shared commitment to advancing the crane sector. We appreciate the dedication of everyone involved, and we look forward to building on this momentum for future events.

I would also like to extend a special thanks to our platinum sponsor, Franna. Your continued support was instrumental to the event’s success, and we appreciate your commitment to advancing the industry. And to the team at WISE Connections for making our vision for the conference come to life: thank you. Always a pleasure to work with, and you bring an incredible passion to our conference that is incredibly appreciated. We’re already looking forward to what the 2025 conference will bring.

This year’s program was packed to the brim. Our keynote speaker

The attendance and engagement in this year’s technical and business workshops was a highlight. From implementing AI to practical guides to on-road access for cranes, to cybersecurity and succession planning - there was something for everyone.

our shared knowledge, ultimately benefiting everyone in the crane industry.

I’d also like to acknowledge the incredible entrants for Lift of the Year and Photo of the Year. The skill, creativity, and dedication on display

Brandon Hitch
Image: CICA

through these entries were truly inspiring. Congratulations to everyone involved— you continue to set the bar high for excellence.

CICA is an association that continues to evolve, much like the crane industry itself. Following our recent AGMs, we’ve seen some exciting changes within our leadership, with fresh faces stepping in and seasoned leaders moving on. This blend of new perspectives and experienced insight is exactly what helps us stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry. I’d like to thank every Branch Chair, Vice Chair and committee member, both new and outgoing, for their hard work and dedication. Your contributions are what keep CICA strong and forward-thinking.

CICA couldn’t function without the collaboration and passion of its members. It’s your commitment and support that enable us to keep pushing forward, advocating for the industry, and delivering valuable resources. Together, we’re driving progress, and I’m excited to see how these new voices will continue to shape CICA and the crane industry in the years to come.

“The attendance and engagement in this year’s technical and business workshops was a highlight. From implementing AI to practical guides to onroad access for cranes, to cybersecurity and succession planning - there was something for everyone.”

CICA BOARD

Ben Pieyre – President

Marcus Ferrari – Vice President

Danny Adair – Director

Danny Black – Director

Andrew Esquilant – Director

David Solomon – Director

Karli Sutherland– Director

CICA OFFICE

Brandon Hitch Chief Executive Officer

03 8320 0444 0428 228 048 ceo@cica.com.au

Alice Edwards Road Technical Engineer 03 8320 0440 alice@cica.com.au

Patrick Cran

CICA Site Operations Advisor 0488 004 274 pat@cranesafe.com.au

Sharon Pearce

Crane Crew Competency Officer, Sharon@cica.com.au ph: 0491 134 533

Damien Hense

CICA Road Policy Advisor 03 8320 0460 0488 007 575 damien@cica.com.au

Julie Turner CICA Executive Assistant/ Board Secretariat 03 8320 0411 julie@cica.com.au

Kate Galloway Traineeship & Industry Engagement Coordinator 0491 047 118 Kate@cica.com.au

Shane Coupe CraneSafe & CrewSafe Administrative Assistant Officer shane@cica.com.au 0491 047 134

Michelle Verkerk Communications and Special Projects Advisor michelle@cica.com.au

Justina Blackman Member Events and Engagement 0403 717 626 justina@cica.com.au

Ashleigh Gould Office Operations Coordinator, ashleigh@cica.com.au 03 8320 0466

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.

NEW RIGHTS FOR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS IN THE FAIR WORK ACT

IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE LEGAL position surrounding independent contractors has fluctuated as a result of various case law judgments culminating with the landmark High Court decisions in 2022. Recently, the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes No. 2) Act 2024 (Cth) (Closing Loopholes No.2) introduced a number of key reforms that came into effect on 26 August 2024 which implement protections for independent contractors into the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act). It is important that organisations that engage independent contractors are aware of these changes to ensure the arrangements they enter into are compliant.

“EMPLOYEE” AND “EMPLOYER” DEFINITION WHAT’S CHANGED?

A significant change is the introduction of section 15AA in the FW Act, which establishes a new statutory definition of “employee” and “employer” which impacts the distinction between employees and independent contractors.

Until recently, courts in Australia considered the totality of the relationship between the worker and the principal, by reference to various indicators of the day-to-day relationship to determine the nature of the relationship. This is

sometimes referred to as the “multi-factor test”. That changed in 2022 following the High Court’s decisions in Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union v Personnel Contracting Pty Ltd and ZG Operations Australia Pty Ltd v Jamsek, which set aside the totality of the relationship approach in favour of one that focused primarily on the terms of the contract between the parties.

The introduction of section 15AA largely “reverses” the High Court’s decisions, and once again puts the focus primarily on the real substance, practical reality, and true nature of the relationship between the parties. Section 15AA provides a statutory guideline that courts and the Fair Work Commission (FWC) must consider when interpreting whether a worker is an employee or a contractor.

MULTI-FACTOR TEST

Section 15AA brings the “multi-factor test” to the forefront. Although the terms of the contract remain relevant, the test will apply to the whole relationship including how the contract is performed in practice rather than relying solely on the terms of the contract.

The multi-factor test considers all relevant factors to determine whether a person is an employee or an independent contractor. Each case is determined on a

case-by-case basis. The factors considered often include, but are not limited to:

• the degree of control an employer/ principal has over the employee/ independent contractor. Previous case law has placed significant weight on this factor, although courts have previously found that no single feature determines the totality of the relationship;

• the existence of a written employment contract or independent contracting agreement;

• whether the worker can refuse work;

• whether the worker maintains a high level of flexibility or control as to how work is performed;

• whether the worker is paid or entitled to paid leave entitlements;

• whether the worker operates under an ABN or interposed entity; and

• the extent of the integration of the worker into the business, for example, the requirement to wear a uniform.

HOW THIS IMPACTS ORGANISATIONS

Misclassification can lead to significant legal and financial repercussions, including penalties, back payments of entitlements and potential litigation. It is crucial to review your contractor agreements and ensure that your categorisation of workers aligns with the new interpretative framework.

As the new definition applies to both pre-existing engagements and engagements entered into on or after 26 August 2024, it is important that organisations review both their existing engagements and new contracts entered into moving forward.

The new laws provide for high earning contractors, that is those currently earning in excess of $175,000 per annum, to opt out of the application of the section 15AA definition and retain their contractor status in circumstances where elements of the relationship may indicate they are an employee. Importantly, only one opt out

Holding Redlich
Partner Michael Selinger
Holding Redlich
Associate Julia Wyatt

notice can be provided per relationship and the opt out notice only applies to the relationship from the date on which it is given. In effect, depending on when the opt out notice is given, there may still be a period of exposure to misclassification risks. The opt out notice can also be revoked at any time.

UNFAIR CONTRACT REGIME FOR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS WHAT’S CHANGED?

For the first time, the FWC will be able to intervene with respect to the terms of engagement between principals and independent contractors. A new unfair contract regime has been introduced in Part 3A-5 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act), targeting independent contractors who earn under the contractor high-income threshold (as at the date of this article, $175,000 per annum). The provisions allow eligible contractors to apply to the FWC to vary or set aside all or part of a contract if it is deemed unfair.

In order to be eligible to make an application, the sum of the contractor’s annual rate of earnings must be less than

the contractor high income threshold –currently $175,000 per annum. The FWC specifies that the contractor high income threshold should not be confused with the ‘high income threshold’ which only applies to employees. With that said, at this stage, there is limited guidance on how the contractor high income threshold and the contractor’s annual rate of earnings will be worked out and/or whether it will be prorated across the year.

Notably, only terms that would relate to “workplace relations matters” in the context of an employment relationship, can be challenged due to unfairness. It is yet to be seen how the FWC will interpret this limitation however workplace relations matters are defined in section 536JQ to include without limitation remuneration, hours of work and termination.

When determining whether a term in a contractor agreement is unfair, the FWC will consider:

• the relative bargaining power of the parties to the contract;

• whether the contract as a whole displays a significant imbalance between the rights and obligations of the parties;

• whether the contract term is reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate interests of a party to the contract;

• whether the contract term imposes a harsh, unjust, or unreasonable requirement on a party to the contract; and

• whether the contract as a whole provides for a total remuneration for performing work that is less than what employees performing the same or similar work would receive; and

• any other matters the FWC considers relevant.

For example, terms which provide a unilateral right to vary the terms of the contract or terminate the contract may be deemed to be unfair by the FWC.

SUPPLEMENTARY JURISDICTION OF THE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS ACT 2006 (CTH)

(IC ACT)

The IC Act has contained similar protections for independent contractors against unfair contract terms for some time. However, given a claim must be initiated in the Federal courts, the IC Act has been criticised for being inaccessible.

Image:

With the introduction of the FW Act provisions, the IC Act jurisdiction has been narrowed whereby the unfair contract remedies will only apply to contractors earning above the contractor high-income threshold.

We anticipate the FWC will seek to rely on earlier decisions under the IC Act jurisdiction to inform its approach to assessing whether a term in a contractor agreement is unfair. If the FWC does take this approach, there may be limited grounds to establish unfair contract terms given there a small number of substantive decisions made under the IC Act and of these, a number of the decisions in the IC Act jurisdiction have been overturned either in whole or in part in favour of the Respondent. Notwithstanding these earlier outcomes, considering the background to the FWC and the approach taken in unfair dismissal cases to factors demonstrating “harsh, unjust or unreasonable” conduct, the FWC is likely to take a broad view as to whether a contract term is unfair.

HOW THIS CHANGE IMPACTS ORGANISATIONS

Contracts that were previously considered enforceable might now be subject to scrutiny under the new regime if the contractor is earning below the contractor high income threshold. The FWC also provides a more accessible avenue for contractors to dispute their agreements which may lead to increased claims from contractors.

Further, there is no specific reference to costs orders in the new Part-3A-5 of the FW Act as it relates to the unfair contract provisions. In effect, the approach to costs in these matters is likely to be similar to the IC Act jurisdiction, which provides that costs do not follow the event and costs orders are unlikely to be made unless the application is vexatious or unreasonable. This approach to costs would also be consistent with the general rule in the FW Act that all parties must bear their own costs. As such, the lack of an adverse costs order will make it unlikely to dissuade a contractor from making a claim in the FWC.

The new provisions only apply to contracts entered into on or after 26 August 2024. Organisations should review their

templates and all new contracts entered into with independent contractors to ensure they meet the new fairness standards. Caution should be exercised if you are amending an existing agreement as it may be considered a new contract in some circumstances. Considerations of fairness might include the balance of power between the parties, the clarity and transparency of contract terms and whether the contract imposes undue disadvantage on the contractor. If you need advice on the terms of your contracts, you should seek legal advice.

Failure to adjust your terms for individual contractors could result in contracts being set aside or varied by the FWC, which could disrupt your business operations and lead to unforeseen costs.

and accurately reflect a principal/contractor relationship. In the absence of a written agreement, organisations are exposed to a finding of employment.

A written agreement for a contractor should clearly define the nature of the relationship and the terms and conditions of the relationship, including payment, termination and services to be provided. The terms of the written agreement should also aim to be fair and balanced.

3. Review template independent contractor agreements (new definition of employee and unfair contracts)

Organisations should review current written agreements with independent contractors to ensure

“Failure to adjust your terms for individual contractors could result in contracts being set aside or varied by the FWC, which could disrupt your business operations and lead to unforeseen costs.”

KEY TAKEAWAYS

In line with these changes, we recommend organisations consider taking the following steps:

1. Review current engagements (new definition of employee)

Organisations should review current engagements and written agreements to ensure independent contractors have not been ‘labelled’ as independent contractors where the duties and obligations reflect an employment looking at the multi-factor test. You should develop a process for reviewing arrangements at regular intervals to ensure the engagement accurately reflects one of an independent contractor. Organisations who pay contractors above the contractor high income threshold can also consider whether the opt-out notices should be utilised.

2. Ensure each engagement of an independent contractor is confirmed in a written agreement (new definition of employee and unfair contracts)

It is important that all independent contractors are engaged according to a written agreement, with terms that are fair

that the terms of the agreement reflect the principal/contractor relationship. For example, a contractor agreement should not include any entitlements such as annual leave.

The templates should also be reviewed in the context of the unfair contract regime to ensure no terms could be perceived as unfair.

As above, it would be prudent for companies to ensure all precedents for on-boarding are up to date and accurately reflect the new changes.

If you need assistance in navigating these changes and preparing your business to ensure compliance, please get in touch with our team below.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, we do not guarantee that the information in this article is accurate at the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future.

NAVIGATING WORKING NEAR OVERHEAD POWERLINES

WORKING NEAR OVERHEAD POWER LINES

is an inherently dangerous proposition. It only takes one mistake with a crane or mobile plant coming into contact with live wires to end with catastrophic injury - or death. The most frequent causes of fatal accidents in the crane industry in Australia were those involving strikes by load, and electrocution. Staying alert, compliant and knowing where you and your crew should be in relation to the poles and wires is vital to keeping everyone safe.

When working near powerlines it’s important to know the rules that determine how close a person or machine can safely get. No Go Zones, also called exclusion zones, provide limits on how close cranes, crew and mobile plant can get to powerlines. The rules are not the same for all powerlines, or all states, and change based on the voltage of the lines.

Victoria has the most stringent guidelines on zones regarding work around power lines. For distribution overhead powerlines, which carry voltages from 240V to 66kV, the No Go Zone is anywhere above the powerline, within 3 metres on either side and 3 metres below. Examples of distribution overhead lines would be those used for trams, and trains.

Transmission overhead power lines carry much higher voltages - 132kV to 500kV, and are installed on towers or steel poles. The No Go Zones for these are larger; 8 metres above, 8 metres on either side, and 8 metres below.

Victoria also uses spotter required/ no spotter required in their zoning. Distribution overhead powerlines must have a spotter when working between 3 - 6.4m of powerlines, while open areas outside of 6.4m do not require a spotter. Queensland by contrast has 3 zones - any

line voltage up to 132kV has an exclusion zone of 3 metres, between 132kV and 330kV is 6 metres, and over 330kV is 8 metres.

Always be aware of powerlines around you. You can use the Look Up and Live app to check the locations of powerlines before you get onsite - it provides overhead powerline locations and imagery, safety guidelines (including exclusion zones), options for planning or performing work, and information about de-energisation or relocation of powerlines.

operators and crew but for the public if lines are contacted.

If you must work near powerlines there are steps you can take to minimise your exposure to danger. Developing a safe system of work before you start any activities can save lives; electricity and lack of planning do not mix. Identify the hazards around you and conduct a site risk assessment. What kind of equipment is being used, what are the conditions and weather on the site - is it windy? Is it hot? High winds could risk being shifted into the exclusion zone and powerlines sag in intense heat. What work is being done, and what is the set-up and packup procedure? Overhead powerlines are often uninsulated, and high voltages can arc (flashover) across air gaps to nearby objects of a different potential, posing a serious hazard if you or your equipment gets too close. Additional factors like lightning strikes and switching can cause sudden spikes in voltage, increasing the risk of arcing.

Cranes and other machinery working near high-tension powerlines can also develop significant induced voltages. Dragging a grounding chain to improve earthing can help minimise potential electrical hazards. Choosing your control measures is deadly serious, not just for

Safework Australia provides a hierarchy of control with measures for safely operating cranes and mobile plant near overhead electric lines, including substitution, isolation, engineering, administrative and PPE controls.

There is no single blueprint for working safely around overhead powerlines.

Each jurisdiction has its own specific rules, and every worksite presents unique hazards. The terrain, foliage, or other visual obstructions can all effect the safety of an operation. Additional factors, like whether scaffolding needs to be erected or dismantled, can further complicate the situation. These sitespecific challenges require a careful, tailored approach to ensure the safety of workers when operating near overhead lines.

Operators and owners must stay informed about the standards in their jurisdiction and take a proactive role in training their crews. Proper planning is crucial, especially for teams working in proximity to powerlines. Regular safety training, clear communication and risk assessments should be conducted to ensure that everyone on-site is aware of potential hazards and follows safe work practices to minimise the risk of accidents.

Image: KoTanGens/shutterstock.com

A RESOUNDING SUCCESS: THE 2024 CRANE ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND (CANZ) CONFERENCE IN ROTORUA

THE 2024 CRANE ASSOCIATION OF NEW Zealand (CANZ) Conference was, by all accounts, an overwhelming successsetting a high bar for future events. Held in the vibrant city of Rotorua, this year’s conference not only brought together crane industry professionals from across New Zealand but also attracted international delegates. The city’s renowned beauty, cultural heritage and world-class amenities provided a fantastic backdrop for the event, further enhancing the experience for all attendees.

Rotorua’s unique charm, combined with the meticulously planned conference agenda, played a key role in creating an environment where delegates could fully engage in industry discussions, share insights, and network. The 2024 conference proved to be a pivotal moment for CANZ, as it highlighted the strength and resilience of the crane industry, even in the face of recent economic challenges.

A WARM WELCOME WITH THE CRANE VILLAGE INITIATIVE

This year, delegates were greeted by the newly introduced “Crane Village,” an innovation that showcased the association’s commitment to enhancing the conference experience. Set up outside the main venue, the Crane Village provided a unique space where delegates could interact with suppliers, clients and peers. This initiative allowed for more informal and productive conversations, creating opportunities to foster new business relationships.

INSPIRING SPEAKERS AND OUTSTANDING KEYNOTES

One of the standout features of the 2024 conference was the high calibre of its speaker lineup, which received an impressive 95 per cent approval rating in the post-

conference survey. CANZ was thrilled with this feedback, as it underscored the quality and relevance of the content provided to delegates.

Lisa Tamati, the breakfast speaker, set an inspiring tone with her powerful story. Her personal journey, filled with resilience and determination, deeply resonated with the audience. Some delegates were so moved that they requested selfies and hugs following her talk, a testament to the emotional impact she had on the room. Tamati’s session was the perfect way to energize attendees for the rest of the conference.

Other notable keynote speakers included Glen “Cookie” Cook, who shared his vast knowledge on power line safety, and economist Shamubeel Eaqub, who delivered an insightful analysis of the New Zealand and global economy, specifically focusing on its relevance to the crane industry. Both Cookie and Eaqub captivated the audience with their expertise and in-depth knowledge, reinforcing the critical role that

informed discussions play in shaping the future of the crane sector.

A NEW MC, JEHAN CASINADER, DELIVERS WITH EXCELLENCE

Another highlight of the conference was the debut of the new Master of Ceremonies, Jehan Casinader. Filling the shoes of the previous MC, Greg Ward, was no small feat, but Jehan exceeded expectations, receiving a 90 per cent approval rating from delegates. His professionalism, and knowledge ensured a smooth flow throughout the event. CANZ is already looking forward to welcoming Jehan back for the 2025 conference.

A MEMORABLE SOCIAL EVENT: MUSICAL BINGO AND MORE

Thursday evening’s social event was another resounding success. Striking the right balance with a social gathering is never easy, but this year’s event checked all the boxes. One long-time attendee, with over 25 years of conference experience, even commented

Images: CANZ
The Crane Manufacturers Panel was as popular as ever.

that it was the best social event she had ever attended.

Musical bingo was a unique choice, and while there was some initial scepticism, the entertainment team delivered a knockout performance, turning the event into an unforgettable evening. The buffet meal was another highlight, with many delegates raving about the quality and variety of the food. The opportunity to unwind and connect with industry peers in a relaxed setting was invaluable, especially given the tough year the crane industry has endured.

REFLECTING ON ACHIEVEMENTS AND CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE

Friday’s conference sessions were just as impactful, culminating in the prestigious Gala Awards Dinner. The awards ceremony provided a moment to pause and reflect on the successes achieved within the industry, recognising those who have demonstrated excellence, whether as trainees, trainers or as part of larger projects in the Lift and Project of the Year categories.

As CANZ CEO Sarah Toase often emphasises, “Nothing happens without a crane.” This sentiment rings true across all sectors of the economy, both domestically and internationally. The crane industry may be small compared to other parts of the construction sector, but its contributions are critical to the economy and the community. The awards ceremony was a fitting tribute to those who have worked tirelessly to uphold the highest standards in their respective fields.

SCHOOLS DAY A MAJOR HIGHLIGHT

A significant highlight of the conference was the Schools Day event, where 30 students from three different schools attended an inspiring taster session led by industry trainers Simon Drumm, Norm Kete and Maurice Davis. The event was an overwhelming success, with students enthusiastically participating in the various activities designed to give them a hands-on introduction to the crane industry. Simon Drumm’s tenacity and leadership were the driving force behind the event’s success, as he worked tirelessly to bring together the industry to inspire the next generation. The engagement from both students and

the industry professionals underscored the strong commitment to fostering future talent, and it was heartening to see such a collaborative effort from all involved.

SETTING THE COURSE FOR THE FUTURE

One of the key takeaways from the 2024 conference was the level of engagement from CANZ members. This year saw an unprecedented level of participation, which was heartening for both the association’s staff and council. Members shared their insights and expressed a clear desire for the association to continue its work in removing barriers and enabling the crane industry to thrive in New Zealand.

CANZ has already made significant strides, including the establishment of the PCANZ PTE, a gold-standard training institution for the crane industry. Over the next 12 to 24 months, CANZ will continue to build on this success, further enhancing training opportunities for its members.

Additionally, the conference highlighted the need for clearer, more up-to-date regulation and technical guidance to support the work of CANZ members. In response, the association will be shifting its focus to incorporate a new strand of work aimed at developing this technical guidance.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025 AND BEYOND

While conferences require significant investment in both time and money, the value of bringing industry professionals together cannot be overstated. These events provide a unique opportunity to pause, celebrate achievements, share knowledge, and strategise for the future.

CANZ is now eagerly looking ahead to its 50th anniversary celebrations in 2025. The milestone event will be held at the Takina Event Centre in Wellington from July 16th to 18th, 2025 and promises to be an exceptional occasion.

The 2024 conference would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors, particularly our platinum sponsors, Cookes and Liebherr, as well as our gold and other category sponsors. Their unwavering support during a challenging year has been instrumental in making the event a success.

As we look to the future, CANZ remains committed to supporting the crane industry in New Zealand, working to ensure its sustainability and success. We are proud to stand alongside our members, and we eagerly await the green shoots of recovery that will propel the industry forward in the months and years to come.

This year, delegates were greeted by the newly introduced “Crane Village,” an innovation that showcased the association’s commitment to enhancing the conference experience.

CANZ WINNING PROJECT OF THE YEAR 2024

A landslide in April 2017 left State Highway 3 impassable through the Manawatu Gorge. A new highway is being built over the Ruahine Range, to provide a safe, resilient and efficient route between Woodville and Ashhurst. The new highway is due for completion by mid-2025.

THE HIGHWAY IS BEING BUILT BY AN Alliance that includes Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, HEB Construction, Fulton Hogan, Aurecon, WSP, Rangitāne o Manawatū, Rangitāne o Tamaki nui-a-Rua, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki nui-a-Rua, Te Runanga o Raukawa (Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga and Nga Kaitiaki ō Ngāti Kauwhata). The Alliance was formed in 2019 with construction beginning in early 2021. Project construction has been reliant on significant craneage managed and engineered by the Alliance team, including cranes supplied by Smith

NZ $700 million and has provided work for up to 350 people at any one time, with over 2,500 staff and contractors inducted to the site since the project commenced in 2021.

The project involves the construction of six bridge structures along the highway, with two of the bridges spanning over 300 metres long - the Parahaki bridge over the Manawatu River and the Eco Viaduct over an ecologically significant wetland area.

For craneage, like any major construction project, the team is required to complete thousands of general site lifts, along with many larger and/or more complex lifts to deliver the project.

The site conditions restricted the size, and somewhat the capacity, of the

Images:
HEB Construction
The project construction has been reliant on significant craneage managed and engineered by the Alliance team including cranes supplied by Smith Crane and Construction.

cranes the team could use. The Parahaki bridge, predominantly constructed from staging limited the crane size to a 280t class crawler machine, due to staging width and span lengths. The Eco Viaduct bridge was consented to and allowed to be constructed from a causeway of limited size (footprint, width and elevation) due to construction in a critical ecological part of the site - this again limited the crane size to a 280t crawler crane footprint to access to all areas for general serving and major lifts. Both major bridges only allowed construction access from one the western side of each bridge, meaning the height of structure compared to the position and elevation of the crane needed to be considered from an early stage through the planning and build of each structure.

Throughout the project to date the team has mobilised nine different lattice boom crawler cranes, two tower cranes on static bases, two telescopic crawler cranes along with five mobile/rough terrain cranes to undertake all works from site set up, piling works to major beam and component installation and removal works across all the six bridge structures.

When it came to crane choice and selection, daily crane needs and configuration options were considered, along with engineered solutions to undertake the major lifts the project required, with consideration of the restrictions the team had to overcome. Smith Crane and Construction was able to supply efficient crane solutions to the project which included three LR1280 Crawler cranes, with all configuration options available to the project team. The use of two remote control Liebherr static based tower cranes was a smart, cost effective solution the team used on the Parahaki bridge to service day to day works on the bridge where appropriate.

The success of the crane solutions and engineering on the project was largely due to the configuration options the team had available to them, from the use of superlift, luffing and fixed fly configurations along with many

boom length changes. The project’s engineering team was challenged to design or adapt the design of the temporary staging structures, lifting locations on the components, crane pads and causeway designs to take the different loadings that the crane configurations produced across the project.

To date the team has completed over 60 lifts requiring the Superlift on the LR1280 machines, with 30 of these from the temporary staging bridge over the Manawatu River. At the Eco Viaduct bridge 14 of the 21 beam pairs, being 70t and 100t weathering steel beams, required Superlift from the causeway. Six of the Superlift operations have been with tandem lift operations and numerous complex lifts including superlift operations required pick and carry cranes for completion across the project. Many lifts required full crane capacity and were deemed engineered lifts prior to being undertaken.

INITIAL CHALLENGES AND THE RISKS INVOLVED – PARAHAKI BRIDGE

The Parahaki bridge is situated at the base of a wind farm and also crosses the Manawatu River at the western entrance to the Manawatu Gorge. The site posed many challenges, from wind to river level limitations and flooding.

Parahaki Bridge was predominantly constructed from a temporary staging bridge over the Manawatu River. Height and reach requirements from limited access posed a challenge to the construction works. Limited space to operate and work with construction plant and cranes was also a challenge. The staging was initially designed to suit a 250-280t class sized crane.

The Staging Capacity for heavy lift operations requiring superlift from the staging was a challenge that pushed the staging capacity and required further analysis, which led to staging modification early in the project for the team to be able to make efficient program gains due to crane capacity and configuration gains.

On early review cranes were required

For Craneage, like any major construction project the team are required to complete 1000’s of general site lifts, along with many larger and or more complex lifts to deliver the project.

to be centred over headstocks due to the capacity limitations within the staging spans when using Superlift. This was not a solution the team was able to work with. The decision was made to strengthen the staging to handle the loads required, however the same width needed to be maintained. Three areas of staging, ranging from 15m to 20m in length adjacent to Piers one, two and three, were strengthened to handle a 50t load at 40m radius with a suspended rear ballast load of 120t at 13m. The team also allowed for pick and carry operations with suspended superlift in these areas on the LR1280 machine.

SOME OF THE INITIAL CHALLENGES AND THE RISKS INVOLVED - THE ECO VIADUCT

The Eco Viaduct is a 7-span steel girder bridge built over a large wetland that is significant to the local ecosystem. A 250m long causeway was constructed to allow construction works within a limited and controlled area. This was generally 12m wide along the mainline with three 9.5m wide fingers and a

small laydown area under where spans 4 and 5 were to be placed. The restrictions on the causeway included limited ground pressure and offset from the edge for plant operation.

The ground pressure significantly reduced within one metre of the causeway edge, meaning no loading was allowable within 500mm of this causeway edge. This was overcome by choosing cranes that had a small footprint, configuration options for all phases of construction including false work, beam install, deck precast panel placement and finishing works.

PEOPLE

The TAAT Project employed and engaged skilled crane and rigging personnel and contractors to undertake key roles within the project planning team and on the ground as required for certain complex crane and lift operations. The construction team was able to integrate these people to ensure an understanding of the constructions team’s requirements, ability and limitations within complex lift operations.

Being a multi disciplined major infrastructure project, the integration of

Smith Crane and Construction was able to supply efficient crane solutions to the project which included three LR1280 Crawler cranes with all configuration options available to the project team.

many engineered and creative lift solutions, from lifting frames to lowering systems and everything in between, all done considering the constraints with staging, causeway and crane pad designs to allow the team to manage difficult lifts and loads.

The project undertook numerous rigging designs required to handle the bespoke loads, the team delivered many studies on complex lift designs and technical assessments. Most importantly, the team successfully performed these lifts on site on a regular basis and without incident.

The planning and design of lifts considered the safety of the team and plant itself. Full risk assessments in this planning phase ensured potential risk exposure was identified and managed.

A key philosophy for the project was “It was better to undertake a larger

“The project undertook numerous rigging designs required to handle the bespoke loads, the team delivered many studies on complex lift designs and technical assessments.”

skilled ‘crane specialists’ into the dayto-day construction operations and the upskilling of some of the construction team to aid in the complex crane works has been a major success of the project and has led to an efficient crane and construction outcome.

WHY THE PROJECT CRANE SOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN A SUCCESS

The team recognised the need for integrated crane and heavy lift operations within the day-to-day construction due to the complexity and interrelation of the works, coupled with the engineering to make it all work.

The TAAT team was able to choose a crane supplier in Smith Crane and Construction that was committed to making sure the project had the required cranes and crane attachments whenever needed, along with a team that was committed to the project.

Access to crane works called for

complex lift than to have a prolonged exposure to working at heights for a greater number of people to achieve the same outcome.” Cranes were critical in achieving this and this approach was the most program-efficient and cost effective, making it the best for the project both as a target and for the outcome achieved.

As we approach completion of the project we can begin to reflect on what has been achieved on some of the most challenging structures built in New Zealand. While the outcome is clearly visible in what has been constructed, the journey to get there is something we are extremely proud of and is only visible as we review what has been done. The complexity from the beginning to end has been a constant to address with all challenges successfully met with great people and great plant. Craneage was critical to enable us to be successful on all fronts.

MCPHAN’S ‘COLOUR POPPING’ FRANNA

McPhan Cranes and Transport recently took delivery of a ‘colour popping’ new MAC254. The hard-to-miss Franna is part of a fleet renewal process and also an introduction to operating pick and carry for the next McPhan generation. Tony McPhan explains more.

“THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REASONS FOR purchasing the new MAC25-4. With Dré and now Lila working in the business, we have experienced significant growth and the new Franna will help share the increased workload,” said Tony.

“Also, we are constantly examining the fleet and investing in new cranes to increase the size of the fleet and replace older machines. As with most crane hire businesses, our Frannas have proved to be the ‘work horses’ for our fleet and I’m sure the new MAC25-4 will be no different.

“But probably the main reason for the new Franna, and certainly the ‘colour popping’ paint scheme, is down to Lila. When we decided on the new MAC25-4, Dré, Lila and I sat down and discussed the colours. We are always looking at different themes for the cranes and Lila came up with this ‘colour popping’ concept. We haven’t branded the crane as yet, we’re still working on this, but we are super

grateful to Franna for the way they’ve been able to deliver the colours.

“Lila and Dré have made such a huge difference since joining the business and Lila has decided she wants to learn the business from the ground up, so, she’s taking her Dogman ticket and Operator tickets and she’s going to drive the new Franna,” said Tony.

“Both Lila and Dré continue to juggle their university commitments whilst working full time in the business. Our new ventures like the traffic control business are going from strength to strength and we have more ideas for the business which will be explored in due course,” he said.

The Franna MAC25-4 features a maximum lifting capacity of 25 tonne and offers maximum safety, excellent roadability, intuitive operation and unmatched versatility. Its design has been tried, tested and proven in a range of difficult lifting applications and is still a

Image:
Prime Creative
Tony and Lila McPhan with the ‘colour popping’ MAC25-4

customer favourite today.

McPhan’s MAC25-4 comes with the Superlift (SL) upgrade which increases load chart improvements by up to 30 per cent and works in tandem with the existing counterweight, adding a low slung additional counterweight piece to the rear of the machine, increasing the rated capacity of the machine. It also features a maximum boom length of 18.4m and a maximum hook height of 18m.

Other features on the McPhan MAC25 -4 include:

• Rear Body Handrails

• Auto Grease System

• 15t Spreader Bar with the Deck Mounting system

One of the key safety features on the MAC25 is the Franna Safety Radar system. This offers a ‘real-time’ calculation of the crane’s rated capacity throughout the full range of articulation and boom extension, giving the operator feedback of what level of articulation or boom extension will bring the crane into a danger zone where the crane would be overloaded.

Taking as much of the “human element” out of the lift as possible is central to Franna’s safety objectives.

Unlike conventional Load Moment Indicators (LMI), which only tell you the percentage of rated capacity for the current lifting position, Franna’s Safety Radar shows the operator a simple and clear visual radar map of the safe working area for the load being lifted and, most importantly, for the actual working environment of the crane - i.e. its front/ rear and side slope. Franna’s Safety Radar will help to predict the safest options for the next stages of the lift.

Increased resolution of rated capacity is made possible by finer measurement of articulation pitch and roll angles, allowing for improved machine capability.

Another key safety feature is the Franna emergency bridging key which provides an additional layer of safety that complements the existing safety features of each crane.

The emergency bridging key has been designed to maintain operational flexibility, while providing an additional

through the provision of a removable key which can be held by authorised site personnel, providing greater control of site lifting practices.

The McPhans worked closely with Matt Mills, Terex Franna’s Sales Manager.

“Matt has been awesome. He’s very thorough, very easy to deal with and he makes the whole sales and delivery process very smooth. If there were more people like Matt to deal with, the world would be a much better place,” said Tony.

The McPhans’ renewal of the fleet won’t be stopping with the MAC25-4 with a new Franna AT40 also on order.

“We are operating in a very competitive environment and although we tend to focus on what we are doing and not pay much attention to our competition, we do like to stay a few steps ahead where we can. The MAC25-4 is the largest capacity Franna on the Central Coast and we are really looking forward to the arrival of the new AT40. We think this will be a game changer for the business,” said Tony.

Lila is the next generation of McPhans to operate Frannas.
McPhan’s MAC25-4 comes with Superlift (SL) upgrade and includes rear body handrails, auto grease system and a 15t spreader bar with deck mounting system.

DRA CELEBRATES 28 YEARS WITH HUMMA

Western Australian engineering and manufacturing business

DRA Engineering launched the Humma pick and carry range 28 years ago. Cranes and Lifting (CAL) recently sat down and discussed the Humma project with DRA.

CAL: Why was 1996 chosen for the launch of the Humma Crane Project?

DRA: The 1996 year was chosen for a number of reasons. DRA Industries was celebrating 25 years and had become one of the largest abrasive blasting and coating companies in Australia, with treatment plants in most states and with site crews. Construct Engineering, acquired in 1984 as mechanical design build and install of all types of conveying systems, had completed the largest sheep slaughter line in Europe, capable of processing 4,000 sheep per day. The design not only involved a conveyor system, it also included a number of automatic and semi-automatic machines reducing the workforce by up to 35 per cent. Not only was the cost of processing per animal reduced, the facility cost was recovered within a year. The success of this project led to similar projects in Botswana, Africa; Doha, Qatar; and Chalingah, India. We quickly realised the success was attributed to smart design, not manufacture.

In 1996, with a group of engineers with no new projects and many companies closing or liquidating, we decided to find a new market where innovation could be applied to achieve similar results, expanding Construct Engineering old technology.

CAL: Both DRA and Construct Engineering were very successful with innovative concepts, why not grow the business instead of looking to go into a complete new industry?

DRA: With our existing businesses we

had a limited life of acceptable profit. The steel treatment could be done inhouse by the fabricators as the automatic descaling plant existed but was expensive leaving an increase in site work and a decrease in factory processing. Construct technology was innovative but could be copied, which indeed happened. Low quality copies had destroyed our export market. Had we expanded our market as you suggest,

we may not be here today, and we do very few projects in conveying systems now. Moving into a new industry has a high level of risk to succeed. I refer to it like going into a dark room trying to find the light switch. When you find it, which requires persistence, the level of satisfaction quickly overcomes the numerous setbacks needed to achieve the intended results. Once experienced, it is addictive and you look for more challenges. This explains why many Humma owners often say the Humma team has a real passion for the Humma brand.

CAL: You chose to build a pick and carry crane with your engineers and yourself having no knowledge or experience. The financial risk would have been high with an equally high the chance of failure.

DRA: When DRA decided to develop a new range of pick and carry cranes, the

Image: DRA
DRA has been manufacturing the Humma pick and carry range since 1996.

The Hanchard trials over two years on the 25T and 35T resulted in 2016 release of Humma 35 Mk3,

thought of failure was not a consideration as success was obvious when you consider our approach. Linmac, the developer of the tractor pick and carry, with over 3,000 cranes in the market and 30 years of development, had ceased to operate in 1994, leaving Franna the only manufacturer. We carried out an Australiawide market survey, establishing an Australian market of 85 units per year and growing and there was a strong preference for the Linmac 18T equivalent to Franna 18T because of its sturdy construction.

There are still a number being used today. Franna was considered a low quality high operating cost range, consisting of three models, 15T, 18T and the newly released MAC25. Both manufacturers were building cranes with 1980 technology and the potential existed to build a new generation of pick and carry cranes which we assessed the crane market would welcome. We later

found the Frannerised buyers believed Humma, with all its defects, was a safer buy. We liked the Linmac concept and layout with an unobstructed front view for safe driving when in crane mode - and at the same time it was robust compared to the Franna models. We needed crane design experience, so we employed the Linmac engineer who was involved in the Linmac 18T design and the Technical Sales Director who brought to the project 30 years of knowledge and experience on pick and carry cranes. We were ready to launch the Road Crane (RC) Project. We knew the market size, we had established from Franna and Linmac owners the defects and what our design had to rectify and we had 30 years of crane design added to our team and the specification we expected to achieve with an RC.

By 1996 Franna was the only manufacturer with the AT15, AT18 and the newly released MAC25. We saw the

opportunity for our crane to take a share of the developing crane hire market. We later found this assumption was wrong as Franna owners were not prepared to purchase Humma for a variety of reasons which still exist today. We saw this obstacle necessitated us to find a solution which we did. We developed a Humma market which Franna could not meet.

CAL: The RC Project later became the Humma Project because the crane looked like the American Hummer. How did that happen?

DRA: Accidently, the first 18T and 20T were on hire and the drivers referred to them as Hummer. We later got approval from the owners of Hummer to use Humma, provided it was not a car. We are the registered owners of the Humma trademark.

CAL: For some years Humma 20 and Humma

DRA’s fastest selling Humma.

25 were the only models available, then in 2010 you released Humma 35 which was the largest pick and carry available at the time. What was the reason behind this development?

DRA: We made a big mistake with both models when I accepted the ex Linmac engineer to build the pick and carry and let the crane buyer find the problems and fix them under warranty. There were issues and this was ammunition for Franna sales who pointed out to buyers ‘Don’t Buy a Humma, they are full of defects.’

This nearly resulted in the closure of the Humma project after having spent many millions of dollars on development. We could not sell a Humma 25 even when offered at cost. Franna’s position in the market became stronger but so did the list of unhappy Franna owners. We really have Franna to thank for the position we are in today. We went back to basics, stopped trying to sell 20T and 25T and produced the current Humma series design. After two years the new design was used on Humma 35 Mk1 with six cranes placed in our newly created Dry Hire Division and tested on the new Chevron Gas Project for four years where debugging occurred, followed by the release of Humma 35 Mk2. The crane hire industry, quite separately from the owner operators construction industry, was showing interest. The Hanchard trials over two years on the 25T and 35T resulted in 2016 release of Humma 35 Mk3, our fastest selling Humma. Our Humma design used on all models is Humma Class according to long term Humma owners.

The resistance encountered with the 20T and 25T we successfully bypassed by producing a low operating cost, highest level of safety in our range of heavy lift Humma cranes, 35T and 55T. I assume Humma users compared results with Franna and called them ‘Humma Class’.

CAL: I can see your approach was quite methodical and now you have ‘Humma Class’ not Franna Class. Frannas have been manufacturing and selling pick and carry cranes since the early 1980s and are still the market leaders. Humma has been in the market since 1996, how have you managed to compete?

DRA: Franna certainly sell far more cranes per year, but Humma has a much longer operational life,with a life cost 25 per cent of MAC25, two year warranty and 15 years to the first major service. Humma, with the rigid chassis design plus air suspension, has allowed the design on all models to safely drive at over 100km/h with little to no vibration, which means low maintenance and longer operational life. All electronics on the pick and carry were developed by Humma, with many copied until we patented the Autoleveller technology. Humma quality, reliability, safety and robust design is world class, and it is with this quality where we plan to continue to achieve.

THE LIFT SUPERVISOR COURSE

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HARVEY NORMAN CYBER SECURING CRANE BUSINESSES

Harvey Norman Technology For Business (HNTFB) recently partnered with The Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) with the aim of offering members solutions to the increasing threat from cyberattacks. Rutland Smith, Director of HNTFB, provides a detailed overview into the threats posed and how the household name brand can assist.

“HARVEY NORMAN TECHNOLOGY FOR Business has been in existence for almost five years. We realised that a number of our business customers were purchasing computers and hardware from our retail stores and were also looking for cyber security services. Because they were not big enough, they weren’t able to purchase the services they needed and HNTFB was created to fill that gap and provide services to small to medium businesses,” said Rutland.

Rutland explains why small to medium sized business owners should be concerned about cybersecurity and why it isn’t just a ‘big business’ issue.

“A lot of small business owners make the assumption that big businesses are at risk and their business is too small to be a target. The reality is it’s the other way around. Cyber criminals tend to focus on smaller businesses, and that’s because they are more vulnerable and have much lower defenses.

“We know from the Australian Cyber Security Centre statistics that 43 per cent of attacks in Australia actually happen to small businesses. So the first thing I’d say is the assumption that ‘I’m too small to be attacked’ is actually incorrect. The second thing I’d say is small businesses have the most to lose,” said Rutland.

“There are statistics out of the United States that confirm 60 per cent of small businesses who suffer a major breach go out of business within six months. That’s because of the costs, the loss of business, the damage to the reputation and, of course, there’s also the compliance regulations. All businesses have a duty of care to protect their customer data,

including small businesses,” he said.

Rutland explains how complicated cybersecurity can be for small to medium sized businesses and how HNTFB simplifies the process.

of implementing that by themselves.

“One of the challenges for all businesses is to meet the standard of the courts. They have to implement the government risk mitigation framework called the ‘Essential Eight’. That’s an incredibly complicated framework to implement, and almost no small business, that I’m aware of, is capable

“By getting HNTFB on board as their IT department, we are able to provide a small business with all the support that they need and also ensure they are compliant with that framework and provide the cybersecurity that the government has mandated,” said Rutland.

He goes on to discuss how HNTFB can help a crane hire business in practical terms.

“We are fortunate that we’ve entered

Rutland Smith, Director, Harvey Norman Technology For Business.
Image:
HNTFB

into this relationship with CICA and we’ve created a landing page that’s been created specifically for CICA members https:// www.harveynormanbusiness.com.au/ pages/cica

“From this page, members are able to make contact with our team. They’re also able to see the special offers that are available to CICA members only, and they’re also able to learn more about cybersecurity by reading the ‘tips and tricks’ on the page.

“One of the topics that everyone will be confronted with over the next 12 to 24 months is businesses trying to sell Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions to small and medium businesses for a whole range of different purposes.

“The first thing is to be aware of is the potential damages of implementing AI incorrectly and how that can lead to sensitive data being made available, which is something you just don’t want to happen.

“Secondly, I think it’s really important that in evaluating all of these different AI offerings, that you are working with a partner such as HNTFB which has the time and the dedicated resources to research the various options and understand what makes sense and what doesn’t make sense to your business,” said Rutland.

“We are asking owners of small to medium sized businesses to imagine how

much more you can achieve with Harvey Norman as your IT department? We are just like a really large IT department for a big company. But we don’t just provide IT support and services, we also provide our customers with advice on what they should be doing with their IT moving forward,” he said,

Rutland explains the risks to small and medium sized crane businesses involved in government work such as Tier One projects.

“The first issue to be aware of is that most large government departments, and certainly most large corporations, are now insisting that you have a certain level of cybersecurity before they’ll allow you to tender for their business. If you don’t meet the requirements, you won’t be allowed to tender or quote for the business. You’ll simply be prevented from even participating.

“The second issue is if you are dealing with a major corporation and a breach occurs in your business that ultimately affects their business, you’re not only legally liable for the damages that occur, it is also highly unlikely that you will ever do business with that company again, and you will lose perhaps one of your biggest and most important clients. It can be absolutely disastrous for small businesses,” he said.

The federal government has a department called the Australian Cyber Security Centre, and they have published

a cybersecurity risk mitigation framework called the Essential Eight. Think of it as similar to Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines, but instead of physical security, this is about cybersecurity. Rutland explains more.

“Under the findings of the courts, all businesses have a duty of care to protect their customer data, and the measurement for whether or not that duty has been discharged is whether or not the business has made the appropriate effort to implement the recommendations of the Essential Eight. The Essential Eight framework is complicated and it’s not something that you can implement by yourself, you need someone like us help you,” he said.

Working with CICA and its members is exciting for Rutland and his team at HNTFB.

“We’re really pleased that CICA have approached us for this partnership, it is great that they’re taking the initiative in trying to protect their members from cyberattacks. We are keen to show CICA and its members what we are capable of and as a show of goodwill we are offering to provide an ‘Essential Eight Business Assessment’ free of charge. This normally retails for $499.

“There is nothing to be lost by having HNTFB conduct this assessment. We will provide members with an independent view that confirms everything is dandy and there is nothing to worry about, or we will provide you with a list of things that are missing and recommendations on how you can fix it. You don’t have to do that with us, you can go and do that with any provider you want,” said Rutland.

“With the various industry sectors we work in, there are always owners of small to medium sized businesses believing they are too small to be the subject of a cyberattack. We are here to tell you these criminals do not discriminate, they are targeting vulnerable businesses no matter the size, and as I’ve said, many businesses simply don’t recover from an attack. So, we are asking CICA members to take the FREE ‘Essential Eight Assessment’ and ask, ‘can you afford not to?’” Rutland concluded.

INSURING CORRECTLY IN A CHANGING MARKET

The last four years has seen dramatically changing market conditions in the construction sector. Stan Alexandropoulos, Chief Executive Officer UAA Group, reminds the crane sector about the critical nature of ensuring the right policies are in place to cover both new and particularly used equipment.

has led to crane hire businesses examining the benefits of purchasing quality used equipment.

With long lead times on new

purchase more secondhand equipment. In today’s business environment, including the recent downturn in the construction sector, and with supply gradually catching

and a new one that needs to come on. This lack of diligence can certainly impact on insurance costs because you could have assets that you no longer own on the

Stan Alexandropoulos, Chief Executive Officer, UAA Group.
Image: UAA.

schedule and not have the appropriate asset actually covered,” said Stan.

Another key aspect, particularly with older machines on schedules, is to ensure the market value is correct. Crane hire businesses don’t want to be overstating the market value on the sum insured and they certainly don’t want to underestimate, with both scenarios having implications. If it’s overestimated, the implication is greater premiums are allocated to the cover the value provided. Under insurance has implications when there is a loss, where a under insurance clause could be triggered which may reduce the indemnity provided by the insurer.

UAA’s advice when insuring used equipment is as follows.

What do crane hire businesses need to be aware of in terms of insuring used cranes?

• Certification to Australian standards

• Maintenance and servicing having been completed throughout the life of the crane (and provided to the purchaser)

• Monitoring systems are in working order (limiters, load measurement, wind speed etc)

• Operators having appropriate licences/ experience (not specific to used cranes, more if it is different from existing fleet)

• Caution on any previous damage / repairs

What documentation and paperwork does UAA require to ensure the used crane is fit to be insured and for the right value?

• UAA doesn’t require documentation however the policies response could be impacted if the purchaser failed to exercise due diligence.

• Value is nominated and should reflect current market value with

POTAINANDGROVESETS THESTANDARDFOR LIFTINGINNOVATION

consideration for age, make, capacity, hours, any permanent attachments or modifications made to the machine.

Another issue to consider is the current value of used equipment. The industry is seeing a downturn in the value of secondhand equipment, certainly when compared to prices during the COVID-19 pandemic when values increased considerably.

“During COVID we were informing customers to ensure the sum insured represented the true market value of the machines at that point in time. With the supply of new equipment gradually catching up with demand, we are seeing a downturn in used equipment values. So again, we are advising customers to be diligent around the sum insured to ensure they are representative of the market value,” said Stan.

FREO GROUP INVEST IN INNOVATION

Freo Group’s Principal Assessor, Chris Everleigh, conducted a comprehensive two-day inspection of the TIDD Crane, evaluating its drivability, manoeuvrability, comfort, and operational lifting capability. Chris rated the crane a perfect 10/10 across all categories, stating:

“The TIDD Crane is very comfortable with the latest technology advancements, all coupled with TRT’s team of great knowledge. The TIDD is a very well-refined crane, 10/10.”

TADANO INCREASES ENGINEERING CAPABILITIES

12 months ago, Michael Atherden joined Tadano Oceania as Business Development Manager, Engineering Services, Resale and Reconditioning. As he explains, it is a broad ranging role created to support the ongoing growth of Tadano Oceania.

“FOLLOWING 15 YEARS OF DESIGNING and engineering for the Terex Franna brand, I joined Tadano Oceania 12 months ago. During conversation with the team at Tadano I could see the move was going to provide the opportunity to expand my ‘commercial skill set’ within the business, better understand how different businesses operate and how Tadano Oceania can further ‘add value’ to our customers,” said Michael.

The role is broad in the sense it provides Michael and his team with opportunities to be at the forefront in the continued improvement of business practices and help Tadano Oceania continue its ‘road map’ towards a ‘zero emissions’ future.

“I’d say this is a fairly unique role for our industry. You don’t often see subsidiaries of a factory investing heavily in engineering capabilities but that’s exactly what Tadano Oceania has done.

“Investing in myself and the rest of the Engineering team provides an extra layer of confidence in the Tadano Oceania business and also with customers potentially looking at acquiring Tadano product.

“Customers now receive quality support from our Technical Support team which features in-depth product knowledge that impresses me every day. Now with our Engineering team in the mix, we have the extra ability to converse and provide a level of certainty when answering internal questions or from the field, to ensure customers are maintaining their cranes in the correct manner, thus improving productivity and uptimes,” said Michael.

Straddling both Sales and Product

Support teams is an interesting juggling act for Michael and his team.

“We are technically part of the Sales team, but my technical background sees me also engaged with the Product Support team. From the sales point of view, I’ve been assisting with secondhand and resale machines. We have also focused on our smaller product lines and used machines, including truck-mounted cranes and aerial work platforms,” said Michael.

Michael goes on to discuss the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) and how these are impacting Tadano and the crane sector in general.

“With my technical background, the move to Tadano Oceania was good timing as far as the ADRs are concerned. I am comfortable with issues relating to

regulation and compliance and with the team, I have been making the relevant submissions particularly for the Tadano product lines out of Europe.

“There have certainly been challenges and I think the whole industry has experienced these, but the level of detail required shouldn’t have been unexpected. As we work through the process, we will remain focused on the strengths of the Tadano brand, and customers may see minor changes which shouldn’t adversely impact their businesses,” said Michael.

Tadano and other OEMs are facing the increasing challenges of designing and manufacturing cranes which contribute to a sustainable future, assisting in the reduction of carbon footprints throughout the construction

Images: Tadano
Mark McGuire – Product Delivery Manager, Michael Atherden –Business Development Manager (Engineering Services, Resale & Reconditioning), Mitchell Orulpold – Applications Engineer.

Facing the global challenge of climate change, Tadano is taking decisive steps to reduce our carbon footprint, aiming for zero emissions by 2050.

“Tadano is at the forefront of these developments, particularly in Europe, where strict guidelines around emissions and decarbonisation are driving the acceleration of product development throughout our factories.

“Locally, we are being exposed to these developments. At last year’s CICA National Conference and Exhibition we had new products highlighted including the electric rough terrain. These development programs have continued, and the factories are now working towards full production for these machines,” said Michael.

“Tadano is now offering a 25t battery electric rough terrain to the Japanese domestic market and the larger capacity battery electric rough terrain will follow. For larger construction sites Tadano’s e-PACK system is well recognised, having been available for a couple of years now and our engineers are in the later stages of ‘prototype testing’ hybrid machines. Hybrid machines exist, they are not a

expand its footprint with lesser-known product lines.

“Tadano make a great number of products for the Japanese domestic market. We have a presence in truckmounted cranes as well as aerial work platforms. We will be examining the opportunity to expand and grow the

throughout the region,” he said.

“Bringing it back to the rest of the business, our Parts and Service teams continue to examine ways to better support our customers and our growing population of cranes. We have designed programs for internal actions to standardise the solutions we provide

“These programs will help improve our handling of servicing requirements over a five-year period through to 10-year major inspections. As these programs evolve, they will become more embedded within the organisation and will drive a better return on investment for customers. We see these programs help to position Tadano as a leading service and support provider with a full product life cycle solution for our

“Ultimately, we will be providing value-add solutions for customers, that typically other OEMs won’t be able to provide because they don’t have the capability of our teams. We are examining turnkey solutions which start with the delivery of a new crane and look at how we can improve the way we service and support the crane, including providing updates that can really extend the life of the crane, to maximise the customer’s return on investment,” said

Investing in the engineering team provides an extra layer of confidence in the Tadano Oceania business.
Customers now receive quality support from the Technical Support team which features in-depth product knowledge of Tadano products.

YOUR ONE STOP HYDRAULICS SHOP

Austral Hydraulics is an Australian owned company established in 1990 to service the Australian fluid power market. Located in Wetherill Park, Sydney, the organisation has the capabilities to service and support a broad range of Australian industry sectors.

AUSTRAL HYDRAULICS, ALONG WITH ITS subsidiary company AT Hydraulics Pty Ltd which has branches in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, is also the distributor for Poclain Hydraulics and has been appointed as a distributor for leading global brands such as Parker Hannifin and Enerpac. Managing Director Sermet Gurisik explains more.

“We have been providing our hydraulic design, servicing and repair capabilities to various industry sectors for almost 35 years. We have invested in purpose built hydraulic workshops from which we provide a range of services, including repairs of all types of hydraulics. We are also well known for cylinder design, manufacture and repair, specialising in long stroke, large bore cylinders,” said Sermet.

Austral Hydraulics services a range of industry sectors and various types of equipment.

“We are servicing the various demands from mobile crane companies as well as heavy industrial machinery - which mainly involves excavator cylinder repairs. We also work on large bailer cylinders from scrap yards, skip bins, tow trucks, underground mining cylinders, mining equipment, forklift cylinders and agricultural equipment.

“Our branches are fully equipped to carry out all types of major repairs, which includes complete in house repairs and testing of all forms of hydraulic equipment. We also offer in-house test bench facilities, capable of testing all types of hydraulic components,” said Sermet.

“Our teams offer complete design, manufacture, installation and commissioning of special purpose machinery, hydraulic systems and power units and we custom design special purpose cylinders, manufactured to customers’ specifications.

“Our capabilities in Sydney include maximum honing capacities to 400mm internally and 10.2 metres in length and hard chrome plating and linishing to 16 metres. We also have long machining capabilities to ten metres between centres and 1500mm in diameter. All work is conducted by our experienced and qualified staff and guaranteed with three months warranty on repairs and twelve months on new equipment,” he said.

Austral Hydraulics’ capabilities also include:

• Full cylinder stripping facilities, with heavy duty disassembly/assembly bench

• Custom piston rod nut torque bench to 120,000 ft/lbs (162,698 joules)

• Overhead crane to handle 5000kg

• Six manual lathes

• Large turning work up to 1500mm in diameter, 10 metres between centres and 530mm spindle for extra length

• Two manual milling machines

• CNC machining centre

• Two CNC machines

• Internal honing up to 400mm and up to 10.2 metres in length

• Hard chrome plating to 16 metres  and 400 mm in diameter

• Large hard chrome plating to 3800mm in length and 900 mm in diameter

Austral Hydraulics been providing hydraulic design, servicing and repair capabilities to various industry sectors for almost 35 years.

• Polishing shafts up to 17 metres

• Full internal welding capabilities

• Full cylinder testing to specifications

Sermet goes on to discuss the experience within the Austral Hydraulics workforce.

“Over the years, we have developed a very skilled and qualified workforce. The majority of our current employees have been with the organisation for over 20 years and a number have been working for the company since its inception,” he said.

“With our skilled teams Austral Hydraulics has been servicing the crane sector for over 30 years. We offer the sector a broad range of services which include repairing long stroke extension cylinders for mobile cranes, luff cylinders of various dimensions, jack leg cylinders and rotary couplings.

“The business recently made a significant investment which included extending our chrome tank from 12 metres to 16 metres. This now enables us to chrome longer shafts and accommodate the repairs for the larger cranes which we now see operating in the industry. Today, we have the longest chroming capabilities in Australia. We have also expanded our machining capacity by purchasing a large lathe which enables us to manufacture new rods or barrels. We can now machine lengths of up to 17 metres,” said Sermet.

Sermet goes on to confirm why and when a crane business should seek the services of Austral Hydraulics.

“When a cylinder is leaking on a machine or a 10 year inspection is required it is often more cost effective and much quicker for a crane hire business to have their cylinders repaired and chromed by us.

“Of course, they can approach the crane OEM for a replacement part, but large parts like cylinders are not usually kept on the shelf, and it can take a significant amount of time to arrive from the overseas factories. With years of experience in what is a very specialised field, we are good at what we do, and our customer base features many of the largest crane hire businesses in the country,” said Sermet.

Austral Hydraulics capabilities include maximum honing capacities to 400mm internally and 10.2 metres in length and hard chrome plating and linishing to 16 metres.

Austral Hydraulics
Gurisik and the chrome tank which has been extended from 12 metres to 16 metres.

Manitowoc’s MLC300 lattice boom crawler crane holds a 350-tonne maximum load capacity, 101 metres of main boom, 96 metres of luffing jib, and 42 metres of fixed jib extension.

MANITOWOCS HELP BRIDGE INTERNATIONAL GAP

Two Manitowoc MLC300 lattice boom crawlers are assisting with the construction of The Gordie Howe International Bridge.

THE GORDIE HOWE INTERNATIONAL Bridge, known during development as the Detroit River International Crossing and the New International Trade Crossing, is a cable-stayed international bridge spanning the Detroit River that is currently under construction. The crossing will connect Detroit, Michigan, United States of America, and Windsor, Ontario, Canada, by linking Interstate Highway 75 in Michigan with Highway 401 in Ontario (through the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway extension of Highway 401).

The bridge will provide uninterrupted freeway traffic flow, as opposed to the current configuration with the nearby Ambassador Bridge that connects to city streets on the Ontario side. The bridge is named after Canadian ice hockey player Gordie Howe, whose celebrated career included 25 years with the Detroit Red Wings, and who died two years before construction began.

Manitowoc’s MLC300 lattice

boom crawler crane holds a 350-tonne maximum load capacity, 101 metres of main boom, 96 metres of luffing jib, and 42 metres of fixed jib extension. The crane also holds a maximum load moment of 2,145 torque-metres and a variable position counterweight allowing for the optimisation of the crane’s lifting capabilities.

The main feature of the crane, however, is its VPC-MAX attachment. The counterweight attachment increases lifting capacity on the MLC300 crane, nearly doubling its load moment to 4,119 torquemetres and allowing the main boom to be extended to 120 metres.

Manitowoc expands its MLC300 boom insert options to increase boom lengths for greater reach.

The Wide Boom Plus inserts boost the MLC300’s flexibility to complete more jobs with the crane.

The Wide Boom Plus kit inserts give crane operators extra reach by lengthening

their booms up to 131m when used in combination with the VPC-MAX and extended upper boom points. They are particularly useful for assembling wind turbines.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a six-lane crossing of the Detroit River connecting the City of Detroit with Windsor, Ontario. When completed, the 2.5km crossing will be the longest cablestayed bridge in North America, with a main span of 850m. The bridge will also have a 3.6m wide pedestrian/cycling path.

The project also includes building new ports of entry that will connect to both the American and Canadian bridge termini, as well as onward connections to I-75 in southwest Detroit.

The new Canadian Port of Entry will be built on a 52.6 hectare site and will be the largest Canadian port on the US-Canadian border. It will include inbound border inspection facilities for both passenger and commercial vehicles, outbound inspection facilities, toll collection facilities, a maintenance facility, and parking. The US Port of Entry will be developed on a 67.6 hectaresite and will be one of the largest border facilities in North America. It will include inbound border inspection facilities for both passenger and commercial vehicles, together with outbound inspection facilities, commercial exit control booths, and parking.

The Michigan Interchange with I-75 will include connecting ramps to and from the US Port of Entry and associated local road improvements. In order to accommodate the new ramps to the Port of Entry, modifications will be required along almost 3km of I-75. They will include over a dozen roadway and pedestrian bridges ranging from 30 to 518m.

The Windsor-Detroit Gateway - which currently includes the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel - is the busiest commercial land border crossing between Canada and the US and is vital to the economies of both nations, as well as those of Michigan and Ontario.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge will facilitate the movement of people, goods, and services and ensure that there is sufficient border crossing capacity to accommodate future growth in crossborder trade and traffic.

The bridge is being implemented through a 36-year design-build-financeoperate-maintain availability payment

concession. WDBA’s payments to the private sector concessionaire, Bridging North America, are performance-based and can be withheld by WDBA if the agreed-to performance standards are not met. It is anticipated that of the US$4.4

More than just a pre-start checklist

Frame and Cabin

StartSafe is comprehensive tool designed to streamline your crane operations, enhance safety, and ensure accountability.

Machine specific checklists are in line with the CraneSafe program.

StartSafe streamlines the process for collecting pre-start information, with instant data retention to a central location for the crane owner to access.

billion contract, US$2.9 billion will be allocated for the design-build phase, including financing, and the remaining US$1.5 billion for the operationsmaintenance-rehabilitation phase including financing.

Photos tell the story.

When a faulty item is recorded by the operator, the maintenance team is notified of the issue by email, which includes photo evidence of the fault. This also assists with gathering major inspection data.

The bridge is named after Canadian ice hockey player Gordie Howe, whose celebrated career included 25 years with the Detroit Red Wings, and who died two years before construction began.

⊲ Mercedes-Benz OM936

⊲ Stage V and Tier 4 Final compliant engine

⊲ Surpasses the latest Australian Design Rules (ADR) for cleaner emissions

⊲ Exceptional reliability and has been meticulously integrated for optimal performance and efficiency.

Not only compliant with current ADRs but also anticipates future regulations. ety as Standard Safety remains paramount. All machines incorporate the Franna Safety Radar as a standard feature, adding an extra layer of protection and awareness for operators.

Redesigned to improve user experience. Each model has recieved upgrades to streamline your operations, from simplifying maintenance tasks to providing safer and more streamlined access.

For more information contact the Franna team today: T: 1800 837 395 E: franna@terex.com

www.terex.com/franna

HARDIQUIP’S PROGRESS WITH JARLWAY CRANES

In 2019 Steve Hardiman and his team at Hardiquip started out on their journey with Jarlway Cranes. Five years on, the performance of the cranes and the market’s acceptance of the Jarlway brand has led to a rapid expansion of the local fleet, which now totals 49 cranes.

“WE HAVE FOCUSSED ON KEY RENTAL companies in each major Australian region and there are now Jarlway tower cranes operating in Queensland, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Tasmania,” said Steve.

“When you operate a rental crane business, you are always examining ways to improve the erection and dismantling of your cranes. Evolving techniques lead to quicker assembly and disassembly processes and procedures as well as make improvements to the way we transport the cranes’ components. Jarlway has listened to customer feedback and made changes to the way they engineer their cranes to ensure these efficiencies are now built into the design of the crane,” he said.

Negotiating ‘Air Rights’ issues have been very challenging for rental companies, with many builders not addressing the issue of obtaining permissions from neighbouring properties until the last minute. When permission doesn’t come, a change of crane design is often the only solution. Hardiquip had one such scenario with a project in Bondi Junction.

“The site was only 7.5m wide and 30m from front to back, and buildings on all three boundaries were owned by the same entity who had wanted the development site for themselves. They were refusing to allow our customer to impede into their airspace,” said Steve.

“There was nowhere to locate a tower crane onsite where no part of the crane would cross the site boundaries. We worked with Jarlway to come up with a crane design with a short rear deck, a 32m jib, and engineered to park its jib with an out of service radius of 2.2m. That model is the JTL55B6 and Hardiquip has five of

worked with Jarlway on a crane design with a short rear deck, a 32m jib and engineered to park its jib with an out of service radius of 2.2m. That model is the JTL55B6 and Hardiquip has five of these units working on Sydney sites.

these units working on Sydney sites and three more on order,” he said.

Jarlway has a solid line up of roof top and derrick type tower cranes designed for the recovery and dismantle of the primary tower crane which has completed a building. Jarlway works with Hontrade of Hong Kong to constantly improve design to make the recovery of tower cranes

the easiest process it can be. They have come up with a combination of machines that became the choice for Melbourne company GTC engineering for the complicated recovery of their Favco.

GTC Engineering is a family owned business providing specialised lifting solutions to the construction industry. Services provided include the supply of

Images:
Hardiquip
Hardiquip

GTC approached Hardiquip for details of the Jarlway JTD3025 and JTD15 and the detailed information Steve returned looked feasible for the project.

tower cranes, erection and dismantle and the supply of stiff legs and small rooftop cranes. Services also include 10 plus 25 year inspections, and upgrades of equipment. Depending on the project, GTC’s team operates 24/7.

The business was formed 25 years ago by Gavin Butler.

“We have fully qualified tradesmen in the office and on the shop floor. Our riggers are trade qualified and hold extensive certifications pertaining to the work they carry out. All work is thoroughly tested before leaving the workshop. All relevant, non-destructive testing and mechanical inspections are provided.

Gavin has worked with Steve Hardiman of Hardiquip in the past, erecting and dismantling cranes.

“Steve and I have always kept in contact, passing on details of the different projects we are working on. In our experience Steve has provided a second to none service and he and his team delivered during our recent experience with the recent project involving the Jarlway product.

“Our Favelle Favco PC20 was erected to dismantle Caelli Construction’s Favelle Favco M225D PC20 which had internally climbed in the core of the project. The

PC20 then completed the remainder of the works on the structure and façade.

“The developer then decided to utilise the roof as a bar and restaurant to harness the outstanding city views. This posed a new difficulty in the recovery process. Engineers had proposed the use of the Favelle M50R, but the new structure posed a number of difficulties with this solution,” said Gavin.

With the structure being 115 metres high and the adjoining property approximately 170 meters high, the vortex created between the two buildings would be too great at street level. The adjoining

property also had a canopy, which only left a gap of eight metres.

“This made it difficult for us to ensure we could get the lifts down with minimal damage to windows and structure at street level. We considered using an LTM 1650, but the lifting capacity at the radius required meant it wasn’t suitable and it was also a very expensive option. We then considered using the M50R with an LTM 1450 to dual lift the boom. Risk, timing and inconvenience on the ground caused a serious rethink,” said Gavin.

Gavin approached Steve from Hardiquip for details of the Jarlway JTD3025 and JTD15 and the detailed information Steve returned looked feasible for the project.

“In-house we developed auto-CAD drawings, which confirmed it might just work. Engineers Robert Bird and Byron Mercer worked with GTC to undertake an engineering assessment based on the loadings and the data provided. Iconco were then approached with the new proposal which they needed to consider and approve,” said Gavin.

Once this happened the orders for the two units were placed with HardiQuip and the process began. The engineers began detailing the initial grillage that used the V.S.L bar anchors, previously installed for the M50R. This grillage then utilised the cruciform supplied by Jarlway.

Using the PC20 Favelle, the Jarlway 3025 was erected and commissioned. Timing was critical. The boom was

Paul Guo and Jarlway Chief Engineer Chen Zhengche and Tom Butler from GTC.
“One of the great features of both of these Jarlway units is the ability they have to dismantle themselves. This was clearly a big advantage to us.”

installed on the JTD 3025 and both cranes were tethered opposing each other to avoid the booms clashing overnight.

The next morning the green sticker process was undertaken on the Jarlway and the dismantling began. The hoist rope was run off back onto the hoist drum. The tip of the PC20 was laid down, holding pennants attached and the Jarlway connected with luff rope runoff to receiving reel.

“From previous photos, we knew this was the centre of the lift. An allowance included to have the boom tip slightly tip heavy. Pins were removed and the tip

was removed and placed on the roof and re-slung to travel to the ground vertically. The box section was slung off the boom, and the cleviss to be similarly removed vertically,” said Gavin.

The Butt section was also slung off the cleviss and came down vertically. The following day the A-frame power pack and deck, and tower were removed. The next day the VSL bars were distressed, grillage and grout removed and the grillage for the JTD15 installed.

The building did not have sufficient power for the 3025, meaning a generator was required. A small stripped down

SPECIALISED HEAVY LIFT & TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS

We have the capability to heavy lift and shift loads from 30 tonnes through to 3,000 tonnes, enabling us to efficiently support our clients.

•Heavy Lift

•Project Hire

•Quality Endorsed

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•Heavy & Oversized Transport

generator that could fit in the lift, go through the standard doorways, with a remote fuel cell and quiet muffler, plus an exhaust pipe that carried the fumes away was installed. The JTD15, Derrick, was then erected, powered up and commissioned.

“One of the great features of both of these Jarlway units is the ability they have to dismantle themselves. This was clearly a big advantage to us. Tom Butler and Steve Hardiman had visited Jarlway’s facility in China and witnessed the processes first hand, and gained vital knowledge of the capabilities of both units,” said Gavin.

“Being able to lower components 150 metres is a huge advantage. It only left us with a minimal amount of lifts with our davit to get down to lift level. The service information and follow up by HardiQuip was second to none, and our client was extremely happy with the outcome. Thanks to all involved,” he said.

LIFTEX GOLD COAST A RESOUNDING SUCCESS

SEPTEMBER 12TH AND 13TH SAW GLOBAL manufacturers of lifting equipment, industry leaders and professionals from across the region descend upon the Gold Coast to attend LiftEx 2024. Organised by the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), LiftEx Gold Coast was LEEA’s first full exhibition outside the UK and it set a high benchmark.

The two day exhibition and seminar program attracted visitors from all corners of the country as well as international visitors. Exhibitors commented on both the quality and the quantity of enquiries received, with a number confirming significant orders were placed during the event.

Justin Boehm, LEEA’s Regional Manager was delighted with the outcome.

“We have received very positive

especially busy with most exhibitors engaged from start to finish. There were high level conversations everywhere and significant business deals were negotiated there and then,” said Justin.

“Over 500 guest registrations were received for LiftEx and most would have attended over the two days. The seminar program was equally well attended and provided knowledge sharing opportunities, with a free training session on pre-use inspection delivered by LEEA’s Training Partner – ATC Offshore, being a highlight,” he said.

“We were also very lucky to have had NOPSEMA attend and discuss the offshore energy environment from a regulatory perspective. I know they opened a lot of eyes into the issues and dangers that surround safety in the offshore industry.”

Above: The two day exhibition and seminar program attracted visitors from all corners of the country as well as international visitors.

workshop. The Women in ManufacturingDiversity, Equity and Inclusion Masterclass was a session critical for our industry.

“With few women involved directly in lifting equipment testing and inspection, Teagan Dowler presented a practical workshop on making the lifting equipment industry attractive to a broader range of workers,” said Justin.

“The highlight for many was the presence of Beaconsfield Mining Survivor, Brant Webb who was extremely generous with his time during the event. His presentation closed proceedings, and a ‘full house’ relived the miracle of his and Todd’s rescue. All were reminded of the importance of communication when

Above: The highlight for many was the presence of Beaconsfield Mining Survivor, Brant Webb.
Exhibitors commented on both the quality and the quantity of enquiries received with a number confirming significant orders were placed during the event.

The New GMK5150XL is the latest sibling of the GMK5150L-1, with longest boom (69m) and most versatile road weights in class

• Reach further with 69m boom and 30m hydraulic luffing fly

• 50t GVM with outriggers in situ for reduced cost legal travel in all Australian states and territories

• 10.2t counterweight in situ at 12t per axle

• Increased safety and flexibility with MAXbase variable outrigger positioning

• Faster, intuitive set-up with CCS (Crane Control System)

• Grove Connect Telematics

• Capacity: 150t

• Main boom: 68.7m pinned*

• Maximum Jib: 30.2m (40O hyd luff)

• Maximum tip height: 99m

In the past 12 months Boom has received 3 x GMK5250XL and 2 x GMK5150XL cranes. These are currently working across sites in Qld, WA and Victoria.

BOOMING UPGRADES WITH GROVE

Boom Logistics has recently added a significant number of Grove all terrains to its fleet including three Grove GMK5250XLs and two GMK5150XLs. A continuous renewal of the national fleet is an important strategy for Boom Logistics and its customers.

Grove GMK5250XL-1

AS A MARKET LEADER IN THE CRANE industry with a national footprint, Boom Logistics ensures a modernised fleet to best meet its clients’ operational and safety requirements. Boom is heavily invested in new technologies and works with the crane manufacturers during the research, design and developments of new models.

Boom Logistics’ Queensland operations recently took delivery of a Grove GMK5150XL for deployment on projects and maintenance work on mine sites. With 68m of main boom, a small footprint, low ground bearing capacity and its ability to travel with counterweight has made this model the perfect crane for these works. Another advantage of this model is being able travel on Queensland roads with the main boom over the front eliminating the requirement of a dolly traditionally needed with a crane of this capacity.

Recently, Boom Logistics won a

number of projects that required quick mobilisation. After extensive internal planning, the team at Boom worked with the Grove team to look at relocating orders, availability of cancelled orders, and different crane capacities to suit the work. Normally, Boom’s leadership team works closely together, forecasting national asset requirements 12 – 36 months in advance. A strategic review process is conducted each quarter with updates on where the markets will be. Boom has secured a number of large projects and maintenance contracts over the past 24 months, allowing the immediate deployment of new assets to conduct these works.

In the past 12 months Boom has received 3 x GMK5250XL and 2 x GMK5150XL cranes. These are currently working across sites in Qld, WA and Victoria.

According to Grove, the GMK5150XL crane’s taxi charts are “outstanding”,

The
is one of the most powerful and versatile five-axle cranes on the market.

delivering easier roadability as well as transport savings. The crane possesses a 68.7m, seven-section main boom, and the option to include a 17.8m swingaway jib extension, an eight-metre boom extension, and it is powered by a EUROMOT 5 Mercedes-Benz engine. The crane can carry a total of 44.5 tonnes of counterweight, falling under a 12-tonne per axle limit with 10.2 tonnes of counterweight.

The Grove GMK5250XL-1 is one of the most powerful and versatile five-axle cranes on the market.

The 250-tonne capacity all terrain features 78.5m of main boom and boasts the quickest setup time in its class. The cab is tiltable to approximately 20 degrees and offers a commanding view of the jobsite.

Both cranes are supported by Grove Connect, the digital platform which enables remote monitoring through an app-based system providing owners and operators with the ability to view real-time crane information. The versatile platform advances fleet management, boosts sustainability, streamlines service and maintenance for users, and improves connectivity to cranes with the easy-to-use platform working across smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

The GMK5250XL-1 all-terrain crane will also be quick and simple to set up, thanks to the self-rigging auxiliary hoist and CCS (Crane Control System) with jog-dial, boom configurator mode and MAXbase variable outrigger positioning. Additionally, the unique Grove MegaTrak independent suspension with all-wheel steering, meanwhile, will make it easy and comfortable to manoeuvre.

Boom Logistics operates a mixed fleet including Groves. Ben Pieyre, Boom’s CEO, highlights the reasons why the business continues to invest in the Grove brand.

“We have seen a number of improvements to design and operation of Grove models in recent times. Positives include the availability of off the shelf customisations (dual part rooster sheave, panel jib), the interchangeable components of ancillary items such as flys, hooks and winches, and configuration of the counterweight blocks allows simple planning for transport trailer compliance.

“Our operators find the Groves very

safe and easy to use. The operators have the ability to use the computer from the operating position and there is strong uniformity with the all terrain models from 60t – 300t.,” said Ben.

“The sales team across the country are very knowledgeable of the Grove product and transparent with timelines from point of order to hand over delivery. With much of our work in remote areas of Australia the Groves have been very reliable in harsh conditions. The new models have seen reduced maintenance requirements and down time,” he said.

Boom Logistics continues to liaise with Grove on new technologies and looks

forward to the first GMK5150 hybrid being available in 2025. This model will allow charge through plug in, gravity moments or diesel engine.

Grove has a large stock of parts available locally in Australia and Boom has found minimal requirements for parts to be shipped from Europe or USA, minimising fleet downtime. One of Grove’s advantages is the set-up of remote workshops in Australia such as WATM’s Newman workshop to support Pilbara operations. For urgent breakdowns Boom Logistics has had great support with technicians around the country being flown out the next day after a request has been made.

As a market leader in the crane industry with a national footprint, Boom Logistics ensures a modernised fleet to best meet its clients operational and safety requirements.

CRANEPOWER GATHERS SIGNIFICANT MOMENTUM

The popularity of Cranepower’s CP-300 UPS is rapidly growing in the Australian Construction sector, with leading tower crane businesses quick to adopt the technology. Reds Global is a prime example and Jason Redman explains why he has been quick to purchase CP300-UPS units.

“WE HAVE PURCHASED TWO OF Cranepower’s CP 300-UPS units as we see this technology supporting Reds Global’s goals of sustainability, cost reduction, and operational efficiency. We chose Cranepower products primarily for their environmental and economic benefits as they are more cost effective to operate than traditional diesel generators, with lower running costs and minimal maintenance,” said Jason.

Jason and his teams have been impressed with the performance of Cranepower’s CP 300-UPS. “The CP 300-UPS has demonstrated impressive performance in various applications. It provides reliable power for our cranes and the unit offers robust surge protection, ensuring the safety and longevity of connected equipment. The compact, silent, and easily transportable design of Cranepower units has proven to be a dependable and efficient power solution,” he said.

“By integrating Cranepower units, Reds Global is actively working towards providing sustainable construction

practices. This move not only aligns with our environmental goals but also enhances operational effectiveness and safety on construction sites by providing a cleaner and healthier work environment,” said Jason.

“Reds Global is deeply committed to our sustainability responsibilities. Our approach includes integrating renewable energy sources, waste minimisation and reducing our carbon footprint. By adopting innovative technologies and maintainable

Cranepower’s CP 300 UPS provides intelligent power management for high powered electric construction machinery including tower cranes, hoists and

practices, Reds Global aims to create a more sustainable future for the construction sector. The Cranepower product plays a crucial role in this strategy. These battery units significantly reduce CO2 emissions and eliminate diesel fumes, which aligns with Reds Global’s targets,” he said.

Jason sees a bright future for Cranepower’s technology. “In my opinion, Cranepower technology is poised to become a significant part of the crane landscape

stud welders.
Images: Reds Global and Cranepower

in the future. The construction industry is increasingly prioritising sustainability, and the shift towards electric and hybrid cranes is a clear trend. These cranes offer substantial environmental benefits, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower noise levels, making them ideal for urban construction projects.

“Additionally, advancements in battery technology are extending the operating hours of electric cranes. As the industry continues to embrace eco-friendly solutions, technologies like Cranepower will likely play a crucial role in shaping a greener and more efficient future for crane operations,” said Jason.

Cranepower has engaged local full time representation to help manage the demand for the CP-300 UPS Australia.

Jason Pearce, who operates his own business JP Energy, has been engaged to represent Cranepower’s CP-300 UPS throughout Australia. He is well experienced in the crane industry.

“I’ve been in the crane industry for 30 years. I started in a mobile crane operations and rigging in the steelworks at Port Kembla and ended up with Transfield for a few years. I moved into the wind turbine sector for a while then across to Manitowoc and was there for four years. I then moved to a tower crane company where I spent 10 years and that’s where I met Elliot and Graham from Cranepower,” said Jason.

Jason had been examining battery

technology for a number of years to understand what was suitable for the tower crane sector and the CranepowerCP-300 UPS was the best unit he found for the operation of cranes and hoists.

The CP-300 works by buffering the intermittent peak loads typical of cranes and hoists, converting them into smaller, more manageable average loads (32A or less). This eliminates the need for large diesel generators or expensive transformer

and packaged, really nicely, it’s ‘On brand’ and intelligent,” said Jason.

Since starting with Cranepower earlier in the year, Jason has been impressed with how the market has responded to the CP300 technology.

“Since starting, I’ve spoken to approximately 150 potential customers and the technology has been received really well, with everyone really excited about the possibilities. Areas of the market aren’t aware of the technology, so it has been a case of creating awareness, helping people understand what’s in the market and what’s possible.

“We’re at the point where the technology has caught up to the market’s demand and the price point has come down. Now we can compete with diesel generators on price, not so much the purchase price, but the weekly cost of running a diesel generator. End users are keen because it’s clean and it’s green,” said Jason.

The construction sector is constantly examining ways to reduce carbon emissions and carbon footprints which is accelerating the acceptance of this type of technology says Jason.

“We are all working towards a sustainable future and construction is

“In my experience, the Cranepower CP 300 is really tightly focused on cranes and hoists. It’s small and light which makes it easy to find a place for it on site.”

installations on the construction site.

Engineered with the latest power conversion and battery technology, the CP-300 packs a serious punch with its 300kVA rated output, powerful enough to supply large tower cranes and personnel hoists. Packaged into a rugged, stainless-steel enclosure with integrated filtration and IP65 ingress protection, the CP-300 is designed to survive the harshest construction sites while supplying clean, silent, zero-emission power.

“In my experience, the Cranepower CP 300 is really tightly focused on cranes and hoists. It’s small and light which makes it easy to find a place for it on site. It’s built

no different. Builders are wanting to understand the sustainable pathway of suppliers, including cranage suppliers and they want to see emissions limited on site wherever possible.

“I also talk about energy security. We are not refining our own fuel anymore and as the unrest in the world continues, the fluctuation in diesel prices continue to be unpredictable as is supply. We are seeing a significant increase in the popularity of electric tower cranes but one of the great ironies as I see it, is they are being powered by diesel generators when they get to site, which defeats the object of the exercise somewhat,” said Jason.

The compact, silent, and easily transportable design of Cranepower units ensures reliable power with minimal wastage, enhancing operational efficiency.

Excellent Lifting Performance

· Max. lifting capacity of fully extended 6-section 65 m main boom is 15.5T

Innovative plate boom head and compact boom tail features the optimized overlap ratio and stronger lifting capacity.

· Max. load moment of basic boom is 5220kN.m, max. load moment of fully extended boom is 2840kN.m, both of which leads the industry

Great Adaptability

· Adaptable to various uneven ground construction sites, capable of construction on terrain with a maximum slope of 4°

· Equipped with four-stage grading counterweight function, providing a no-counterweight operation mode, more suitable for soft ground auxiliary hoisting in wind power field

Convenient & Cost-effective Transportation

· The crane width is less than 3.6m when fully retracted, allowing it to self-load onto and unload from a flatbed truck

· Only 2 flatbed trucks are required for short-distance transportation, involving disassembly of counterweights with no vehicle body pressure

Telescopic crawler crane

TELESCOPIC CRAWLER CRANE

ZCT160V5

ZCT300V4

ZCT300V5-1

ZCT600V5

ZCT1000V5

ZCT1200V6

ZCT1500V6

AN INSIGHT INTO THE ZOOMLION FAMILY

The ZAT2000V853-1 has a 5 section boom, according to custom design, and meets Euro V exhaust emission standards.

The experienced team at Zoomlion is full of ambition in pursuit of a common goal –setting its sights on the global stage, says Zoomlion General Manager, Australia and New Zealand, Hongyuan (Lion) Li.

CHINESE MANUFACTURER ZOOMLION offers a complete range of machinery from all industry sectors, but with a particular focus on developing the production, quality and sales of its mobile cranes division.

“We are spreading all over the world,” says Hongyuan (Lion) Li .

Lion, who has extensive experience in the industry, is a major component of those renewed efforts, in his new role as General Manager of Zoomlion for Australia and New Zealand.

“When driving from city to city in Australia, as a part of my role, I’ve visited Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and I’ve noticed that mobile cranes are everywhere; it feels like mobile cranes are around each corner on major construction sites,” says Lion.

“Last year, our total sales revenue in Australia and New Zealand region was more than triple than the previous year, so that attracted a lot more attention from headquarters.”

“Zoomlion sent me here to put a lot of effort into procuring more local sales, plus developing the local channels and the service partners, and building our own service qualities,” he says.

That has led to Zoomlion’s business strategy of opening dealership branches in key Australian markets, which Lion said was an exciting opportunity for the company.

“We developed more dealerships here locally with experienced crane personnel who are very capable of introducing our products,” he said.

With branches now open in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, Lion says that the Zoomlion team has diverse experience, offering advice on heavy lifting, crane sales and repair to assist customers.

Zoomlion Western Australia Sales Manager, Gary Robertson, has seen the industry develop in the past 10-to-15

Images: Zoomlion

years and values the power of diversity in influencing strong sales goals.

Gary says there is plenty of scope for exciting growth and opportunity in the local crawler crane market. His mission is to demonstrate that Zoomlion cranes offer high quality and can meet the demands of numerous projects throughout the state.

“The fact that it’s a growing brand within a growing industry does at times present its challenges, but what motivates me the most and gets me up in the morning is the knowledge that I can play a part in helping make the Zoomlion products explode onto the Australian market,” says Gary.

“Zoomlion products are gaining traction, and our momentum is increasing significantly,” he adds.

“There are noticeable improvements in both sales as well as technology, this coupled with Zoomlion’s push towards sustainable development of their products such as the world’s first pure electric crawler crane, all makes for a very promising future”

Gary’s local know-how and experience on the ground provides him with a strong business sense, relating to the crane industry and specialist knowledge to best suit customer needs.

He joins what Lion says is a “very dynamic and diversified cultural platform” at Zoomlion in Australia, with many of the staff of Chinese origin.

“We’ve had many staff members jump onboard within two years and have brought different cultures to this platform,” Lion says.

“In my opinion, if a platform can contain different backgrounds of people, you can just simply imagine this is a very good platform and it becomes very diversified.”

Diversification in the crane industry helps provide a multiple perspective on how to best solve a problem, as well as enabling strong communication as between several diversified parties, Lion says.

“There’s something really satisfying about seeing the massive crawler machines in action, knowing I played a part in getting them there, that’s what I enjoy most for this job,” he says.

Auston Chen, a Zoomlion Sales Representative in NSW, agrees, saying he is thoroughly enjoying the opportunities the company is providing him with.

“This job is very exciting for me because I come from international business and marketing major, but I haven’t really delved into this industry before, so this has opened

“Zoomlion products are gaining traction, and our momentum is increasing significantly.”

“I’m very proud that mobile cranes and Zoomlion are strongly competing among the three other big Chinese crane brands,” Lion says.

MAKING ITS MARK

For Lion’s and Gary’s colleague, Zoomlion Sales Manager WA Barry Zang, the growing regard local buyers have for Zoomlion cranes is equally rewarding.

Barry says he enjoys watching Zoomlion crawler cranes, like the ZCT1500V633 and the ZCT300V4322, make their mark on international soil.

opportunities up for me,” he says.

Auston’s skills with cranes and marketing combine to provide specialist knowledge of Zoomlion cranes which allows him to work with customers to provide positive outcomes.

His ability to live out his dream by working in an industry he enjoys energises him every day as he becomes a valuable asset for the fast-growing Zoomlion.

“It’s always a challenge to find work in highly regarded roles within this industry and I’m glad I’ve got this wonderful opportunity pursue my dream; I’ve been able to reconnect with my study and experience.”

Zoomlion’s ZTC400V552R is a 40 tonne truck crane with a five section boom and 4 axle full-drive chassis.

EMPIRE EXPANDS WITH BIG BUILD BEAUTY

A Sany SCC300TB telescopic crawler crane supplied by Tutt Bryant Equipment is currently playing a pivotal role at the North East Link Tunnel project in Melbourne. Empire Cranes Owner and Operations Director Jared McDonald says a recent trip to China, supported by the National Distributor, revealed new features of the versatile machine.

THE NORTH EAST LINK TUNNEL PROJECT requires robust and durable cranes, working alongside various lifting machines, to undertake a large amount of complex infrastructure work.

The project will see Webuild, as part of the Spark consortium, design and build twin three-lane traffic tunnels measuring 6.5 kilometres long, among other related works. Once completed, it will be the longest road tunnel in Victoria, stretching from Yallambie to Bulleen.

The North East Link is a part of Victoria’s Big Build, which is costing around $90 billion and comprises over 165 major road and rail projects across the state, ultimately aiming to take 15,000 trucks off

local roads every day and reduce travel times by up 35 minutes.

For Empire Cranes, an up and coming crane hire company based in Pakenham, in Melbourne’s south east, the project has led to significant ongoing work.

Benefiting from over 20 years’ heavy lifting experience in the mining, renewable energy, construction and infrastructure industries, Empire is known as a fast growing, professional and reliable mobile crane hire business that is dedicated to exceeding the expectations of its clients.

Led by Jared McDonald and Jarrod Belsey, Empire currently has five cranes working on the Tunnel project, of which three are undertaking piling rig work.

Empire recently purchased a Sany SCC300TB telescopic crawler crane through Tutt Bryant Equipment to assist a customer with the installation of the pile cages into the drilled holes on the site.

Jared said the 30 tonne lifting capacity SCC300TB is also being used as a general lift crane at the piling rig site, allowing other larger capacity cranes to focus on the heavier loads.

The SCC300TB was favoured for its limited footprint area, its 3m retracted width and its ability to work efficiently in tight spaces while using a 42.5m maximum length boom.

“The SCC300TB can get into tighter spots, especially along the side of the

The Sany SCC300TB telescopic crawler is currently assisting with the installation of piling rig cages.
Images: Empire Cranes

The SCC300TB is known for its durability by being widely operational in most kinds of harsh surface conditions.

freeway at the M80 site, so that’s why the builders and engineers were keen to get the crane onto their site,” said Jared.

He said the SCC300TB has a smaller footprint than another 40-tonne crane that’s onsite doing similar work, but said the SCC300TB remarkably has a similar load chart.

“It suited those onsite to have a smaller lifting capacity crane but one that can get into the tighter areas.” Jared added.

The SCC300TB is known for its durability by being widely operational in most kinds of harsh surface conditions, and Jared says the reputation holds up.

“It is known for its ability to perform in tough conditions, as it features a robust

track system,” Jared said.

Jared also lauded the engines that power the operating systems and leans on positive experiences with engines in the rest of Empire’s fleet.

“We know the engines featuring in the Sany are good because they are in our other machines. This Isuzu engine and Cummins in other Sanys is heavily trusted by us at Empire Cranes.”

Jared said the features of the Sany SCC300TB had meant he couldn’t turn down the opportunity to see the crane for himself.“It looked good on paper, but we needed to see it in real life and test it out,” said Jared.

“We actually went to the Sany Global

Key Summit in Huzhou, China, for the sole purpose of examining the 30 tonne crawler, and the one we found is now working away on the North East Link Tunnel Project,” he said.

The Summit, and following customer tour of Sany’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, was held over two days in late May.

Visitors from across the world gathered in Huzhou, in China’s Zhejiang province, to witness the manufacturer’s showcase that included its SAC2500E, SAC600E, SAC700E, SRC1200T, STC1600T7, SCE1350A-EV, SCE1500TB and SCC3200T models.

Customers were seriously impressed with what they saw, and Jared and the Empire team were among them.

“Sany showed us a SCC300TB that had just been come out of production and it was available after the Customer Day for us to test and try,” he said.

Popular among the operators, the SCC300TB comes with an upgraded cab and operating system, providing a spacious environment for the operator to sit and control the crane in.

Once Jared entered the cab of the SCC300TB, the enhanced control and visibility systems were noticeable straight away.

“Sany have removed a lot of the analogue buttons, and they’ve taken it all to a 61cms screen, so the split-screen means you’ve got your operating system below, and then you’ve got the images from all the cameras above,” said Jared.

The SCC300TB comes with 360-degree cameras, along with winch and hook cameras as an option, which can increase safety.

“After the Customer Day, we got to spend some time in their test yard operating the SCC300TB for an hour – with myself and a few of those who flew to the event from Australia. After testing it, we decided to purchase one,” Jared said.

For its work so far, Jared said the ongoing support provided by Sany’s National Distributor, Tutt Bryant Equipment, has placed his company in good stead.

He praised the strong support Empire

Cranes has received from Tutt Bryant Equipment’s National Sales Team leaders.

“Philip Chadwick and team are really good to us,” he said.

Tutt Bryant Equipment can dispatch technical support to businesses such as Empire Cranes, as well as the operators of the machines.

“Tutt Bryant Equipment has specialised engineers and technical support staff who have strong technical skills, which can help us and our customers when issues may arise, they also have specific Product Managers –in both WA and the east coast. Service and support is a key focus for the teams at Tutt Bryant Equipment and they understand if there is an issue, how important it is to get a crane up and operational as quickly as possible,” Jared added.

Empire’s SCC300TB is currently contracted to work on the North East Link Tunnel Project for another two years, as it continues its work.

And so far, positive indications from Empire Cranes’ customers have backed the company’s decision to add the crawler crane to Empire’s 25 plus crane fleet.

“We currently have five cranes working on the North East Link Tunnel – the three carrying out piling rig works alongside one assisting with concrete works and another undertaking general lifts located near the tunnel boring machine,” said Jared.

But aside from its works in Victoria, Empire Cranes is looking to expand its services in two ways as it emerges as a leader

in the Australian crane dry hire market.

Jared’s business partner, Jarrod Belsey, is currently working in New South Wales with his family with the aim of opening a site to cement Empire’s interstate position.

And Empire Cranes has just opened its new services division – Empire Services.

Empire is known as a fast growing, professional and reliable mobile crane hire business that is dedicated to exceeding the expectations of its clients.

Jared recently employed a highly experienced crane mechanic from Brisbane who will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance, such as routine checks and major inspections, of all east-coast Empirepurchased cranes.

All in all, Jared said, the future looks

bright, both for Empire Cranes and the Sany SCC300TB.

“We have customers based up and down the East Coast that are using telecrawlers on all sorts of different projects, including infrastructure and tunnelling projects in New South Wales,” said Jared.

“We’ve got some refinery projects here in Melbourne and in Wollongong, so our cranes are performing refinery and shut down works. We’re keen to develop our customer base in different industrial areas which we can target with our new products,” he said.

EFFECTIVELY WORKING TOWARDS EV POWER

XCMG’s new electric hybrid range is the perfect fit for mining and construction companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint. General Manager of XCMG Oceania Crane Centre, Stephen Broomfield, explains how the new range works to cover all bases including mining sites, city projects and more.

THERE’S A NEW SOLUTION IN THE race to reduce carbon emissions in the crane industry, with XCMG (Xuzhou Construction Mining Group) releasing three new electric cranes – each with different lifting capabilities and advantages that customers will want to take onto their job site.

XCMG’s new range includes the electric XCA60_EV and XCL200-E, offering all-electric power, and the XCA300HEV hybrid all terrain which suits customers with hybrid needs, providing an incredibly well-balanced trio of cranes that complement each other.

All three electric-powered and hybrid cranes are a part of XCMG’s power trio that helps crane hiring companies limit their carbon footprint.

“It all comes down to the Mining Council Australia confirming the industry’s

ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, in support of the goals of the Paris Agreement,” explains Stephen Broomfield.

Stephen is bullish about the trio of EV products based on the early feedback XCMG has received from mining and construction groups in China, Europe, America and Australia.

“At this point in time, the feedback has been extremely positive,” he says.

XLC200-E:

SMOOTH CRAWLER

Stephen believes XCMG is moving quickly towards reducing its carbon footprint across the company – an initiative many in the crane and heavy lifting industry are following.

“Technology is coming along quickly with advancing products such as hydrogen and electric, I think that domination is going to change quite quickly,” he says.

“I can’t say what the proven supply chain has been for last 50 years – but it won’t be the same for the next 50 years when it comes to cranes. I think that’s going to be the biggest change.”

As an EV option, a crane such as the XLC200-E is perfect for those looking to invest in electric powered products to contribute to the electric momentum set to sweep the lifting industry.

The XLC200-E is an all-electric lattice boom crawler which XCMG says is the correct fit for mining construction groups that want to go all-electric.

With a main boom length of 62m, the 220 tonne XLC220-E offers a fast response, fine movement and is inclusive of high controllability.

The maximum lifting weight of the tower jib is 80 tonnes, and the maximum lifting weight of the fixed auxiliary jib is 75 tonnes.

A set of boom sections can be combined to achieve multiple working conditions such as main boom, boom single pulley, fixed jib, tower jib, shield jib and tower jib single pulley.

The 3m-wide EV crane is narrow in nature, making it an ideal choice for easy transportability and also for construction projects in the city or metropolitan centres.

With a rated motor power of 250 kilowatts (335 horsepower) and a peak 360kW (483hp) capacity, this pure electric output is powerful but with limited vibration and low noise.

The self-assembling and disassembling crane can easily juggle work on different mine and other infrastructure sites.

XCMG’s PLC control system, designed by Wika Hirschmann, includes the control of main and auxiliary winch, rotation, main boom luffing, motor status monitoring, battery status detection and more; while all actions are controlled through PLC logic CAN-bus bus technology.

XCA300L8_HEV: BILATERAL GAME-CHANGER

The XCA300L8_HEV all terrain uses its diesel powered Mercedes engine –complying to EUROMOT 5 standards, ensuring the crane has the ability to travel to mine sites, while also using its dual power system (diesel and electric) to power itself onsite, therefore

The XCA60_EV leads the strong trio of XCMG’s new range.

complementing the battery-power.

When onsite, electric cranes need to undertake an incredibly large power draw to complete particular lifts, especially for lifts over 200 tonnes. This in turn can put substantial strain on the power system that is usually contributing most of the power to the mine site.

The HEV – hybrid crane executes a bilateral approach to executing big lifts, as the power doesn’t just come from the lithium battery, it is also supported by its diesel engine, therefore mitigating any risk of excessive power draws that could put the local power system at risk.

Aptly named the XCA300L8_HEV, the 300-tonne hybrid all-terrain crane features a 90m, eight-section main boom that can reach lengths of 128m, giving it a hook height of 120m.

The machine can be configured with up to 80 tonnes of combined counterweight which, according to XCMG, makes it most suited to urban construction, bridge projects, petrochemical reconstruction, tower crane assembly and power generation.

Furthermore, the XCA300L8_HEV holds a 0-50km/h acceleration time of 25.3 seconds, making it 40 per cent faster than the traditional fuel-powered cranes in its class. Compared to its fossil-fuel counterparts, the 300-tonne hybrid all-terrain crane offers a 40 per cent fuel saving, making the machine cost-effective, sustainable and practical.

XCA60_EV AND AU TEAM-UP FOR METRO

As the 60 tonne all-terrain market remains as one of the more competitive crane markets in Australia, XCMG is producing ways to separate its product from the rest.

The XCA60_EV is a Swiss Army knife in the crane market, as it can work effectively on metro jobs, as well as proving to be a sustainable road vehicle.

For crane hire companies looking for a roadable, reliable, robust taxi crane, XCMG’s XCA60_EV is a strong choice.

“When crane operators organise for the XCA60_EV to arrive onsite, they can plug it in, and away you go,” says Stephen.

Powered by a EUROMOT five diesel Mercedes Benz engine, the XCA60_AU crane is also ADR/03 compliant.

XCMG has taken steps to ensure the crane presents a long-term asset that operates at a high level for a sustained period by manufacturing the crane to be ADR/04 compliant, meeting EUROMOT 5 regulations in the process.

The three-axle, 60-tonne all-terrain crane possesses a maximum hook height of 64.1m and a maximum operating radius of 40m.

As a taxi crane, accessibility is at the forefront of the crane’s design, with the machine measuring in at 12m long, 2.8m wide and 3.9m tall.

The six-section, U-shaped boom possesses a single-cylinder pinning telescoping system and, on its own, can reach heights of 10.7m through to 50m.

With the fixed lattice jib fitted on, the crane receives an extra 9.2m-to-16m in height that can be offset at angles of 0, 15, or 30 degrees. The crane can be optionally fitted with a 2.5m independent jib head and a 46-tonne hook block.

And excitingly for XCMG, it is casting its eyes towards a bigger and more dynamic machine.

XCMG is looking towards the future by filing a gap in the market, by blending its reputable lifting strength technology with progressed EV technology with a new 500-tonne electric crane.

“We are looking at a 500 tonne allelectric or hybrid crane as well, because at the end of the day, you’ll need us to provide a solution between 100 to 500 and greater, that’ll cover any market,” Stephen says. XCMG is proud to announce the release of other carbon reducing cranes within its electric and hybrid range.

These include the plug-in hybrid XCA300L8_HEV all-terrain, the pure electric rough terrain XCR40_EV and electric plug-in telescopic crawler XGTC95-E and lattice jib crawler crane XLC220-E.

The XLC450 all-terrain is also available with a diesel hybrid plug-in option.

This demonstrates XCMG’s depth and knowledge of the next generation of cranes to meet the global requirements and customer needs.

The XLC200-E’s main boom length of 62m is one of many impressive features the crane possesses.
Images:
XCMG
XCMG’s XCA300-HEV provides features ideally suited for heavy lifts on mine sites.

REACH INDUSTRY LEADERS ALL YEAR AROUND

BY ENSURING YOUR BUSINESS IS LISTED IN THE CRANES AND LIFTING SHOWCASE 2025.

The team behind Cranes and Lifting magazine will once again compile the SHOWCASE in our January/February 2025 edition.

ALL TERRAIN

ROUGH TERRAIN

LATTICE BOOM CRAWLER

CRANES, PER CATEGORY, IN THE 2024 SHOWCASE, and this year, we’re aiming for more - providing listings that are up-to-date and comprehensive.

Hosted ALL YEAR LONG in a separate section on cranesandlifting.com.au, the SHOWCASE provides the perfect platform for Crane Hire companies to show potential clients what they’re capable of.

EVERY MEMBER of The Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) and Crane Association of New Zealand (CANZ) has the opportunity to list the premier cranes in their fleet FREE OF CHARGE

SHOWCASE. All advertisements include an “added value editorial feature”.

This content is written by our qualified editorial team and provides the opportunity to expand on your company’s capabilities and services.

With more than 90,000 opportunities for exposure, the Cranes and Lifting SHOWCASE is an opportunity not to be missed.

TELESCOPIC CRAWLER

MINI CRAWLER

ARTICULATED PICK AND CARRY

VEHICLE LOADING

HYDRAULIC TRUCK

TOWER-LUFFING

TOWER-HAMMERHEAD

“We are pleased to see the SHOWCASE will be appearing in the January/February 2025 issue of Cranes and Lifting. The Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) views the SHOWCASE as a very strong initiative for our industry and an ideal opportunity to market our capabilities to broader industry sectors.

“180 CICA members took advantage of last years’ SHOWCASE, and we encourage you to help make the 2025 version even more comprehensive.”

Brandon Hitch, CICA Chief Executive Officer.

For further information on the advertising opportunities within the SHOWCASE please contact: Emily Schlegel on 0466 317 555 or email emily.schlegel@primecreative.com.au

SUPPORTED BY:

AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT LAMPSON AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST LIFTERS

Cranes and Lifting asked Lampson Australia’s Managing Director, John Lee, about the power of the Transi-Lift range, some of strongest lifters in the country.

WHAT WAS THE IMPETUS FOR BRINGING TRANSI-LIFT TO AUSTRALIA?

Lampson imported the first 1000 tonne Transi-Lift into Australia in 1990 for the Shell Refineries in Sydney and Geelong – both plants were undergoing major turnarounds that required installation of regenerators, fractionators, converters and vessels utilising the long boom, long radius and high capacity of the Transi-Lift was otherwise not locally available.

Various models of LTL were designed and introduced by Lampson International and in turn Lampson Australia received the full range into its permanent Australian based working fleet from 1990, with significant improvements over the years.

The Transi-Lift was first established to revolutionise the USA nuclear plant construction in 1970’s; it then became an integral part of ongoing modernisation for petrochemical, civil, mining, marine and other heavy construction industries in several countries.

The Lampson Transi-Lift crane, that is designed and built inhouse, is perfectly suited to long radius and heavy lift operations; at full capacity and when unloaded it has very low ground bearing pressure which is an advantage for greenfield and brownfield sites.

It is mobile under full load without reduction to the rated charts and does not require reconfiguration by outside assist cranes before or after each lift to stack or unstack counterweight. There are six models of Lampson Transi-Lift cranes permanently based in Australia.

What gap does the Transi-Lift fill in the Lampson Australia fleet?

The Lampson Transi-Lift cranes have a range from the smaller LTL-350 to the gigantic LTL-2600 and they

predominantly provide heavy lift solutions that standard crawler or all-terrain cranes do not address.

One advantage of the Transi-Lift is the ability to transform from a heavy lift crane down to a standard crawler crane.

Within the LTL range are models that use a standard crawler crane as a base and with the attachment of a heavy lift boom and a Lampson Crawler Transporter, there are two cranes in one; this can provide a cost-effective solution to sites that require both smaller and heavy lift cranes throughout the project lifespan.

What is the effectiveness of the Transi-Lift?

An LTL travels to site on normal road going sized trailers and they are unloaded and assembled starting with the crawlers and counterweight carrier.

Transi-Lifts are mobile so they can be

assembled away from the workface; this can avoid congestion and, once built, can be walked into position to perform the work required.

The large lifting capacity at radius provides opportunity to stand the crane further away and minimise impact on foundations, avoid additional expense of powering down operating plant or reduce congestion of other site works.

The lifting capacity is certainly the most important aspect of the LTL, however there are many other benefits such as mobility under load, the small and adjustable ground contact footprint along with counterweight options, the various configurations of boom and jib that are available for long or high reach applications.

Lampson is working to install remote control in the Transi-Lift crawler transporters; this allows control of the

Lampson Australia’s Transi-Lift range is ideal for providing lifting solutions to power stations.

The LTL is predominantly a heavy lift crane that is perfectly suited long radius and heavy lift operations.

entire crane by a single operator.

Earlier models utilised operators in each crawler transporter and now with this advancement, the cost of labour will be reduced to that of a single person.

The possibility of automating some functions is also being explored. Large scale projects involving bridge building and wharf construction are currently being tendered where the ability of long radius reach is a key factor for success.

What are the capabilities of the Transi-Lift fleet?

The smallest LTL-350 utilises a Manitowoc 4100 Millennium at the rear and CT600 under the boom. The LTL-350 can

mobility

transform between heavy lift mode and standard 200 tonne crawler crane.

Lampson’s Manitowoc 4600 Millenium connects to the LTL-750 attachment with CT-800 under the front to provide heavy lifting capabilities greater than a typical 600-750 tonne crawler with Max-er counterweight.

The heavy lift LTL-1100 has always been a class leader in capacity and reach – this machine can be configured with 121m of main boom whilst lifting 360 tonnes.

Each LTL can also have up to 60m of jib at various offset angles, which has been used for long and high reaching applications, such as over existing industrial facilities, oil platforms or wind turbines.

Lampson’s largest capacity crane in Australia is the LTL-2600 which can carry up to 2400 tonne of counterweight and configure a stinger length between the crawlers of 24 or 37m, providing a significant maximum moment of 72,300 tonne-metre or lift 1446 tonne at 50m radius as an example of capacity.

What do the customers say about the Transi-Lift?

The most impressive features include the ability to change configurations to suit specific applications; during project planning Lampson can adjust the amount of counterweight, stinger length, mast length, boom and jib to suit the project requirements. Even the track widths of Crawler Transporters can be changed to

vary ground bearing area to suit.

The ability to adapt and configure cranes to suit specific tasks minimises the cost of transport, only moving the parts needed and the minimal required machine weight, which also increases other handling efficiencies.

The modernisation of the LTL design is continuously being improved; earlier advancements included boom mounted hydraulic winches and programmable operator displays and joysticks among others.

The incorporation of other base crane models into the LTL range will further increase the versatility and application of the Transi-Lifts.

Will the LTL-3000 make its way to Australia? (currently in US).

If there was a need beyond the LTL-2600 that we already have then it could be loaded onboard a ship in road going sizes and weights from the USA.

The larger LTLs can require up to 100 truckloads of components and counterweight, subject to configuration.

The ability to fill counterweight boxes with local ballast material can minimise the volume and cost of transport.

Booms and mast sections disassemble into 12m lengths where 4 inserts can travel on the same standard trailer, saving further transport costs.

Tell us about Lampson Australia’s strong support systems?

Lampson International and the Australian offices provide complete engineering support for the Transi-Lift range.

Ground bearing pressure calculations and crane operation drawings are provided by Lampson engineering for every project.

Heavy Lift engineering is an integral part of the service that Lampson supplies; Lampson also has specialised rigging hardware in stock and the ability to design and manufacture custom rigging for all LTL heavy lifts.

As with any highly specialised machine, the operation and application of these cranes is best completed by experienced and skilled technicians; all of which are available from Lampson.

High
under full load is one of the drawcards of the LTL range.

Longest powered boom to 20.9m with 5.5m telescopic fly extends to 26m

All Models (25T, 35T, 55T) rated @ 1.4m boom position, highest boom strength available, fully fabricated

Air-spring suspension with shock absorbers eliminating cabin noise and vibration

High Stability at all positions to 42 degrees

Low centre of gravity with rigid chassis design, safest crane available

Dynamic Load Chart and Digital Rope Compensation

Safe road speed 90-100kph with 180 degree unobstructed front vision with four cameras to sides and rear

Humma Heavy Lift Crane design, specification with proven componentry has set the new Industry standard for performance. ONE FOOTPRINT FOR ALL MODELS.

Crane owners require low operating and maintenance costs, highest level of safety in both driving and crane mode, achievable on all Humma Models.

Patented Auto-leveller on Humma 55, the largest and safest Pick and Carry available.

Highest level of safety at all articulation positions to 42 degrees using Humma low twist chassis design.

Cabin rated the safest and quietest available at 65 decibels.

Remove the removeable counterweight from 35T and 55T and you have a heavy duty 25T and 35T.

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