Cranes and Access- November 25

CONTENTS

cOMMent 5

neWS 6

EU crane dumping complaint, New protection system for platforms, 450 Manitous for Ardent, Terex to sell Genie, Two new Bravi platforms, Terex Cranes sale completes, JLG updates 360 telehandler line, Limited edition Bobcats, Liebherr to modernise Biberach, Genie's AI chat bot, Falling counterweight alert, Britlift boat beams, Vertikal Fraud & Theft portal, Platform Parts acquires CPS, New Magni Agris as well as financials and news highlights

Pick & carry craneS 17

The industrial pick & carry crane market, once a sleepy backwater, has seen a spate of innovative and diverse new product launches this year, spanning a wide range of capacities. We take a look at some of those launches and new arrivals.

truck MOunted liftS 25

Sales of larger truck mounted lifts have been somewhat subdued over the past couple of years. But will the launch of a new model or two and a new entrant help stimulate or shake up the market?

MaStcliMberS and hOiStS 33

We take a look at the issue of suppliers marketing ‘Transport systems’ that do not comply with EN regulations, UK mastclimber and hoist rental company Brogan’s acquisition strategy and also highlight several interesting projects.

Outrigger MatS and PadS 41

Dan Westgate, managing director of mat and ground protection specialist Brilliant Ideas, discusses the changing attitudes from crane and aerial lift users when choosing crane mats or ground protection.

crOWland craneS

PrOfile 47

Crowland Cranes has been serving the lifting industry for more than 50 years and now offers one of the widest ranges of lifting products and services in the UK, if not the whole of Europe. Mark Darwin visited its facilities in the picturesque village of Crowland, to meet owner Pete Issitt.

giS ShOW revieW 55

We review the Italian heavy haulage, access and lifting equipment exhibition GIS held at the end of September in Piacenza.

On the cOver

A Jekko JF545 articulated crawler spider crane rescuing a two tonne, €2 million helicopter forced into an emergency landing in bad weather on the mountain slopes in Tuscan-Emilian Apennines in Italy.

in the next iSSue

Scheduled for publication in mid January, the next issue of Cranes & Access will include features on: Truck mounted and aluminium cranes, Mast lifts and mast booms, the annual UK & Ireland Rental Rate Survey, Rigging equipment, Conexpo Preview and our Look Back at the news highlights of 2025. If you have any contributions or suggestions to make or are interested in advertising in this issue, please contact our editorial or sales teams.

editorial

Mark Darwin - Editor

Imogen Campion - Assistant Editor

Leigh Sparrow editor@vertikal.net

associate editors

Rüdiger Kopf (Freiburg)

Alexander Ochs (Freiburg)

feature editors

Nick Johnson

Saul Chernos

Sales & customer Support

Clare Engelke

Pam Penny

Karlheinz Kopp

Production/administration

Nicole Engesser

editorial data Specialist

Poppy Horne ph@vertikal.net

Subscriptions

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Publisher

Leigh Sparrow

advertising Sales

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The Vertikal Press

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CO MMENT

it’S gOOd tO

Over the past year the number of instances of fraud involving those in the equipment sector has mushroomed, at least across Europe. Almost every day without fail we - the Vertikal Press - receive emails from ‘organisations’ offering to sell contact lists of event attendees. Or from ‘lawyers’ warning us that a client is trying to register a copyright claim for the exclusive use of the Vertikal name and we will lose the right to use it unless we contact them in the next 24 hours!

In the past couple of weeks, we were once again offered the full visitor contact list for our own show - Vertikal Days - which we know, with absolute 100 percent certainty, that they - or anyone else for that matter - do not have, so it is clearly totally fraudulent.

It is interesting that most if not all of those trying to ‘sell’ mailing lists are made to look as they are sent by women, with female sender’s names. This is confirmed by Art International Zurich which collects and publishes them. ‘Women, of course, would never be involved in fraudulent activities’ (Sic). However, if you engage with them the names change to Samuel or Mike. See C&A July August p.71

Whilst these are just emails and somewhat annoying and basically harmless - so long as you do not interact with them or send money - there are far more sinister examples and risks out there, with several schemes now targeting the equipment rental sector.

Earlier this year several equipment suppliers in the UK fell victim to a highly sophisticated and elaborate fraud scam. This involved a person claiming to be a senior manager at a large

construction firm, backed up with company documentation including stamped purchase orders and signatures etc. An account was opened, and equipment was collected on a standard 30 day payment terms contract. Suspicions were piqued when the manager requested CE certification which led to further investigations, only to reveal that another large UK equipment rental company had also been duped in a similar way and the equipment whisked off overseas.

With the number of incidents on the rise, Vertikal has launched a secure reporting system - Vertikal Fraud & Theft Alert - to highlight and hopefully help in some small way to combat this type of fraud and recover some of the stolen equipment.

Most companies are aware of phishing (scam emails or text messages that contain links to malicious websites), but the fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated. We hope that our small initiative might help identify some of the threats and make it harder for thieves to trade stolen equipment.

But like all these things it only works if people share information, in the same way that sharing incident information can help others. The more it is used the better the resource and hopefully the less equipment will be stolen. After all it is good to share.

Mark Darwin

Comment and feedback is most welcome via post, email or phone stating if we may publish them or not: editor@vertikal.net

TEREx CRANES

SALE COMPLETES

The sale of the Terex Crane businesstower and Rough Terrain cranes - to tower crane manufacturer Raimondi/KBW Holding has completed. The combined companies will be held by sister company Arada Industries - part of the Arada group - a developer and holding company established by KBW owner prince Khaled bin Alwaleed and sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi. The deal includes the Terex Tower Crane plant in Fontanafredda, and the Rough Terrain facility in Crespellano. It will also include the Terex North America Cranes service and support operation in Wilmington, North Carolina, but does not include the Franna business, which is part of Terex’s Materials Processing division. Raimondi chief executive Luigi Maggioni said: “This transformative move marks the most significant acquisition in Raimondi’s history, and is a milestone into our journey to become a fully fledged global lifting conglomerate. Terex Cranes along with their US service hub, will enable Raimondi to take its first major step toward diversification.”

NEw PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR PLATFORMS

US/UK based Tapeswitch has launched a new anticollision system for aerial work platforms dubbed HaloProtect. It is said to provide ‘rapid-response collision protection’ to help avoid equipment damage from platforms working near an aircraft fuselage or other delicate structures, while also minimising operator risk.

The system - produced at the group’s plant in the UKcombines Tapeswitch’s ribbon switch technology with heavy duty replaceable urethane bumpers and a built-in failsafe control system. While it has been designed and engineered to stop platforms immediately on contact with an obstacle it can also help with avoiding some forms of operator entrapment.

Tapeswitch business development manager Blake Shields said: “Many safety products only tackle part of the problem. HaloProtect brings together collision prevention, operator safeguarding and compliance into a single, easy to install system. For Aviation MRO - Maintenance, Repair, and Operations - teams and rental fleets alike, it offers a smarter way to reduce damage, downtime and risk.”

TEREx TO MERGE wITH REv AND SELL GENIE

Terex has entered into a definitive merger agreement with the Rev group, in a stock and cash transaction. As part of the agreement the merged company will look to sell or seek a separate listing for Genie while retaining the Terex Utilities operation.

When the merger/acquisition has been completed Terex chief executive Simon Meester will become chief executive of the combined company. Terex will have seven seats on the board while Rev will have five. The deal is expected to close in the first half of next year.

Terex shareholders will own 58 percent of the combined business which will continue to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange as Terex (TEX). The merged business will have revenues in the region of $7.8 billion - $5.4 billion from Terex and $2.4 billion from Rev. Publicly quoted Rev manufacturers and sells specialty vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks and Recreational Vehicles.

CRANE DUMPING COMPLAINT

Four crane manufacturersLiebherr, Manitowoc/Grove, Tadano and Sennebogenand the German equipment manufacturer’s associations VDMA and Intralogistics Association have filed an anti-dumping complaint with the European Union, asking it to investigate its claims that a number of large Chinese crane manufacturers have been using unfair tactics to infiltrate the European market for All Terrain, Rough Terrain and Crawler cranes - or to be more precise, mobile cranes of more than 30 tonnes capacity.

The complaint said: “European manufacturers not only meet EU and global environmental and data protection standards, but they have invested to improve substantially the safety and performance of mobile cranes while providing quality and value for their customers. The unfair trade complaint emphasises the need for Europe to preserve the viability of this strategically vital European industry and avoid future dependence on non-EU suppliers.”

Each of the participating manufacturers issued a statement. Aaron Ravenscroft of Manitowoc said: “We believe in fair competition and have urged the European Commission to address the material injury to European industry caused by the dumping tactics of Chinese exporting producers. We call on the Commission to restore a level playing field across the EU.”

The HaloProtect system installed on a 19ft scissor lift

TwO NEw BRAvI PLATFORMS

Italian low level platform manufacturer Bravi has launched two new low level platforms - the Leonardo HD 430 and the Residential 170. hd 430

The HD 430 is very similar in design and look to the popular Leonardo HD but offers a 6.3 metre working height compared to the HD’s 4.9 metres. The platform capacity however, is a little lower at 180kg rather than the HD’s 227kg, and it is 120kg heavier at 680kg.

The overall stowed dimensions - 760mm wide by just under 1.2 metres long - are the same as the HD, although the 430 is very slightly higher when stowed at 1.76 metres. One key difference is that the HD 430 does not feature dual deck extensions, having a simple 1.15 metre fixed length platform compared to the HD’s 1.7 metre fully extended platform.

residential 170

The Residential 170 mast type self-propelled platform has been specifically designed for residential job sites. It has a maximum working height of 3.7 metres and a maximum platform capacity of 180kg/one person in the 1.9 metre by 590mm platform.

The 170 has similar styling and build quality to the highly popular 4.9 metre working height Leonardo HD, but it only weighs 360kg, and has both self-propelled and push around modes. The new model has an overall length of 1.15 metres, an overall width of 667mm and a stowed height of 1.75 metres, at which point it can be driven at its maximum speed of 3kph, or 0.6kph when elevated. The platform can also be equipped with Bravi's ‘Solo-Gyps’ attachment for drywall panel handling and installation.

50,000TH LIEBHERR CRANE

German rental company BKL Baukran Logistik has purchased the 50,000th crane - a 300 tonne LTM 1300-6.4 - to be manufactured at Liebherr's Ehingen facility. Liebherr Ehingen was established in 1969 as a sole proprietorship of founder Hans Liebherr to build mobile and ship cranes. It delivered its 20,000th crane in 2006, its 30,000th in 2014, and its 40,000th in 2020.

The first 500 tonne plus crawler crane shipped in 1978, and from 1980 onwards the company concentrated on mobile cranes, with ship, offshore and container cranes transferred to Liebherr Nenzing. By the mid 1980s, truck crane production had fully switched to All Terrains. Today, Liebherr Ehingen builds around 2,000 cranes a year.

JLG UPDATES 360 TELEHANDLERS

JLG is updating the range of 360 degree telehandlers, built by Dieci, that it sells in certain markets - mostly North Americaand introducing a new, higher capacity 30 metre/97ft model - the 6,000kg/ 30 metre R13100 - which replaces the 5,000kg/30 metre R11100.

The R13100 is based on the Dieci Pegasus 60.30 with a maximum lift height of 29.6 metres and joins two other 6,000kg JLG models in this range, the 20 metre R1370 and 24 metre R1385. All three share an almost identical base configuration, and the same two speed, stop to shift hydrostatic transmission, while the R13100 features a more powerful engine.

All models in the range include:

• ClearSky Smart Fleet, two way fleet management and communication platform

• Redesigned counterweight with integrated lights

• A standard remote controller with integrated mounting and improved joystick controls.

• ‘Woodcracker Ready’ for the Woodcracker CS750 Smart grip tree saw option.

• Automatic Attachment Recognition

• Load Management Information System

• Load Stability Indication

The new R13100

of

450 MANITOUS FOR ARDENT

The UK’s largest telehandler rental company Ardent Hire Solutions has placed a £40 million order for more than 450 new Manitou telehandlers, the largest single order ever placed with Manitou UK and almost half of Ardent’s annual fixed frame telehandler purchases.

The order, part of the fleet renewal and expansion programme, includes fixed frame models from the four metre/2,000kg MT420 H sub compact to 18 metre/4,000kg MT1840s. Deliveries will get underway in January.

Bravi 170 residential

BKL takes delivery of the 50,000th Liebherr crane from Ehingen (L-R) Tizian Ochmann and Robert Popp

BKL with Florian Maier of Liebherr

LIMITED EDITION BOBCATS

Bobcat has unveiled a limited edition model of its new V-Drive telehandlers. It says that it will only build 50 ‘Black’ versions of its new 3,800kg/7m TL38.70HF and 4,300kg/8m TL43.80HF agricultural models which form part of its new V-Drive line launched earlier this year. The new models include higher flow hydraulics with a larger, newly designed tank, and the V-Drive continuous transmission providing seamless acceleration up to 40kph with Bobcat’s Maximum Speed Limiter and Stop/Start functions built in. The limited edition models feature ‘Black’ paint, black patterned cloth and leather seat covers with signature edition branding and individually numbered plates in the cab.

LIEBHERR MODERNISES BIBERACH FACILITY

SINOBOOM OPENS MExICAN PLANT

In mid November Chinese aerial lift and telehandler manufacturer Sinoboom opened its new production facility in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico, just 15 months after 'breaking ground'. The facility covers 186,667 square metres and will serve markets throughout the Americas.

Production will eventually include most of Sinoboom's slab and Rough Terrain scissor lifts, boom lifts and telehandlers. It has been designed from the start for intelligent manufacturing, with a high level of automation in areas such as welding, painting and assembly, with smart monitoring systems to maximise production efficiency and quality levels.

Liebherr is investing a nine figure sum in the modernisation of its Biberach tower crane production facilities. The project will be carried out in five phases in order to avoid disrupting ongoing operations, with all phases due for completion by 2034.

The first phase involves the renovation and expansion of the current production plant. Initial investments include automated welding robots, a linked edge rounding system with robots, a metal processing centre and an assembly assistance system.

Liebherr's international tower crane production sites will also be integrated, with Pamplona in Spain focusing on bottom slewing cranes - largely regular self-erectors - while Pune in India concentrates on top slewing cranes. The Tower Crane Centre will relocate from Bad Waldsee to Bad Schussenried, with a new centre for rentals, repairs and testing.

The project will replace or renovate production buildings on Memminger Straße in Biberach southern Germany dating from the early 1980s. The modernised facility will be capable of manufacturing around 500 top slewing cranes, 200 mobile self-erecting tower cranes and 3,000 tower sections a year.

Development managing director Werner Seifried said: “We are building one of the most state of the art crane production plants in the world here in Biberach. The market is changing, competition is growing, and our customers' requirements are increasing.”

MAGNA'S TYRE SIzING TOOL

It has also been designed to have a low environmental impact, in terms of energy efficiency, along with minimal waste or emissions from paint and other processes. The company hopes that by 2028 it will have the capacity to manufacture up to 20,000 units a year.

GENIE'S AI CHAT BOT

Genie has launched an AI powered chatbot - dubbed Genie Assist - designed to help service technicians locate machine information, manuals and documentation.

The tool is accessible through the company's MyGenieLift portal. It uses natural language processing to search all Genie manuals for torque specifications, wiring diagrams and safety notes, as well as bills of materials for specific units.

Crane and off road tyre supplier Magna Tyres has launched an online tool that helps simplify the search for available tyre sizes by rim diameter. The tool displays all of its tyres grouped by rim size.

The company said: "The new tyre sizes tool gives direct, structured access to all available Magna Tyres dimensions. By presenting every size clearly grouped by rim diameter, it will enable faster verification, reduce selection errors and support precise planning, especially when managing diverse fleets. In summary, it is designed to minimise guesswork and provide immediate clarity on compatible options."

A computer generated image of the new facility

At the opening ceremony

AINSCOUGH ALERT

Following an initial investigation, the UK’s leading crane rental company, Ainscough Crane Hire, has issued a statement relating to an incident last month in which a counterweight dropped into the road from an All Terrain crane. The edited statement below aims to alert crane owners & operators to take steps to avoid it happening to them. The full statement can be found on Vertikal.Net

“On Wednesday, 29th October, a Liebherr LTM 1100 Mobile Crane was travelling on the A249 Detling Hill, near Maidstone, when the rear fixed counterweight detached from the crane and landed on the carriageway.

Our investigations are ongoing, but the primary cause is that one of the main fixed counterweight securing bolts failed. This caused the counterweight to drop on one side, causing the failure of the other main fixing bolt due to lateral loading.

Whilst the crane in question was compliant with our policy of periodically inspecting, removing, refitting and retorquing all counterweight fixing and stabilising bolts, we have initiated a campaign to inspect the bolts on all cranes with fixed rear counterweight slabs, and are reviewing our criteria for this maintenance action in conjunction with the manufacturer.”

BRITLIFT BOAT BEAMS

UK lifting and spreader beam manufacturer Britlift has developed bespoke lifting frames for UK specialist military boat and equipment manufacturer SubSea Craft.

The modular frame includes 12 lifting points and can be dismantled into four sections for storage and transport.

Following the delivery of the first frame, SubSea commissioned additional frames for lifting engines and battery packs in its manufacturing and testing processes.

SubSea’s lead boatbuilder, Ian McCabe said: “We use some pretty big lithium battery packs that fit into a very tight space in the craft, so we needed a special lifting frame built within highly specific tolerances, Britlift was able to deliver that. With the battery lifting frame, they worked with us to get it bang on, and it works perfectly.”

vERTIKAL FRAUD & THEFT ALERT

The Vertikal Press has launched a secure reporting system to highlight and perhaps help combat fraud and recover stolen equipment. The new platform allows users to report suspicious activity, fraudulent emails, phone numbers and scam attempts, helping alert other businesses to similar threats.

It also allows users to log the serial numbers of stolen equipment with the aim that anyone offering a machine or asking for spare parts for that unit, will be able to check the Fraud & Theft database to see if it has been reported as stolen.

Recent months have seen an increase in sophisticated fraud attempts in several countries, targeting sales & rental companies, ranging from fake purchase orders and payment diversion scams to impersonation of legitimate suppliers and customers. The reporting system aims to create a network of shared intelligence, enabling the industry to identify and respond to threats more quickly. Users who have been targeted by fraud, have had equipment stolen, or have encountered suspicious activity are encouraged to visit https://vertikal.net/en/fraud-and-theft and complete the report form. All submissions are treated confidentially, and anonymity is available for those who prefer not to disclose their identity.

We hope that the information will alert the wider industry worldwide about emerging threats and patterns of theft and fraudulent behaviour. Its success though, will depend entirely on people using it, as until the theft section is well populated, it will be ineffectual.

LEEA CONFERENCE AND ExHIBITION

The annual LEEA (Lifting Equipment Engineers Association) conference and exhibition was held at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool’s Dockland area, this month, followed by the annual LEEA awards dinner at Anfield, home to Liverpool Football Club.

A LEEA Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Chris Towne, chairman of construction and crane rental company Towne Group who stepped down from the association’s board in November after 20 years of service having served in various positions over the years, including chairman, vice chairman, and chairman of learning and development.

THREE NEw MAGNI AGRIS

Magni has unveiled three new THA agricultural telehandlers, the 3,500kg/7m THA 3,5.7, the 3,500kg/9m THA 3,5.9, along with the more powerful 5,000kg/8m THA 5.8 L for cycle loading operations on farms and in recycling centres. The THA range will eventually run to eight models. Standard features on the regular models include two speed electronic hydrostatic transmissions, reversible fans, a new configurable/customisable shortcut keypad, a more spacious cab, a full Load Moment Indicator or continuous load monitoring and LED lights.

The THA 5.8 L is equipped with a larger FPT engine and a reinforced boom nose to handle big buckets on continuous cycle work. Standard features include a fully suspended cab for operator comfort over long shifts and air conditioning.

PLATFORM PARTS ACqUIRES CPS

Belgian aerial lift spare parts and used equipment company Vertimac/Platform Parts has acquired a majority stake in UK replacement parts supplier CPS/Cherrypicker Shop, purchasing all of the shares held by Richard Tindale and family. Co-owner Tom Cribb retains his minority stake in the business and takes over the management of the business. Tindale, 65, will retire but will remain on call for a transitional period.

Based in northeast England, Cherrypicker Shop was established in 2020 by Tindale and Cribb to sell new and used platforms along with spare parts for discontinued product lines such as Simon. More recently, the two decided to change the trading name/brand to Cherry Picker Parts or ‘CPS’ to reflect and focus on the side of the business that was delivering the vast majority of its revenues. It was also appointed as a Genie Authorised Parts Provider earlier this year.

Vertimac was established in 2011 as a used equipment business and began shipping spare parts with its used equipment deliveries. In the years since, the parts business has grown into a major operation, to the point where in August it adopted the Platform Parts branding. CPS will continue to trade under its current identity but with the benefit of Vertimac/Platform Parts resources.

Mathieu Naessens of Platform Patrs (L) with Tom Cribb

LiftEx entrance

Chris Towne

FINANCIALS ROUND-UP

Telehandler and aerial lift manufacturer Manitou reported revenues for the nine months to the end of September of €1.84 billion, 8% lower than this time last year, although parts & services revenue was 2% higher at €314. Third quarter revenues declined 4% to €568 million, however order intake for new equipment jumped 70% to €429 million, although this still left the order book 9% lower at $1 billion.

Telehandler manufacturer Wacker neuson posted nine month revenues of €1.63 billion, down 5.6%. Pre-tax profit declined 14% to €78.5 million while net debt was cut 34% to €258 million. Third quarter revenues improved 6.3% to €550.3 million.

Jlg saw revenues for the nine months fall more than 17% to $3.32 billion with telehandlers down 32% to $830 million, while aerial work platform sales were 13% lower at $1.65 billion. Operating profit plummeted 40% to $402.7 million. The backlog/order book at the end of December was 66.5% lower at $721.2 million. The full year revenue forecast is $4.3 billion which represents a 16% decline on 2024.

genie revenues for the nine months to the end of September fell 19% to $1.97 billion, while operating profit plummeted 45.5% to $93 million due to the lower volumes and product mix. Revenues in the third quarter were 13.2% lower at $537 million, however order intake improved from $83 million last year to $582 million this year, leaving the order book/backlog down 32% at $397 million. Full year revenue forecast is around $2.1 billion.

terex has also announced that it will seek a buyer for genie, following its merger/acquisition of rev group. terex revenues for the nine months slipped 6% to $4.1 billion, while pre-tax profits slumped 49% to $209 million.

Loader crane manufacturer hiab saw revenues for the nine months decline 6% to €1.16 billion. Order intake was 1% higher at €1.1 billion, the order book 12% lower at €557 million and pre-tax profit 7% lower at €161.8 million.

danfoss Powered Solutions has acquired Italian hose fitting manufacturer hydro holding. It offers carbon and stainless steel fittings and adapters, hose assemblies and formed steel tubing with annual revenues of €60 million.

Manitowoc - which includes grove, Potain and national crane - reported nine month revenues of $1.56 billion, down 1%. Order intake was 10% lower at $1.47 billion, while the order book declined from $742.1 million to $666.5 million. The company broke even for the nine months, compared to a $2.3 million profit this time last year. Third quarter revenues increased 5.4% percent to $553.4 million, and order intake jumped 15.7% to $491.4 million. Last year’s $7.3 million pre-tax loss was converted into $7.5 million profit this year, thanks to the higher volumes and a reduction in operating costs.

Finnish aerial work platform manufacturer leguan lifts reported 50% revenue growth for its 2024/2025 fiscal year. Sales of new aerial work platforms totalled €22.5 million, compared to just under €15 million last year.

Danish rental company Slagelse liftudlejning has acquired Aarhus based rental company liftservice from owners Erik Jacobsen and Jens Dueholm who will remain on board as manager of Slagelse’s new Aarhus branch.

UK based reactive rentals has filed for liquidation. Directors, Steve Skeates and Gary Sprecht instructed FTS Recovery to place the company into Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation. Unsecured creditors are owed almost £2.4 million, many of them other rental companies, while secured creditors are owed just over £100,000. Reactive was incorporated in September 2022.

US based herc rentals reported revenues 21% higher at $3.17 billion. Pre-tax profit however declined from $334 million to $16 million. Third quarter revenues improved 35% to $1.3 billion, but pre-tax profits fell from $160 million last year to $38 million this year. The company has opened 17 greenfield locations so far this year.

Finnish reach stacker and straddle crane manufacturer kalmar reported total revenues for the first three quarters of €1.25 billion, down 2% on last year. Order intake was 9% higher at €1.3 billion, the orderbook 1% higher at €961 million.

tadano, which now includes Manitex, valla, Oil & Steel and PM, saw nine month revenues increase 13.1% to ¥240.5 billion ($1.56 billion), mostly down to the Manitex acquisition. Pre-tax profits were 8% higher at ¥17.8 billion ($114.9 million), thanks to one off gains of ¥10.4 billion ($67.5 million).

‘Ordinary profit’ was 54.1% lower at ¥7.8 billion ($50.8 million) due to higher costs and higher interest charges etc.

German rental company hkl baumaschinen has acquired aicheler baumaschinen Service which it will rebrand to HKL Centre Herrenberg. Founded in 1970, HKL Baumaschinen operates from 180 centres in Germany, Poland and Austria with a combined equipment fleet of around 160,000 units.

German spider crane and glass handling company uplifter has appointed a preliminary insolvency administrator following an order from the Amberg District Court. The company continues to operate and trade while it restructures its finances or finds a buyer.

1,000

LIEBHERRS FOR MAxIKRAFT

German crane rental company MaxiKraft has taken delivery of its 1,000th Liebherr crane, 33 years after its first Liebherr crane arrived. The company was unable to name which of its new cranes was the 1,000th, as it typically orders and takes delivery of cranes in packages. The current crane fleet numbers around 200 units including both telescopic and lattice boom cranes with capacities from 30 to 1,000 tonnes. The company says that it typically replaces its mobile cranes every three years to keep up with technology and developments.

Founded in 1992 by Maik Kanitzky in Züllsdorf/Herzberg, near Berlin, MaxiKraft opened five branches in its first seven years and has since expanded to five companies following the establishment of MaxiMum in 2000, Kranlogistik Sachsen in 2002, Kranlogistik Lausitz in 2004 and Treffler in 2019. It now operates from 26 locations with a team of 500 employees.

Maik Kanitzky said: “Highly qualified employees, reliable partners and innovative machines are the key factors for our success. Liebherr has been providing us with the technology and support for more than three decades.”

MULTITEL'S GRAvITY LOwERING SYSTEM

Italian aerial work platform manufacturer Multitel Pagliero has introduced a new gravity lowering system on its new 71 metre MJE 710 truck mounted lift, developed in collaboration with Flodraulic Motion Systems. The system uses a high precision proportional valve, which keeps the rod side of the cylinder filled with oil as the barrel side empties under gravitational forces, preventing cavitation or shocks while lowering the boom under load.

Giovanni Vaccari of Flodraulic said: “In simple terms, we control gravity. Normally, the cylinder must push to counteract the weight, but in this case the descent is intelligently regulated using gravity itself, for a more efficient, smoother, and safer system.”

The first MJE710 has been delivered to Italian rental company Ciemme Noleggio, which ordered the new model ‘on spec’ and had some input on its design as the lead customer.

NEwS HIGHLIGHTS

■ Manitou North America has appointed brad boehler as president

■ UK’s dM cranes has taken its fourth liebherr MK 140-5.1 mobile self-erecting mobile tower crane

■ McS has partnered with iplicit to integrate rental management with finance software

■ Drinks can manufacturer ball Packaging has taken a valla V36R pick & carry crane

■ France’s foselev has taken delivery of an 80t grove GMK4080L All Terrain crane

■ Austria’s Ponsold dach has taken a 133ft haulotte HT43RTJ Pro telescopic boom lift

■ Sweden’s kranpunkten is expanding its fleet with 50 new boom lifts

■ UK’s emsley crane hire has taken a 13t kato CR-130Rv City Type crane

■ New Zealand’s agtrans crane co-founder Phil d’ath has retired and a new leadership team has formed with Phil harrison, cJ Mahony and logan Willemen

■ Italy’s ciemme noleggio has received the first 71m Multitel MJE 710 truck mount

■ Wind turbine maintenance company ge vernova presented UK’s forsyth of denny with its ‘Best Performing MCU Crane company Award’

■ Germany’s gerken has taken a 250t grove and a liebherr MK 120-5.1 mobile selferecting tower crane

■ UK’s Orion access has taken two 21m easy lift spiders and a 75m Socage truck mounted lift

■ Germany’s Wiesbauer has taken its fourth 300t grove GMK6300L-1 All Terrain

■ Switzerland’s airnace has taken a 125ft lgMg T38JE-2 telescopic boom

■ US’s Oz lifting has donated a second police dog to a police force in Iowa

■ The U.S. Army in Germany has taken delivery of a 17m Oil & Steel Octoplus 17 spider lift

■ Germany’s h&S autokran has taken its third tadano crane - an 80t AC 4.080

■ Germany’s Schmid has purchased a 37m Palfinger K370 KS truck mount

■ haulotte has appointed andré Wiemeyer as MD of haulotte hubarbeitsbühnen in Germany

■ bobcat has appointed Germany’s rSt as an authorised dealer

■ Danish/Norwegian Jv bMS Stangeland has taken 15 new Sany RT and AT cranes

■ Germany’s lMS is adding new calibration centres in Norway, the Netherlands and Singapore

■ noblelift has opened its new European headquarters in Germany

■ konecranes has promoted Jussi r autiainen to president of business & industrial equipment

■ Austria’s Mbt Markus kogler has taken its fourth gSr truck mount, a 24m B240PX

■ Germany’s herrmann & Wittrock has ordered 72 Jlg boom lifts

■ UK’s allelys has promoted richard beardmore to MD succeeding david allely who becomes chairman

■ liebherr has developed retrofit electric drive packs for older mobile harbour cranes

■ France’s acces industrie has ordered a large number of tadano AS-15MCJ boom lifts

■ Germany’s Schweri autokrane has taken a 45t tadano AC 3.045-1 City Type crane

■ A man has died in Australia when the truck mounted lift he was driving struck and brought down a bridge

■ Africa’s allied crane hire has taken the country’s first 700t liebherr LTM 1650-8.1

■ Magni has appointed Germany’s kunze as an authorised dealer

■ dinolift has appointed harri kervinen as sales director

■ haulotte Germany has signed an agreement with forklift co-operative Stapler Plus eg

■ Italy’s Martin gru has taken delivery of a 27m Multitel MTE 270 EX truck mount

■ UK’s Mann crane hire has taken a 50t grove GMK3050-3 All Terrain

■ Germany’s Sahalift has appointed kristijan ivankovic as regional sales manager Sourthern Germany

■ lgMg has opened its Brazilian distribution business in Indaiatuba, São Paulo

■ California’s Mec has appointed Matt lyons as senior national accounts manager

■ liebherr has promoted Simon Schuster to divisional director of mobile and crawler cranes USA

■ Austria’s W. reitinger has taken delivery of its first imer spiders

■ Manitowoc has opened a customer support facility in Bouaye, France

■ Italy’s bettarini & figli has taken a 20m Multitel MXE 200 truck mount

■ tadano españa has appointed ignacio español escudero as business leader

■ Peru’s grúas & transportes San lorenzo has taken a 650t tadano CC 38.650-1 lattice boom crawler

■ Italian contractors cMb and renco group have installed 17 Potain tower cranes across Milan

■ Germany’s Schmid has taken a böcker AHK 36e electric trailer crane

■ gSr has appointed Belgium’s lauwereys as an official dealer

■ Switzerland’s laggner has taken a 57m ruthmann T570HF truck mount

■ gary coke of custom equipment/ axcS is to retire

■ Germany’s bkl baukran has taken the 50,000th Liebherr crane to be manufactured at liebherr’s Ehingen facility, a 300t LTM 1300-6.4

■ australia’s defence force has taken delivery of a large number of Manitou telehandlers and work platforms

■ UK’s kr8 advisory is offering to sell 13 fully equipped hSS depots

■ Germany’s berning has taken a 38m ruthmann T380XS truck mount

■ US’s boss crane & rigging has appointed Joel thames and kevin hamilton as regional managers, as well as taking two 100t grove TMS 9000e’s

■ hiab is to acquire Brazilian loader crane manufacturer ing crane

■ Palazzani has appointed lolex as its spider lift distributor for all Ireland

■ chris towne, chairman of the towne group has received a leea Lifetime Achievement Award

■ UK rental company reactive rentals has filed for liquidation

■ German spider crane sales/rental company uplifter has appointed an insolvency administrator

■ Sinoboom has opened its new manufacturing facility in Silao, Mexico

Richard Beardmore

Jussi Rautiainen

Phil D'Ath

Chris Towne

Matt Lyons

Kristijan Ivankovic

Ignacio Espaol

Harri Kervinen

Brad Boehler

André Wiemeyer

B IGGER AND BETTER PICK & CARRY CRANES ?

The industrial pick & carry crane market, once a sleepy backwater, has seen a spate of innovative new product launches this year, spanning a wide range of capacities, while the arrival of Australian and North American crane/lifting machines reflects the sector's growing diversity. We take a look at some of those launches and new arrivals.

Italian manufacturers have been - as per usual - particularly active. Galizia introduced the 13 tonne GF130 and 72 tonne GF720, Ormig, the 75 tonne 75iEh, Valla the 35 tonne V320RC, and JMG showcased a new 17.6 tonne capacity articulated crane - the MC95000RE. They demonstrate how the sector is growing and becoming more diverse, with manufacturers addressing everything from simple industrial material handling to heavy lift challenges in the industrial moving market. The pace of product development has also been driven by new technology, such as electric power trains and modular design innovations.

valla On the MOve

During GIS, Valla - now part of Tadano - unveiled the prototype of a new 35 tonne crane, the V320RC, claiming that it is the opening salvo in a project that will extend to 50 tonnes. The company is clearly also leveraging its parent company's resources whilst maintaining its traditional philosophy and focus on pick & carry cranes. The V320RC is available with a standard three section boom which can handle 15 tonnes at its maximum lift height of 13.2 metres, while having a maximum radius of nine metres with a capacity of 4.4 tonnes. The four section long boom version - the V320RC-RB - provides a maximum 16 metre lift height with 10 tonnes capacity, along with 12 metres maximum radius with 2.7 tonnes. Overall weight, without counterweights, is 31.15 tonnes for the V320RC and 33.15 tonnes for the V320RC-EB.

Overall length for both models is five metres, width is 2.15 metres and height 2.4 metres.

Valla chief executive Paolo Balugani explained the historical context. "The company has been manufacturing electric cranes for the past 20 years, with models up to 90 tonnes. This project was launched two years ago, but this is the first time we have displayed it. Next year we will show a 50 tonner.”

A key element of the new generation product is modular construction, meaning that many crane components remain the same for all models, an important factor when it comes to spare parts. This modular approach extends across several new technical features including a disc braking system, addressing what Balugani identifies

as a critical safety element in heavy selfpropelled equipment. The hydraulic system also incorporates variable piston pumps driven by an electric motor, the combination of which provides a 20 percent improvement in battery life.

Maeda MK3053C

"We have also introduced a system to monitor oil contamination which warns operators when it needs changing, as well as a new self-install counterweight system,” says Balugani.

"When it comes to the telescopic system, the Valla way is to go direct hydraulic - no cables or chains. This is a key feature when it comes to maintenance and, importantly, boom stiffness.”

A new touchscreen in the cab provides detailed operating data, with a similar set-up on the remote controller. "One of the crane's important,

patented features is a ground pressure monitoring system on the wheels, enabling the operator to see the weight on each wheel and the ground pressure it is applying, with an alert when maximum capacity is reached to prevent floor damage," says Bulgani. "Cranes like this are aimed at machinery and industrial movers, along with the heavy haulage operators.”

Current production focuses on the 4.6 and 20 tonne models - its most popular cranes, but the company is seeing growing demand across the range: “We are growing quickly, possibly faster than the market as a whole. Last year we manufactured between 80 and 90 units, but Tadano is looking for us to boost production further.”

the tadanO effect

Carl Cooper of UK rental company Hird, which has distributed Valla products for many years, believes Tadano's ownership could transform the competitive landscape. "For several years now, the European pick & carry market has been Valla, JMG, Galizia and Ormig, all relatively small independent companies, but now that Tadano has acquired Valla, there is, for the first time, a crane powerhouse behind a pick & carry company," he says.

He estimates that there are between 300 and 400 pick & carry units manufactured in Europe each year, which we would not disagree with, but he believes that with more of them adding higher capacity models, it may open up new markets for pick & carry cranes.

Cooper also sees the trend towards larger cranes being all electric only going upwards. "An increasing number of companies are choosing to avoid diesel units, with products such as the 35 tonne Valla V320RC more often than not working indoors in the same way as smaller cranes, and so also need to be emission free.”

"It is uncommon for customers to order more than one crane at a time, even those running a fleet might just take one a year,” says Cooper. “Our dual role as distributor and rental fleet operator

informs our pricing strategy, because we run them in our fleet, we have a good understanding of what they’re worth. I'm not just a salesman but an end user as well."

Hird operates from three locations and runs 70 Valla cranes in its rental fleet from two tonne models up to a 25 tonner. The company has also collaborated with Valla on development projects, including the nine tonne 90DTRX and five tonne 55TRX, as well as the Valla Connect System, enabling real time communication between cranes and the manufacturer for monitoring and support. Hird’s most recent sale was a 3.6 tonne Valla V36R to soft drink can manufacturer Ball Packaging. Launched in 2020, it features a three section boom and can handle 800kg at its maximum lift height of 7.5 metres and 500kg at its maximum radius of 4.75 metres. With power coming from an 80 volt/300Ah battery pack, the crane will be used to carry out maintenance within the factory.

further

Ormig, founded in 1949, has frequently pushed capacity boundaries towards the limit. The company launched a 50 tonne model at Bauma and presented a 75 tonne crane at GIS, though its largest machine is a 100 tonner.

Ormig's current design focus is on reducing overall dimensions whilst maintaining maximum capacities. Its 75 tonne crane incorporates several new developments, particularly the hydraulically operated boom nose in response to repeated customer demand. The first 75iEh - sold to heavy transport company P&P Transporti - is the company’s most recent all electric crane with a lift height of between 13 and 16 metres, depending on the extension. The overall length is 5.68 metres, overall width 2.35 metres and overall height 2.5 metres.

The modular counterweight system, used on many of its cranes, can be configured for different applications and capacities by adding or removing

OrMig PuSheS

Carl Cooper (L) and Paolo Balugani

The V36R for Ball Packaging

The Ormig 75iEh on display at GIS

the modular counterweight sections, providing lower transport weights and lower ground bearing pressures when the maximum is not required. Ormig manufactures between 60 and 70 units a year, with roughly 50 percent of them exported mostly to Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, South Africa, the United States and Japan.

“Our sales by country fluctuate, depending on numerous factors, but many of our distributors tend to move this type of crane regardless of whether the market is up and down. When the economy is growing, their customers buy new cranes, when it dips, they may have to sell production machinery, so either way, the trade in pick & carry cranes goes on,” said the company. galizia in the race

This year, Galizia has launched two new all electric pick & carry models, the 13 tonne GF130 and the 72 tonne GF720X, both made their debut at GIS. When the telescopic chassis frame is extended, the 13 tonne GF130 has a maximum tip/lift height of 10.5 metres or 10 metres with the variable boom nose lowered, at which point it can handle up to seven tonnes.

The maximum radius is 6.5 metres with a 2.3

tonne capacity. The crane has an overall width of 1.45 metres, and an extended chassis length of 4.15 metres, retracting to 3.4 metres. The overall stowed height is 1.9 metres. The GF130 has an overall stowed length of 4.75 metres and four metres when retracted for transport. Total weight is 14.5 tonnes, reducing to 10.9 tonnes with the counterweight removed. Rear steering is 180 degrees, allowing it to virtually turn on the spot. Power comes from an 80 Volt/750 Ah battery.

The 72 tonne GF720 has a maximum lift height of 16.6 metres and a maximum radius of 11.5

metres, but load charts have yet to be published. The crane has an overall width of 2.29 metres, while the extended chassis length is 6.9 metres, retracting down to 5.19 metres and a stowed height of 2.8 metres. Overall length when stowed is 7.77 and 6.77 metres respectively. Power comes from a 96 Volt/1550 Ah battery driving two electric motors on the front axle. As with most models, the GF720 can be equipped with a fork carriage, converting it to a sort of mega telehandler.

JMg Making MOveS

JMG also unveiled its latest model - the 95 tonne metre MC95000RE - at GIS. The new unit - which has a maximum capacity of 17.62 tonnes - is an interesting machine in that it uses a large articulated loader crane boom on wheels, rather than on tracks, which a number of other manufacturers now offer.

The MC95000RE has a standard eight section boom providing a maximum lift height of 21 metres. It can handle the 17.62 tonnes at a 4.31 metre radius, or 3.4 tonnes at its 18 metre maximum radius. It also offers a maximum pick & carry capacity of 9,400kg at a five metre radius or 750kg at 18 metres.

An optional six section jib takes the maximum lift height to 33 metres and the maximum radius to 30.1 metres with one tonne load. Overall stowed dimensions are 5.5 metres long, 2.4 metres wide and 2.99 metres high, with an overall weight of 29.1 tonnes, or 23.7 tonnes with the four counterweights removed.

While there is no direct competitor to the MC95000RE, it might be interesting to compare it with articulated tracked spider cranes such as Jekko's 15.5 tonne JF545.2 which was launched in 2017, or to BG Lift’s CWE525. (See table above)

The 100 tonne Ormig 100iE

Galizia GF130

The JMG MC95000RE

Galizia GF720X

how the JMg compares with the Jekko and bg lift

JMG also unveiled a hydrogen powered hybrid crane at the Hydrogen Expo in Piacenza in June. Based on the company's 25 tonne electric MC250.09FL heavy duty pick & carry forklift/ crane, the unit incorporates a hydrogen fuel cell module and lithium-ion battery pack.

The hydrogen system uses a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell combined with a 6kg hydrogen tank and a 30kW lithium buffer battery. The battery lasts two to three hours under normal use, with the fuel cell automatically topping it up when required. Combined, the system provides five to six hours of continuous operation before refuelling. Refilling the cylinder takes approximately five minutes, or the tank can simply be swapped in a similar manner to an LPG tank. Recharging the lithium battery takes 90 minutes.

The hydrogen module can be interchanged with the standard machine's lead acid battery pack. Switching between configurations only requires repositioning the electrical cables and adding a controller area network wiring harness, which will be fitted to all standard models from the start of next year.

JMG chief executive Maurizio Manzini said: "This new technology marks a milestone for JMG, confirming our pioneering vision in the energy transition of industrial lifting by introducing a flexible, scalable energy system suitable for intensive work cycles. The first units should be ready to ship in the new year and represents the first concrete step of a new research and development path."

big aMerican lifterS

Not all manufacturers are chasing maximum capacity. Whilst Italian manufacturers seem to be focusing on adding new cranes in the 75 to 100 tonne region, the North American market has long been different with its carry deck style of pick & carry industrial cranes at the smaller material

handling end of the market, and high capacity extending fork trucks for heavy machinery moving and installation. When load handling jib attachments are added, they blur the line between big traditional forklifts and pick & carry cranes.

Manufacturers include Landoll, Versalift and the Hoist Liftrucks. Versalift was one of the original developers of this type of lifting machine, and as a result became market leader, but lengthy lead times opened up opportunities for new competitors to enter the market, including, more recently, a European company - JMG with its unusual MV250.09FL.

In last year’s feature, we spoke to Jayson Flegg of UK based Flegg Projects which added two Landoll PT40 heavy telehandlers to its fleet. In February, the company was acquired by Ainscough Industrial Services, and in that same month was appointed as the European distributor for US based Forklift Exchange to sell and service its heavy lift extending forklifts, including units manufactured by Hoist Liftruck and Royal. Flegg has operated Forklift Exchange units in its fleet for several years but will now offer the Hoist FR series, initially focusing on the 11 to 16 tonne 25/35, the 18 to 27 tonne 40/60 and the 27 to 36 tonne 60/80. Flegg says that since taking on the distributorship, it has received multiple orders for the 40/60 and 23/35.

Flegg will also offer units built by Illinois based Royal Rig-N-Lift, which recently restarted production of the Rig-N-Lift 80/100 and 100/140 models. The agreement aims to reduce lead times for European buyers while providing local parts and service support.

Maxx Flaska of Forklift Exchange said: "Flegg Projects is the perfect partner for reaching the European market because of its distribution and servicing coupled with our equipment.”

franna returnS

Australian articulated pick & carry crane manufacturer Franna - part of the Terex group - introduced its new 22 tonne AT22-2 to the European market at Vertikal Days in September. The launch was in partnership with its UK distributor Crowland Cranes.

The AT22-2 is the first new Franna crane to arrive in Europe for 25 years and features a 17.9 metre four section boom, while handling its maximum capacity at up to 1.4 metres radius, and a height of up to six metres. A 2.5 metre extension takes the maximum tip height to 20.5 metres, at which point it can handle just over three tonnes. Maximum forward reach on the main boom is 15.8 metres with a capacity of 1.7 tonnes, or 18.8 metres with the extension installed. A work platform attachment offers a 20.2 metre working height and an outreach of up to 18.5 metres. The crane has an overall weight fully rigged of 20 tonnes, with 12 tonnes on the rear axle. Power is provided by a Mercedes diesel linked to an Allison six speed transmission. Maximum road speed is 80kph/50mph.

Pete Issitt owner of Crowland, the first European distributor to take a new Franna in many years, said: "Franna pick & carry cranes are highly suitable for a number of industries due to their versatility, reliability and capabilities, along with travel speed. In fact, several older Franna cranes are already in operation in the UK, and our team has been actively supporting them in the field. This experience has given us valuable insight, not only into the machines themselves but also into the technical and parts support provided by the team in Australia, which has consistently impressed us with their reliability.”

You can read more about the Franna crane and Crowland Cranes in an interview with Peter Issitt starting on page 47. ■

The JMG MC250.09FL

Franna AT22-2

A Landoll PT40

An FR Series Hoist on display at Vertikal Days

STIMULATING THE BIG TRUCK MOUNTS

Sales of larger truck mounted lifts have, on the whole, been somewhat subdued over the past couple of years. But can the launch of new models or a new entrant help stimulate or shake up the market? We take a look at some of the latest developments.

In the Cranes & Access Truck Mounted lift feature last year we asked if the launch of Ruthmann’s 100 metre T1000 HF would help kick-start the top end of the market? Would it encourage rental companies to take a fresh look at their largest platforms in preparation for future growth in demand, perhaps replace ageing models or expand their fleets in preparation for more wind turbine installations and maintenance work… not to mention growing interest in using them for working on harbour cranes, overhead power lines and taller buildings.

The answer is… possibly. Yes, there has certainly been an uptick in interest for truck mounted platforms over 70 metres, but not at the very top end. Ruthmann’s 100 metre T1000 HF launched last October was the biggest new truck mounted platform for three years. And while there have been a few more sales lifts of 90 metres or more, the current sweet spot appears to be units of between 70 and 75 metres.

the bauMa effect

We have mentioned the ‘Bauma effect’ before, the big show is such an important global shop window that most international equipment manufacturers gear product development programmes towards an unveiling at the big event in Munich. The incredibly high cost of exhibiting also encourages manufacturers to have a launch product ready that will make an impact and wow visitors.

This year was no different, so it was no surprise to see a number of big new truck mount launches. However, no one expected or anticipated a 72 metre platform from a new market entrant in the form of Altec Teupen with its first ever big platform, the TE720.

This category - 70 to 75 metres - appears to be the new battlefield for the leading truck mounted lift manufacturers… and Altec Teupen appears to have fired a very good warning shot across all of their bows.

altec takeS teuPen

Altec’s acquisition of Teupen Maschinenbau from owner Marin Borutta in April 2024 followed on from an open ended contract Altec signed with Teupen for the initial supply of 100 insulated spider lifts. Borutta - who acquired a majority stake in Teupen in 2017 - remains on board to manage the business and it is he who has masterminded their entrance into the big truck mounted market with the development of this new model. Not only did he spot a gap in the market, but he also jumped at the opportunity created when Palfinger closed its Krefeld facility and several highly experienced truck mounted lift designers and production staff decided not to relocate to the Palfinger plant in Löbau, 760km away.

Teupen had no previous experience of designing big truck mounts, but its new recruits - perhaps eager for a little revenge - have plenty. Teupen does, however, have some experience producing truck mounted lifts on 3.5 tonne chassis - such as the 25 metre Euro B25T from the early 2000s until about 2012.

Maeda MK3053C

Parent company Altec is heavily involved in the tree care, utility and telecommunications markets, particularly where the two overlap - i.e. trimming tree limbs away from overhead power lines, etc - but its truck mounted platforms are all under 45 metres.

A statement from Altec at the time said: “This acquisition expands the footprint for Altec worldwide and provides a complement to our robust line of products and services designed for the utility, telecommunications, tree care and lights and signage markets.” In spite of this a

Altec Teupen launched an all new 71.6m TE720 truck mount with an outreach of 42m and maximum platform capacity of 600kg

Altec Teupen TE720

Ruthmann T 380 XS at Bauma

big new truck mount was the last thing anyone expected. When the acquisition was being negotiated, the ex-Palfinger employees were already hard at work on Borutta’s new project. The new team apparently designed and built the unit for Bauma in just over 14 months.

At Bauma the TE720 - mounted on a 32 tonne four axle Scania P 500, although it can also be mounted on a MAN or Volvo chassis - features a five section lower boom, three section upper boom and a jib with 220 degrees of articulation. This provides a maximum working height of 71.6 metres with 320kg in the platform, while the 600kg maximum platform capacity is available at up to 66.8 metres. Outreach is 32 metres with 600kg, 37 metres with 320kg and 42 metres with 100kg. These outreach figures are available with the boom in any position and not just over the front or rear of the chassis or over the top of one outrigger jack. The maximum up & over clearance height is 46 metres, and the machine has a below ground level reach of 17 metres.

The standard 950mm deep platform extends from 2.4 to 3.8 metres, with 440 degrees of rotation. It also includes a built-in wind speed monitor, anti-collision protection and a folding seat. The overall machine length is 11.8 metres, being under 12 metres, it does not need a special travel permit. The overall width is 2.48 metres and overall height 3.96 metres. When fully extended, the infinitely variable outriggers have a 12.2 by nine metre footprint and can be set from the remote controller. Two boom mounted cameras provide views of the platform and the chassis on

two large colour displays in the platform and at the rear of the vehicle. The stowed boom design enables a sleeper cab to be specified.

Options include a hydraulic generator, LED work lights under platform collision protection, and an intercom system. Four large outrigger mats with stowage are included.

Multitel'S neW 71 Metre

Another new model in this size range launched at Bauma was the 71 metre Multitel MJE 710 mounted on a 32 tonne Volvo chassis. The MJE 710 has a five section lower boom, three section upper boom and articulating jib for a maximum working height of 70.6 metres, 28.5 metres of outreach with 600kg in the platform 33.7 metres with 280kg and 37 metres with 100kg. The first unit has just been delivered to Italian rental company Ciemme Noleggio. Sales manager Tiziano Marcassola said: “This delivery has a special meaning for me as Ciemme bought this machine before it existed on paper. A sign of trust and an indication of the deep partnership that goes back decades.”

Multitel also introduced a new gravity lowering system on the new machine developed in collaboration with Flodraulic Motion Systems. A high precision proportional valve keeps the rod side of the cylinder filled with oil, as the barrel side empties, preventing cavitation or shocks during descent. Giovanni Vaccari of Flodraulic said: “In simple terms, we control gravity. Normally, the cylinder must push to counteract the weight, but in this case the descent is intelligently regulated using gravity itself. It’s a more efficient, smoother, and safer system.”

The MJ 700 Hybrid has a six section boom, three section jib/top boom and articulated jib

hybridS and all-electric

Developing a hybrid or all-electric version of a platform that has an overall weight of 32 tonnes or more is both difficult and expensive. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t possible, as Multitel with its 70 metre MJ700 Hybrid, Ruthmann with its 57 metre T 570 HF Hybrid and Bronto with its S56XR all-electric have shown.

The first 70 metre Multitel MJ 700 Hybrid was purchased by Dutch crane and aerial lift rental company Boer. The new lift, mounted on a five axle, 10x4 Volvo FM500 chassis, employs a new hybrid power pack with twin 80V/210Ah lithium battery packs driving an 80V/20KW electric motor, coupled to a hydraulic pump. The machine has enough battery power to fully extend the boom from its stowed position to the full 70 metres at least four times. When connected to a 400 volt network, a full recharge takes four hours, or five hours with the on-board diesel generator. The platform can also be operated while on charge or operate as a normal diesel machine. The modes can be selected from either the ground controls or those in the basket. A hybrid system diagnostic screen can be used to check the battery charge, current usage in real time, the battery operating temperature and inverter along with other parameters.

Performance wise it has a maximum working height of 70.2 metres and up to 36 metres of outreach with 120kg in the platform. With the maximum 600kg platform capacity an outreach of 28.5 metres is possible. The unit also features variable outrigger set up and monitoring.

brOntO next generatiOn xtS

Bronto launched a whole new XT Generation at Bauma, starting with the 70 metre S70XT1-J CE, versions of which should be ready to ship in spring 2026, with the first two units being ordered by Dutch/Finnish aerial lift rental company JaloBMS. Units for the rest of the world will follow later in the year.

A key feature on the S70XT1-J is the new boom

The Bronto S70XT1-J to be launched in April for shipment in 2026

Multitel MJE 710

Altec Teupen TE720

Multitel's new MJE710 truck mount sold to Italian rental company Ciemme Noleggio

truck mouNtEd liftS

design, which is said to significantly increase rigidity, while improving performance. The new platform features a five section main boom, a three section upper boom topped by Bronto’s jib with around 175 degrees of articulation, providing a realistic maximum outreach of 39 metres with 120kg in the platform or 33.2 metres with the maximum platform capacity of 600kg. Maximum up & over clearance is 46 metres with an outreach of around 32 metres. Below ground reach is almost 18 metres.

Other features include a new, more accurate and robust platform overload system, new outrigger sensors integrated into hydraulic jack cylinders while other sensors have been re-located for added protection and reliability. The well proven Bronto+ control system is retained.

A new modular 1.1 metre deep by 2.4 to 3.7 metre long/wide extending platform design offers a range of five entry points and guardrail configurations, all of which are designed to be easy to repair. Platform rotation is 440 degrees220 degrees in either direction. The first units will be mounted on a 32 tonne GVW four axle Volvo FM 460 HP 8x4 chassis. Overall length is just less than 12 metres, with an overall height of 3.97 metres. Standard outrigger operating widths are 3.3, 5.8 and 8.3 metres.

Product manager Arne Denks said: "We are combining the best parts of our XDT and XR ranges, incorporating improvements built on decades of product development and close collaboration with our customers."

8,000 brOntOS

Bronto builds the largest truck mounted lift of them all, the 112 metre S112 HLA which was unveiled at Bauma 2010 with first units shipping a year or two later. The company developed its first truck mounted lifts in 1972 and at the end of last year delivered its 8,000th unit - a 90 metre (295ft) S295HLA destined for North America.

Production in the early years was slow - it took four years before it built its 100th unit and another five years to reach 500. The 1,000th Bronto followed in 1994, the 5,000th in 2005 and its 8,000th last December.

Bronto Skylift is based in Tampere, Finland, and initially focused on developing aerial work platforms for fire and rescue services. Over the years, it has expanded its range to include platforms for a variety of industries and today employs 467 across 120 countries with manufacturing facilities in Tampere and Pori,

One of the first Bronto platforms in the early 1970s

The 100th Bronto in 1976

Finland as well as a service centre in Pirkkala. It also owns subsidiaries in Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA and has been part of Japan’s Morita group since 2016.

While sales of the 112 metre are few, Bronto’s 104 metre S104HLA sells in higher volumes, two of the more recent deliveries include one to Clear View Services in the UK and one to Chi Deh Crane Engineering in Taiwan.

Ian James of Bronto said: “We are seeing sales growth in the larger HLA models as turbines go ever higher, when such big units are available to rent, opportunities arise in other market sectors.”

a clear vieW

Clear View’s Bronto S104HLA made an appearance at the entrance to this year’s Vertikal Days, it is largest aerial work platform in the UK of any type. Mounted on a six axle Volvo 12x8 chassis the 104 metre platform has a maximum outreach of 33 metres at an up & over height of 17 metres, or 25 metres outreach at an up & over height of 63 metres. Maximum capacity is 700kg.

Based in Leeds, Clear View focuses on telecommunications and wind power industries as well as building maintenance, television and film work. The new Bronto has been added to the fleet in order to satisfy growing demand for larger platforms in the wind turbine market.

Managing director Jonathan Hawksworth said: “Wind power is a growing sector in the UK, as elsewhere, and requires a stable work platform for those working at great height, no matter what the weather. We believe the Bronto product is the market leader for both stability and reliability for turbine work at extreme heights.”

taiWan 104

Taiwanese rental company Chi Deh Crane Engineering had its S104HLA mounted on a six axle Scania chassis. It will be used in the city of Hsinchu

The Bronto

The 5,000th Bronto manufactured in 2005

for applications, in the petrochemical, wind energy and on large civil engineering projects. In another development, Bronto has overcome the challenge of making its 104 metre S104HLA platform road legal in Australia. The first unit is due to be delivered to telecommunications company Quantum Comms in early 2026. To make it happen, Bronto, its representative in Australia & New Zealand GFS/Bronto Skylift AuNZ and Quantum teamed up with Offroad Trucks Australia and Tatra Trucks to find a solution to Australia’s tough and varying road regulations by adapting an eight axle Tatra T158 16 x 16 customised chassis to take the S104HLA without compromising performance on the road or on site. Axle loads will be 10 tonnes or less, helping make it road legal across the country.

Changes included modifying the chassis cab with a cut out for the boom, while each axle will be equipped with extra wide 445mm tyres. Five of the axles are permanently driven, while three can be engaged from the cab for all wheel drive. All of them include differential locks. Five axle steering will provide a tighter turning radius, critical on such a long vehicle.

WOrld’S talleSt electric Bronto also showed the world’s highest reaching all-electric truck mounted lift, the S56XR, at Bauma. Developed in partnership with lead customer Rohr and Designwerk Technologies, it is mounted on a custom made 500kWh MC500E 8x2R electric chassis from Designwerk Technologies. The platform’s software has been

modified to fit an electric PTO to save energy during operation and enable longer working periods.

under the radar

One truck mounted platform manufacturer that is often overlooked in some markets is Italy’s Socage. A few months ago, it acquired a majority stake in fellow Italian truck mounted lift manufacturer CTE, one of its main competitors. The acquisition should boost the Socage ‘group’ revenues next year to somewhere in the region of €190 million.

Both companies are, perhaps, better known for their 3.5 tonne truck mounted lifts, however both offer larger truck mounts - CTE has the B-Lift range from 39 to almost 62 metres, while Socage’s ForSte range runs from 35 metres to its largest model, the 100 metre ForSte 100TJJ.

Sales of the larger Socage truck mounts have been thin on the ground, particularly in western Europe, however, this may be changing. Earlier

Access

this month, Orion Access in the UK purchased a 75 metre Socage 75TJJ truck mounted platform, its new flagship platform, from UK distributor IAS. Mounted on 32 tonne four axle Scania chassis, the Socage 75TJJ features a five section boom plus a four section upper boom and a short articulating jib for an outreach of 40 metres, and a platform capacity of 600kg. The new platform was purchased with a 1,500kg winch and Socage's aluminium convertible platform that can be hydraulically extended from 2.3 to 3.5 metres wide.

For many years the markets in the UK and Ireland have been among the largest in Europe taking more than its fair share of 70 metre plus models and dominated by just three manufacturersPalfinger, Bronto and Ruthmann.

Palfinger Platforms is currently distributed in the UK by CPL - part of the Klubb group - however this will change in the New Year when Access Platform Sales (APS) will take over. It is fair to say that the larger Palfinger truck mounts have not been selling well in recent years, as Bronto and Ruthmann scooped most of the orders. However there is possibly a change in the air. Ruthmann is now part of the Time Versalift group and distributed by Versalift UK, which focuses mostly on Versalift van mounts and small truck mounted lifts. Ruthmann’s latest model, the T 570 HF Hybrid, has a working height of 57 metres, an outreach of 41 metres and a maximum platform capacity of 600kg. Ruthmann has also announced that it is developing Hybrid models ranging from the T 510 HF to the 75 metre T 750 HF. Christian Roß of Ruthmann said: “With this new generation, we will offer our customers a powerful and sustainable alternative solution.” ■

An S104HLA mounted on a standard six axle chassis

A Bronto S104HLA going through its paces

Bronto's 56 metre

Ruthmann launched the T 570 HF Hybrid at Bauma

Orion

in the UK has purchased a 75m Socage 75TJJ

A CONSTRUCTION HOIST IS NOT A TRANSPORT PLATFORM

A number of experts have claimed that some suppliers are marketing what they refer to as ‘Transport systems’ that do not comply with European regulations in terms of speeds and safety systems. If such transport platforms exceed speeds of 0.2 metres a second or carry more than seven people, it places them outside of EN16719 - the relevant standard, while also failing to meet the passenger hoist regulation - EN12159 - due to the absence of certain mandatory safety features.

A few months ago, IPAF issued a statement regarding the misuse of such Transport Platforms and has recently followed it up with a virtual seminar to highlight the issues. IPAF head of safety Brian Parker says: “In some parts of Europe, equipment that looks like a transport platform is being used beyond what the EN standards allow. This creates a gap between appearance and lawful operation. The IPAF statement tries to clarify the issue, sets out the risks and encourages a standard practical industry response. The message is aimed at everyone in the supply chain - manufacturers, rental providers, contractors, and duty holders - as decisions at any point can affect safety on site.”

The seminar highlighted IPAF hoist and mastclimber incidents from 2021 to 2024, which

includes 41 filed reports involving 47 people across six countries and 13 fatalities, six of which were caused by a Mechanical/Technical failure, three were falls from the platform, two falls from height (climbing in and out), one from entrapment and one from an overturn. Such reports are typically only the ‘tip of the iceberg’ the actual number of fatalities is likely to be far higher. So far this year only five reports have been received from three countries. These involve six people, but four of them were fatalities - three falls from the platform and one electrocution. three high PrOfile fatal incidentS

Within the statistics, there have been three major incidents over the past two years. In December 2023, five people died at a residential building in Sundbyberg on the north side of Stockholm. This was covered extensively in the last mastclimber & hoist feature in Cranes & Access 26.7 - November/December 2024.

The incident occurred on the construction site of a new 14 storey apartment building being built by local

contractor and developer Andersson. An Alimak Scando 650 passenger hoist attached to the building became detached, causing the upper masts and hoist car to crash to the ground from a height of around 20 metres, instantly killing all five occupants.

“The investigation revealed that the bolts that should have connected one of the mast sections were missing, leaving them joined by friction alone,” said Parker. “Inadequate safety checks and inspections highlight how very small omissions can lead to a catastrophic loss.”

In Lausanne, Switzerland in July last year, three people died and many more were injured when a scaffold and transport platform combination collapsed on a 19 storey building. “Although the investigation is ongoing, lessons can be learned regarding the various interfaces - when a hoist or transport platform is tied to a scaffold, the loads, the anchorage, the sequencing and inspections must be designed, documented and verified - especially during alterations and when site conditions change.”

“In Naples, Italy, this year, three men died on a renovation job when a transport platform dropped several storeys. Early reports suggest a possible overload scenario as there were three people and materials on the platform, followed by component failure or overturning. This incident highlights the strict control of rated loads in the platform, regular training and inspection etc.”

Five people died in Stockholm when a hoist car crashed to the ground from a height of around 20 metres

Three people died and many more were injured when a scaffold and transport platform combination collapsed in Lausanne, Switzerland

Naples, Italy, three men died on a renovation job when a transport platform dropped several storeys

Official iPaf StateMent

The official statement issued by IPAF regarding the selling by some construction hoist manufacturers of products labelled as Transport Platforms that do not comply with regulations was as follows:

Misuse of transport platforms outside en standards

“It has come to our attention that certain hoist manufacturers are marketing equipment, described as ‘transport systems’ or similar terminology, that look like transport platforms, but with operating speeds and passenger capacities that exceed the limits set for a transport platform in the European standard EN 16719.”

“The EN 16719 standard specifies safety requirements for transport platforms used for lifting goods and passengers on construction sites, such as a maximum speed of 0.2 metres a second and a maximum of seven people.”

“In contrast, EN 12159 applies to construction hoists designed to carry passengers and materials, which can operate at higher speeds and with more people, because they have stringent safety features, including fully enclosed cabins and automatic landing systems. Each standard aims to ensure equipment is used appropriately according to its intended purpose and risk profile.”

"The suppliers of the aforementioned machines, which do not comply with the EN 16719 standard for transport platforms or the EN 12159 standard

for passenger hoists, have stated that the products have been ‘approved’ and certified by a Third Party.”

IPAF says this is a dangerous and unacceptable practice on the following basis:

compromised safety

It puts users at significant risk. EN 16719 for Transport Platforms and EN 12159 for Passenger Hoists were developed precisely to define safe operating parameters for such equipment. Any machine operating outside of the standards, particularly in terms of speed and capacity, falls outside what is considered safe practice.

legal implications

Presenting such equipment as outside the scope of current standards using a Third-party certificate does not shield manufacturers, suppliers, rental companies or duty holders from potential legal consequences. In the event of an accident, the use of a machine not compliant with established European standards could lead to serious legal liability, including criminal prosecution or invalidation of insurance coverage.

damage to the reputation of the industry

The improper use and classification of lifting equipment can have serious repercussions for the reputation of the entire construction hoist industry. One serious incident resulting from this type of practice could undermine decades of work to promote safety, responsibility, and

A TOUCH OF C LAAS ?

German hoist manufacturer Geda has installed one of its 3700 ZP transport platforms at the Claas facility in Harsewinkel, North Rhine-Westphalia to transport bulky welding equipment between the ground and first floor levels.

The installation is permanent but the task was anything but routine as it will transport loads that while are physically large are not excessively heavy. The 3700 ZP platform is 2.9 metres by five metres and is ideal for loading bulky equipment with a fork lift or pallet truck.

One of its main features is the electric ramp which provides level access, it can also be quickly converted from transporting materials to transporting people. Although only a lift height of one floor was required, the smooth start and stop process was particularly appreciated, and given the low installation height no machine room was required for operation. The regular 3700 ZP offers a maximum lift height of 200 metres. ■

professionalism across the sector.

IPAF has urged manufacturers, rental companies, and contractors to respect and comply with the applicable standards and to reject ambiguous or misleading classifications of equipment. Also, to use transport platforms in accordance with the speed and capacity limitations in the standards. If such practices persist, it will pursue formal measures to ensure compliance, including reporting specific cases of non-compliance to national safety authorities.

It also states that CE certificates can be faked, so it warns to check them carefully, especially when using a new supplier. They can be verified through the European Union website. Equipment should also include Certificates of Incorporation, along with Instructions for Use/Maintenance/Spare parts manuals in your language. ■

Brogan - growth via acquisition

UK mastclimber and hoist rental company Brogan has consolidated its market leading position in the UK hoist rental market with the acquisition of the UK hoist division of Sunbelt Rentals.

The deal includes Sunbelt’s entire hoist inventory and all associated equipment, three dedicated locations in the Midlands and North of England and all Sunbelt staff associated with the hoist business, said to number around 100. It takes Brogan UK's hoist fleet to more than 900 units, while the number of employees now exceeds 1,000 worldwide - including 14 in-house design engineers.

The two companies have also signed an ongoing trading partnership, which makes Brogan the exclusive provider of hoists to Sunbelt UK and its customers, while also offering Brogan customers easier access to Sunbelt’s other rental products. InterestIng projects ahead Brogan chief executive James Brogan said: “This acquisition will allow us to provide a better service for projects in cities such as Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Newcastle, where a number of interesting projects are due to get underway in 2026 and 2027. It will also help with coverage across Scotland, while strengthening the scale of projects we can handle. It has added to our skills base and almost doubled the number of hoist engineers in our team, helping us to support major projects internationally. Our long term trading partnership with Sunbelt should

also unlock new opportunities that benefit both companies.”

The Sunbelt deal builds on Brogan’s acquisition of CAS, the common tower manufacturer last year, which has helped Brogan become a market leader in high rise building access in the UK, the Middle East and the rest of Europe.

UK nUmbers

Brogan’s UK hoist fleet includes numerous small units from 500kg to three tonnes and up to five tonne goods hoists and twin masted Alimak Mammoth hoists allowing the UK hub to support requirements further afield. At the same time Brogan’s UK mastclimber fleet now exceeds 700 units, enabling it to handle numerous major projects concurrently. The company plans to add additional services to its three new depots while eying up further expansion in the industrial market.

a sUmmer job becomes permanent

For founder James Brogan, working as a scaffolder was just a summer job, but went on for six years until in 1988 he decided to set up on his own. As his business began to grow, he persuaded friends and former colleagues to join

him, enabling him to bid for larger jobs and win work from major contractors. As the business gathered momentum, revenues almost doubled every year, and now exceed £52 million, with a pre-tax profit of more than £11 million and total assets of £103 million.

goIng InternatIonal

Brogan was one of the first companies in the UK to drop traditional tube and fitting scaffolding in favour of system scaffold, which is quicker and easier to install and dismantle. In 2001, it opened its first overseas operation in Dublin, Ireland, followed by a depot in Vilnius, Lithuania the following year. In 2005, it introduced mastclimbers to its range, followed by hoists in 2006. A major step came in 2009 when it opened in the Middle East with offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Business in the region is now an increasingly important part of the group’s overall business. ■

mastclimbers & hoists

r enovating history

The Wenner-Gren Center in Stockholm is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and 63 years after it opened it is undergoing a facelift. Built between 1959 and 1961, it opened the following year. The centre comprises three buildings - the Helicon, a semicircular building around the tower, the Tetragon, a square box of a building and the Pylon, a 74 metre, 25 floor landmark tower building, Sweden’s first high rise building and for a while the tallest steel framed building in Europe.

The centre is named after businessman Axel Wenner-Gren, who had the idea that vacuum cleaners had a domestic application and persuaded Lux to do it. He became chief executive of Electrolux and became very wealthy in the 1920s from selling vacuum cleaners and later refrigerators in the USA. In 1955, he donated SEK8 million ($1.6 million back then, but around $1 billion in today's money) to create an international centre for visiting scientists in Stockholm.

Alimak construction hoists, played a crucial role in the original construction, and 63 years later, Alimak hoists have been chosen for the renovation project. This time, four Alimak Scando 650 construction hoists have been installed, for both people and materials. Each hoist car is 1.5 metres wide, 3.2 metres long and 2.3 metres high, and can handle up to 2,400kg, allowing large items to be taken to their required floors at a

maximum speed of 42 metres a minute. Alimak has also supplied and installed two twin legacy MSHF mastclimbers with 19.2 metre wide platforms for the installation of the new façade panels. The MSHF is a heavy-duty mastclimber designed for applications where anchoring is not possible. It has a free standing height of up to 20 metres outside or 30 metres inside on its mobile chassis. When anchored, it can reach heights of up to 200 metres and be installed by just two people. It has a capacity of up to four tonnes and can be assembled in single or twin mast configurations.

To ensure the renovation project stayed on schedule, the project team needed maximum access to the building façade. Therefore, an access tower between each pair of hoists provided access to every floor via the Alimak hoists.

Alimak said: “The installation of our hoists and mastclimbers at the Wenner-Gren Center for a second time, not only highlights their reliability and efficiency but also reinforces our commitment to providing innovative vertical access solutions for the construction industry.”

The original Pylon construction began in 1959

The Helicon contains housing for visiting scientists in the Stockholm area and is still owned by the Wenner-Gren Foundation. The rest of the complex now consists of commercial rental space, although some of it is still used by scientific organisations. ■

The original currently being rennovated

Belgian hospital goes with g eda

Belgian contractor Verhelst is building a large hospital complex in Tournai, Belgium - the Centre Hospitalier de Wallonie Picarde - where it is using two 2.5 tonne Geda 2500 Z/ZP transport platforms to handle materials and personnel transport.

The Geda 2500 Z/ZP is designed as a combined material and passenger hoist and features a 1.45 by 3.55 metre loading platform with a lift capacity of 2,500kg or seven people. Maximum lift speed is 12 metres a minute. When only materials are being transported, the 'materials mode' allows speeds of up to 40 metres a minute.

The platforms are located at different points on the site to support tower cranes during façade

installation, while also transporting those working on the project. The platforms proved particularly effective during interior construction, transporting palletised building materials. The hospital's design prevented direct anchoring to the façade, so they used a steel anchoring structure extending through window openings.

The €416 million development covers 150,000 square metres and will provide 800 hospital beds and 1,000 parking spaces across two triangular building blocks. It will combine four regional hospitals and medical centres under one roof and serve a local population of 330,000. Completion is scheduled for next year.

c hanging attitudes towards mats and pads

We have been promoting the use of spreader plates, outrigger mats and good cribbing for almost 20 years now. In recent years however, we have noticed a massive shift in attitudes across most developed countries towards the use of outrigger mats for cranes, aerial work platforms and even telehandlers. And while there are still too many overturning incidents related to ground conditions, their frequency has fallen dramatically. Today most ground collapse incidents we see are not due to the absence of outrigger mats.

One trend that has surprised us, is the number of major UK house builders, including David Wilson, Barratt Homes, Cala Homes and Vistry Homes, that are purchasing their own outrigger mats as part of the ‘starter pack’ for each housing development, ready for when cranes or work platforms arrive on site as work progresses.

Most of them seem to be ordering four 2.5 by 1.25 metre mats to provide 3.25 square metres of cover. The mats typically have a load bearing capacity of 60 tonnes, enough to handle cranes up to four axle 100 tonners, although on a housing development, two and three axle All Terrains, or two axle aluminium truck cranes are more typical. This is an obvious, simple and efficient solution to an age old problem and eliminates having to deal with cranes that arrive on site without proper mats or being asked to pay for them if the rental company treats them as ‘extras’.

They also have built-in forklift pockets allowing them to be moved and placed by the site’s telehandler.

The simple fact is that using outrigger mats - whatever material they are made from, steel, plastic or wood - reduces the risk of an overturning incident on site, which can so easily cause serious injuries, damage and delay. Any good outrigger mat used in the correct way, ideally on ‘firm level ground’, will do the job. And despite some in the industry poo-pooing materials other than steel or aluminium, there is little to no evidence of an overturn caused by mat failure, whatever the material. In fact, we began this regular feature after spotting that in almost every overturning incident we reported on, outrigger mats were either absent or still on the deck of the crane or platform.

There are also instances where a particular crane set up means using a 7.5 metre by 1.2 metre mat supported at each end by an engineered solution to span a pipe or other services, etc. While not designed to do this, some of the sturdier steel mats are more than capable, although load calculations need to be carried out to confirm the loads and mat sizes, etc.

It would appear that operators are more aware than ever of the importance of ground conditions when setting up. When it comes to self-propelled platforms however, all too many users seem blissfully unaware of the loads that can be applied to each wheel of a large boom lift. Walking the route prior to using the platform is essential to check for any problem areas such as drains and manholes, as well as uneven ground, kerbs and large stones or rocks, etc.

operatIng on the level

Setting up a crane or platform when out of level not only increases the risk of tipping but also leads to other issues, including accelerated equipment wear.

US based outrigger mat and ground protection

manufacturer Dica has introduced larger versions of its LevelRight wedge outrigger mats. Chief executive Kris Koberg says: “The LevelRight mats provide a fast, reliable solution to stabilising outriggers on sloping terrain, eliminating the need for time consuming site modifications.”

The LevelRight range now includes four sizes with diameters of 300mm, 600mm, 760mm and 900mm, capable of supporting loads of up to 159 tonnes. The mats can be adjusted to cope with slopes of up to 10 degrees in multiple planes and feature the company's ‘SafetyTech’ material along with ‘SafetyTexturing’ for improved pad grip. Each two part mat also incorporates a built-in bubble level for simple, accurate adjustment. The mats can also be used as a base for Dica's ProStack Cribbing Blocks when additional height is required while maintaining a level set up slopes.

mats on a roll

The increased uptake of outrigger mats has encouraged manufacturers to increase production to keep up with demand. In the UK, Power Pads is producing more large steel mats than ever while in the USA Dica has expanded its facilities with additional manufacturing space. ■

Rental company Barnhart uses a LevelRight mat

Another crane tip over - however it is obvious that it was not the lack of mats that was the cause

a shift in the right direction

Dan Westgate, managing director of mat and ground protection specialist Brilliant Ideas, discusses the changing attitudes from crane and aerial lift users when choosing crane mats or ground protection.

When we first exhibited at Vertikal Days in 2020, conversations were very different from what we are hearing today. Back then, almost every question was about what the mats weighed and how much they cost. Fast forward to this year’s event, and the conversations were dramatically different. Now, visitors are asking about safe working loads, material properties and how different systems actually spread the load beneath the mat surface. That’s a major shift in understanding, and it’s one that’s long overdue in the crane and lifting industry.

From sImple sUms to strUctUral scIence

Five years ago, the industry norm was a simplified calculation. If I’ve got a 15 tonne outrigger load and an allowable ground bearing pressure of five tonnes per square metre, then I need a mat with an area of three square metres. Once that area was covered, few people questioned what the mat was made of or how it was actually performing in terms of load spread. Today, those assumptions are being challenged - and rightly so. More and more engineers want to know whether the mat system is structurally fit for purpose. They’re asking about stiffness, deflection, and how the mat behaves under real outrigger loads.

At Vertikal Days this year, this change in attitude flowed through to the visitors that came onto our stand, not asking about mat size or price, but about material stiffness, section properties, and the safe working load for each configuration. To us, that’s a fundamental and very positive change.

Why mat sIze alone doesn’t tell the Whole story

There’s a common misconception that safe working loads correlate directly with mat size - it doesn’t. It’s not just about area; it’s about how

load is distributed through the mat and into the ground.

Take a five by one metre Ekki mat. On paper, it looks substantial, but its linear shape makes it poor at spreading a load. The forces simply take the path of least resistance. For example, when a pebble is dropped into water, it ripples out in even circles, which is not the case with an applied load, it will always run to the shortest distance, so linear mats are not ideal for this reason. The shape and stiffness of the mat in both directions are critical.

At one time, our business was focused almost entirely on simply renting out mats. Now, we want to know what size of crane is being set up on our mats. This question matters because outrigger load is a by-product of crane size. In simple terms, a 40 tonne crane at 75 percent produces a maximum outrigger load of around 30 tonnes, plus the weight of the load, which gives a realistic steer on outrigger loads.

Our aluminium modular systems have a clear window of suitability, typically up to 100 tonne cranes. Beyond that, we want an even deeper understanding of the outrigger loads that might be applied. Usually, anything above needs their own steel mats and, due to the material’s inherent stiffness, can handle much higher forces. Some of our customers create larger mat configurations by utilising their travelling steel crane mats on top of our aluminium load spreader Alimats. Combining their strength and stiffness with their own steel mats delivers an ideal structurally efficient mat combination.

Again, five years ago, if someone with a 200 tonne crane asked for three square metre mats, we would have provided them without a second thought. Now we would question it because the by-product of cranes of this size is larger outrigger loads. That’s the kind of shift we have made as a company along with the industry as a whole.

plastIc mats - the WeaK lInK In load spread

We’ve lost work to other mat systems in the past, particularly to plastic mats that look similar in size but make unrealistic claims. Our standard configuration, a 1.74 x 1.74 metre mat - three square metres - is one of our most popular configurations. Some plastic mats on the market are 1.8 x 1.8 metres, yet claim safe working loads up to 140 tonnes. That’s simply not credible.

We’ve tested similar systems ourselves and found individual plastic modules reaching their elastic limit at around 1.25 tonnes (based on a simple bending test to check for material stiffness). We can only assume that these claims rely purely on the compressive strength of the material, not on its ability to spread load beneath the mat surface, which is what matters. Our theory around these claims is also supported by the Temporary Works Forum Safety Bulletin TW21.144 (Published 20th December 2021). the rIght qUestIons to asK mat sUpplIers

So, what questions should you be asking when you talk to suppliers?

1. What’s the stiffness of the profile?

This can be calculated from the cross section and material properties. For solid plastics, that’s relatively simple. For structural extrusions like aluminium, it’s more complex, and that’s where physical calculations, verified section properties, and certified material data are essential.

2. What’s the Safe Working Load /SWL - and how was it established?

Ask whether it’s based on real testing, Finite Element Analysis, or first principal engineering calculations. All have their place, but results can vary dramatically depending on assumptions and testing conditions. For example, not all physical testing tells the truth. We’ve seen reports where a four square metre mat setup was tested on Ethafoam with a hydraulic jack taken to 100 tonnes. It sounds impressive, but all that does is bend the mat down to the base of the rigid test rig, forcing load through compression in a small central area. It proves very little about real world load spread.

The same goes for finite element analysis. We use it regularly, but it’s not infallible. As one engineer said to me, “You get a hundred pages of data that

doesn’t really tell you much.” It is, though, useful when backed up by sound engineering judgement and practical understanding of how mats behave in the field.

3. How has the system been analysed structurally?

We have employed the services of an independent chartered engineer to perform first principal analysis based on a theoretical cantilevered design approach. That revealed, for instance, that the top layer of mats carries the highest stress, while lower layers share the load differently. This insight led us to redesign certain configurations, such as replacing long top mats with shorter ones in our six metre system to improve stiffness and increase safe load capacity. A further outcome of our analysis was the development of the Half-Loader module, which is an exceptionally stiff top profile component designed to enhance load distribution. It not only improves how the load is spread across the upper surface of the mat but also helps transfer forces away from the centre of the system, reducing localised pressure and increasing overall performance.

no sUch thIng as a FUll load spread

A question we often get from engineers is “How can you guarantee full load spread across the mat surface?” and the honest answer is - you can’t. That would assume a material of infinite rigidity, something that doesn’t exist, not even NASA has managed to develop such a material. In reality, the outer edges of the mat often contribute less to load spread than the central region. That’s why, when specifying mats, there always needs to be an engineering margin of redundancy. For example, if the allowable ground bearing pressure is five tonnes per square metre and the outrigger load is 15 tonnes, a simple calculation suggests a three square metre mat. But that ignores real world factors, so we always recommend stepping up to the next size - unless the values involved already include tangible factors of safety. You need that margin because you’ll never achieve a full load spread across the mat surface.

a more InFormed IndUstry

What’s clear is that the industry is becoming more aware of these issues. Engineers, site managers, and crane operators are now challenging spurious claims and what some might refer to as marketing spin. They’re asking harder questions about stiffness, material behaviour, and actual load distribution. And that’s a good thing because outrigger load spread isn’t one size fits all. Systems need to be selected and configured based on real engineering data and not assumptions.

We welcome those questions and make our material and section properties available and encourage clients’ engineers to carry out their own due diligence. Because when the ground conditions, crane loads, and mat configurations are all properly understood, everyone works more safely.

The industry has taken a huge step forward, from guessing and generalising to understanding and engineering. The next step is choosing suppliers who are part of that evolution. If your mat supplier can’t show you how they’ve calculated their safe working loads, or if their claims sound too good to be true, they probably are. When renting outrigger mats, know what’s beneath your crane or platform and choose a system and supplier that treats load spread as engineering. ■

t he ultimate ‘one stop crane shop’

Although Crowland Cranes has been serving the lifting industry for more than 50 years, its growing capabilities and product offerings have reached the point where it can justifiably claim to offer the widest range of lifting products and services in the UK if not the whole of Europe. Mark Darwin visited its facilities in the picturesque village of Crowland, 10 miles from Peterborough to meet owner Pete Issitt.

Crowland Cranes is a rarity when it comes to the range of crane and lifting equipment services that it offers, thoroughly justifying the ‘one stop shop’ description that was so overused in 1980s and 1990s by companies that merely offered a few different services. Its portfolio includes crane rental, accident rescue, full repair and refurbishment - including fabrication and paint - while manufacturing steel and aluminium outrigger mats under its ‘Power Pad’ brand. It also designs, fabricates and installs outrigger pad storage solutions for most All Terrain crane manufacturers. At the same time its new crane sales operations take off, being the UK distributor for Hoeflon cranes along with Franna

and Ormig pick & carry cranes and the full UK range of rough terrain products from Terex, Grove and Tadano. And for the past five years has been Spierings’ sole UK service partner. Its TMC Lifting subsidiary supplies parts and associated crane ancillary products, including wireless wind speed monitors and Rimwizard wheel removal kits. Finally, the Crowland Group offers engineer certification and training for two of the UK’s leading engineering companies, Allianz and Bureau Veritas, and to top it all off recently launched a Day Book software package at Vertikal Days. Is there anything else the company could specialise in?

What is also unusual - although probably not,

given the breadth of services it offers - in that it is a customer, supplier and competitor to many companies and enjoys a privileged position of working with almost everyone in the UK crane market.

“That is why our stand was so busy at Vertikal Days,” says Issitt, “because we were talking to customers on so many different levels - rental, crane mats, Hoeflons, Franna cranes - anything and everything in the lifting game. We have built a brand in the UK, that I think equals any of the major manufacturers. Several have tried to copy our business model but failed. It is hard work, but there are good rewards if you get it right.” the nUmbers

The Crowland group has delivered strong financials. Last year it had revenues of more than £12.5 million, with a healthy profit, an increase of eight percent on 2023. Roughly half of its revenues come from crane rental. In last month’s C&A Top 30 rental survey, Crowland Cranes had the 14th largest crane rental fleet in the UK with 43 mobiles - All Terrains, Rough Terrains, pick & carry and mobile self-erecting tower cranes. Its head office is based in Crowland, Peterborough with additional depots in Norwich and Bury St Edmunds, and operates it’s rental fleet throughout

The Rimwizard wheel removal kit

Crowland’s wireless wind speed monitor

Franna AT22-2

crowland cranes

East Anglia with its boundaries of Leicester to the west and north of London to the south.

Issitt adds: “We do not and never will have operated the products we distribute, in our rental fleet. I am not going to bite the hand that feeds me. You cannot run cranes like the Hoeflons and stay regional - it is the type of crane that you put on a trailer or small truck and take it around the country. We have enough crane rental in our area - the industry knows what we do and in East Anglia and we are a force to be reckoned with - just look at the level of continued investment, including a brand new LTM1300.6.3 shown at Vertikal Days, a brand new 40 tonner and the new Böcker AK48 etc.”

“The secret of our success may be down to having good relationships with everyone, I don’t go back on my word…and we know cranes inside out. How many people really know the nuts and bolts of a crane - not many. There are a few in this industry who really know what they are talking about - while others can only talk.” en13000 complIant?

One issue that has surfaced recently is claims that all Tier 1 contractors should demand that the spider cranes they rent comply with EN13000the mobile crane standard, rather than EN12999, for loader cranes.

“Some people are saying certain manufacturers don’t comply, but do they really know what compliance means? Would a Tier 1 contractor know what EN13000 is? Ask nine out of 10 people what makes a crane EN13000 compliant, including those selling them, and they would struggle” says Issitt.

“All our products are EN13000 compliant, and for

some products EN12999 as well, we will not sell a product if it doesn’t conform to the relevant, local standards. Some manufacturers claim their products are fully compliant when they are clearly lacking.”

“We recently took on the Terex Franna distribution in the UK, the cranes needed some modifications to comply with EN 13000 and satisfy our requirements, while all of the Hoeflon cranes already comply.”

But should a distributor have to check up on a manufacturer’s compliance? “No, but as we are the distributor, I have to satisfy myself that the products comply. For example, we had written confirmation from the Hoeflon factory, but we still did our own due diligence to ensure it is 100 percent compliant, and it was all correct.”

hoeFlon spIders

Crowland has been the Hoeflon spider crane distributor for a year now, so how is it going?

“We have just been informed by Hoeflon that Hoeflon UK has outperformed their expectations and smashed their internal targets. Only their home market of the Netherlands outperformed us, but it’s a market of 90+ cranes a year,” he says. “We thought we might sell one a month but have currently exceeded 30+ cranes in the first nine months.”

“The impression we get is that Unic and Maeda’s sales may have slipped a little, with Unic predominantly into rental and Maeda losing ground, possibly due to local product development. Both are great cranes, very simple to operate and ultra-reliable, and therefore ideal for the general rental market. But their physical size against the compactness of the Hoeflon is

clear to see. Customers get an awful lot for their money with a Hoeflon. This week we sold another nine tonne C30e - Hoeflon’s biggest crane - the fourth this year.”

“The smaller rental companies with one or two machines have been getting great rental rates. I look at them and think, I spend almost £400,000 on a 40 tonne All Terrain and am lucky to get £750 a day. They spend £120,000 and get between £850-£1,000 a day. However, the hire market is becoming more saturated, which will result in lower rental rates. We are now seeing contractors looking to buy their own cranes, some are spending in excess of £100k a year on spider crane rental, so direct sales are increasing.”

“Most customers appear to keep Hoeflon cranes for five to six years and then swop them out. There is a good used market growing in the UK and overseas, they appear to hold their value well. A three year old crane, for example that cost £120k has a used value of about £70k and given the revenues they are generating, that is a very good return on investment.”

“We have started offering customers a buy-back option after say, 12 months - 75 percent of the purchase price - because there is strong demand. The C6e at £120,000 is still less than the price of a decent 4 x 4, and certainly will not depreciate as much! Even the C30e at £250k is not such an intimidating investment, when you consider the other options.

neW prodUcts In the pIpelIne.

“The new three tonne C6 was shown at Bauma and should be available in the UK in January 2026. There is also the new TC1 - Gen 2 tracked carrier, seen at this year’s ‘Vertikal days’, providing

Crowland

Crowland keeps a full range of Hoeflon cranes, tracked carriers and attachments

Hoeflon attachments

Hoeflon tracked carrier

crowland cranes

customers with a product that can be locally modified to enable a wide range of cradles and attachments to be fitted to the standard tracked machine, including a hydraulic lift table. Hoeflon is very active and passionate with product development, and to have a manufacturer that listens to its dealer network and customers in the future design/development of the products is really important to us.”

FeWer accIdents

“Over the years, we have built up a good service business in the UK, although the level of repair work has definitely gone down this year. We have not lost work, but the big repair jobs just haven’t been there? Work on accident damaged cranes is really quiet. We know that customers are not going anywhere else, but there appears to be fewer accidents at the moment.”

Crowland says it is aware of almost every crane accident/incident in the UK and still gets the phone calls. So where has it gone?

“I think utilisation is down and crane compliance is stricter - drivers can’t get away with what they used to do… Everyone is also using crane mats. Our fabrication department has grown this year, including taking on our own, in-house CAD designer/developer, and we are nicely busy making the full range of Power-Pad products.” mats For hoUse bUIlders

“Another change is the direct sales of crane mats to contractors, including major housing developers - Barratt Homes, David Wilson, Oregon Timber, Cala Homes & Vistry Homes, etc

- ordering a set of Power Pads steel mats for each housing development as it starts, so that every crane that enters the site uses the Power-Pad mats already on site. That never happened two years ago.”

Issitt says in the first six months it used more than 100 tonnes of steel, making mats for the housing market alone! “They tend to order four standard mats - 2.5 by 1.25 metres or 3.13 square metres, each mat is fitted with forklift pockets, so they can be positioned to suit the hire crane, without the need to lift into position, with a WLL60t, the capacity is more than enough for cranes up to a four axle, 100 tonner. Housing sites tend to use two and three axle ATs or aluminium truck cranes.”

“The crane operator is happy because as he arrives on site, a forklift places the mats where required and the lift is carried out safely. But the end result is that I am possibly getting a lot less repair work.”

What Is taKIng Up the slacK?

“Refurbishment work and fabricating Power-Pad tackle boxes for All Terrains have really taken off over the past few years. Everyone wants to store stuff on the crane. Buy a Liebherr and it will typically come with a Power-Pad storage system.”

But why don’t manufacturers make them? “Pad racks/tackle boxes are a pain for manufacturers because everyone wants something slightly different, it is a personnel product and too bespoke for crane manufactures to focus on,” says Issitt.

“Experience with our own crane fleet means customers are confident that the advice provided by the team at Crowland is accurate and makes sense. It is more valuable than ever to have a knowledgeable conversation with someone who runs the equipment.”

reFUrbIshment and rebUIlds Crowland has a lot of refurbishment work in the works, most of the cranes that are no longer made or supported, or work for the UK Ministry of Defence.

We have recently refurbished a 1980 Shuttlelift carry deck crane that was working in a UK based oil refinery. “It was very old and totally worn out, and one of the biggest refurbs we have done for its size. It was almost a full ‘nut and bolt’ rebuild, and costs exceeded £100,000. It would have been more cost effective to buy a new one, however the client needed that type of crane, due to the fact there is nothing currently available that complies with European standards, so a rebuild was the only option for consideration.

There are quite a few Shuttlelifts working in the UK, but typically, the owners won’t let them go because you can’t replace them and they do not want all the new technology/Bluetooth etc… just push a lever and move a spool. We have also just completed a second similar refurb on a 1988 Grove AP308 for another petro-chemical client. There is very little, if any, competition for this type of work or any replacement options to be considered.”

There are a number of old carry deck style cranes still working in the UK and there is a small new replacement market for them that the Valla/Ormig models just don’t satisfy. But the new cranes, made by Shuttlelift and Broderson etc, still do not comply with EN13000. Around 20 years ago, Joe Lyon at Cranes UK brought in and sold a few of the Broderson cranes, most of which we look after today. We know how to make them EN13000 compliant but can do very little when it comes to engine compliance, which were not up to the required Euro Tier levels. However, the US and Australian manufacturers are now fitting compliant engines that can be used in Europe, so maybe things will change in the future, and we could see the Shuttlelift or Broderson re-enter the UK.”

“In large companies/organisations, it is often easier to get approval for a £100,000 refurbishment than £200,000 for a new crane - if

The C6e on display for the first time at Bauma

A set of steel mats for Barratt Homes

Fabricating Power-Pad tackle boxes for All Terrains have taken off

The recently completed Shuttlelift refurb

Crowland offers a full refurbishment as standard

crowland cranes

it was available - so I believe we will continue refurbishing this type and age of machine for some time to come.”

bIggest reFUrb In eUrope?

As well as refurbishing old carry deck cranes, Crowland has a five year military contract to refurbish 65 Terex All Terrain cranes - 58 AC40s and seven of the larger AC55s - all dating back to 2009.

“This military refurbishment contract, which started a year ago, is probably the biggest in Europe at the moment,” says Issitt. “All 65 are being fully refurbished at our premises here in Peterborough. They come from all over the world and are shipped back to the UK for the refurbishment before being sent back into service.”

“For most, it involves full boom strip/inspections, hook blocks, ropes, hoses and checking/repairing various operating systems, in addition to fitting new tyres and a new paint job. A lot of the cranes have been stood a while or had very low, operational use, causing deterioration in certain components so each machine is inspected to identify the work required. We currently have seven ACs in the workshops - some will need just 1-2 weeks of attention and then going through paint, whereas others are having new LMIs.“

“However, because the new LMI is different to the original specification machine, any upgrades or component replacement has to be thoroughly documented and added to the MOD training programme, and because there are now two different operating systems, new manuals or manual inserts needs to be written…all of which is very time consuming and can be protracted.”

“We are completing approximately three cranes every two months, and because there is no urgent military demand at the moment, we can stockpile cranes and work on them to suit the workshop availability. For the first time in our history, we have guaranteed refurbishment work for five years, which helps maintain workflow, particularly with the mentioned reduction in major accident work.”

ozzy Frannas In the UK

Crowland launched the 22 tonne Terex Franna AT22-2 articulated pick & carry crane at Vertikal Days. Surprisingly, Franna has never sold a crane in mainland Europe, although there are a dozen or so older models still operating in the UK.

“Terex Franna made a big thing about bringing the Franna into the UK. Crowland Cranes have supported the Franna team to ensure that the released product meets CE, EN13000 and UK road registration before actively selling & promoting it,” he said.

“I think the market here will have good initial interest for replacement machines, then possibly two to three units a year, we have already sold the first unit with another on the water arriving in January. Our aim to keep a unit also in stock to reduce delivery times. The model shown at Vertikal Days needed some additional compliance work which has been completed in conjunction with the factory in Australia.”

Liverpool based Roadcraft Crane & Plant purchased the first unit, it already has an older 14 tonner in its fleet. The crane has been painted by the team at Crowland in the Roadcraft livery and handover is scheduled before the end of the year.

Franna articulated cranes are everywhere in Australia. Estimates put the current numbers at around 5,600 cranes with annual sales of 200 to 250 units. Those in the UK are generally used as assist cranes, standing tower sections up, industrial movements etc.

day booK soFtWare

The most recent addition to Crowland’s product offering is the CraneLogix Day Book - a new software programme designed specifically for the crane rental industry. It provides a simple, digital replacement for manual ‘hire book’ entries enabling crane rental bookings, driver tickets, operator allocation and fleet maintenance schedules to be handled within one simple programme.

“It was our initial idea, some 10 years ago, due only to the fact that we wanted to move our crane rental bookings from a manual diary, or Excel spreadsheet entry, to something more portable and reliable, also a product that would evolve, as our business evolves. The new Day Book has proven to do that and continues to evolve as customer input and suggestions are received from the growing customer base. This is a truly organic growth business, which only works on the back of what we are doing at Crowland.”

“The project started with a close friend who is a programme developer and an IT specialist that we already use,” says Issitt. “My daughter Charlotte - an accountant - makes up the CraneLogix team, and since launching it the take up has been amazing. It is obtained on an annual subscription basis, with one fixed payment a year, and is supported 24/7 by humans who can talk through any problems and sort them. We are aiming to secure 20 users by close of 2025 and we are very close to reaching this target, making it a nice little business. It is also interesting to see that other rental companies have had the same problem as us. Since showing it at Vertikal Days, several other software providers now have or are going to attempt to launch a similar ‘Day Book’ concept - so we must be onto something… but in my opinion, you have to be in the crane rental game to fully understand what is needed.”

As Crowland continues to develop, it will be interesting to see what the next new product or service will be - there can’t be much left…■

MOD cranes waiting for refurbishment

Franna in for compliance work

CraneLogix Day Book

A Terex AT during refurbishment

gis 2025

The Italian heavy haulage, access and lifting equipment exhibition

GIS held its 10th event in Piacenza this September. Several days of thunderstorms caused flooding and electrical problems on the showground, but the skies cleared just in time for the opening on September 25th.

GIS attracts a diverse range of manufacturers showcasing new products such as Zonzini’s 400kg Domino electric tracked stair climber, Axolift’s new 10ft P300T micro scissor, Manitou’s new 40m/7,000kg MRT4070 360 degree telehandler and Fassi’s 32 tonne F705HXP loader crane, as well as products such as Spierings' SK597-AT4 eLift - sold to Pizzolato Trasporti & Sollevamenti - and Barin's BBC 1400-750 TP underbridge inspection platform. One eye catcher was Safi's 15 metre ST15 tractor mounted platform with 8.8 metres of outreach and a maximum platform capacity of 240kg.

As usual, new product launches were plentiful and included Locatelli’s 50 tonne Gril 57.50 Rough Terrain crane and Imer’s 15 metre IMR DA Pro and 30 metre IMR 30 DT spider lifts. But perhaps the most surprising was a new range of truck mounted lifts from Indian manufacturer GeminiLevo in Europe - with working heights of 11, 14 and 24 metres. Gemini managing director Rajiv Sethi said: “The name Levo has both Sanskrit and Latin roots and means levitate, anything that goes high. We are here to find dealers and installers to mount our lifts on local chassis. The Indian powered access market is still dominated by small truck mounts, although they can also be van mounted, there is only a small modification we would need to make.”

Almac unveiled its ‘BA line’ of spider lifts, which includes four models with working heights of 15, 18, 21, and 24 metres made by its newly acquired Easy Lift business. More interesting were two all new self-propelled articulated boom lifts - the 43ft

AlmacTech AJ15 and 50ft AJ17.

Noblelift displayed a lithium battery version of its 20ft SC083C slab electric scissor lift alongside the six metre/2.5 tonne FTH25N telehandler. Magni launched its 51 metre/8,000kg RTH 8.51, which replaces its six tonne RTH 6.5. The company said: “Our engineers were able to maintain the same dimensions and weight as the RTH 6.51 but increase its capacity by more than 2,000kg.”

Platform Basket showed its new 30 metre, 30.14 spider lift and new tracked carriers - the CR15, CR30 and CR30-H - with capacities from 1,500 to 3,000kg.

BG Lift launched the 40 tonne Cocco 50 tracked transporter, with engineer Roberto Marinoni claiming to have found a more innovative solution to what the market currently offers.

There was also an abundance of new pick & carry cranes, including Ormig’s compact 75 tonne 75iEh, with the company focusing on designing cranes with the most compact dimensions for any given capacity.

JMG unveiled a 95 tonne MC95000RE, while Galizia launched the 13 tonne GF-130 and 72 tonne GF720. Meanwhile, Valla - now part of Tadano - unveiled its 35 tonne V320RC with chief executive Paolo Balugani saying: “With this kind of crane, you reach machinery movers, industrial movers and heavy transport sectors." Read more about Pick & Carry cranes on page 17.

The GIS access and crane awards drew a good few people, with each shortlisted company showing a short video before the winners were announced. Show organiser Fabio Potestà

presented the awards with IPAF's Romina Vanzi taking the Lady Award, while Almac won the Self-propelled scissor lift over 6m with its Bibi 1490 Evo.

Electroelsa’s remote control system - available from any mobile device - scooped the Digital Innovation award, and Multitel’s new 71 metre MJE 710 was voted Best truck mounted platform over 20m.

Potestà said: “Our 10th GIS has exceeded our expectations, especially in the quality of innovation on the show floor and in the conference halls. The dominant themes were clear: the industry is moving decisively towards a more sustainable, intelligent, and safer future.”

Imer IMR 30DT

Omar's 20 tonne S20 pick & carry crane

A clear sky on the opening day at GIS

Gemini managing director Rajiv Sethi

Magni RTH 8.51

Elma CR series crawler carriers Safi’s ST15

Locatelli’s Gril 57.50

The crane awards

BGLift Cocco50

Almac B2490

Valla V320RC

Carl Cooper (L) & Paulo Balugani of Valla

Levo truck mount

Noblelift SC083C

The JMG MC95000RE

Noblelift FTH25N

GSR B240PX

Ormig 75iEh

Platform Basket's 30.14

Kegiom 110 NPC

c onstruction simulator

UK crane and heavy equipment rental association, the CPA, has purchased a simulator that can realistically simulate the operation of telehandlers, tower cranes, excavators and dumpers, with realistic controls and three dimensional motion. The unit will predominately be used at schools, colleges and career events in order to generate interest in the equipment rental industry.

The unit features three LED screens providing real time simulation and can be used with a virtual reality (VR) headset providing a 360 degree view.

CPA chief executive Steve Mulholland said: "Our industry offers well paid jobs and careers, and it's important that we highlight the opportunities to young people before they leave school or college.”

Steve Mulholland (L) with Brian Jones

n iftylift apprentices win automation challenge

Niftylift's apprentice team has won this year’s IMechE Apprentice Automation Challenge, the company's second consecutive victory in the competition.

The finals, held at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry, were contested by 17 teams, which were challenged to design an automated product for home or garden use. Niftylift's team presented the ‘Automated Stirrer’, a kitchen utensil providing hands free stirring with adjustable speed settings.

The team included Paigan Huish, George Mott, Haydn Nixon, Ben Gillow and Ewan Bell. Huish and Gillow were members of Niftylift's 2024 winning team.

Niftylift’s apprentice development manager Karl Digby said: "The team should be really proud. They have been excellent ambassadors for the company and the apprenticeship scheme.”

tadano adds more trainees

Tadano has taken on 39 new trainees across its two facilities in Germany, 23 at Zweibrücken and 16 at Lauf.

The trainees at the Lauf facility will focus on warehouse logistics, paint and production mechanics, while those at Zweibrücken will work on construction and industrial machinery mechanics, with both locations offering training in administration.

Tadano Europe’s vice president of human resources Jürgen Lachmann said: "Our facilities in Zweibrücken and Lauf are of critical importance to the group, which is why we are focusing so much on the requirements of the future.”

£87k for ladder fall

UK horticultural company Ball Colegrave has been fined £80,000 plus £7,061 in costs after an employee suffered serious injuries after falling from a ladder while checking an irrigation system at its Banbury site. The employee suffered five broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung.

HSE inspector Rebecca Gibson said: “This incident highlights the duty on employers to ensure that should do all they can to minimise the risk of working at height.“

€650k for lack of training

Irish Packaging Recycling Unlimited Company was fined €650,000 following a fatal incident in 2021, in which a forklift operator died after his machine overturned.

The company pleaded guilty to failing to manage work activities to ensure the safety, health and welfare of an employee and the failure to prepare a report following the examination of equipment by a competent person.

The Irish Health and Safety Authority (HSA) also found that the operator was insufficiently trained and that “there was no supervision in place at the time of the incident, and the deceased was not wearing the seatbelt provided on the forklift truck.”

HSA chief executive Mark Cullen said: “This tragic incident highlights the critical importance of appropriate training, supervision, and the use of safety equipment when operating machinery.”

who trained them then?

Spotted in Union Street, Aberdeen, Scotland earlier this year… two truck mounted platforms working on what appears to be an overhead display or lighting with no attempt to cordon off from traffic or pedestrians. There was a person on the ground in a Hi-Viz coat, who we assume was responsible for keeping an eye out for people and traffic. However, when our correspondent took out his phone to take a photo he became angry, threatening and abusive. In his words: “Two platforms set up on either side of the street with no cordon, or warning for traffic, and then this guy started threatening me!”

CPA Simulator

Trainees at the Zweibrücken facility

Automated stirrer

(L-R) Ewan Bell, Ben Gillow, Paigan Huish, George Mott and Haydn Nixon

memBership meetings review

ALLMI held its annual membership meetings at the Silverstone F1 Circuit in Northamptonshire this year. The meetings attracted a good turnout with all corners of the lorry loader industry well represented.

ALLMI chief executive Tom Wakefield said: “This was yet another outstanding membership gathering for the association. Delegates were updated on a wide range of important issues and projects, and received a fascinating and in-depth presentation from Artificial Intelligence expert, Matthew Blakemore, who explained the development of AI strategies for business.”

“We would like to thank all those who attended, it’s always good to spend time with so many like minded peers who want to keep up to date with the latest industry activity and stay at the forefront of loader crane safety and good practice.”

Contact ALLMI for membership information.

Board p resentations

ALLMI chairman Alastair Evans presented gifts to ALLMI board members Richard Short, formerly of Penny Engineering, and Steve Frazer-Brown, formerly of David Watson Transport. Short will be stepping down from the board in January after 12 years as a director of the association. At the same time, Frazer-Brown will be relinquishing his role as Operators’ Forum chairman, having served in the position for 20 years and being the only chairman ever of the ALLMI fleet owner division.

Evans said: “It was a pleasure to give a very well deserved and public thank you to both Richard and Steve. We are extremely grateful for their many years of service to ALLMI and the lorry loader industry, and we wish them both a very happy retirement.”

r ecord l evels & 2026 o utlook

ALLMI’s meetings included reports on the growing demand for its Slinger/Signaller, Crane Supervisor and Appointed Person courses, which hit record levels in the last financial year. Tom Wakefield also presented details on the association’s performance, which show that it is heading for its best year ever with new member recruitment.

Members were also informed of numerous projects to look out for in 2026, including the launch of an ALLMI Benevolent Fund, the development of hydraulics training tailored for the lorry loader industry, and a new online course aimed at job site gatehouse staff.

s im s uite

w inners

As part of ALLMI’s event, attendees had free entry to the Silverstone museum, as well as the ‘Scalextric Room’, which features a recreation of Silverstone’s Formula 1 Circuit. Access was also provided to the ‘Sim Suite’, Silverstone’s racing simulator arena.

A competition was organised for the fastest Sim Suite track time. The winner of the morning session was Max Noble of D & G Noble, while the afternoon session was won by Liam Young of Palfinger UK.

For details of ALLMI standards, guidance documents and training, visit: www.allmi.com

Tom Wakefield reporting the Highlights of the Year

Leigh Sparrow

Matthew Blakemore on AI

Alastair Evans presents a gift to Richard Short

Alastair Evans

Keith Silvester

Sim suite

Steve FrazerBrown

Max Noble received his Sim Suite Trophy

Scalextric Room

n ew guidance for using cranes and aerials near railways

A significant technical achievement reached this year was the publication of the updated Requirements for Lifting Equipment Adjacent to Railways Controlled by Network Rail. The document was produced through collaboration between the CPA’s Crane Interest Group, Tower Crane Interest Group and Network Rail.

Previously, the guidance was split between two CPA publications: CPA1402 for mobile cranes and CPA1801 for tower cranes. Both have now been superseded and combined into a single document covering all crane types operating near live rail environments.

The guidance aligns with Network Rail's CIV0063 (Issue 2) covering piling, drilling, crane, aerial work platforms and SPMT operations adjacent to the railway, with both documents using the same technical baseline.

The document introduces a hierarchy of control for risk assessment, addressing oversailing, collapse radius, working range limitation and notification processes. It covers planning liaison and communication between site teams and Network Rail representatives.

The CIG/TCIG 2503 is free to download from the CPA website.

f

irst cpa awards dinner

The UK rental industry came together last month at St George’s Hall in Liverpool for the CPA’s first awards dinner. Almost 300 people attended the evening event, with Peter Haddock serving as master of ceremonies, while former football player and manager John Barnes delivered the keynote speech and comedian Bobby Davro provided a comedy set. The beatbox band Duke provided the live music for the evening.

CPA chief executive Steve Mulholland said: “At the CPA, we really are aiming to pull the industry together and nights like this, along with the many other events we have planned - both professional, social and a mix of the two - will, we hope, help build on this, after all, it's what we are all about. Ultimately, the CPA is here to provide a united voice supporting the sector, so anything we can do to ensure that the voice of CPA and our members is heard is good for the industry.”

The special recognition awards for lifetime of achievement in the industry were presented to tower crane rental pioneer Trevor Jepson of City Lifting, rental pioneer and mentor Trevor Gamble of the Gamble group, solar and sustainable power pioneer Josh Llewellyn of the Gaia group and last but not least, Peter Brown of the CPA

Speaking of the awards, Mulholland said: “Trevor Jepson has a quiet passion and phenomenal knowledge of every facet of his business, not least of all his ability to keep up with the most modern technologies available in the crane sector. And in my lifetime, Josh Llewellyn has been one of the original thinkers, continuing to be so. Starting up businesses with new ideas, equipment and services - with no sign of slowing down.”

“Peter Brown and Trevor Gamble played a critical role in establishing the Construction Training Accreditation (CTA) scheme in the 1990s, which later became the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS). Peter and Trevor ensured practical change for the betterment of operators from within, rather than being mandated to by others. The amount of time and knowledge given selflessly by Peter, Trevor and others made it the benchmark for others to follow.”

world c rane & t ransport s ummit

CPA was a supporting association for the World Crane & Transport Summit, held earlier this month in Dublin. CPA technical publications and careers manager Katie Kelleher represented the association on the international panel discussing: ‘The People Problem: Finding and Keeping a Skilled Workforce,’ exploring how the global lifting industry can attract, develop and retain talent for the future.

Speakers included Wim Sarens of Sarens, Doug Williams of Buckner Heavy Lift Cranes, Dean Barley of Tadano and representatives from Liebherr, Collett & Sons and Fagioli. The event included technical sessions and workforce roundtables.

Gala dinner

L-R Josh Llewellyn, Trevor Jepson, Bobby Davro, Peter Brown, Trevor Gamble and Steve Mulholland

SEPTEMBER 9TH - 10TH 2026

NEWARK SHOWGROUND

WE ARE PROUD SPONSORS OF VERTIKAL DAYS 2026 - VISIT US AT STAND MP40!

tackling fraud in the lifting industry

IPAF has been working with industry partners to create guidance and checklists on ways to identify, prevent and report fraud within the lifting industry.

The CPA, HAE and IPAF have worked with the National Construction and Agricultural Theft Team police unit through the Combined Industries Theft Solutions to create checklists helping companies tackle fraud by organised crime gangs.

The checklists aim to help rental company staff, especially those on the hire desk and delivery drivers, recognise and respond to fraud risks. Key measures include taking photographic evidence when handing over assets and challenging suspicious rental or delivery requests.

NCATT and the police need decent record keeping - serial numbers rather than fleet numbers and other key identifiers. Poor records delay identification, allowing criminals to reclaim stolen equipment.

IPAF asks that companies incorporate the checklists, business toolbox’s and other training schemes and procedures to improve and share asset identifiers. Check the IPAF website for more information.

f estive season risks

As Christmas and the festive season approach, towns, cities and shopping centres prepare to install seasonal lighting in public places. These tasks typically involve the use of aerial work platforms in busy pedestrian zones, near roads and traffic, or next to overhead cables and other hazards.

Seasonal lighting installations are also usually located in areas with high footfall, such as shopping streets, pedestrian zones and town squares. In addition, the time allotted for the work is all too often limited for various practical reasons and thus involves night work, which present additional risks which need careful management.

Key risks to watch for IPAF guidance, which can be found in the publication ‘Safe Use of MEWPs in Public Areas’, highlights the following hazards:

• Electrocution/overhead power lines: Platforms working near live cables risk contact, arcing or electrocution.

• Vehicle or pedestrian collision: Platforms placed in or adjacent to roads or footways are vulnerable to being struck by passing vehicles, or they can pose risks to pedestrians.

• Falling objects: Tools, lighting fixtures, or decorations dropped from height may strike people below.

• Falls from height and overturns: Insufficient fall protection or unstable ground, such as working over voids and culverts, can lead to overturning incidents.

• Entrapment/overhead obstacles: Working in areas with tree branches, street signs or building projections present a risk of entrapment.

• Traffic and pedestrian management: The platform may obstruct or block footpaths, putting pedestrians at risk. Working at night or in low-light conditions increases the risks.

Brian Parker of IPAF said: “At this time of year, there is often pressure placed on platform operators to try to save time and money by omitting a site assessment or disregarding safe use practices. IPAF is keen to remind users of powered access that they should ensure all operators and associated staff are trained, supervised and act in accordance with industry recognised safe practices, particularly when working alongside roads and in public places.”

g uidance on recovery & rescue

Aerial work platforms are fitted with both platform and ground controls as well as emergency lowering systems in order to comply with international and regional safety standards. Employers and platform users must develop a documented recovery and rescue plan specific to the task, machine and the job site. The plan should outline procedures for recovering and rescuing personnel from the platform or from when they are suspended by a lanyard after being ejected from the platform.

Platform users can be stranded or require rescue due to operator error, equipment malfunction, entrapment, entanglement, ejection, breakdown or medical emergency.

IPAF’s guidance document, ‘The Principles of MEWP Recovery and Rescue’ provides guidance on planning and undertaking recovery and rescue from aerial work platforms, including the platform to platform method using another machine. You can download the guidance free of charge from the IPAF website.

ipaf

levation uk

IPAF will host its annual Elevation UK event on July 1st at the Hilton at St George’s Park, west of Burton Upon Trent in the English Midlands.

The afternoon will start with a conference featuring updates from IPAF followed by a networking evening with a barbecue, entertainment and drinks.

You can book a spot at: https://web.ipaf.org/cn/ay7rl/ELEVATION

l ie B herr lr 1400 sX

The Liebherr LR 1400 SX is a 400 tonne crawler crane, the model of the crane was presented at this year’s Bauma. Made by WSI Models, it is 1:50 scale and comes in high quality packaging with an extensive build manual. Tools are supplied to assemble and operate the model.

The track frames are very detailed and can be detached from the carbody for display as transport loads. The tracks can also be retracted to reduce the crane’s overall operating width. Self-assembly jacks can be used to support the crane for offloading and set up, and ground bearing pressure reduction plates can be installed or left off, and the jacks can be operated.

Detailing of the cab and crane is to a very high standard. There are many tiny graphics, and the winches include motors and hydraulic hoses. Metal handrails and excellent mesh walkways are used throughout. The operator's cab can also be tilted to a good angle.

The counterweight installation cylinders and chains are modelled well, and the lift mechanism works and can be posed. Counterweight lashing can be fitted, although in practice it is extremely fiddly to fit, very fragile and easily dislodged.

The A-frame has a self-erection cylinder, and all the sheaves on the model are white plastic. The

lattice boom and jib sections are metal and of a high quality, with very nice mesh walkways. They are connected using tiny brass nuts and bolts, which are effective.

All winches are operated by a key. They have positive brakes which are released by pushing in against a spring. The two hook blocks are very good metal parts with rotating hooks and working safety latches and also included are a set of lifting chains.

The model is flexible, and a number of different configurations are possible. Out of the box, the boom butt section is already attached and it can be removed to make good transport loads, but it is not easy to remove the connecting pins. Overall, this is a highly detailed and authentic model of the LR 1400 SX. It is very well made and of a high quality, with a very high metal content. It is large and impressive and offers display flexibility. It costs €754 +VAT from the Liebherr Store: https://www.liebherr.com/liebherrshop.

Good transport load

During selfassembly

Ground pressure reduction plate

Lifting a bridge beam on the main boom

Full configuration

readers letters

The following letter refers to a photograph in the September issue of the magazine that shows a loader crane recovering a truck. It is set up on the edge of what looks like a mountain road with the smallest of outrigger mats. The letter is also poignant in that in that it refers to Bill Green and Hans Aarse, both of whom passed away this year. Having said that Mr Pole makes a good point. page 20 oF cranes & access september - vol 27 IssUe 5

Dear Sir,

Many many years ago - in the 1990s - Mr Bill Green and Janine Japes de Cock explained to me about additional support under standard outrigger ‘feet’.

We had, up until then, used 8 foot and 12 foot wooden railway sleepers. I had seen, and used lightweight plastic squares in Holland, with Hans Aarse. 8 foot and 12 foot sleepers on a five leg crane can be quite heavy to carry. These two persons stated that British crane drivers did not need lightweight pads (Not in those words).

So now, in 2025, and that road in the picture enclosed looks strong enough not to need additional mats????

Life goes on

Thank you

Yours sincerely Fred Pole.

red Is the neW green

October issue

I found the article on page 60 of your October issue was a very thought provoking and interesting item. It certainly makes sense and made me sit up and think, but I do think anyone thinking of doing the same needs to be aware of what type of work the crane has been used for, and more critically where it has spent most of its working life. If it has worked for 12 years on a dockside on constant cycle work it is likely to be shot through with corrosion.

And don’t forget that contractors in the UK began to get nervous about tower crane age following the accident in Battersea, London, in 2004 or 2005, when an ancient tower crane collapsed and killed a man in the street. If I am not mistaken, the crane was a 30 year old BPR and was in a dreadful state. I imagine structural testing has come a long way since then, and I definitely think that companies are more aware and professional these days. Hats off to Wolff though, this looks like a good initiative and, as I said, an interesting read.

Yours Sincerely

William Jenkins

nIce job mIKe!!

I read the letter from Mike Applin Jr of Lifting Crane & Rigging in Cranes & Access magazine that arrived this morning about the damage that the current tariff regime is inflicting on the US crane rental industry, as well as crane manufacturers in the USA!! I totally and utterly agree with every point he makes in his really good and well thought through letter. I just hope above all that the letter reached its intended recipient, and that he read it and took the message on board.

Sadly, I doubt that even if it did reach him, my other two wishes will not come true.

I thought that we were all about making America Great again, but I cannot see how this helps achieve this. In fact, I think it does the opposite. Please do not print my name, given these uncertain times, you have to be careful.

brIeF, to the poInt and oddly amUsIng

While the following correspondence is a classic piece of spam - it did cause a chuckle in the office.

Hi Boss,

Hope this email finds you well.

We are producing the scaffolding net and fall arrest net to your market now. Do you need it?

Best regards Andy Fan Sales Manager SUGRAND GLOBAL

What happened In battersea

We checked to details of the Battersea issue that Mr Jenkins referred to… It occurred in September 2006, with the crane operator Jonathan Cloke, 37, and Michael Alexa, 23, who was simply washing his car in the street alongside the job site, losing their lives, while a third man was injured. The crane was a 28 year old BPR hammerhead. The wrong manual was supplied with the crane and, following the manual, the installation crew installed the 12.2 tonne counterweight for the short back mast while rigging it with the long back mast that only required an eight tonne counterweight. As a result, slew ring bolts began to shear and were simply replaced when spotted until the slew ring parted company with the tower. A tragic incident from which many companies learnt lessons.

Wolffkran's stand with the refurbished 100B at Vertikal Days

UK top 30 crane company rental sUrvey

Good morning,

I recently submitted details for the above category, fleet investment should be £2.5 million following some recent purchases.

30 TOP

I have also attached some pictures of our fleet that you could possibly feature, should we make the top 30 next year.

Kind Regards,

David Dougall

Horizon Reinforcing & Crane Hire Co Ltd

trIbUtes to the late bIll green

Last month, we published an obituary/tribute to industry veteran Bill Green, who passed away in October. After publication we received a good number of messages. Here are a few of them.

“This is very sad news indeed and I wanted to add my condolences to all of Bill's family and friends. Bill was a great help and inspiration to me when initially taking on a sales role at Grove for the Manlift range of access platforms and was even more of a support when I worked with him closely when Grove UK was set up in Bicester.

He was just a great person to have around you, always a smile and a genuine desire to help you if he could. I regret that we haven't seen each other in recent years, but hearing this news hit me hard and reminded me how big an impact he had on my early career, and I will always be very thankful to him for that.”

RIP Bill

Steve B

“Sad news. Bill was a real character and friend. I have great memories from the 1980's and 90's.”

RIP Bill!

Greg Davis

“It was very sad to hear this news. I had many a trip with Bill to the USA, Germany and around the UK... he was a delight to be with and was always helping me to grow as a crane man. Condolences to his family. RIP Bill.” J from Grove

“Bill was a real ally when I joined Grove and first entered the lifting equipment industry in the 1980s - patient and inspirational. We worked hard but enjoyed it and had a lot of fun along the way that decade, and some great memories. Always professional, personable and hugely knowledgeable, Bill will be greatly missed by all - colleagues and customers alike - who had the pleasure and privilege of working with him.”

RIP Bill

Paul Richards

“What a guy! A great supporter when I was a young Editor at Cranes Today and again when Vertikal Press launched. Always ready to give friendly advice, not afraid to speak the uncomfortable truth while remaining polite and charming. Thanks for your support Bill.” RIP.

TW

“Sad news indeed as another great name from the crane world leaves us. I have fond memories of my years dealing with Bill, and our trips to Germany, Portugal, Spain, Holland and Gleneagles, to name but a few. My condolences to Pam and family.”

PLB

“It was very sad to hear this news.

Bill was a lovely man and a character, and the industry is infinitely the poorer for his passing.

Rest In Peace Bill.”

Jim Longstaff

“Another legend leaves us. I have very fond memories of Bill and of the time we both worked at Grove Europe. He always had a smile on his face and was willing to help us younger sales guys navigate the market as it developed, and we gained experience and knowledge.

Condolences to Pam and the family RIP Bill.”

Ian James

Bill Green

thank you for your support

We would like to thank our readers, sponsors and contributors for the fantastic support that you have given us throughout this year, all of which helps to make our publications, events and other activities a success.

We wish you all a very safe and happy holiday season and a healthy and prosperous year in 2024.

From all o F us at

in the ne X t issue of

Place your products in front of more than 31,000 crane, telehandler and aerial work platform buyers & users who will read the December/January issue of cranes & access…

t ruck mounted and aluminium cranes

What had become a niche market in Europe, is seeing renewed interest in truck mounted cranes, mostly on commercial chassis, whilst the adoption of ‘aluminium’ truck cranes continues to expand.

m ast type lifts and mast booms

We examine the use of mast type lifts, which bridge the gap between low level work platforms and small slab scissor lifts, alongside the latest mast boom developments and new entrants to what was once a niche market.

r ental rate guide

After another tough year for many rental companies, the annual C&A UK & Ireland survey gives an indication of the latest crane, access and telehandler rental rate trends as well as gauging the mood of the sector by looking back at 2025 and predictions for 2026.

c onexpo preview

We highlight key developments, product launches and things to look forward to during the major North American show Conexpo in Las Vegas in March 2026.

r igging equipment

We take a look at the market for rigging equipment and services, including the latest products and developments.

l ook back at 2025

We review the lifting industry and world events from another eventful year…

every issue of c&a is also packed with our regular columns and news plus reader’s letters, books, models, training, along with the latest news from cpa, allmI, and IpaF

Ask us about our Special Advertising Packages advertising@vertikal.net or call us on UK +44(0)8448 155900 or mobile +44(0)7989 970862

2026

Swissbau

January 20 - 23, 2026

Swiss construction exhibition

Basel, Switzerland

Tel: +41 58 200 20 20 www.swissbau.ch

IPAF Elevando Espana

February 5, 2026

Madrid, Spain

Tel:+44 (0)15395 66700

www.ipaf.org/elevando-espana events@ipaf.org

Executive Hire Show

February 11-12, 2026 Coventry

UK general rental equipment

Tel: +44 (0)207 973 4630 www.executivehireshow.co.uk

The ARA Show 2026

March 02-05, 2026

The American Rental Association’s annual trade show and convention Orlando, Florida

Tel: +1800 334 2177

http://www.arashow.org/ Conexpo-Con/Agg 2026

March 3 - 7, 2026 The leading US construction show Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Tel: +1 414-298-4133

www.conexpoconagg.com

IPAF Summit 2026

April 21-22 2026

IPAF AGM, meetings and seminar , with networking opportunity and awards dinner. Istanbul, Turkey

Tel: +44 (0)15395 66703

Website: https://iapa-summit.info/

E-Mail: courtney.kellett@ipaf.org

Scotplant

April 24/25th 2026 Edinburgh, Scotland

Scotland’s largest construction equipment exhibition www.scotplant.com

Email: organisers@ peeblesmedia.com

Samoter

May 6 - 9, 2026

International earthmoving and building equipment show Verona, Italy

Tel: +39 045 8298111

www.samoter.it/it

IPAF Anch’io

May 22, 2026

Brescia, Italy

Tel:+44 (0)15395 66700 www.ipaf.org/anchioevents@ipaf.org

Hire26

May 27 - 28, 2026

IPAF DeutschlandElevationund Österreich

March 4-5, 2026

Hamburg, Deutschland

Tel:+44 (0)15395 66700 www.ipaf.org/elevation-germany events@ipaf.org

Buildtech Asia 2026

March 26-28, 2026

Large regional trade event for construction industry. Singapore, Singapore

Tel: +65 6319 4020 www.buildtechasia.com/sg

Smopyc 2026

April 15-18, 2026

Spanish construction equipment exhibition Zaragoza, Spain

Tel: +34 976 764 700 www.feriazaragoza.es/smopyc

Hanover Messe 2026

April 20- April 24, 2026

World’s largest industrial exhibition Hanover, Germany

Tel: +49 511 89-1 www.hannovermesse.de

SC&RA Annual Conference

The Hire and Rental association of Australia and Elevating Work Platform Association annual convention & expo Sydney, Australia

Tel: +61 (0) 299982255 www.hriaconvention.com.au hire25@hria.com.au

Crane Rental Association of Canada Annual Conference

June 02-04, 2026

The annual Canadian crane conference Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Tel: +1780.790.2722

www.crac-aclg.ca/en/

Apex 2026

June 02-04, 2026

International powered access trade show Maastricht, The Netherlands

Tel: +31 (0)547 271 566

Fax: +31 (0)547 261 238

Website: https://apexshow.com/

E-Mail: marleen@ipi-bv.nl

ERA Convention 2026

June 2 - 4 2026, Maastricht

Tel: + 32 2 761 16 04 www.erarental.org era@erarental.org

IPAF Elevation

July 1, 2026

Burton-on-Trent, UK

Vertikal Days 2026

September 9 - 10, 2026 Newark showground, Nottingham, UK UK/Ireland Crane, access and telehandler event. Tel: +44 (0) 8448 155900 www.vertikaldays.net

IAA Transportation

September 15 - 20, 2026

The logistics, commercial vehicles, and the transport show Hanover, Germany

Tel: +49 30 897842-202 www.iaa-transportation.com/en stephanie.glaesser@vda.de

JDL Expo

September 16 - 18, 2026 France’s crane and access event Beaune

Tel: +33 (0)1 45 63 68 22 www.jdlexpo.com/ info@jdlexpo.com

Platform Gunleri 26 September 17 - 19, 2026

Annual exhibition of Platformder - the Turkish aerial work platform association Istanbul, Turkey

Tel: +90 216 466 87 22 www.platformgunleri.org/ platformder@platformder.org.tr Internationale Schwerlasttage

Bauma China 2026

November 24 – 27th 2026

Tel:+49(0)89 9 4920251

www.bcindia.com 2027

Baumag

January 21 - 24, 2027 Swiss construction equipment show Lucerne, Switzerland

Tel: +41 56 204 20 20 www.baumaschinen-messe.ch

SC&RA Annual Conference

April 2027 Dates to be confirmed Annual Conference of the US cranes and heavy transport association including the Jobs of the Year awards, Arizona Biltmore Hotel, Phoenix, Arizona, USA Tel: Tel: +1(703) 698-0291

https://www.scranet.org/SCRA/Content/ events/Annual-Conference.aspx

Maxpo

September 2-4, 2027

Finland’s largest special exhibition for earthmoving and environmental maintenance machinery

Hyvinkää, Finland

Tel: 040 450 3250

www.maxpo.messukeskus.com/en/ customer.service@messukeskus.com

September 18 - 19, 2026

German conference on heavy lifting, transport, rigging, and installation Hohenrhoda, Germany

Tel: +49 (0) 6181 9060 705 www.schwerlasttage.de info@schwerlasttage.de Bauma Conexpo India

September 28 October 01, 2026

Exhibition in India Noida, Delhi, India

Tel: +49 89 949-20255 www.bcindia.com/en/

Platformer Days 2026

October 8 - 9, 2026

April 20 - 24, 2026 Annual Conference of the US cranes and heavy transport association including the Jobs of the Year awards

Omni Amelia Island, Amelia Island, Florida, USA

Tel: +1 (703) 698-0291 https://www.scranet.org/SCRA/Events/

Tel:+44 (0)15395 66700 www.ipaf.org/elevation events@ipaf.org

HCEA Convention and Old Equipment Exposition

August 28-30, 2026

The Historical Construction Equipment Association’s annual convention and expo Concordia, Kansas, USA Tel: +1 419-352-5616 https://hcea.net/

Matexpo 2027

September 8-12, 2027

Belgian construction equipment exhibition

Kortrijk, Belgium Tel: +32 56 98 07 60 www.matexpo.com/en/

GIS 2027

September 2027 dates to be confirmed Italian crane, access and heavy transport exhibition Piacenza, Italy

Tel: +39 010/5704948 www.gisexpo.it

The Utility Expo

October 5 - 7, 2027

German Access and lifting exhibition Karlsruhe, Germany

Tel: +49 721 3720 5096 www.platformers-days.de/ philipp.doll@messe-karlsruhe.de Glasstec 2026

October 20 - 23, 2026

The largest event for glass lifting and installation Düsseldorf, Germany

Tel: +49 211 456001 www.glasstec-online.com/ online-support@glasstec-online.com CICA National Conference 2026

Brisbane October 28 - 30, 2026

The US utility industry’s largest equipment show Louisville, Kentucky, USA Tel: +1 414-274-0644

www.theutilityexpo.com

M&T Expo

November 16-19, 2027

Brazil’s construction and mining equipment exhibition

São Paulo Expo, Brazil Tel: +49 89 949 20252 Website: www.mtexpo.com.br/en 2028

Bauma 2028

April 03 - 09, 2028

The annual conference of the Crane Industry Council of Australia Brisbane, Australia Tel: +61 03 8320 0411 www.conference.cica.com.au/ wise@wiseconnections.com.au

Crane Safety 2026

November dates to be confirmed Crane safety conference organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Manchester, UK

Tel: +44 (0)207 973 1251 www.eventsportal.imeche.org eventenquiries@imeche.org

World’s largest construction equipment show Munich, Germany Tel: +49 (0)89 51070 www.bauma.de

Visit : www.Vertikal.net/en/events for a full listing of events with direct links to the organisers.

Marketplace

Place your products or services in front of more than 28,700 individuals who buy, specify or use cranes, lifting gear, aerial work platforms, work at height equipment or telehandlers across 195 countries.

Given the global readership you may be surprised at how little a regular advert costs and how effective it can be. www.vertikal.net/en/cranes-and-access/advertise advertising@vertikal.net or info@vertikal.ne

The Vertikal Press Ltd. PO Box 6998, Brackley, NN13 5WY UK.

Tel: +44 (0)8448 155900 E: advertising@vertikal.net

Vertikal Verlag Sundgauallee 15, Freiburg Germany, D-79114

Tel: +49 (0)761 8978660 E: info@vertikal.net

Experienced Spider Lift and Forktruck Operator

Kuwait based

I am looking for a position as a Spider Lift or Forklift Operator. I have more than six years of experience in operating spider lifts and elevated work platforms. I have developed the skills, discipline, and safety awareness required to contribute effectively to construction and industrial projects.

During my time at Alghanim International General Trading & Contracting. I have operated a variety of lifting equipment, performed routine checks and maintenance, and ensured compliance with safety protocols on-site. My approach to work is focused, reliable, and team-oriented. I take pride in my ability to adapt quickly, follow instructions accurately, and maintain calm under pressure.

I am physically fit, committed to job site safety, and always eager to contribute to the success of my team. I am now seeking a new opportunity to grow professionally and to apply my skills in a more challenging and rewarding environment.

Rambabu Prasad (+91) 8128029268 Mahboula, (Kuwait) raambabu67890@gmail.com

Freelance Consultant At your service

I am a Freelance Consultant with more than 35 years Senior International Management experience in the Powered Access Industry, including rental, sales new and used and general management roles.

I am available for projects from rental companies, manufacturers, trade organisations and trade publishers.

I can offer the following:

• Strong Industry contacts globally

• Experienced global traveller

• Experience in negotiating large equipment purchase deals

• Dispute resolution

• Finding distributors in emerging markets

• Rental, sales and credit management

I am also an:

• Experienced presenter/speaker/event moderator

• Experienced Chairman, Executive and Non-Executive Director

I bring a strong and highly successful industry track record to your project and am available on a daily basis for short to medium term projects.

Then why not start right here in the Cranes&access recruitment section? With your support we can build a highly useful recruitment resource for the industry right within the Uk and ireland’s only dedicated publication. Call or email us today to find out about our great start up rates. jobs Wanted ads are free!

if responding to one of the ads please say you saw it in Cranes&access.

C&A Access & Lifting directory

reach over 28,000 readers for only £185/€210 a year with live link direct to your website. Check out the new enhanced entry option!

aCCess equipMent ManufaCturers

AIRO www.airo.com

Alimak www.alimak.com

Almac www.almac-italia.com

ATN www.atnplatforms.com

Böcker www.boecker.de

Bravi www.bravi-platforms.com

Bronto Skylift www.brontoskylift.com

CMC www.cmclift.com

CPL www.cpl-ltd.com

CTE www.ctelift.com

Denka-Lift www.rothlehner.com

Dino Lift www.dinolift.com

Dingli www.cndingli.com

Easylift www.easy-lift.it

Falcon Lifts www.falconlifts.com

GEDA www.geda.de

Genie www.genielift.com

GSR www.gsrspa.it

Haulotte www.haulotte.com

Hinowa www.hinowa.com

Imer Access www.imergroup.com

Iteco www.imergroup.com

JCB www.jcb.com

JLG www.jlg.com

Klaas www.klaas.com

Klubb www.klubb.com

Leguan Lifts www.leguanlifts.com

Manitou www.manitou.com

Matilsa www.matilsa.es/autopropulsadas.htm

Mecaplus www.mecaplus.es

Omme Lift www.ommelift.com

Palazzani Industrie www.palazzani.it

Palfinger Platforms www.palfinger-platforms.com

Platform Basket www.platformbasket.com

Ruthmann www.ruthmann.de

Sinoboom www.sinoboom.com

Saeclimber www.saeclimber.com

Skyjack www.skyjack.com

Snorkel www.snorkellifts.com

Socage www.socage.it

Teupen www.teupen.com

Versalift UK www.versalift.co.uk

XCMG European Sales and Services www.xcmgess.de

Zoomlion http://en.zoomlion.com

pLatforM rentaL

AA Access www.aaaccess.co.uk

Acrolift www.acrolift.co.uk

AFI- Uplift www.afi-uplift.co.uk

Dragon Access www.dragon-access.co.uk

Drammen Liftutleie www.drammenlift.no

Hird www.hird.co.uk

JMS Powered Access https://jms.co.uk

Kran Cranes www.kran.ro/inchiriere-macara-constanta

Rental Romania

Monitor Lifts - Oz www.monitor.net.au

Mr Plant Hire www.mrplanthire.co.uk

Platform Sales & Hire www.platformsales.co.uk

Power Platform Services www.pps.co.uk

Rapid Platforms www.rapidplatforms.co.uk

Viking Access www.vikingaccess.co.uk

Warren Access www.warrenaccess.co.uk

new & used pLatforMs

Access Platform Sales (APS) www.accessplatforms.co.uk

AFI Resale www.afi-resale.co.uk

A.J. Access Platforms www.accessplatforms.com

Gantic, Norway www.gantic.no

Genie www.genielift.com

GSR Aerial Platforms http://en.gsrspa.it

Haulotte www.haulotte.com

Hird www.hird.co.uk

Independent Access Sales www.iasales.co.uk

International Platforms www.internationalplatforms.co.uk

INTEQ UK and UAE www.inteq.uk

JLG www.jlg.com

JMS Powered Access https://jms.co.uk

Kunze www.kunze-buehnen.com

Mr Plant Hire www.mrplanthire.co.uk

Rothlehner www.rothlehner.com

Platform Sales www.platformsales.co.uk

Promax Access www.promaxaccess.com

Rapid Platforms www.rapidplatforms.co.uk

TVH www.tvh.com

Vertimac www.vertimac.com

Crane ManufaCturers

Böcker www.boecker.de

Ernest Doe & Sons www.ernestdoeloadercranes.com

Grove www.groveworldwide.com

Hoeflon www.hoeflonuk.co.uk

Jaso Tower Cranes https://jaso.com

Jekko Minicrane www.jekko.it

JMG www.jmgcranes.com

KATO www.rivertekservices.com

Klaas www.klaas.com

Kobelco www.kobelcocm-global.com

Liebherr www.Liebherr.com

Linden Comansa www.comansa.com

Link-Belt www.linkbelt.com

Maeda www.maedaminicranes.co.uk

Manitowoc www.manitowoccranes.com

Potain www.manitowoccranes.com

Raimondi www.raimondi.co

Spierings www.spieringskranen.nl

Tadano Faun www.tadano.com

Tadano Demag www.demagmobilecranes.com

Unic Cranes www.unic-cranes.co.uk

Valla www.valla-cranes.co.uk

Wolffkran www.wolffkran.com

XCMG European Sales and Services www.xcmgess.de Zoomlion www.zoomlioncranes.co.uk

Lorry/truCk Loader Cranes

Atlas Cranes UK www.atlasgmbh.com

DN Cranes www.dncrane.com/en

Ernest Doe www.ernestdoeloadercranes.com

Palfinger www.palfinger.com

Palfinger UK www.palfinger.co.uk

new & used Cranes

Cotac

www.crane.fi

Crowland Cranes www.crowlandcranes.co.uk

Delden Cranes www.deldencranes.co.uk

Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd. www.ernestdoeloadercranes.com

Gantic, Norway www.gantic.no

HighSparks www.highsparks.co.uk

Hird www.hird.co.uk

Kobelco www.kobelco-cranes.com

Rivertek Services www.rivertekservices.com

Terex www.terex-cranes.com

Valla https://valla-cranes.co.uk

Crane rentaL

BJW Crane Hire - UK www.bjwcranehire.co.uk

Cadman Cranes - UK www.cadmancranes.com

Cork Crane Hire - UK www.corkcranehire.com

Delden Cranes www.deldencranes.co.uk

HighSparks www.highsparks.co.uk

Hovago www.hovago.com

John Sutch Cranes www.johnsutchcranes.co.uk

Kran Cranes www.kran.ro/inchiriere-macara-constanta

Rental Romania

Ladybird Tower Crane Hire www.ladybirdcranehire.co.uk

Sangwin www.sangwin.co.uk

Schaften Leasing B.V. www.schaftenleasing.nl

Wolffkran www.wolffkran.com

spider/piCk & Carry Crane rentaL

GGR www.unic-cranes.co.uk

JT Mini Crane Hire www.jtminicranes.co.uk

Lift Limited www.liftminicranehire.co.uk

Hird www.hird.co.uk

seLf ereCting tower Cranes

Cork Crane Hire www.corkcranehire.com

John Sutch Cranes www.johnsutchcranes.co.uk

Ladybird Tower Crane Hire www.ladybirdcranehire.co.uk

tower Cranes

HighSparks www.highsparks.co.uk

furniture Hoists

Böcker www.boecker.de

teLeHandLer ManufaCturers

Dieci www.dieci-telehandlers.co.uk

Faresin www.faresindustries.com

Genie www.genielift.com

JLG www.jlg.com

Magni www.magnith.com

Manitou www.manitou.com

Skyjack www.skyjack.com

Snorkel www.snorkellifts.com

Merlo www.merlo.co.uk

new & used teLeHandLers

Dieci www.dieci.com

Gantic, Norway www.gantic.no

GT Lifting Solutions www.gtlift.co.uk

TVH Group www.tvh.com

Vertimac www.vertimac.com

teLeHandLer rentaL

GT Lifting Solutions www.gtliftingltd.co.uk

JMS Powered Access https://jms.co.uk

Mr Plant Hire www.mrplanthire.co.uk

sCaffoLd towers

CLM Construction Supplies www.clm-supplies.com

MastCLiMbers & Hoists

Alimak www.alimak.com

CLM Construction Supplies www.clm-supplies.com

GEDA www.geda.de

Klaas www.klaas.com

Saeclimber www.saeclimber.com

speCiaL/bespoke

aCCess & Lifting soLutions

Access Platform Sales (APS)www.accessplatforms.co.uk

GT Lifting Solutions www.gtliftingltd.co.uk

JMS Powered Access https://jms.co.uk

Platform Sales & Hire www.platformsales.co.uk

Warren Access www.warrenaccess.co.uk/hire

Working At Height www.workingatheightltd.com

speCiaL & niCHe aCCess

Acrolift www.acrolift.co.uk

DENKA Narrow www.rothlehner.com

JMS Powered Access https://jms.co.uk

Rapid Platforms www.rapidplatforms.co.uk

Smart Platform Rentals www.smartplatforms.co.uk

speCiaL Lift & transport equipMent

Collett A Sons, UK www.collett.co.uk

Heavy transport/abnorMaL Loads

Collett A Sons, UK www.collett.co.uk

seLf-propeLLed

ModuLar transporters

Collett & Sons, UK www.collett.co.uk

site safety audits

Alfa Access Services www.alfa-access-services.com

industry assoCiations

ALLMI www.allmi.com

CICA www.cica.com.au/

CISRS www.cisrs.org.uk

CPA www.cpa.uk.net

EWPA www.ewpa.com.au

IPAF www.ipaf.org

NASC www.nasc.org.uk

OSHA www.osha.gov

PASMA www.pasma.co.uk

Heavy Lift ManageMent

DWLS www.dwls.co.uk

Ellevo Group www.ellevogroup.com

Heavy Lift pLanning & risk anaLysis

DWLS www.dwls.com

Ellevo Group www.ellevogroup.com

auCtion Houses

Ritchie Brothers www.rbauction.com

battery suppLiers & ManufaCturers

C&D Technologies https://www.cdtrojan.com

Equip Global Supplies www.equipglobalsupplies.com

Leoch Battery UK www.leochbattery.co.uk

TAB Battery UK www.tabbatteryuk.com

Load CeLLs & Load Monitoring systeMs

PCE Instruments UK www.pce-instruments.com

ControL systeMs

MOBA Automation www.moba.de

generator saLes & rentaL

JMS Powered Access https://jms.co.uk

onLine teCHniCaL HeLp

Crane Tools www.cranetools.com

outrigger pads, Mats & roadways

Brilliant Ideas / https://brilliantideasltd.co.uk/alimats/ Alimats

Mat & Timber Services www.sarumhardwood.co.uk

Nolim www.nolim.co.uk

Outriggerpads www.outriggerpads.co.uk

Power-Pad www.crowlandcranes.co.uk

Timbermat www.timbermat.co.uk

Universal Crane Mats www.universal-crane-mats.com

Welex Group www.welexgroup.com

CoMponent suppLiers

PCE Instruments UK www.pce-instruments.com

Tele Radio www.tele-radio.com

wire rope & CabLe

Rope and Sling www.ropeandsling.co.uk

Lifting gear ManufaCturers

Britlift www.britlift.com

parts & serviCe suppLiers

Alfa Access Services www.alfa-access-services.com

Ernest Doe & Sons www.ernestdoeloadercranes.com

Gantic, Norway www.gantic.no

Haulotte www.haulotte.com

IPS www.ipspartsonline.com

JLG www.jlg.com

Lift-Manager www.lift-manager.com

OTR Wheel Engineering Europe www.otrwheel.co.uk

PCE Instruments UK www.pce-instruments.com

TVH www.tvh.be

Vertimac www.vertimac.com reCruitMent

Vertikal.Net www.vertikal.net/en/recruitment safety equipMent

Load Systems UK www.loadsystems.co.uk

rentaL ManageMent software

HireHop Equipment Rental Software www.hirehop.co.uk

HireHop Equipment Rental Software www.hirehop.com

Infosystem www.levaplus.ch inspHire www.insphire.com

Matusch www.matusch.de

MCS Rental Software www.mcsrentalsoftware.com vWork www.vworkapp.com struCturaL repairs

Crowland Cranes www.crowlandcranes.co.uk

John Taylor Crane Services www.jtcranes.co.uk traffiC ManageMent

Atlas Traffic Management www.atlastm.co.uk

teCHniCaL & safety ConsuLtanCy

Access Safety Management www.accesssafety.co.uk training assoCiations & networks

ALLMI www.allmi.com AWPT www.awpt.org

IPAF www.ipaf.org

NASC www.nasc.org.uk

Pasma www.pasma.co.uk

training Centres & trainers

Access Platform Sales (APS) www.accessplatforms.co.uk

Astra Access www.astratraining.co.uk

Ainscough www.ainscoughtraining.co.uk

AJ Access www.accessplatforms.com

Boss Training www.bosstraining.co.uk

Certora Training certoratraining.co.uk

Cornerbrook www.cornerbrooklifting.co.uk

Davis Access www.davisaccess.co.uk

Haulotte www.haulotte.com

IAPS www.iapsgroup.com

Lift-Manager www.lift-manager.com

Smart Platform Rentals www.smartplatforms.com

UTN www.utntraining.co.uk

Versalift Training Direct www.versalift.co.uk/training Warren www.warrenaccesstraining.co.uk/courses/ Access Training safety training

Atlas Cranes UK www.atlasgmbh.com training serviCes

JLG Training www.jlg.com

Liebherr Training (UK) www.liebherr.co.uk

Lifting Equipment Training www.letltd.co.uk

Mr Plant Hire www.mrplanthire.co.uk

Rapid Platforms www.rapidplatforms.co.uk

TH White www.thwhite.co.uk

TVH www.tvh.com

Cold weather can take a toll on battery performance. Don’t let winter catch you off guard, take these precautions to keep your batteries reliable all season long:

• Store equipment and batteries in a cool, dry place.

• Maintain a steady state of charge and minimise deep discharges.

• Keep battery terminals clean and dry.

• Check distilled water levels more frequently in flooded leadacid batteries.

• Charge with the right smart charger designed for your battery.

Still noticing reduced performance?

Don’t wait too long to stock up on spares. Explore our wide selection of high-quality batteries from trusted brands like US Battery, TAB, and Trojan.

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