loader cranesc&a

The world market is now guestimated at between 50-55,000units. In recent years Palfingerhas claimed market leadership, a claim that many smaller manufacturers acknowledge. The fast-growing Austrian company caught up and - if youbelieve its claims - passed thearticulated crane's originatorHiab two to three years ago.

Hiab seemingly lost its way underthe ownership by Kone after aseries of misguided strategieswhich included messing about withthe most established brand name in the industry.

However at the start of last year,Kone divested itself of Hiab alongwith Kalmar and McGregor, floatingthem into the new companyCargotec. Since then Hiab appearsto have rediscovered some of thespirit that made it into one of theworld's leading brand names. Oneby-product of the company's resurgence is that it is again claiming to be the market leader.With no reliable sales figureexchange we cannot be certainwhich one built more cranes lastyear (let alone this year). One thingis for certain, the two companiesare probably very close, eachproducing between 13,000 and

The articulated loader crane market is currentlygoing through a golden period which looks set forseveral years to come. With new markets developingin India, China and Eastern Europe together withstrong performances from the traditional Europeancountries, most manufacturers are posting stronggrowth, both in terms of revenues and unit sales.

14,500 cranes each.

One company that has no hesitationabout talking precise numbers isItalian market-leader Fassi. Thecompany undoubtedly holds thenumber three position in the globalmarket and is probably justified inits claim to be the fastest growing,at least among the top half dozenproducers. The company has itssights quite unashamedly onPalfinger and its heavy investmentin new models and technology overthe past three years has certainlykept Palfinger on its toes (see Fassiinterview Page 38). In most majormarkets, these three companies areusually fighting it out for top spot.

All three manufacturers have beenintroducing new technology at apace that makes even the very bestmanufacturers of the other liftingequipment we cover look positivelysluggish. This development appearsto be taking place right across thewhole size-range of lorry loadersalthough in general, the most popular models have increased insize over the past few years.

In the UK a general builder's loadercrane has almost doubled in sizefrom about eight to 15 tonnemetres and material suppliers thatwere using 30 tonne metres are nowtaking 40 or 50 tonne metre units.

Figures for total units sold in the UKlast year vary between 2,800 -3,400 units. Terex Atlas says that2007 has been an exceptional yearwith a record number of orders. Thecompany says it has several ‘exclusive’deals with leading builders’ merchantsand is probably market leader inthat sector. It is also making significantinroads into the grab loader sector.According to general sales managerLee Maynard, continuous investment

pre-cast concrete specialistDrumderry - the first in Ireland.

The unit - a nine extension 125000E9 - has a 4.55 tonne lift capacityat almost 19 metres reach. Theequivalent, nine section 225000 iscapable of lifting 6.1 tonnes at 23metres and is still capable of liftingmore than a tonne at 42 metres!

The market for these huge loadersis small but growing. Cormach is hoping to sell six units of itsmonster loader next year.

A smaller, 'large loader' recentlylaunched is the Effer 1355. The unitis available with nine hydraulicextensions and is rated as a 92.7tonne/metre crane with a 22.1metre maximum reach.

Both the Effer and the Cormachmake use of diagonal, X- type outriggers which keep the sub-chassis shorter and also givesa greater slew range through whichit can lift the full rated load. Otherlarge loaders recently introducedinclude the 80 tonne/metre Fassi950AXP, Ferrari 990 and the Hiab 1055.

The first Cormach 125000 in Ireland is with precast concrete specialist Drumderry.

onCompetitionhotting up

33November/December 2007 cranes & access

The 92.7 tonne/metre Effer 1355 has X-type outriggers which keep the sub-chassis shorter and also gives a better load slew range.

in product development and after-salesservice have been the key drivers.

Exact sales figures in the UK arealso not available, but Atlas,Palfinger and Hiab (probably inthat order) dominate the market.The UK is a good for Fassi being itsfifth best market, but it claims tohave only had sales of about 400units last year. Putting the size ofthe UK into perspective - the marketin Italy is thought to be 8,000 unitswhile around 4,000 are sold in France.

The move towards larger loadercranes coincides with a trendtowards mounting these cranesonto large tractor units and offeringa service similar to that of a smallAll Terrain or City crane - but at alower cost. One company C&A featured earlier this year - D&FGorrett - has added a 580hp, 6x2Scania Topline T580 fitted with a 70 tonne/metre Fassi F700XPloader crane. This combination canlift 1.25 tonnes to 28 metres and is finding a lot of work with housebuilders installing timber roof trusses and the like.

The recent SAIE show in Italy,revealed numerous new largeloader cranes including the 'mother'of them all - the 200 tonne/metreCormach 225000E. A year agoCormach unveiled its smaller125000 sister at the show and hassubsequently sold numerous unitsincluding a unit to Dublin-based

34 cranes & access November/December 2007

loader cranes c&a

Two new models from HiabHiab has added two new models toits XS range of cranes. Biggest isthe 90 tonne/metre XS1055 - Hiab'slargest loader crane yet. Hiab hastypically shied away from gettinginvolved with the largest cranes,keeping to its policy of onlysupplying units that still leave a reasonable cargo payload on thetruck. It previously set this top endat around 80 tonne/metres butrecent design developments haveallowed the company to build thenew crane with increased liftingcapacities while keeping its overallweight to between seven and ninetonnes. Its maximum lift capacity is18 tonnes and it can handle morethan a tonne at its maximum horizontal outreach of 30 metres.

The 1055 is only available in Hiab'stop end, Hi-Pro specification and assuch comes loaded with featuresincluding its high range valve block,Combi Drive control unit, Space5000 electronics package, fullblown automatic overload system,Automatic speed control and Hiab's Pump Flow Distribution system to maintain speeds whenmulti-functioning.

The control station is easier to readwith its backlit LEDs and the leversare now fitted with soft rubber gripsmaking them better and safer touse. Spiral hose protection is nowstandard on all Palfinger cranes.

The XS1055 takes between 1.6 and1.73 metres of installation space,will fit on a four axle truck and stilloffer around five tonnes of cargocapacity. Options include an EN280work platform. In order to benefitfrom the maximum reach andcapacities that big cranes like thiscan offer, the Hiab sports outriggers with up to nine metresspread which add a further1,300kg of GVW.

The second new model is the XS211 - a 21 tonne/metre unit targeted at the top end of the transport market with a maximumlift capacity of 7.5 tonne and up to25 metres of hydraulic reach whenfitted with the optional 8 section(first and second arm plus sixhydraulic) plus four section articulated jib. The jib can articulateup to 30 degrees above horizontaland lift 120kg at 25 metres radiusor 1.6 tonnes at nine metres radiusand 18 metres hook height.

Palfinger launches 'High Performance' cranesWith the competition continuallyimproving its performance, qualityand usability, Palfinger is certainlynot resting on its laurels. SAIE saw

The 90 tonne/metre XS1055 is Hiab's largest crane to date

Smash and grabfrom Hiab

the culmination of four years ofdevelopment work when it introduced its new 'HighPerformance' models. Over the next three years a whopping 80variations will be introduced.

One of the main components of the new cranes is the new hexagonal boom - one of the products of the €80 million investment in the new machinesand manufacturing facilities.

According to Gerald Pschernig, head of Palfinger cranes, the newprecision technology makes it possible to ensure even more accurate crane movements.

Main features of the new modelsinclude a 10 percent improvementin lifting capacity over itsPerformance series, with almost the identical dead weight - achievedthrough the use of high-tensilesteels and a slightly higher oil pressure.

“The cranes also have a 'maintenance-free boom system' byusing special synthetic slide blocksthat have lubricant qualities,” hesaid. “Following the single initiallubrication, which uses bio-degradable grease, no further servicing work is required. Thissaves the operator time and it isalso better for the environment.”

“Keeping one eye on the environment, all crane componentsthat need corrosion protection have a chromium VI free coating,which goes beyond the statutory requirements,” explained Pschernig.

From a functional design point ofview, the cranes use a premiumsynthetic material which is particularly resistant to extremetemperatures, yet light and easy toremove for maintenance and servicing.

One of Palfinger'smany new 'HighPerformance'cranes - thePK9001 EH

The easier to use Palfinger control panel.

Improvements to the electronicsinclude a fully controlled overloadsystem and a multi-function digitalhour counter. Larger models introduced from the end of nextyear will have a new electronic control system.

The XS211 is targeted at the top end of the transport market

The first of the new modelslaunched at the show includedthree compact models, thePK2900, PK3400 and PK4200 with2.9 to 3.5 tonne/metres capacityand six models in the 8-12tonne/metre range, the PK8501,PK8501K (K signifying a shortboom extension system) thePK9001 EH, with Electronic HighPower Lifting System (EHPLS), thePK11001, PK11001K, and thePK12001 EH models.

The EHPLS system allows theworking speed of the crane to bereduced if required to provide anincrease in lifting capacity. Theelectronic adjustment of the high-end control valve also allowsseveral crane functions to be usedat the same time.

A clever solution - an LED warninglight on the Palfinger outriggers

Power Link Plus has been introduced on all cranes from thePK8502 and larger, allowing theouter boom to extend up to 15degrees above horizontal. This waspreviously normally available on itslarger cranes.

Hi-tech FassiThe latest Fassi machines are filledwith technology. Its Double LinkTechnology connecting rod and forksystem is claimed to help obtainmaximum performance even withthe main boom horizontal, while theincreasingly common Prolink linkage

Copma crane at vertikal days

offers a 15 degree upward angle on the outer boom with 10 degreeon the jib, all with electronic monitoring of the working angle.

The high-capacity Integral MachineControl electronic control systemreceives information from thecrane sensors in real time andguarantees optimum performancefor the type of work situation.Featuring CAN-BUS architecture,the system is able to manage notonly the Evolution intelligent loadlimiter, but also the ADC dynamicscontrol device which provides afully automatic elimination ofdynamic load swinging.

The D900 flow sharing digitalhydraulic distributor (electronic saturation preventer) allows proportional oil distribution, so that crane functions that are activated simultaneously will moveproportionally to the amount of oilrequired for the purpose. Fassi hasits own RCH integrated remotecontrol which, as well as controllingall crane functions, including stabilisation, informs the operatorby means of an ample LCD displaywhich shows the state of the craneusing a simple, intuitive icon-baseduser interface.

Fassi introduced four cranes withlifting capacities of more than 50tonne/metres at Bauma earlier inthe year - the F510A, F560AXP,F600A and the F660AXP. All areavailable with up to eight hydraulicextensions that can be fitted withup to three different jibs giving atotal of more than 25 versions per model.

Fassi cranes are filled with technology

least another few years. As well ascontinued growth in the traditionalmature markets, the demand indeveloping countries is justbeginning. Three manufacturers arenow starting to pull away from the

rest of the loader pack, yet thereare some sizeable manufacturersthat are yet to reach their full potential. The next few years will be very interesting for the loader cranemanufacturers.

Trailer mountedWith loader cranes now beingmounted on a variety of carriers, it was only a matter of time beforesomeone put one on a trailer.Copma, working with Kiraly - itsdealer for France - has launched atrailer with a lorry loader crane.

With a total weight of 3.3 tonnes,the unit can be towed behind many4x4s and then left on site to carryout lifting duties. The unit can move under its ownsteam, via a drive assist to the trailerwheels. Using the Copma 110Tcrane, the unit is aimed at buildingand rental companies, having a 20metre hook height with up to 14metre outreach. The crane can alsobe fitted with a man basket with aplatform capacity of 350kg. Copmasays that it is gauging the reactionbut it is confident that the unit willsell - perhaps 50 units a year.

Copma, one of many smaller Italianmanufacturers which producesabout 1,500 cranes per annum, alsohas a large loader, the 92 tonne/metre 990 and looks set to introduce two new bigger machinesnext year - the 1300 and 1600.

Power TronicMain news at PM is the fitting of itsPower Tronic Compact control system.The CAN-BUS-based system electronically monitors and controls allcrane functions. And by simplifying

communication betweendevices it is claimed toimprove machine

performance. Already available on larger models inthe range, will be fitted to thenew versions of the

10, 14, 16, 19P models.

Latest new model is the 35.5SPwhich can be equipped with verycompact, electronically controlled

winches (developed inconjunction with Rotzler).

The new unit has 360degree rotation and a 15

degree uplift of the mainboom to compensatefor normal boom flex

when loading.

The good news forall loader cranemanufacturersis that demandfor productshould remain

good for at

loader cranes c&a

According to Fassi, the F660AXPEvolution has the best power toweight ration of any crane in its 60-70 tonne metre category. Theunit has a maximum capacity of62.5 tonne metres and weighs 5.1tonnes. The 'XP' Extra Power deviceon the F560XP and F660XP providesa power reserve that can be used indifficult applications, caused eitherby the size of the load or the particularlydifficult dynamic conditions.

SAIE saw the introduction of theF950AXP which slots in between its80 and 100 tonne/metre units.Weighing in at 7.3 tonnes, thecrane in its various versions can lift585kg to a height of 31.90 metresor in maximum load specificationcan lift 19.2 tonnes to 4.1 metresradius. The company's innovativeJDP - Jib Dual Power device - upsperformance by 30 percent dependingon the working area. Fassi also hasintroduced a self-lubricating,maintenance-free hinge bushesdesigned to last the expectedworking life of the crane.

Copma has produced thisloader crane on a trailer.

It might just catch on.

PM's latest model,the 35.5SP can beequipped with compact, electricallycontolled winchesdeveloped in conjunction with Rotzler.

The PM PowerTronic control systemmonitors and controlsall crane functions

36 cranes & access November/December 2007

The mother of all loader cranes? The 200 tonne/metre Cornach 225000E.

mechanical solutions.

“The very fact that we have an R&Darea within the 'Red KilometreTechnological Park (Intellimech) isan opportunity to have a mutuallyprofitable exchange of informationwith other businesses, universitiesand local scientific institutes,” saidFassi. “This allows us to introducemarket-leading innovative solutionsto our new cranes.”

From a manufacturing point of view,the new Flexible Machine System(FMS) welding process will allowthe company to achieve its targetof 11,000 cranes per year.

“FMS is an imposing system measuring 45 metres by 15 metreswhich was designed and built byABB to our specific requirements,”said Fassi. “Flexibility is the key andthis system makes it possible tocarry out welding operations eitherin a series of small batches usingpre-set templates, while retainingthe freedom to work on individualitems. FMS is just part of a widerange of investments - whichinclude a new automated weldingfacility and 10,000 sq m factorydedicated to the assembly of medium sized cranes.”

By concentrating on technologicalinnovation and growth, GiovanniFassi has certainly raised the salesand image of the company's products.Continued expansion of productionfacilities also means that the companyis undoubtedly the fastest growingloader crane manufacturer. Whetherit can rise any higher than third,only time will tell.

Fassi loader cranes have beenmanufactured in Albino, Italy formore than 40 years. As a youngboy, Giovanni always wanted tojoin his father in the business. He joined as a teenager in 1987,gaining valuable additionalexperience by working withSocage - part of the Fassi group -for three years in the early1990's. Giovanni took over runningthe company about four years agoand although he continues toreport to his father who is stillPresident, has had an increasinglyimportant influence on the company.

“I want the company to be the technology leader in the sector,” he said. “This is my aim and hasbrought success through innovativeproducts with high performance andgood residual values.”

His approach has certainly resulted

in the company now being recognised as the world's thirdlargest producer of loader cranes.But this is not enough for him. “I need a challenge and that is to beworld leader in sales and technology.”Not an easy challenge then. A fewyears ago this would have been atypical comment of an aspiring newcompany entering the market givingthe press 'sound bites' of its ambition.However with Fassi and its growthover the last five years you never know.

“By next year we will haveincreased production 120 percent infive years. In 2005 we produced6,871 cranes and this has grownabout 20 percent in 2006 and 15percent in 2007 to 9400 units,” said Fassi.

Next year he hopes to build 11,000loader cranes which he says wouldmake Fassi the second largest manufacturer behind Palfinger.

loader cranes c&a

Italian loader crane manufacturer Fassi is snapping at the heels of the European market leaders Palfinger and Hiab. Its growth over the past few years has been charted by Giovanni Fassi - the son of the founder and current president. Mark Darwin learnt more about the man and the company on home soil at the SAIE show in Italy.

Perhaps he is starting to believesome of his own hype becausealthough exact sales figures forloader cranes are not available, it isgenerally thought that Palfinger andHiab each produce between 12,500and 14,000 cranes per year.

The company is achieving itsgrowth (revenues are up from €141million three years ago to €200 million while the number of employeeshas increased from 443 to 560)organically. “We will continue togrow but not by acquisition,” saysFassi. “Our last acquisition was 20years ago and we are not looking topurchase a competitor.”

Fassi, however, did not rule out buying suppliers - but only if theymanufacture in Italy - which wouldease the growing problems ofsourcing components.

“In Italy, the cost of labour is highand raw materials are scarce, whichis why innovation is crucial toensure that our product remainscompetitive,” he said. “In recentyears the group's research anddevelopment has grown andstrengthened so that today, eightpercent of our staff are involved inR&D and we have introduced eightnew products over the last five years.”

These products have been based onthe use of electronic systems whichhave formed the foundation of the'Evolution Concept' project.

The Fassi Group, along with otherindustrial partners - such as Brembobrakes - has been instrumental inthe creation of Intellimech - a consortium of companies working inthe field of mechatronics -electronic management of

Fassi snappingat the heelsFassi snappingat the heels

Giovanni Fassi - the driving force behind the company.

One of the latest Fassi cranes - the Fassi F660XP

38 cranes & access November/December 2007

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ler cranes

A new forceNow availablein the UK

In the UK contactWatson & Hillhouse Ltd. Whitehouse Road,

Ipswich, Suffolk. IP1 5NT UK

Tel: +0044 (0) 1473 748 652. Fax: +0044 (0) 1472 240 090.www.w-h.co.uk

SANYHeavy Industry Co. Ltd.

Tel: 0086 731 4031642

Fax: 0086 4031527

Cell No: 07942 071655

www.sany.com.cn