RT updates from Tadano

Takamatsu, Japan-headquartered crane manufacturer Tadano has announced it is launching three new rough terrain cranes for the North American market: the GR-1000XLL-4; the GR-1000XL-4; and the GR-800XL-4.

The GR-1000XLL-4 and the GR-1000XL-4 will both have a maximum lifting capacity of 100 tons (90 tonnes), while the GR-800XL-4 will have a maximum capacity of 80 tons (73 tonnes). The GR-1000XLL-4 has a longer boom of 167.3 feet (51 metre) compared to the 154.2 feet (47 metre) boom length of its predecessor, the GR-1000XL-3. The GR-1000XL-4 and GR-800XL-4 will both have 154.2-foot (47 metre) booms.

The crane’s cabs have been redesigned to provide improved operator visibility and comfort. Inside the new cabs there is a new 10.4 inch multi-function colour touch panel display which contains crane work information and operation settings. This can be operated whist wearing gloves, said Tadano. The cab instrument panel shape, height, and angle of the glass face have also been modified, with the aim of improving visibility from the driver’s seat. The cranes use a 20-degree cab tilt function for the first time. Tadano said this helps reduce operator fatigue when operating the cranes for long periods of time.

The GR-1000XLL-4 and GR-1000XL-4 both have Tadano’s new Smart Counterweight system. This enables the operator to use two counterweight positions to increase lifting capacity. Stability is also increased around 20 per cent, said Tadano. These are the first Tadano rough terrain cranes to have this system.

The new GRs have a winch drum monitoring camera as standard. This checks the winding state of the wire rope when the crane is in operation. Cameras have also been installed on the right-front and rear of the cranes to improve visibility while driving. A buzzer and a flashing icon, called ‘Clearance Sonar’ by Tadano, notifies the operator if an obstacle is detected behind the crane. All these functions are referred to by Tadano as comprising its ‘View System’.

Engine-wise the new GR cranes use a six-speed transmission powered by a dual compliant Cummins EU Stage V / Tier IV B 6.7 with 280 hp (209kw). When the crane is not being used for a certain period of time a pump disconnect function automatically stops operation of the crane’s hydraulic pump with the aim of reducing fuel consumption. The crane is also equipped with a fuel monitoring system, eco-mode, and Positive Control, all designed to reduce C02 emissions, improve fuel consumption, and reduce noise.

The new cranes also have Tadano’s Hello-Net telematics web information service which ascertains the crane’s operation status using mobile communications and supports the checking of positional information via GPS and maintenance information on a website. Tadano’s Hello-Data Link enables the cranes to be connected to mobile devices by wireless LAN. The company said this can greatly contribute to the streamlining of crane maintenance.