Bauma Show Guide - Tower Cranes

BKL Baukran Logistik will present a new generation of quick assembly cranes from BKL System Cattaneo in the 28 and 33 metre categories. CM 280 and CM 82S4 bottom slewing cranes incorporate steerable high speed axles for better manoeuvrability.

The CM 280, claimed to be one of the highest performance cranes in the 28 m category, lifts 2.5 tonnes to 12.1 m. The CM 82S4 lifts 4 tonnes. It has a maximum hook height of 21 m and lifts a 1 tonne load at jib end. The machine has a space requirement of just 5.1 by 5.1 m and, like all BKL models, has a frequency-controlled 4-stage lifting mechanism.

BKL’s high-speed axle, meanwhile, is now also available in steerable variants. It will be presented at Bauma with the CM 271 mobile 27 metre self erecting crane but is also available for the stationary cranes in BKL System Cattaneo as a semi-trailer version. The 80 km/h axle is self-steering during road use and, during shunting operations, can be electro-hydraulically steered via the crane’s remote control unit.

BKL Baukran Logistik will exhibit with top-slewing crane partner Linden Comansa of Spain on a joint stand.

FM Gru will show three new tower cranes. First is the 1140 RBI self erecting crane with a 40 metre jib, a capacity at jib end of 1,100 kg and a maximum capacity of 3,000 kg (on two falls of rope) and of 5,000 kg (four ropes). This crane can also work with a folded jib with the following characteristics – 29.6 m jib with a capacity of 1,700 kg and 14 m jib with a capacity of 3,000 kg. Power consumption is minimised thanks to 8.8 and 11 kW winches controlled by inverter and PLCs.

The second FM Gru crane on display will be the 930 RBI-FA, a self erecting crane approved for road towing, that has a 30 m hydraulic boom, a capacity at jib end of 900 kg and a maximum capacity of 2,400 kg (on two falls of rope).

This crane can also work with a folded jib with the following different characteristics – 26 m jib with a capacity of 1,100 kg, 13.3 m jib with a capacity of 2,400 kg. The crane can work with the jib luffed from 0 to 25 degrees.

It also has PLC controlled inverter drives for the winches to give low energy consumption and easy to manage operation in all work situations, the company said.

Finally, the third FM Gru machine on show is the 1260 FTC, a top slewing flat top tower crane with a 60 m boom. Capacity at jib end is 1,350 kg and the maximum is 8,000 kg, on four falls of rope. This type of crane is designed with a jib composed of modules of 11.40 m, which reduce the mounting time. Maximum tower height with the 4.5 x 4.5 m base, as shown at Bauma, is 55.9 m.

A new series of hydraulic fast erecting tower cranes will be shown by Liebherr. The L1 series will be the company’s smallest bottom-slewing tower cranes. In some ways, including the name, the new L1 recalls the first crane made by company founder Hans Liebherr in 1949. Features include improved ergonomics, good access for erection and maintenance work and a modern, attractive design, the company said. L1 will replace the existing H series of cranes.

First in the series is the 2.5 tonne capacity L1-24, available with a maximum radius of either 25 or 27 metres. Capacity at the end of the jib will be 950 or 800 kg. Hook height is 19 or 19.2 m with the jib horizontal. A 20 degree inclination will increase this height to 25.7 and 26.5 m where capacity is given as 900 and 750 kg.

The slewing radius is 1.9 m and a flexible support base allows the crane's footprint to be reduced to less than 4 m. For control there is the Micromove fine positioning mode, oscillation damping and an operating range limiting system. Versions are available with a standard concrete ballast or a full steel ballast which can be carried on the crane, meaning no additional transport or erection cost.

New and on show in Manitowoc’s Potain range of tower cranes will be the MDT 389, first from a new line suitable for cramped multi-crane job sites. It is one of three towers on show at Bauma, alongside the MDT 219 and the MR 418 luffer.

The MDT 389 is the largest in a new range of flat tops which also includes the MDT 249, MDT 259, MDT 269 and MDT 319. All have the new Crane Control System (CCS) and are designed for fast erection and dismantling and to be easy to transport. The MDT 389 is available in a 12 or 16 tonne version, both with a jib up to 75 m. Capacity at the end of that maximum jib is 3.4 tonnes on the 12 tonne version and 3.3 tonnes on the 16 tonner.

On the MDT 389 the slewing section, cabin mast section and the cab can be moved together as one load. The counter jib can be folded and the winch platform can be sized to occupy less space, Manitowoc said.

Like the MDT 389, the MDT 219 is also top of its range. Versions are one with an 8 tonne capacity and one with 10 tonnes. All are evolutions of previous MDT City series cranes with jibs from 55 to 65 m and hoisting capacities from 6 to 10 tonnes.

The luffing jib type Potain MR 418 lifts 24 tonnes and has a jib up to 60 m. Standard fitment is the 110 kW hoisting winch type 150 LVF 120 with a rope capacity of 552 m and 210 m/min maximum line speed. An option is the 200 kW type 270 LVF 120 hoisting winch which can carry 826 m of rope and has a 254 m/min maximum line speed.

On show from the Terex tower crane range will be a 16 tonne capacity CTT 332-16 flat top. A prototype of the 332 tonne-metre crane was first shown a couple of years ago.

Wolffkran will show its biggest flat top crane ever and the best of 30 years of innovation in luffing technology with a new luffing crane. It will also show the US version of its bestselling luffing crane. The Wolff 7534 is the biggest and most powerful flat top crane in the range.

The German manufacturer’s second newcomer is the Wolff 275 B with a capacity of 24 tonnes, a hook path of 700 metres and a hoisting speed of up to 222 m/min.

The two new additions are accompanied by the experienced Wolff 8033 saddle jib crane in XXL 450 tonne class.