In this issue

Another jam packed issue, this one includes an extensive look at spider lifts and tree care applications, part two of our look at All Terrain cranes between 100 & 180 tonnes, a feature on heavy transport and alternative lifting techniques, an overview of hoist and mast climber developments, and a really fascinating insight into innovative remote control systems for all manner of equipment.
All this, along with the latest round up of the regular news and views, and updates from industry associations.

Unconventional power

Conventional fuels may be the energy source of yesterday, and renewables the innovation of the present, but tomorrow’s fuel could well be fusion power. The name of ITeR, originally the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, puns on the latin ‘The Way'. The project is supported by the european union, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and the united States. The global joint venture partners clearly believe fusion power is the way forward.

2 mins

Spiders gaining traction

The results from our survey of the tree care sector in last month’s issue of cranes & Access highlighted how spider lifts are the platform of choice for arborists. In the following pages we take a look at the latest spider lift products and features on the market to see why they are proving so popular. We also speak with CMC's UK distributor Tracked Spider Sales and UK rental company Spiderlift.

10+ mins

The higher hundreds

In the second of a two-part report, Will North looks at All Terrain cranes between 130 and 180 tonnes. While some models in this class target taxi crane work, it also marks the point where five-axle carriers become standard with most models designed for project work.

7 mins

American exceptionalism

In our last issue, we looked in detail at what it takes for cranes to travel easily on European roads. Manufacturers strive to include as much counterweight as possible within 12 tonne axle loads – 16.5 tonnes in some markets – while working within national permit restrictions, taking note of tighter restrictions in some major cities. While this may be a point of irritation for crane owners and designers, it is nothing compared to the challenges facing their North America counterparts. Will North reports.

2 mins

Increasingly remote

The operation of machinery via remote controls has typically intended to allow operators to place themselves in the most beneficial position, in terms of safety and view of the work. With the advent of radio remote controls, operators are no longer confined to a stationary control point whether that be at the end of a trailing lead, in a cab, a platform, or at the side of a machine. More recently however it has also begun to take on a slightly wider meaning and purpose.

10+ mins

Hoists on the up

We covered mastclimbers and hoists in our March issue but given the level of material we had on mastclimbers we barely touched on hoists. This feature plans to readdress the balance a little. We look at what is or might drive uptake of both products, before focusing on a number of new hoists and product developments in what is a relatively mature and well-developed sector. We will also take a look at some interesting projects and applications, including an update on the massive Battersea Power Station redevelopment site.

2 mins

New hoist developments

In recent years contractors and developers on some high-rise projects have looked to reduce the number of traditional rack and pinion hoists on the outside of the building during construction. This might be due to the actual space available, cladding installation considerations or other reasons. One solution has been to install a hoist within the building’s lift shaft moving up as each floor is completed. However the traditional solution - a ‘traction jump lift‘ hoist - employs a similar mechanism to the elevators used in the completed building, in that they employ cables and a headstock beam, along with a travelling counterbalance counterweight.

5 mins

Bringing Battersea Back To Life

London’s iconic art deco style coal-fired Battersea Power Station was constructed in various stages between 1929 and the mid-1950s. By 1983 however the entire site was decommissioned to be left empty and decaying on the south bank of the River Thames until 2013 when work was approved to begin a long-term restoration and transformation project set to cost £9 billion.

4 mins

Luke Reddish - CPA Lifting Technician of the Year

This year’s CPA Stars of the Future ‘Lifting Technician of the Year’ award was won by Luke Reddish, 28, of Wolffkran - one of the first crane companies to adopt the new Lifting Technician Trailblazer Apprenticeship. Wolffkran’s Samuel Slocombe was also highly commended.

3 mins

XCMG XGC220T

The XCMG XGC220T is a telescopic crawler crane with a capacity of 220 tonnes. This model by Yagao comes in an XCMG branded box and includes an instruction sheet printed in Chinese and English.

1 min

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Cranes & Access Magazine Description:

The world's leading magazine covering mobile lifting equipment, including cranes, aerial work platforms and telescopic handlers

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