Cosmo Cranes acquire new Tadano AC 5.160-1

Cosmo Cranes recently took delivery of a Tadano AC 5.160-1, a five axle 160t capacity all terrain crane. It is the third large capacity crane supplied by Tadano in the fleet. Josh and John Handley explain the reasons for the purchase and Cosmo Cranes’ relationship with the team at Tadano.

“We needed more capacity in our fleet both for the construction of our tower crane fleet and also for general crane hire. The 68 metres of main boom featured on the Tadano AC 5.160-1 fits our applications and what we do,” said Josh.

The Tadano AC 5.160-1 is the third Tadano to feature in the Cosmo Cranes fleet.

“We have been operating the Tadano AC 6.300-1 since early 2019. The 300t capacity all terrain joined our 130t capacity all terrain, the AC 5.130-1, which was purchased to celebrate our 15th birthday as a business. The purchase of the 160 celebrates our 20th,” said John.

“The majority of our fleet are Tadano all terrains, because we like the Tadano brand, and we have an excellent relationship with the team at Tadano.

“Our operators really enjoy jumping in the cranes because they are user friendly, they are used to the computer system, and they can easily move between the various capacities. Key parts of the cranes are interchangeable which is also a huge benefit, and if something happens, the support team at Tadano are quick to respond,” said John.

The Cosmo Cranes team is particularly impressed with the technological advantages that feature in the Tadano AC 5.160-1. High among these is the innovative IC-1 Plus control system, which determines maximum lift capacity for any configuration based on main boom length/configuration, outrigger lengths, slew position and counterweight configuration.

In addition, it is the most compact crane of its class with a width of 2.75m and a total length of 14.5m. In combination with its 68m main boom, this makes it extremely versatile.

“The Tadano AC 5.160-1’s axle load contributes to this versatility as well, and we’ve had alloy rims fitted and this ensures the crane can travel on public roads below the 10t axle load limit even when it’s carrying a payload of 650 kilograms.

“One of the main reasons for choosing with the AC 5.160-1 was the capacity and boom length it offers without the need for a dolly. It also provides excellent charts for our type of work,” said Josh.

He goes on to explain how Cosmo Cranes works with Tadano in terms of product support and servicing.

“Russell Adams is the Product Support Engineer for Tadano here in NSW and he is excellent. Our boys have his direct number and if there are ever any issues, he always answers the call and is really responsive and quick to act.

“We have a servicing agreement with Tadano, and their service team looks after the cranes, we don’t let anybody else touch them. We have an agreed schedule of services and the Tadano service teamwork around our workload ensuring we experience minimum downtime,” he said.

“We know what we are up for and when a more comprehensive service is due, we take the crane to Tadano’s yard in Penrith.”

Both the Tadano AC 5.160-1 and AC 6.300-1 have been working on the construction of the $41 million Hindu Temple project being built by Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS) in Kemps Creek, NSW.

Matt Bickle is Cosmo Cranes’ Project Manager for the project. Matt started with Cosmo ‘on the tools’ five years ago and has recently progressed to PM. He explains the complexities of the build.

“With this project, they are building a Hindu Temple and some smaller buildings as part of the complex, and we are providing the cranage for the lifting, landing and installation of more than 800 precast panels, so there’s quite a few days of lifting involved.

“We started the project with the 300 and it’s been to site for approximately 10 visits. Some of the lifts required the luffing fly because we are lifting from around the perimeter of the site.”

We’re sending the 160 in next because we have some lifts which are closer to the temple with some of the panels weighing 13t,” said Matt.

The AC 6.300-1 combines long reach with a strong load chart to give operators the perfect fit for efficient work at height or on reach. The 80m main boom can perform jobs at heights up to 78m or 74m radius without rigging a jib. It is ideal for tower crane erection, with a class leading lifting capacity of 15 t on fully telescoped 80 m main boom.

Also, the Tadano Demag AC 6.300-1 is the smallest in the range that can be outfitted with a luffing jib for superior reach and fly-over capabilities, bringing the maximum system length to 119.9m when fitted with the 46m fly.

Packed with the latest innovations like the IC-1 Plus control system and a single engine concept with an intelligent motor management system, the AC 6.300-1 enhances productivity to help reduce operating costs. The IC-1 Plus control system provides real time calculation of the lifting capacities and supports operators in safe crane operation. It also allows asymmetric outrigger positioning. This also allows the crane to perform jobs usually reserved for larger machines.

The Tadano Demag AC 6.300-1 is fitted with a single engine, with start and stop function to reduce idle times and total engine hours, helping to reduce fuel costs and preserving the crane’s residual value.

The compact design of the all terrain crane features a carrier length of 15.3m and a width of 3m. The crane is easy to position on the job site, thanks to its active all-wheel steering that allows excellent manoeuvrability in tight spaces.

On the road, the AC 6.300-1 crane meets 12t axle load limits and can travel up to 80km/h. It also has 800kg of extra payload capacity for carrying extra lifting accessories.

It includes an axle load monitor, displayed on the dashboard, to help customers drive within the road-legal weight. This model, like all Demag cranes in this product family, can be configured to comply with the variable axle weight limits in most states by connecting different types of boom dollies or removing the boom.

The Hindu Temple project is complicated and requires meticulous planning, says Matt.

“There are two stages to the build. Stage one is the construction of Temple and a couple of other buildings, and stage two is the landscaping. It’s on 20 acres – so it’s a big project.

“Because it a Temple, there are lots of curves and overhead panels in the design, so we created an installation procedure, because each panel has to go into the right position at the right time, otherwise the following panels won’t fit together,” he said.

“From a planning point of view, we had to get everything right which has meant a lot of lift studies and a significant amount of planning with the panel provider, Austral.

“We’ve provided Austral with a load sequence which starts at number one and works through to 800,”Matt said.

“We produce a lift study that suits the particular panels being lifted and we provide our operator with the lift sequences, and he knows where to lift and place each panel ready for installation.”

“We actually completed a curve job recently in Shell Cove, where the building was circular. The panels were curved and completed a whole circle which was very tricky. But our team works well together and the Tadano makes light work of projects like this,” he said.