C&L, Cranes & Lifting, Features, International

Sure lifting with Tadano

SureLift Crane Hire recently took delivery of a Tadano AC 7.450-1 450t capacity all terrain. Owner and Director Mark ‘Chopper’ Read discusses the reasons for purchasing such a large capacity crane for work along Queensland’s Bowen Basin.

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Chopper has been in the crane industry for over 30 years.

“It all started for me 31 years ago when I entered the mining shut down industry. I began as a Trades Assistant and later acquired my dogman ticket, which opened up new opportunities for me working in the Bowen Basin and led to a gradual progression into the crane industry. It was during this time that I recognised a significant shortage of cranes in the area.

“This realisation prompted me to take action, and I purchased my first crane. This marked a pivotal moment in my career, as it not only began to address the immediate need for cranes in the Bowen Basin and surrounds, but also laid the foundation for my future ventures in the industry. From there, I purchased several more new cranes helping to fill the demand in the area. Year by year the business has grown and the demand for our cranes continues to increase,” said Chopper.

SureLift Crane Hire has been servicing the Bowen Basin region and surrounds since July 1st 2006, and today boasts an extensive array of cranes and a significant fleet of supporting vehicles. The fleet includes:

• 17 Cranes including Tadano Demags and Terex Frannas. Capacities range from 20t through to the new Tadano 450t capacity all terrain. The crane fleet also includes a crawler crane.

• 16 Light Vehicles

• 4 Body Trucks

• 3 Tilt Trays

• 13 Prime Movers

• 37 Trailers

Chopper discusses the reasons for purchasing the 450t capacity Tadano AC 7.450-1.

“The need for this size crane was evident in the coal industry and also other industry sectors that we service in the surrounding areas. I made the decision to expand the fleet in terms of capacity which will make a huge difference to our capabilities,” he said.

“The brand spanking new 450t crane rolled out of the Tadano yard and headed straight to its first job for a gas plant in Wandoan QLD. We installed and utilised the SSL for the construction of the new hospital in its hometown of Moranbah where we placed 100 buildings from one set up.

“It is currently assisting with a major bridge build which also requires several of our other cranes to assist. It has been back to Wandoan for several more lifts, and has returned to the Bowen Basin where it is booked to assist with major Shut Downs for our local coal mines. We are currently looking at securing its first job utilising the luffer on the east coast of QLD.

“The capabilities of this crane opens us up for a wide range of work not only in mining but in gas, sugar mills, bridge works and the construction industry.

“It is the largest capacity crane in the area and as you can see there has been an ongoing need for a crane this size with 450t capacity,” said Chopper.

The Tadano AC 7.450-1 features a whole series of technical advantages that put it at the very top of its capacity class. The AC 7.450-1 is a significantly more powerful option than all six-axle units that are currently available on the market, claims Tadano.

Despite its additional axle, it still fits in the six-axle class in terms of its dimensions, having a carrier length of only 15.99 metres, an outrigger base of 8.49 metres, and a total length of 17.62 metres.

On top of this, it offers significantly better performance, matching that of eight-axle cranes in many areas. Additional highlights include a powerful 80-metre boom; a patented luffing jib rigging system for particularly easy, fast, and safe setup; and a new SSL (Sideways Superlift) in which the Superlift arms are mounted right at the front of the head, meaning that they are ultimately longer and provide larger lifting capacities.

And while on the subject of lifting capacities, this means that the AC 7.450-1 is considerably superior to other seven-axle cranes – in fact, it even leaves some eight-axle units behind in a number of boom positions.

The Tadano AC 7.450-1 features a number of technical advantages that put it at the very top of its capacity class.

Spoiled for choice-powerful, versatile boom options.

The fully telescoped 80m main boom (without SSL) can lift a max capacity of 23.7t, adding SSL (Superlift) the AC7.450- 1 can lift a maximum capacity of 37.3t with a fully telescoped main boom.

Maximum system length is 133.8m which includes the 81m luffer + 2m runner which can be added to extend any lattice boom combination. Light fixed fly extensions 8m – 59m and Fixed offset extensions 11m – 56m are also available.

Functional and powerful – the new Superlift design

Tadano is using its new engineering design for the Sideways Superlift system for the first time ever on the AC 7.450-1. This new design is a decisive enhancement to the well-known Tadano SSL solution. The Superlift arms are now mounted all the way in the front, on the head of the base section, meaning that they are ultimately longer and accordingly well-suited to larger lifting capacities.

The functionality and handling have been improved as well. The new design only requires one single wire rope line for the connection between the main boom head and the SSL arm. In addition, the SSL arms are pinned hydraulically on the main boom, which reduces manual work for securing the arms and the associated work at height.

Despite its additional axle, the AC 7.450-1 still fits in the six-axle class in terms of its dimensions, having a carrier length of only 15.99 meters, an outrigger base of 8.49 meters, and a total length of 17.62 meters.

 

Everything in view–360° Surround View

The AC 7.450-1 features six cameras that keep everything in view. With the help of a computer-assisted diagram, this makes it possible to graphically show the possible extension lengths for the outriggers and the counterweight tail swing radius on the display in the carrier cab. This makes it significantly easier to position the crane at job sites. Surround View also helps on the way to the site by making it easier.

Chopper details the amount of equipment required to support the AC7.450-1 and how impressed he is with the team at Tadano.

“Purchasing a crane of this size required the purchase of three prime movers and nine trailers which accompany it to jobs transporting the counterweights. Tadano has always been an excellent partner to deal with, they have exceptional customer service and support,” he said.

SureLift provides lifting services for all lifting needs, catering to both local projects in its hometown of Moranbah, as well as well as major mining operations in the Bowen Basin and broader Queensland.

Chopper goes on to confirm the experience he has in his crane crews, his operations teams and how they approach complex projects.

“We have a vast amount of experience across our crane crews including our crane operators. The culture of the business
is based on giving anyone a go in the industry and helping them reach their goals and ambitions,” said Chopper.

“Performing complex lifts in the crane industry requires careful planning, adherence to safety regulations and the skill of our crane operators and the crew. Risk assessments, site preparation, crane selection and open communication between the team and the client is important for a complex lift to be conducted safely and effectively. Some projects require engineering plans and 3D lift plans which we also manage,” he said.

 

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