Cranes & industrial lifting equipment

Sany Crawler Crane

By the end of this year (2009), one of the leading manufacturers of cranes, Sany, would soon launch two new crawler cranes with 650 and 100 tonne capacity. The all-new 650 tonne SCC6500WE will be targeting the Chinese market and would be available for export in the next three years to come.

The model is primarily designed and construction for use for erection of 3 MW wind turbines, according to Sany’s Science and Technology International Sales Director- Zhu Wenkui. He also stated that the Sany 650 tonne SCC6500WE will be initially offered to the Chinese market. It would then go through a process of improvement and product/ technique testing and as soon as it is perfected, then the Sany crane would be open to the export market.

This new crane machine offers a maximum of primary boom of 84 meters with a fixed jib of 12 meters. Its 7 meters chassis is retractable with an engine that passes the high emission standards of Euro Stage III.

From the same manufacturer comes the 100 tonne capacity heavy duty SCC1000HD crawler crane that would be aimed for the international market as soon as production is completed. The markets would include South East Asia and Europe. The crane engine of this crawler is also up to the standards and passed the Euro Stage III emission laws. It has a maximum of 3 meters width and offers better transportation.

Tadano Faun Crane

Tadano Faun, one of the leading manufacturers of mobile crane, would be launching a new 5 axle crane in its line of products. The new machine would be a 130t all-terrain ATF, 130G5 truck-mounted crane. It has a very powerful chassis that’s available in 10×6x10. It has a strong wheeling power and there is no need to lift an axle to be able to use crab steering. The upper machine has a 60-meter long boom single that extends with a hydraulic cylinder. The hook can be extended to its longest position in minutes. In as fast as 400 seconds, the new Tadano Faun mobile crane can change position. The boom extension can be shortened in varied lengths of up to 10 mm. It can also extend up to 32 meters. It works in two types of anchors, either in mechanical versions or hydraulic.

The ATF 130-G5 crane can carry as much as 6t of counterweight. It also has a 10m extension, a 10t swivel hook and 63t hook block. It carries a 10×8x10 chassis along with big 16.00 R25 tyres with weight limits within 12t per axle. The prototype of this crane machine is being tested in one of Tadano Faun’s facility in Germany. It would soon be launched for the international market after its production in Japan.

The use of crane cams in productions gives you tremendous advantages. There are different kinds of booms and cranes utilized in big productions of Hollywood films. In these cases, the camera operator is able to ride on the bottom of the arm. This type of crane is very costly but you must know that there are other smaller types of crane.

Crane cams like DV cameras can be operated by independent filmmakers, regular videographers or even those who use it as a hobby. This kind of camera jib is normally comprised of an 8 – 12’ long arm. This can also be mounted to an average tripod. The DV camera is place on top of a bracket at the bottom of the arm. It is tilted using the flat bar system or the pulley based system.

Tilting is done through simply moving the tripod head or twisting a hand crack. If an LCD monitor is used to display the image, operating the tripod head for this purpose could potentially cause problems. If the video camera happens to be distant from the LCD monitor, then the set up can be very effective.

The time it takes to familiarize one self with the dynamics of any camera crane does not even take that long. The motions needed to be executed are quite simple. But first off, you must familiarize yourself with several of the basic shots.

When the camera is positioned up from a near ground location, the shot being executed is called a tilting shot. Afterwards, as the body of the camera crane is elevated, the camera follows suit by tilting downward. While doing this, it is still able to keep the same point of center.
The same shot can also be achieved by beginning high and ending low. The next shot to be expounded is one which is termed as the wide panning shot.

In this shot, the camera maintains level whilst the body of the camera crane lunges from one side and dives to another. Using a steady arm, the said shots can also be merged to create amazing results. What’s better, you can also create shots when filmed in union with a fine dolly. In total, there are four types of movement. Just continue practicing with the motions and in no time, you will soon get the hang of it.

To capture the most alluring crane shots, do not just settle for any background or setting. There are dynamic locations where objects and people in motion make up for highly interesting shots. You can also try using parallel lines to your benefit. One captivating shot in mind is one which involves shooting tiled floors indoors.

Arrange it in a way that lines run from the peak to the screen’s bottom. Begin with the camera low to the floor so that tiles seem to converge distantly. Then raise the camera unhurriedly and you will notice the dramatic change in perspective. You can also try positioning various actors and objects at different depths and experiment with different crane motions.

Searching for the best crane? Hold your window shopping for a moment and read on. You want to make sure that the crane you purchase is worth every cent and penny. Cranes on sale are plenty in the market at present. Each company claims to offer the best that’s why you must carefully discern which crane is truly effective.

The first thing any buyer must consider is the cost. It is no secret that given the current financial condition, all of us have to save money. When browsing through your options, you might want to consider a crane that would be minimal in cost. You can accomplish this by going through different companies and comparing each product’s designated price.

Keep in mind that you still need to exercise precaution. Do not forget that when something looks too good to be even true, well, it usually is. Once you find a cheaply priced crane for sale, do not be too excited to clinch the transaction. You still have to discern the quality of your potential purchase. Once you realize the flaw in the product, weigh it in comparison to the savings you will be achieving.

One crucial factor any purchaser must take into consideration, for whatever it is they intend to buy, is the product’s quality. If money is not an issue for you, then by all means search for a high quality crane on sale. Keep in mind that cranes accomplish really fragile lifting operations, which are most often situated in construction areas.

If something goes awry amid the lifting procedure, your money will surely go down the drain. Another terrible setback is the potentially catastrophic loss of lives. It is important to emphasize that quality comes with a price tag. Some companies will exploit buyers and charge you a more expensive price for the same product quality. This is why comparing the price tags on products is always a wise move.

Whether you are looking for the best crane on sale or simply buying any product, researching and comparing price tags is always a good move. Furthermore, check out the company’s reputation. There are a lot of advantages and disadvantages about purchasing products from already recognized brands. On the other hand, a well known company is often associated with an expensive rate.

There are some less popular companies that can provide the similar quality for a better, lower price. In spite of this, the common practice is for people to flock to the more popular companies. That’s because clients feel some degree of familiarity with those companies. In essence, they are only buying the company’s name.

When a buyer is going after the company’s reputation, do not just take into account the ones with major advertisements. You can also find out about less popular companies through people who have previously transacted with them. This way, you can discover if those companies are able to provide you with a good crane at a lesser cost.

Gantry cranes should be used with great precaution and precision. These cranes could be classified as under-running, top-running, single or even double-girder. In addition, they may also be floor operated, cab operated, remotely operated or pulpit operated. These types of cranes are clumped together since all of them have trolleys and contain the same travel characteristics.

At present, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is responsible for the efficient and secure use of gantry cranes. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations should similarly be followed.

For a comprehensive preparation, every minute detail must be considered and examined. Contractors must comply with all the requirements of ASME, OSHA and gantry crane manufacturers. The user of gantry cranes must be responsible enough to implement each and every requirement from the aforementioned sources.

When two set of standards become inconsistent with others, the user must stick on to the one with the most rigid requirements. Out of the three, ASME standards offer the most ample and credible information.

The necessity to accomplish the given requirements will be assessed by a qualified professional selected by the user. Recommendation of changes will then be made. After which, the suggested changes must be done in the span of one year.

In some cases, there are loads being lifted that may need a special method of control. The personnel may be obliged to exercise inspection, control and monitoring of the load. When no other method can be done, the use of hands and other body parts is exercised. Be forewarned that this special handling of activities must first be approved by the management and industrial security.

Prior to the operation of gantry cranes, there must be a load-test weight. This testing and crucial and no operation should proceed without first undertaking it. The load-test report must be accomplished on standard form duly signed by the tester and authorized personnel. Whatever is revealed in the report will be stored in the crane maintenance files.

These files contain a collection of different documents and records that is related to the inspection, operation, testing, evaluation, maintenance and renovation of the equipment. The file will also include the requisite dated inspection records. It will also include all sorts of documentation to provide the owner proof of the crane’s safety and reliability.

Gantry cranes are normally comprised of a bridge beam which is supported at every end by legs and then placed on an end carriage. Gantry cranes are able to travel on deck levels or supporting surfaces whether it is fixed or not.

In operating intricate and risky machinery like gantry cranes, several safety measures are reinforced in the workplace. This is why owners are often required to secure standard operating procedures and manufacturer specifications. Furthermore, the user must be updated to the current occupational health legislation.

Operations of equipment such as gantry canes require the use of several safety materials. The user must wear appropriate boots, gloves, overalls, a hard hat and protective eyewear. Moreover, a respirator and hearing protection must be utilized. You can never be too careful.