Cranes, Rigging Equipment Win 2015 LLEAP Awards

November 3, 2015 - Crane & Rigging Hot Line’s sister publication Lift and Access has named the winners of its 2015 LLEAP Awards. The Leadership in Lifting Equipment and Aerial Platforms (LLEAP) Awards recognize products, components, and accessories that are innovative or have advanced the lifting and access industry.

 

Now in its 10th year, the LLEAP Awards program continues to bring well-deserved recognition to new products that raise the industry’s performance and safety. The LLEAP competition considers five categories of entries: Three categories are types of lifting or access equipment, and the other two focus on unique OEM features and innovative industry-related components or services.

 

To be considered in the 2015 LLEAP competition, a product, major product improvement, or accessory must have been available in North America and have been introduced or delivered to the market between June 1, 2014, and May 31, 2015.

 

Below are crane industry-related products last received awards. They were voted on by a panel of judges who have strong experience and are deeply involved in fields related to lifting equipment. Read more about the LLEAP Awards in the November-December issue of Lift and Access.

 

Cranes

Gold: Altec AC40-152S Dual-Rated Boom Truck

Enlarge Image Altec AC40-152S boom truck

Altec Inc.’s new AC40-152S boom truck is engineered as a dual-rated product whose crane mode of operation complies with the ASME B30.5 standard and whose aerial mode of operation complies with the ANSI A92.2 aerial-lift standard, when the unit is outfitted with optional equipment.

When the unit is configured for aerial operation and outfit­ted with optional equipment, the operator can send crews aloft to heights of more than 220 ft. When it is configured for crane opera­tion, the user has all the benefits of a 40-ton telescopic-boom crane with a 152-ft. maximum main-boom length.

The dual rating minimizes setup time and the amount of equip­ment needed on a project.

The AC40-152S’s other innovative features include a patented Dual Entry Cab that provides safe access throughout the upper­works’ entire range of rotation. The optional 20° tilt feature delivers a clear view overhead.

Altec’s new LMAP system displays load on the hook, rated capacity percentage, boom length and angle, and load radius. It also lets the operator define audible alarm set points for area protection.

The patent-pending, quick-attach platform reduces installation time with a lightweight bracket that secures to the main boom, the end of the jib, or the optional composite reach extension. Once the bracket is attached to any of those locations, the operator can simply extend the boom until the bracket engages the platform.

Longer outrigger cylinders that allow easy setup on uneven ter­rain, reduce the amount of cribbing needed, minimize setup time, and enable more payload space on the truck.

 

Judges’ Comments

• Delivers impressive capacity at extreme height in small stowed package.
• Having aerial lift and crane functionality in one machine will greatly increase project efficiency.

 

Silver: Terex Explorer 5500 All-Terrain Crane

Enlarge Image Terex Explorer 5500 AT Crane

The 140-ton-capacity Terex Explorer 5500 five-axle all-terrain crane features a 197-ft telescopic boom, and a maximum boom-and-jib combination of 284 ft.

Its 39'10" carrier length, 46'11" overall length, and 9'0" overall width make it the most compact crane in its capacity class, and its all-axle steering gives it excellent maneuverability.

Configuration options, such as removable boom, transport dolly preparation, 5-ft. maximum front overhang, variable axle loads, and variable axle intervals let the Explorer 5500 meet widely varied roading regulations.

The automatic counterweight system lets the crane set up quickly. Electronically controlled brakes reduce wear while increasing braking power. Easily accessible service points simplify maintenance.

The Terex single-motor concept lowers operating cost by powering travel and crane operation with just one carrier-mounted engine. The Explorer 5500’s 500-hp diesel meets Tier 4 Final emission standards, and the control system automatically switches the engine to high-power mode for driving to energy-saving mode for lifting. An energy-saving start/stop function cuts operating costs even more.

In the carrier cab, touch screen displays tell the driver important data on more than ten aspects of carrier operation, and axle loads are monitored continuously. The dynamic-launch feature stops the crane from rolling backward when starting up on hills.

In the crane cab, the Terex IC-1 control system stores all load charts, the respective working range limits, and more information to permit quick, simple, and safe configuration.

The optional IC-1 Plus control system instantly calculates lifting capacities for every boom position and superstructure slewing angle. That ability lets the operator lift with an asymmetric outrigger setup. The system’s enhanced visualization gives the crane operator additional information about capacity in relation to boom position and a colored visualization of the work-area capacity.

 

Judges’ Comments

• Great city crane in a compact package that delivers strong mid-range capacity charts.
• Single-engine concept with anti-idling feature is a great idea.

 

 

OEM Features or Essential Components

Gold: Terex Utilities Cobra-Style Jib

Enlarge Image Terex Utilities Cobra-Style Jib

Terex Utilities’ new cobra-style jib mounts to the company’s Hi-Ranger TL and LTM aerial devices to give users new levels of jib versatility and compact storage.

It can be end- or top-mounted and used with all 24"x48" plat­forms. On LTM40 lifts, it offers 800 lbs. of capacity, and on TL series lifts, it has a 1,000-lb. capacity. The jib’s hydraulic articulation and extension give operators greater range of jib motion for increased productivity, and the cobra-style jib can put the hoisting line farther from the basket shaft than other types of jibs.

The cobra-style jib can be quickly retracted and stowed conveniently out of the way with a 16-in.-high profile when it’s not needed, and can be raised to working position within seconds. Raising and lowering are done hydraulically. Whether the jib is stowed or in working position, the aerial lift’s boom retains its full range of motion, down to -40°.

Operators can easily rotate the jib for better accessibility between lines or to align it with their work. The cobra-style jib does not swivel with the work platform, so users can position the platform and jib independently to best meet individual lifting situations.

A poppet valve prevents the cobra-style jib from damaging itself during operation. The valve will instantly shut off various functions if the rear of the jib makes contact with the fiberglass boom.

Judges’ Comments

• Extremely useful and versatile. Great design with the operator in mind.
• Allows linemen more versatility at the pole and more accessibility between lines.

 

 

Aftermarket Support Products & Services

 

Silver: Caldwell Group Dura-Lite Lifting and Spreader Beams

Enlarge Image Caldwell's Dura-Lite Beams

Caldwell Group’s Dura-Lite composite-material lifting and spreader beams offer a rigging solution that combines strength with light weight, electrical non-conductivity, and freedom from corrosion.

They are made by bonding durable composite material to form ultra-strong equipment that withstands the demands of a rugged work environment, yet is still easy to transport.

The Model 420 lifting beam is designed with a single top lifting point close to the beam for low headroom and two lower load swivel hooks for lifting.

The Model 430 spreader beam has a single lifting point attached to rigging that spreads out and is attached to the beam at the ends. The top-rigging configuration adds stability and extends head room during lifts. The beam includes two lower load swivel hooks for lifting.

Both models come in capacities from 1/4 to 3 tons, with more than 40 sizes light enough to ship by small-package service instead of truck. For example, a 72-in.-long, 1-ton-capacity Model 420 lifting beam weighs just 54.4 lbs., and a 72-in.-long, 3-ton-capacity Model 430 spreader beam weighs just 62.5 lbs.

Caldwell also builds custom-designed lifting systems of high-strength composites.

Dura-Lite lifting and spreader beams comply with current ASME B30.20, BTH-1, Design Category B, Service Class 4 requirements, are proof tested, and are issued a certificate.

 

Judges’ Comments

• Lightweight spreader beam can allow use of smaller lifting equipment in tight spaces.
• Lightweight, non-corroding, and non-conductive – a great combination.