A guide to ConExpo 2023

Liebherr’s LRT 1130-2.1 rough terrain crane

Following on from last month’s preview, we now bring you a comprehensive guide to the new products for our industry at the ConExpo 2023 trade show, 14 to 18 March, in Las Vegas, USA.

Less than six months after the vast Bauma trade show in Germany, and we are already on to the next one. And the construction sector is excited about it, especially since the 2020 show was let down and cut short by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Here we are three years later, and we are told the vibe is positive and there’s a lot of pent up demand among buyers to see new equipment.

How many exhibitors attend ConExpo?

In the case of the crane, rigging and specialized transportation sector, cranes, trailers, rigging gear and related services are all on buyers’ shopping lists.

Three years ago some exhibitors, not from the crane sector, pulled out of the show due to the pandemic. This year, the show is 5 per cent larger and there will be 1,800 exhibitors.

The Broderson ICe-80 is the company’s first foray into electric cranes

One of the biggest is Liebherr with a 5,600 square metre stand and more than 30 exhibits, many of them cranes.

What follows here, in no particular order is a roundup of new products on show. Some will have been seen elsewhere but all are either brand new, new in North America or are the manufacturers’ latest launches.

What new equipment will be at ConExpo?

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Broderson Manufacturing has three new industrial pick and carry cranes, the IC-400-C, the RT-400-B and the ICe-80.

The IC400-C is a 25 US ton industrial carry deck crane that has been re-engineered to offer easier maintenance and reduce operating cost.

Also, a 25 tonner, the RT-400-B is a rough terrain crane that has been redesigned from its predecessor, the IC400-B.

The ICe-80 is said to be a game-changer for the industry. It is a 9 ton capacity all-electric carry deck crane. Broderson’s first foray into electric cranes is a significant step forward in the company’s commitment to sustainability.

With zero emissions at the point of use and improved energy efficiency, the ICe-80 is good for the environment and the bottom line.

AC65E-155S boom truck

Moving to boom trucks, the AC65E-155S is the latest from Altec. First seen at the Utility Expo in 2021 it lifts 65 tons (59 tonnes) and has a 155 foot (47 metre) six section boom and a swing seat.

It is the company’s largest model that is dual-rated as a crane and work platform. Configured as an aerial device it offers a platform working height of 220 feet (67 metres).

Its two-stage hydraulic articulating jib brings features to a boom truck that are typically reserved for larger cranes, Altec says.

Also featured is a 12,500 pound (5.7 tonne) hydraulically removable counterweight to increase capacity for high radius picks and allows for one person installation and removal from inside the cab.

The Altec AC65E-155S is the only machine in its class under 40 feet long

The hydraulic system includes a high-capacity Braden PD 15B planetary hoist with 2-speed piston motor and 15,000-pound rated line pull.

Winch drum rotation indicator, rotation resistant wire rope, winch control and boom telescope control at the load hook stow point, are standard on the Altec AC65E.

There are out and down type outriggers with four spread position settings. An operator defined audible alarm can be added for boom angle and length, as well as rotational position.

AC 4.070-2 all terrain crane

In the all terrain crane sector Tadano will reveal its new product line-up. The American audience will be treated to first sight of the 70 tonne capacity AC 4.070-2, designed to be compact and powerful. With a 50 metre main boom, it can lift 7.3 tonnes at a radius of 10 metres.

The AC 4.070-2 can transport its maximum counterweight of 12 tonnes by itself

The AC 4.070-2 can transport its maximum counterweight of 12 tonnes by itself while staying within an axle load limit of 12 tonnes.

It can still manage 4.2 tonnes when the axle load is reduced to 10 tonnes instead. These features help make it a versatile taxi crane.

Technical highlights of the AC 4.070-2 include the IC-1 Plus crane control system, the optional IC-1 remote telematics solution and the Flex Base system allowing extension of the crane’s outriggers to any point in the range.

An E-Pack preparation package for zero-emission crane operation and the Tadano Surround View camera system can also be specified.

Further up the AT range, Link-Belt will show its brand new 300|AT on a five axle carrier (ICST January News, p7). See the full story on this range-topping model in our product news special on page 15.

Rough terrain cranes debuting at ConExpo

Terex Cranes will display its new TRT 40US rough terrain. It expands the Terex RT product line and follows the launch of the TRT 80US and the TRT 100US.

One feature is the Terex Operating System (TEOS) to improve safety, usability, efficiency of navigation, operation and information flow.

TRT models are designed to offer compact dimensions, proportional telescopic boom and LED lights. They are also equipped for T-Link telematics.

Terex will show rough terrain cranes from its TRT series

The TRT 40US is a 40 US ton (36 tonne) rough terrain crane with synchronised four-section boom. It is 8.2 feet (2.5 metres) wide for easy manoeuvring on congested jobsites. Four steering modes also help with this.

Power for the TRT 40US is from a 4-cylinder Cummins QSB4.5 diesel engine with an Eco Mode function for better fuel consumption. Variants are either the Stage IIIA / Tier 3 or Stage 5 / Tier 4 Final according to regional needs.

5iE battery-electric crane

The Ormig 15iE is the smallest electric crane of the company’s indoor range

Italian pick and carry crane manufacturer Ormig will show its 15 tonne capacity model 15iE. The battery-electric machine was conceived and designed to operate indoors and in confined spaces.

It is operated via a radio-remote control and offers compact in dimensions, at 1.84 metres wide and 1.90 metres tall. Without its counterweight it weighs 13 tonnes.

As with the other Ormig cranes in the indoor range, its rear axle steering system allows the machine to turn in its own length and operate in particularly confined spaces.

Kobelco crawler cranes

Japanese manufacturer Kobelco will launch a full line up of its crawler cranes now powered by Isuzu engines instead of Hino.

It will show three in Las Vegas: the CK1600G-3, CK2000G-3 and the CK 2750G-3, at 160, 200 and 275 US tons capacity, respectively).

The CK1600G-3, which ACT saw exclusively in Texas in January, uses the Isuzu Model 6UZ1 diesel engine. It is a 6-cylinder, turbocharged, Tier 4 Final unit with 362 horsepower.

Kobelco has repowered seven of its lattice boom models with Isuzu engines instead of Hino

Maximum boom length is 250 feet, and the maximum boom plus fixed jib combination is 200 + 100 feet.

A luffing jib is also available, offering a maximum combination of 157 plus 175 feet. All the boom and jib components are interchangeable with the previous model.

Tower cranes

Comansa will show its new LCH300 luffer for the first time in North America. Another first for the Spanish manufacturer is that it is an hydraulic model.

Capacity is 16 tonnes and jib length can be set between 25 and 60 metres, in 5 metre increments.

Confined urban sites will be its natural habitat so it has a minimum working radius of 4 metres and an out of service radius of 9 metres.

Comansa’s new LCH300 hydraulic luffing jib tower crane

The Cube operator cab (in large or extra large) is fitted with split type air conditioning. The cabin platform, like the lifting and hydraulic unit platforms, can be transported in one load.

Fellow Spanish tower crane manufacturer Jaso will show its derrick crane, the J1920.DC. It will also show the J780PA.60, the company’s largest luffing jib tower crane, with a capacity of 75 tonnes.

It offers a maximum reach of 70 metres and a tip load of 5.7 tonnes. The Smartlink 4.0 system and ECO Mode system for energy saving are also featured.

Heavy transport equipment

German manufacturer Goldhofer’s STZ-VL double drop highway semitrailers are designed for fast and easy front-end loading and, in spite of their low deadweight, reliable handling of very high payloads.

An additional pin-on flip axle gives more flexibility and payload as well as the adaptability to operate across state lines with differences in heavy haul regulations.

New from Goldhofer is the P12 Plus highway trailer. As a 12 axle version it can carry 127 tonnes at a 12 tonne axle load.

Wind turbine component transport is a big focus for Goldhofer which will also show its largest blade trailer to date, the FTV 850.

Nelson Manufacturing Company will unveil its all new BLXLT line of boom launch trailers. This new, completely reimagined boom launch trailer weighs in at a significant 8,000 pounds (3.6 tonnes) less than standard BL models.

Goldhofer’s STZ-VL4 (3+1 axles) lowboy semi-trailer with a flip axle

This new design will allow for heavier booms to be launched on standard tri-axle and quad axle configurations.

The BLXLT will eliminate the need for booster axles and front jeeps in certain applications. The moveable rear saddle allows for greater adjustments in axle weight distribution to meet regional requirements.

Crane software

A1A Software will release stand-alone lift planning tools and it will introduce a new version of iCraneTrax.

These lift planning and asset management tools are designed to help people with different roles in the crane supplier’s organisation to be functional at various levels with as little or as much complexity as the role requires.

3D Lift Plan is the foundation of the company’s new lift planning A1A Product Suite. It is software for creating bids, critical lifts, rigging documentation, lift simulations and more.

3D Lift Plan is the foundation of the company’s new lift planning A1A Product Suite

The addition of stand-alone tools that can be used by themselves or in combination with 3D Lift Plan make it more powerful.

All information from A1A Product Suite apps create digital records that can be imported into the full version of 3D Lift Plan.

In addition, the newest version of iCraneTrax offers improved admin interfaces, greater drag and drop functionality, better integration with accounting programs and more.

A1A’s iCraneTrax helps companies best use their human and equipment assets to maximise profits. Designed for owners of heavy equipment fleets, they can manage customer relationships, create sales forecasting, stay on top of dispatch, fleet allocation and maintenance and produce job reports.

CM Labs Simulations will announce new training solutions for the construction, infrastructure and utility markets.

Guide to ConExpo-Con/Agg

What is ConExpo-Con/Agg? The largest construction trade show in North America. It connects professionals from every major construction sector.

Held every three years, the show aims to “help construction professionals elevate their industry expertise, experience the newest equipment and products through demonstrations and industry-leading education, make new professional connections and grow their own marketability within the industry.”

When is ConExpo-Con/Agg? 14 to 18 March 2023

Where is ConExpo-Con/Agg? Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, USA

The new training packs address critical workforce and productivity issues. The physics-based Smart Training technology and advanced reporting insights from its Instructor Operation Station (IOS) will future-proof training programmes and recruitment needs, the company says.

These insights are possible due to the accuracy of CM Labs’ exclusive Smart Training Technology embedded in its simulators.

CM Labs offers modules of several crane types for its crane operator simulator training packages

Comprising proprietary and patented algorithms, Smart Training technology results in training based on real data and real machines, delivering the most transferable operator skills anywhere, outside the real equipment.

Crane accessories

Hoistcam by Netarus is a high-definition camera system designed specifically for construction and industrial applications, especially where operators are working blind.

The camera is mounted on a hook block, hoist, or other piece of the crane above the load. It allows operators to see a live real time feed of the load and surrounding area that they would not normally see, all from the cab.

The newest HoistCam feature is its high-definition (HD) capability. Netarus claims a unique capability, something no other purpose-built operator aid camera can do in the industry: transmit a high-resolution video in 1080P with HDMI output, point-to-point in near real-time, encrypted, frequency hopping signal for deployment anywhere in the world.

HoistCam now offers HD image quality

Some models of the camera system also includes low light and night vision, and pan, tilt and zoom capabilities.

RaycoWylie will unveil its new product line, the i5000 crane control system, which allows advanced integration and superior quality, RaycoWylie said.

This system makes single-function interfaces a thing of the past. The new application allows monitoring and controlling a complete array of options, including camera views, engine data, greasing systems, radar, wireless and CANbus sensors and tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS).

The technology platform is designed around a high-performance control unit that allows the use of multiple-sized, high intensity touch screen displays.

Fuel-agnostic engines

Engine manufacturer Cummins will show its new fuel-agnostic 15 litre engine, with hydrogen, biogas and diesel fuel options.

It offers OEMs the opportunity to accelerate the decarbonisation of heavy-duty off-highway applications, the company says.

Prepared to meet Tier 5 exhaust emission requirements, the new platform offers “a significant increase in power density with a more compact installation envelope enabling OEMs to increase machine capability and productivity with no impact on running cost.”

There is a common base engine with cylinder heads and fuel systems specifically for hydrogen, natural gas, diesel and biofuels, including hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO).

Cummins’ new 15 litre engine is available in versions to run on different fuels

Power ratings on hydrogen will range from 400 to 530 hp and peak torque will be 2,600 Nm. On renewable biogas, this engine will offer 400 to 510 hp with a peak torque of 2,500 Nm.

As a diesel version the power range will be 450 to 650 hp, with 3,200 Nm peak torque.

Steel crane mats

Bigfoot will launch its new product line, American Armor steel crane mats. Made from JDS: Just Domestic Steel, they are engineer certified and built in standard or custom sizes.

American Armor mats are designed to handle cranes from 200 to 500 US tons.

They come with lifetime customer support, a 20-year warranty, a 20-year internal rust warranty and compliance letter confirmed and stamped by a registered professional engineer.

They meet and exceed AISC Load Resistance Factor Design requirements. All welding is done by American Welding Society (AWS) certified welders and all welds meet the requirements of AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code, an American National Standard.

Steel identification tags are welded to the mats so there is no more guessing the weight, capacity or serial number, Bigfoot says.

Bigfoot offers outrigger pads made from different materials, including a new steel range

Complementing the DICA product line of FiberMax crane pads will be the next generation of engineered crane pad. The new crane pads are designed to meet demand for durable, long-lasting support at a lower price.

Following the company’s announcement in November of the acquisition of SlatTrax ground protection and temporary access roads, DICA will introduce additional products in its ground protection and cribbing lines.

In addition, DICA will debut its new Cross Lock outrigger pad system, which is designed for the challenges concrete pump operators face daily.

The small outrigger floats on concrete pumps create highly concentrated pressures that can easily lead to accidents.

The new system has a multi-pad set up and is engineered to structurally distribute the high-pressure loads over a much larger area.

This article originally featured in the January edition of International Cranes and Specialized Transport. Click here to read the full issue.