Gulf Construction Online - Tadano’s GR Series geared for tough jobs

Cranes

Tadano’s new trio of rough-terrain cranes ... weight lifters.

Tadano’s GR Series geared for tough jobs

Efficient motors, long booms, compact design and smart assistant systems are some of the highlights of Tadano’s new rough-terrain models that help them handle heavy lifting operations.

01 October 2021

Crane manufacturer Tadano has launched a new trio of rough-terrain models in the GR Series, which are said to give lifting contractors solutions to meet more diverse application needs.

Demonstrating impressive robustness and high performance, the new GR-700EX-4, GR-900EX-4 and GR-1000EX-4 cranes feature state-of-the-art technology to handle even the most demanding requirements, says Tadano.

With efficient motors, the longest boom in its class (GR-1000EX-4), compact design and smart assistant systems, everything is on board for maximum success with the GR series, according to a spokesman for the company

The versatile GR-700EX-4, GR-900EX-4 and GR-1000EX-4 feature long boom designs with high lift capacities reaching 70, 90 and 100 tonnes respectively. “Their compact design includes a low overall height to improve transport ease. Flexibly working on both paved and rough, unpaved terrain, these cranes are the right choice for congested construction sites, maintenance work, industrial, energy and crane rigging assist applications,” says a spokesman for Tadano.

These new Tadano rough-terrain cranes boast round tubular boom construction to increase rigidity and deliver fast boom extension. They offer two synchronised telescoping system options that shorten extension time to maximum boom length to under three minutes for all three cranes. Their two-stage, bi-fold lattice jib increases lifting flexibility by extending boom length by 10.1 or 17.7 m and offering offset positions of 3.5, 25 or 45 degrees from the main boom centerline. Assist cylinders provide fast and simple jib installation, and it conveniently stows along the base boom section when not in use.

Efficient operation

All models are equipped with the Tadano View System, which combines cameras and sonar to support the crane operator during handling. Right front and rear-view cameras help to increase work area visibility for the operator while driving.

“The operator conveniently monitors wire rope winding from inside the cab with the new standard winch drum monitoring camera. Integrated into the frame for protection, the rear ‘Clearance Sonar’ can detect obstacles behind the crane and provides audible and visual alerts when an object is detected,” says the spokesman.

Camera feed is displayed on the new large 264-mm Multi-Function Display touchscreen, which can show lift charts, crane configuration and operating settings. ‘Clearance Sonar’ alerts are seen on a dedicated display which sits on top of the Multi-Function Display. The pressure-sensitive screen allows operators to quickly navigate through menus and change settings, even while wearing gloves, he points out.

“The reconfigured instrument panel puts all controls within easy reach to advance ergonomic operation, while a lower panel height improves visibility to the front of the crane,” the spokesman adds.

To maximise full lifting potential, the new crane line features Tadano’s Smart Chart control system technology that has evolved from 30 years of field application of asymmetric outrigger control systems. “Whether working with asymmetric or fully extended outrigger positioning, this Tadano system expands the working area from a standard circular cone to a square pyramid. On congested jobsites where outriggers cannot be fully extended, Smart Chart adapts lift capacity, based on boom and outrigger positioning, in a comfortable work environment,” he explains.

Both the 90-tonne GR-900EX-4 and 100-tonne GR-1000EX-4 feature Tadano’s exclusive Smart Counterweight system to increase crane flexibility and lifting performance. Front and rear counterweight position options allow the crane to be rigged for either a compact tail swing radius or higher lifting capacity. The new system increases crane lift capacity by up to 22 per cent and all “Smart” lift charts are visible on the in-cab display. Self-rigging capability of the counterweights reduce crane set-up time at the jobsite.

Comfortable cab

Entry into the re-designed cab has been simplified with a new three-step, angled extension ladder and door design that aligns with the steps. The crane’s new catwalk on the cab permits entry at any slewing angle.

An improved heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system helps to keep operators cool during the heat of the summer and warm during the winter, while longer front and roof window wiper blades help to improve visibility when working in inclement weather.

The new crane series’ electronically-controlled, fully-automatic transmission offers six forward speeds and two reverse speeds to meet underfoot driving conditions. Four-wheel drive in both forward and reverse allows these cranes to navigate rough, hilly terrain with ease. The cranes offer a maximum 18 km/h forward travel speed to quickly navigate around the jobsite.

Helping to advance fleet management efficiency, the new Tadano rough-terrain crane line is standard equipped with Hello-Net telematics service. Critical operating functions such as crane operation status, location, configuration and maintenance information are captured and securely accessed from anywhere an internet connection is available. Tadano’s smartphone app, Hello-Data Link, connects the crane to mobile devices for convenient access to real-time crane data.

The same Stage V-compliant 209 kW engine powers all cranes in the line to lower parts stocking needs for contractors with multiple Tadano rough-terrain cranes in their fleet.

Highlights of the three cranes include:

GR-700EX-4: With its 4.35-tonne counterweight package integrated into the upper carriage, the GR-700EX-4 is quickly ready for work and features a compact tail swing to work in tight spaces. It offers a 70-tonne lift capacity at a 3-m radius and a 47-m boom length that leads the capacity class. The crane quickly extends to a 35-m boom length in 142 seconds.

GR-900EX-4: This 90-tonne-class crane comes with 9.1 tonnes of counterweight that is quickly self-rigged by the crane. With its unique, two-position Smart Counterweight system, the GR-900EX-4 offers a one-tonne lift capacity at a 40-m radius with the counterweight in the forward position and 1.2-tonne capacity at a 40-m radius in the rear position. The 47-m maximum boom quickly deploys with synchronised boom extension of the third, fourth and fifth sections to a 35-m length in 155 seconds.

GR-1000EX-4: With its class-leading 51-m maximum boom length, this model features a synchronised telescopic boom system to extend to maximum boom length in just 170 seconds. Its two-position Smart Counterweight system increases lift capacity at a 42-m radius from 0.9-tonne in the forward position to 1.1-tonne at the rear position when equipped with its full 11.2 tonnes of counterweight. The GR-1000EX-4 features an overall height of just under 3,805 mm to simplify transportation.