Fleet

Best of Bauma – Cranes

By Anirban Bagchi

Posted on April 7, 2019

A paradigm lift

The heavyweights of the world of heavy lifting will be out in full force at Bauma 2019, presenting new cranes and lifting technologies to the world.

Perhaps the biggest news in the entire event this year will come from the cranes sector, after Terex confirmed the sale of its illustrious Demag brand to Tadano; and Manitowoc will debut six new models from its Grove and Potain lines and also present a technology pavilion highlighting customer-focused innovations at stands FS 1201, FS 1202 and FS 1302/1.

Barry Pennypacker, president and CEO of Manitowoc, says: “Since we became a stand-alone crane company nearly three years ago, we have bolstered our new product pipeline, developing products that our customers want to purchase. Bauma 2019 will be a great opportunity for us to connect with a large number of Manitowoc customers, which will enable us to gather the information necessary to continue our strategy of adding value to our customers.”

Several new Potain cranes will be on the company’s stand, including those from its topless tower crane and self-erecting Hup ranges. For Grove, the company will introduce new cranes from its all-terrain and rough-terrain lines. Manitowoc will also present new technologies for the industry, with one highlight involving a recent advancement in telematics.

Sticking with tower cranes, Spanish company Comansa will join forces with its German dealer BKL Baukran Logistik at stand FS.1103/1, covering 800sqm in the outdoor area. The Spanish company will be exhibiting its latest high-capacity model, available worldwide since September 2018. The 21LC1050 flat-top crane can load up to 50t, has a maximum radius of 80m and features high-speed hoist mechanisms of up to 300m per minute with capacity of 1,570m of wire rope. The crane is delivered with Comansa’s new CUBE cab in its XL size, the company’s largest, which will also be exhibited.

Swiss tower crane specialist Wolffkran’s theme at Bauma this year is MORE – Manufacturer, Operations, Rental, Expertise – reflecting the entire range of services and the identity of the company. A trio of cranes will lead its exhibit: the new Wolff luffing crane 133 B, the Big Wolff 1250 B and the latest Wolff 6020 clear crane.

The biggest news for the crane sector, and indeed for the entire equipment industry, is one of the best-known equipment brands changing hands – Demag. Only weeks before Bauma, Terex announced that it was selling the prized brand and allied assets to Japanese crane specialist Tadano. With the industry eager to know more, the two companies will hold a joint press conference at the Terex booth, with the top executives of both companies attending.

Otherwise, though, it’s business as usual for Terex. Under the theme ‘Rethink’, the company will display models from its full range of products – mobile, tower and crawler cranes. New models will be mainly confined to non-Demag products, especially tower cranes.

MECN is collaborating with Construction Machinery News Middle East magazine to cover Bauma 2019. Look out for our special hot list of equipment as part of our special coverage of the event.