Tadano has incorporated the first Demag-built telescopic boom crawler crane into the company’s lineup.
In early 2019, Terex Corporation agreed to sell its Demag Mobile Cranes business to Tadano Ltd. for about $215 million.
Now, the merged companies have introduced the new Tadano GTC-2000 telescopic boom crawler crane, which is designed and built at Demag in Zweibrücken, Germany.
According to Tadano, including the telescopic boom crawler crane in the Tadano brand complements its strong line of telecrawlers. This makes the integration of the crane from Zweibrücken into the Tadano portfolio an ideal addition from a technological point of view.
“Our goal is to become ‘One Tadano’. With the first telecrawler produced in Germany and branded by Tadano, this vision is now becoming a reality,” said Ingo Nöske, director of product management for crawler cranes.
He added the ‘one Tadano’ philosophy will strengthen cooperation between German and American colleagues in the Tadano Group. The group will be able to take advantage of the “best of both worlds” for the development of new products. For example, the GTC-2000 telecrawler has the Demag IC-1 Plus control as well as the IC-1 Remote telematics system technology.
“With the integration of the GTC-2000 into the Tadano brand, we’re bringing the lone warrior into the family, so to speak,” Nöske said.
However, the AC and CC crane lineups will continue to be marketed under the Demag brand.
Closing a gap
The GTC-2000 closes the gap between the 140 and 240-ton capacity classes. The crane has an actual lifting capacity of more than 170 tons and a maximum load of 590 metre-tonnes, which makes the machine a flexible tool.
It has a track width that can be adjusted as necessary in both symmetrical and asymmetrical configurations, so that it can be used for applications in which space is at a premium, such as bridge construction projects.
The crane is also ideal for construction work, where it is not only able to move and telescope components, but also luff down and retract the boom and then travel underneath roof structures to get to where it needs to be.
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Furthermore, the GTC-2000 is able to bring its strengths to bear as an assist crane, as well as when carrying out wind turbine pre-assembly work. And since the load charts for its 60-metre-long main boom are capable of lifting on inclines of up to 4 degrees, its use requires less topographical ground preparation on-site than a lattice boom crawler crane.
For example, it can lift a full 37.5 tons at a radius of 12 metres when working on an incline of 4 degrees with the main boom at a length of 30 metres.
Bigger boom options
With its main boom length of 30 metres, the GTC-2000 already features the longest reach in its class, according to Tadano, yet it can be increased further.
Main boom extensions with lengths of 5, 11, 17, and 23 metres, which can be mechanically and hydraulically offset, are available, meaning that a maximum tip height of up to 83 metres is possible. The 5 metre extension can be folded onto the side of the main boom for transport to save space.
In addition to its lifting capacity, the GTC-2000 provides nearly the same manoeuvrability and ease of operation as an excavator with its travel pedals.
The joysticks can be used to control the tracks, adding to the machine’s convenient controls.
This is feasible thanks to the crane’s traction force and durable B9HD track components with bolt-on double grouser shoes or flat track shoes. The design, which features a powerful travel drive, provides the crane with a traction force of 1,450 kN. This allows the GTC-2000 crane to turn on a dime under load, even with the narrowest track width. The crane’s gradeability is 50 per cent, while its maximum travel speed is 2 km per hour and its ground clearance is 42 cm.
The GTC-2000 also features different track widths with three standard positions of 3.5, 4.75 and 6 metres, as well as the continuously variable track widths, which can be used in an asymmetrical configuration.
The tracks can be adjusted both when stopped and when travelling while the control system monitors the relevant parameters to ensure the crane remains within an allowable configuration.
The transport width and height of the base crane is 3 metres, making the GTC-2000 a compact crane for its class. The heaviest transport unit weighs 51.2 tons. However, if necessary, this weight can be reduced to 46.3 tons by removing the extension beams used to adjust the track width.
Tadano focus
Engineers at Tadano attached enormous importance to safety when it comes to the crane’s setup. As most assembly steps can be controlled with a remote control or from the cab, the rigger does not have to work in the danger zone. In addition, most of the couplings are hydraulic quick-connect, which enables fast and efficient work.
The GTC-2000 crane is equipped with permanently installed outriggers including outrigger pads, which enable the base crane to be conveniently unloaded from a lowbed trailer.
In addition, the self-assembly operation of the GTC-2000 includes the installation of two 8.27-ton central counterweights that mount on the carrier, the crawler frames, the 49.6 tons upper counterweight stack on the superstructure and the second hoist.
Ergonomic design
The accessibility of the GTC-2000 is designed to enable comfortable and efficient work on the crane. This is the case during transport, setup and operation — even when the tracks are being adjusted as the placement of the permanently installed grating platforms adjusts automatically.
The crane can even be fuelled while on a lowbed trailer, and the cab can be easily accessed during setup in order to start the machine for self-assembly.
Permanent ladders and ladder attachment points for the included loose ladder are located strategically around the crane for access to key components during all stages. The crane also features anchors for a personal fall protection system at the intended ladder support points.
The GTC-2000 crane is driven by an MTU 6-cylinder engine with an output of 308 hp and a torque of 958.83 foot-pounds.
This engine complies with Tier 4 Final specifications. There are two operating modes: At a speed of 1,500 rpm, the diesel engine will run in an Eco mode that optimizes fuel consumption, while at a speed of 1,800 rpm, it will have a Power Boost function available. This provides a noticeable output increase and makes it possible to carry out simultaneous movements at high output or speed during crane operation.
The two hoists of the GTC-2000 also offer a unique technological feature. The primary and auxiliary hoists are technically identical, with both featuring a 245-metre-long, 2.5-cm-thick, wire rope with a high line pull of 15.3 tons.
The wire rope’s high line pull makes it possible to lift heavy loads with low reeving, saving time during setup and re-reeving.
The GTC-2000 will be available in North America in the second half of 2020.
