Tadano reaches new safety heights with its AC 5.250-2

A Tadano crane sits parked in an open lot

The new Tadano AC 5.250-2 all terrain crane is combining ease of transport with strong lifting capacities.

While a prototype of the crane was displayed at bauma in 2022, Tadano has added a number of additional features that represent a significant upgrade to the AC 5.250-2, particularly in the area of safety.

Lifting capacities have also increased, as much as 30 per cent higher than previous best values in the class. This enables the AC 5.250-2 to deliver a lifting capacity of 14.5 tonnes with a 70-metre boom length at a radius of 12 to 24 metres. Its lifting capacity also reaches 11 tonnes at a radius of 42 metres with a boom length of 47 metres.

The 70-metre main boom can be extended by 42 metres with a HAV main boom extension, making it possible to reach a system length of 112 metres. All available main boom extensions from 5.8 to 36 metres are self-rigging.

Counterweight concept

The crane can pick up its total counterweight of 80 tonnes in three lifts: 49.6 tonnes with a full 360-degree radius of up to 6.2 metres followed by two lifts of 15.2 tonnes, with each split into 10 and 5.2 tonnes for mounting on the right and left of the base package. If necessary, the counterweight can be split into smaller pieces as well, making it possible, for example, to pick up the 5.5-tonne base plate from a distance of up to 20.1 metres across the full radius. 

“Thanks to the IC-1 Plus crane control system, which comes as standard, the available radius can even be significantly increased at certain slewing angles,” said Tadano Project Manager Peter Kleinhans. 

As well, the counterweight can be split into several pieces with none weighing more than 10 tonnes to ensure flexibility for transportation. This allows relatively small trucks to be used for transportation when required.

Transport configurations

The AC 5.250-2 can carry a three-sheave hook block for lifting loads of up to 67.3 tonnes or a 5.8-metre heavy-lift runner on board while remaining within a 12-tonne axle load configuration. Also, a payload of several hundred kilograms at the rear end is possible, while travelling on 16-inch steel rims. This means the crane can be used as a taxi crane without a support vehicle while remaining within the legal axle load limit of 12 tonnes. And if the axle load is increased to 16.5 tonnes, it can also carry up to 20 tonnes of its maximum counterweight of 80 tonnes. 

Tadano tech

The IC-1 Plus crane control system determines the crane’s maximum lifting capacity for every boom position as a function of the superstructure’s slewing angle, and in real time. As a result, the crane is able to take advantage of the maximum lifting capacity available, especially during lifts over the outriggers. The AC 5.250-2 benefits from this tremendously, as its outriggers can be extended asymmetrically to 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent positions.

Also as an option, the Surround View camera system makes it easier for crane operators to position the crane at work sites is available. This patented system uses six crane cameras to show a computer-assisted diagram of the maximum possible extension lengths for the outriggers at the crane’s current location. 

“With Tadano Surround View, crane operators can take a look at a display in the cab to know exactly how they need to position the crane at their work site in order to extend all outriggers sufficiently and ensure that they are using the required counterweight tailswing radius,” Kleinhans said. 

“This eliminates tedious and time-consuming measurements and testing when looking for a location from which to operate the crane, making the latter ready for use faster,” Kleinhans said. 

TailGUARD and Lift Adjuster 

Tadano added its TailGUARD active backup assist system as an additional technological innovation to maximize safety during travel. The system uses two ultrasonic sensors to monitor the area behind the crane when backing up, and works regardless of ambient light conditions. It shows the distance from stationary and moving objects on the cab’s monitor, plays an acoustic warning before reaching obstacles and will stop the crane itself if there is a risk of collision.

The backup assist system is automatically activated the moment the crane’s reverse gear is engaged, making backing up significantly safer. It not only prevents injuries and property damage, but also crane downtimes associated with accidents.

You may also like:

In the future, the AC 5.250-2 will be equipped with Lift Adjuster, which is one of a kind worldwide and is scheduled to become available for the crane in the coming year.

The system consists of a technical control system activated with the press of a button to measure the boom’s deflection and independently adjusts the lift cylinder in order to compensate for the change in radius caused by the aforementioned deflection and to eliminate the risk of swinging. This way, the Lift Adjuster significantly improves safety in the crane’s work environment.

A safe workstation

When developing the AC 5.250-2, Tadano attached special importance to the needs of operators. All hydraulic components that emit noise are located away from the superstructure cab. As well, the spacious design behind both cabs ensures maximum operating comfort and a pleasant work environment. Intelligently positioned access points, attachment points for operators’ personal safety equipment, and a step that can be extended from the carrier to make it safe and comfortable to enter and exit the superstructure cab all contribute. 

The hill start assist system, which comes as standard, ensures stress-free travel operation when driving up and maneuvering on uphill slopes.

The new AC 5.250-2 is powered by a 522 hp Mercedes-Benz engine delivering a  maximum torque of 2,600 Nm. 

The HVO-compatible diesel engine meets Stage V requirements. In addition, it is particularly cost-effective thanks to its Eco Mode, which ensures the engine provides the exact amount of power the crane needs at any one time, with the IC-1 crane control system taking care of the corresponding calculations.