SAIE, now in its 41st year, is expected to attract around 1,850 exhibitors – approximately 450 of whom will be from abroad – displaying their wares in 220,000 sq m of exhibition space in Bologna. The 2005 show will use the new hall 16-18, the latest at the Bologna Exhibition centre, opened in autumn 2004. The exhibition covers 18 halls and six outdoor areas.

Among the exhibitors at SAIE 2005 will be industrial radio remote controls manufacturer Autec, which will show the LK 4-D, LK 6-D, and LK 8-D units, with four, six, and eight pushbuttons respectively. The new models are claimed to add powerful features to the company’s LK design by introducing what is described as a compact and robust receiver (230mm by180mm by 96mm) that is configurable for specialised applications.

Autec says: “These new transmitters offer a wider configurability, thanks to several new features, to meet any user’s demand in industrial and building sector. A large number of applications can be covered: winches and hoists, concrete mixers and concrete pumps, truck cranes, tow trucks, container swing-lifts, industrial vehicles. The redundant stop contacts are available individually, and an optional PLC module allows the development of a specialised machine control system.”

Meanwhile, the MK10-14 is the latest addition to Autec’s Modular series of radio remote controls. The new model is designed to add features to the proven MK10 by introducing “a compact and robust receiver, that is highly configurable for specialised applications”.

Also on display at Autec’s booth will be pushbutton handset MK10 and MK12, and the MJ joystick controller from the company’s Modular series. Both handset models come with an integrated fail-proof safety system (neutral position control commands under Cat. 3 EN954-1 and active safety Stop under Cat. 3 EN954-1, both certified by TÜV), and are also available with a data feedback option (to display data coming from sensors located on the controlled device).

The design of these devices is said to be ergonomic, with much emphasis placed on operator comfort in high-usage applications. MJ transmitters are made of two materials – “sturdy and shockproof” Nylon/glass fibre for the body, and a soft rubber layer on hand rests and grip.

Autec’s E16 series digital data transmission kit is designed to replace the wire connection to allow applications like console-to-distribution board wireless controls transmission, remote activation of alarm signals, and information interchange between devices operating in the same area (up to 20 controls within the operating range of 200m).

Finally, Autec says that truck-mounted cranes can be controlled “at the highest safety degree certified by TÜV” by its proportional remote controls series PRO-M, which is said to baost quick installation and easy set-up of commands’ response and levers sensitivity to meet the user’s habits;

Talking of truck mounted cranes, among the products Hiab plans to show are the 288E-8 HiPro + Rotzler winch TC2. This crane will be installed on a four-axle MAN truck, although the crane can also be placed on different bodies.

Other products displayed will include the Hiab 800EP-5 installed on a four-axle Scania, the Hiab 322E-6 + jib 70X-4, and the Hiab 033T-3 installed on a special vehicle, designed for example to replace windows on high buildings.

The Hiab 144E-5 HiDuo will be displayed installed on a two-axle Scania. Also on show will be the Hiab 077B-3 Duo; Hiab 088ES-4 HiDuo; Hiab 099E-5 HiDuo; Hiab 111B-3 HiDuo; Multilift XR8, and Moffett-Kooi M4 25.3.

Liebherr will have four mobile cranes on display. As Cranes Today went to press, the precise models were not finalised, because the selection will depend on delivery times and on customer requests. However, Liebherr did say it was likely to show the LTM 1055-3.1, LTM 1095-5., LTM 1400-7.1, and LTC 1055-3.1.

It is also too early for Manitowoc Crane Group to reveal its plans, although the company confirmed that it would show a variety of mobile cranes from the Grove product lines. There will be at least two Grove GMK all-terrains on display and, probably, two rough-terrain cranes.

Ormig is showing a 25tmE “pick and carry” crane of 25t maximum capacity, powered by an electric battery. It is claimed to offers remarkable performance with reduced overall dimensions (2.4m height).

Furthermore, the fitting of an electronic unit of new generation it is optimised the crane operativity with important capability and power safe. The motors control is not any more depending from the remote switch and the hydraulic system pump is at variable delivery.

Several attachments can be used such as hydraulic and mechanical fly jibs, forks, etc. There will be also the 33tmE “Pick and carry”, 33 tonnes max. capacity, at electric battery.

Tadano Faun plans to show its ATF 65G-4 all-terrain crane (see page 31 for more details).

Terex Bendini will display a selection of rough terrain cranes including the RC 45 launched at last year’s SAIE show. It will also display the new TCC 45, a 44t @ 2.5m crawler crane with telescopic boom with 37,4m maximum length; this crane has an overall width of 3m and is equipped with a Cummins engine of 164kW.

Full production and distribution of this new crane will start in 1st half 2006.

Terex Demag will show the AC 120-1, whose main boom is 60m long. The machine uses the state-of-the-art technology of its successful larger siblings AC 160-1 and AC 200-1. Vehicle width is 2.75m “making the crane very compact and agile”.

More than 12,00 City Class machines have been delivered since the series was launched in 1996. The three-axle AC 55 City is one of the new designs that had been introduced at the Bauma 2004. Demag’s experience with the series and customer feedback have been entered into the machine’s design. The crane disposes of a 40m main boom, a newly developed two-man cab and a novel counterweight system that may be supplemented on site.

All the new products feature the intelligent Demag IC-1 crane control system that comes with a color display and touch screen as well as the UNIMEC telescoping and bolting system for the boom. A computer monitored hydraulic axle control provides improved safety, driving comfort, and agility on the and on soft surfaces.