The largest new introduction at Intermat 2009 in Paris was from Kobelco cranes, who unveiled the 400t capacity Kobelco SL4500. This was officially handed over to Weldex during the show. Maximum SHL (super heavy- lift) configuration is 84m main boom with 54m luffing jib, or 78m main boom with 66m luffing jib, resulting in an impressive 144m total boom length. Power rating is 340 kW.

Also attracting attention was the latest crane from Sennebogen. Designed to meet a variety of duties in civil engineering, demolition and mate rial handling, the 690HD lattice boom crawler crane has a lifting capacity of 91t. The crane is adaptable for use as a mechanical and heavy hydraulic diaphragm wall grab, tubing case machine, drag line and general crane lifting duties.

Manitowoc launched the five-axle Grove GMK5110-1 all-terrain crane and the GSK 55 mobile. Another innovation from Manitowoc was the MDT series with fold-back counter jib. The MDT 368 L12 has a 12t capacity and the MDT 368 L16 is 16t. A surprise was two additional new City cranes – the GCK3045 and the TMC540. The GCK3045 has 45t capacity and 34m boom.

The compact shape enables it to access restricted area job sites and industrial locations. Another surprise was the TMC540, a truck-mounted crane that combines proven technology from Grove’s upperworks with a chassis from Scania. Grove claim it sets new standards in terms of ease of use and lower fuel costs and, like the 31m boom GSK55, offers lower operating costs. Maximum capacity for the TMC540 is 40t.

Grove describes the GSK55 as “a new and unique concept combining lift ability from a Grove all-terrain crane with the mobility of a standard on-road truck”. The crane marries the power of Grove’s 55t capacity GMK3055 all-terrain crane with a custom-built truck chassis, and customers then purchase or use an existing tractor of their own to provide mobility.

Although launched at ConExpo 2008, many Europeans had their first opportunity to get close to the new 350t capacity Liebherr LTM 1350-6.1 which has a maximum lift height of 132m.

Sany announced the 650t SCC6500WE lattice boom crawler crane with an 84m main boom and 12m fixed jib. Developed specifically for wind-turbine construction, it is currently only available in China with no indication of when it would be available in Europe or the rest of the world.