A positive response at ConExpo 2014
17 March 2014
Attendance was up at the 2014 ConExpo-Con/Agg exhibition last month, giving a welcome boost to the already positive feeling surrounding the event. It attracted nearly 130,000 visitors, according to its organiser, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Megan Tanel, show director, said, “Overall, the show is over 2.35 million square feet [218,000 square metres]. That is 7 % larger than our last event. Attendance numbers are on track to be about 8 % ahead of where we were in 2011, so we’re just shy of 130,000 people. On top of that, our international attendance is fabulous. We’re 8 % larger than we were in 2011. We’re over 31,000 people from outside the United States.”
A highlight, from Manitowoc, was the launch of a pair of 650 and 300 tonne capacity crawler cranes (for a video on the MLC650 click here and for a video on the MLC300 click here). Both of the lattice boom models have the Variable Position Counterweight system. No carbody counterweight is needed on either of the new cranes to reduce set up time and truck loads for transport. Several more new cranes from Manitowoc’s other product lines made it the most prolific at the show.
A surprise launch from Liebherr was the all-new 160 tonne capacity LTM 1160-5.2 all terrain crane to replace the LTM 1160-5.1. Major changes from its predecessor include a width reduction from 3 metres to 2.75 m and a single engine design.
New from Terex was the Explorer 5600, a five axle all terrain crane for global markets, and the Crossover 8000, an 80 US ton (72.5 tonne) capacity boom truck. It is the largest capacity boom truck available in North America, the manufacturer said. Click here to see an interview with Ron DeFeo, Terex chairman and CEO on life after the sale of the company's hauler business, Genie's success, prospects for cranes division and the challenges facing the industry this year.
Highlights from Tadano were the GR-1600XL-2 three axle rough terrain and the brand new GTC-1200 telescopic crawler crane, as pictured on the front cover of last month’s IC. Handover ceremonies for new cranes included Bragg and Southwest Industrial. There was also one to Bigge for GR-1000XL-2 and GR-150XL rough terrains and one for Imperial Crane Services, which took delivery of a 75 US ton capacity Tadano GR-750XL-2 rough terrain.
At the Kobelco stand, Bigge Crane & Rigging accepted ownership of a new Kobelco CK2750 crawler, one of 25 new crawlers the company purchased from Kobelco in the last three months.
New from manufacturer Elliott Equipment Company were a 45 ton (40 tonne) capacity boom truck and a 64 metre aerial work platform. Both products can lift people and handle materials, said Jim Glazer, Elliott Equipment Company president.
The first synthetic hoist rope for mobile cranes was launched at the show by manufacturer Samson and crane maker Manitowoc. The synthetic fibre used to make the rope is supplied by DSM Dyneema.
The ConExpo exhibition runs on a three year cycle, with the next event planned for March 2017.
For more information on product launches, handovers and announcements, please see the images attached to this story.
