World of Concrete opens

World of Concrete, Feb. 5-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, will have its typical masonry focus, but for those in the heavy-lifting sector, there will be plenty of telehandlers, scaffolding and mast climbing and related work platforms on hand. The annual masonry and concrete construction trade show hopes to capitalize on more than 550,000 net square feet of exhibit space and 1,200 exhibitors that were on hand in 2012.

In the telehandler range, Xtreme Manufacturing will take the wraps off its newest – and biggest – telehandler to date. The XR4030 has a maximum capacity of 40,000 pounds and a maximum lift height of 30 feet. The unit weighs 63,000 pounds, has a 173 hp engine, 18 inches of ground clearance and a forward reach of 16 feet, 4 inches.

French aerial work platform manufacturer Manitou will show off its rotating telehandler. While rotating telehandlers have been popular in Europe for some time, the units are just now slowly gaining momentum in the U.S. The MRT Privilege line includes the 2150 and 2540. The MRT 2150 features a maximum lift capacity of 11,021 pounds and a lift height of 67 feet, 7 inches. As for the 2540, the maximum lift capacity is 8,818 pounds and maximum lift height is 80 feet, 9 inches.

“Masons, roofers and renovators look to the MRT 2150 and MRT 2530 for their crane capabilities, high lifting ability and material handling,” Manitou says.

For Italian-built Merlo telehandlers, Applied Machinery Sales (Merlo’s official U.S. distributor and dealer) will display a range of Merlo’s telehandler line, including a rotating unit, and visitors can see more telehandlers from Caterpillar, who will showcase its TL125C ‘handler.

Driving demand

Hydro-Mobile will use the show to “spread the word” about its transport platform, the company tells ALH. “The transport platform can be installed with an F-Series work platform, sharing the same mast,” Hydro-Mobile says. “This allows multiple configurations, flexibility and versatility.”

The company will also display its M-Series mast climbing work platform as well as the P-Series.

Meanwhile, Fraco will promote its BR-1; a new under-bridge platform that was developed for the infrastructure market. The company will also show examples of its FH650 construction hoist.

“After one year of operation at the Universityof Montreal Hospital Center project, we can say that it is mature and ready for the market,” says Jacques Lainé, director of marketing for Fraco. “The demand for that type of construction hoist is important.”

Sky Climber will display its Sky Master mast- climbing system and is also showing, for the first time, a line of programmable electric traction hoists.

Other than a range of equipment, visitors can also register to attend a number of educational sessions. The Scaffold & Access Industry Association will offer a range of educational training courses during WoC. These include: competent person training for frame and scaffold; competent person training for suspended scaffold; and mast climber operator training.

The mast climber program is available through a training alliance between the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and SAIA. This program is designed for individuals who work from, or operate mast climber work platforms. This course covers all the safety aspects regarding mast climbers, pre- and post-use checks, regulations, fall protection and general use. The course format includes a combination of presentation, question and answer, practical application and final exam.

“There was a very positive and optimistic buzz on the show floor in 2012,” says Jackie James, World of Concrete show director. Those attending 2013’s show can expect just as much.

For the latest issues of ALH and more, make sure to stop by KHL's booth at C4230.