Tidd Ross Todd’s (TRT) new TIDD PC28-3G mobile articulated crane represents the next generation of crane technology, featuring the highest emission control diesel engine available. TRT Crane Sales Brendan Cook explains more.
The TIDD range has emerged as Australia’s safest pick and carry crane, with Tidd Ross Todd’s (TRT) TIDD PC28-2 model making a splash with its advanced safety features and technology.
The new TIDD PC28-3G expands on the PC28-2 model, used across major infrastructure projects by tier-one companies.
TRT set out to achieve more than just a regulatory product update with the TIDD PC28-3G, instead learning from the success of the PC28-2 to develop a solution that could act as the benchmark for the industry moving forward. TRT Crane Sales, Brendan Cook, says that for this very reason, the company has coined the new TIDD PC28-3G as a ‘cleaner, stronger and safer’ option.
Cleaner
Due to its heavy focus on research and development, TRT identified the need to get ahead of the market. Rather than reacting to just the needs of the industry, the company recognised the increasing demand for sustainable products from across the entire sector.
This proactive approach has led to TRT implementing what is currently one of the most sustainable diesel engines in the world, the Cummins ISB6.7 Engine.
This 300-horsepower engine satisfies Euro Six requirements for emissions, going above the current requirements (TIER 4F). Thanks to its engine design, along with the Cummins Engine Allison Transmission, this engine is able to provide up to a 90 percent decrease in exhaust emissions.
Switching to the Cummins ISB6.7 Engine was more difficult than just a straight swap. TRT’s in-house designers and engineers had to make changes to the fittings and overall structure of the crane to cater to the new engine.
But as Cook explains, this effort was worth it, especially when considering the environmental benefits in the long term.
“Others will move to the Euro Five engine when requirements come in, but this engine helps to put us ahead of the curve when it comes to emissions,” he says.
“The Cummins Engine was a no-brainer. There’s already been 10 million engines built worldwide and they’ve got around 37 branches and more than 170 Authorised dealers across the Pacific. It’s a well-serviced engine, a well-designed engine, and a proven engine.”
“It really was an easy choice.”
The Cummins Engine consists of a diesel particulate filter, as well as selective catalytic reduction technology. Both of these systems help to create near-zero emissions while also ensuring no compromises are made to fuel economy and performance.
Despite the focus on sustainability, operators and dogmen can still expect the high-quality performance and massive lifting capacity now consistent across the entire TIDD range. The PC28-3G is no exception, with a 28-tonne maximum lifting capacity on the lug and 27.6 tonnes on the hook block.
This can also be increased with the optional 1.1-tonne ‘Superlift’ counterweight, a fast and easy-to-use loading system.
Safer
Also included as standard on all TIDD PC28-3G units is TRT’s patented ‘Slew Safe’. This feature helps to increase the safety of the overall operation of the pick and carry crane.
The Slew Safe feature helps to prevent the frequency and risk of rollovers by notifying and automatically making adjustments to the machine in a situation that triggers an overload notification.
Once activated, the Slew Safe feature automatically reduces the speed of the steering to 15 percent in the unsafe direction and triggers an audible alarm in and outside of the cabin to notify both the operator and the dogman, while giving the operator 100 per cent steering speed in the safe direction.
The activation of Slew Safe is represented by a simple colour system.
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When the crane is in operation, the notification moves from green, to amber (to show that Slew Safe is inactive) and then to red (once Slew Safe is active, and also includes an overload notification).
This feature is also shared across all new TIDD PC28-3G and TIDD PC28-2 cranes. Operators can also have this feature retrofitted to all existing TIDD cranes, helping to increase risk management and improve the safety of work sites.
“When I started out in the crane industry, safety wasn’t as big of a concern as it is now. That concern is rightfully placed, too,” Cook says. “This is a simple and safe design.”
Two other key safety features on the TIDD PC28-3G crane are CTI Traction Air and a new brake retarder.
The former (an optional extra) means operators no longer need to manually check tyre pressures on start-up, due to all four front and rear tyre pressures being managed by the system.
It makes sure the tyre pressure is at the standard 130psi. This helps to create a stable lift platform for the entire crane.
The new transmission retarder provides more effective braking retardation downhill, increasing the safety and control of the machine under-braking, as well as decreasing noise and brake wear and tear.
“On the PC28-3G, we’ve run our TRT proven hydro pneumatic suspension that gives the greatest comfortability and safety. We’ve also got the CTI system, which is exclusive to TRT cranes,” Cook says.
“Accessibility of our counterweight when removing it from the front and attaching it to the back of the crane, is a very safe one-man operation. Gone are the days of climbing underneath the crane like on other pick and carry models to hook anything up”.
Stronger
The Superlift counterweight allows you to lift up to 12 per cent heavier loads in both pick & carry and on stationary charts.
LMI bridging switch as standard, enables the TIDD PC28-3G to legitimately operate under EN13000 standards, which makes it the only pick and carry crane in its class with a 75 per cent lift chart with a holding brake applied.
A double acting hydraulic luffing cylinder (-6 to + 65°) with integral holding valve allows rigging to drop straight into the front chain box from the hook.
“What has impressed me most about TRT is their innovative approach to improving the TIDD product, they are constantly working on new designs,” Cook says.
“For example, they recently upgraded the suspension cylinder with the release of the TIDD PC28-2 which has increased the lifting capacity by an average of 17 percent, and in some cases 40 percent, which is massive.”
Keen interest
Cook says both safety and sustainability were factors that sparked interest in the new TIDD PC 28-3G at the CICA conference.
The Slew Safe feature was a major selling point for McMahon Services to acquire the TIDD PC28-2 Crane. Crane & Rigging Manager, Simon Laird-Barrington, says “The feedback from our operators was a key factor in my decision. They mentioned how the TIDD would alert them when nearing an unsafe situation, utilising visual graphic elements on the LMI and Slew Safe to guide them back to safe operation. This input came from respected operators recognised for handling demanding tasks.”
Another consideration is adopting sustainable machinery and solutions as part of its service offerings.
“It was a very beneficial conference. People were so excited and interested in the TIDD PC28-3G, asking a lot of questions. They could see the innovation of the design and the time and effort that’s gone into this crane,” Cook says.
“We don’t just make a crane like this and say ‘there it is’. We listen to the customer and the driver, after all, they’re the ones that are sitting in these machines seven to eight hours of the day.”
He says these conversations result in changes that might be difficult to spot for the untrained eye but can make a big difference in the overall operating experience.
This includes examples such as changes to the windscreen and wipers, as well as the door locks, aiding visibility and accessibility.
TRT is proud to be able to show our commitment to the Crane Industry and supply a crane for the next generation, cleaner, stronger, safer.
“What I like to say to people is that our crane is hand-made from the ground up in our factory, you see the differences when side by side with other pick and carry cranes in the market. The finish of the TIDD is very impressive,” Cook says.
TRT is receiving a positive feedback from its ‘Next-Gen’ models of the TIDD PC28-3G and will continue to lead innovation to make it possible. Production on these models is set to begin in Q2 2024.
This article was originally published in the December edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.