18.09.2012

Spierings celebrates 25 years with City Boy launch

Dutch-based mobile self-erecting tower crane manufacturer Spierings held an open day at its Oss headquarters last weekend celebrating both the 25th anniversary of its first mobile tower crane and the launch of its new SK387-AT3 City Boy. Many attended the two day event including employees and customers - which consisted of a party on the Friday evening and the open day on the Saturday.
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Over the last quarter of a century Spierings has produced a total of 739 cranes of which 700 are still operational. Currently four cranes are produced each month, two new and two refurbished machines.
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The latest addition to the six model range is the SK387-AT3 City Boy, which was first unveiled in concept form at Bauma 2010. The City Boy is totally different to every other crane ever produced by Spierings. Most noticeable is the single operator’s cab that serves as both the drivers cab and as the elevated crane cab. A third tower section raises the horizontal jib height to 30 metres with a 36 metre radius and 1,800kg at the jib tip.
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Both 30 degree and 45 degree luffing is available giving 45.9 metre and 53.75 metre under hook heights - providing a 31.4 metre radius and 1,800kg capacity and 25.8 metre radius and 1,500kg capacity respectively. The compact crane has a width of 2.5 metres, length just over 13 metres and height of 4.0 metres. Outrigger spread measures 7.1 metres by 6.4 metres. Total weight is 36 tonnes.
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Leo Spierings

However the design requirement to at least halve the average fuel consumption has resulted in a brand new drive train – a very compact 400kW electric motor. This is directly coupled to the front axle without either a gearbox or transfer case and uses a frequency control unit to convert accelerator pedal operation into continuously variable acceleration of the truck from zero to its maximum of 80 km per hour. The same electric motor serves as an electric brake to slow down. The energy necessary to move the truck is provided by a John Deere 205kW diesel engine running at constant speed with a generator to convert to electricity. Peak capacity is provided by a lithium ion battery which is charged when the vehicle brakes or runs down-hill.
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The City Boy single cab

As well as the main drive, the crane also has hydraulic auxiliary drive to the rear wheels to improve on site manoeuvrability. When the tower is in the upright position and cab elevated, the truck may be driven with steering, acceleration and braking carried out using the remote control.

The crane is rotated 180 degrees compared to other Spierings cranes giving the operator a better view when driving in traffic as well as when operating the crane.
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When rigging the crane, the jib only starts to unfold when the three tower sections are fully extended giving good ground clearance. The crane can operate at full power with a 400V-32A connection as the peak capacities are supplied by the lithium ion battery.
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Crowds watching the 13 machine demonstration

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