10.10.2006

New Maeda unveiled

Kranlyft UK opened its doors of its new premises today to customers in an eventful open house at which it displayed the latest Maeda mini crane and a new national rental programme.

Kranlyft moved into the purpose built new premises, which are located just off of junction 18 of the M5, in Cabot Park, Avonmouth, in June. The building includes workshops, storage areas, a parts warehouse and offices.
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The new Kranlyft UK facilities in Avonmouth

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The new Kranlyft UK workshops

The new crane just off the boat from Japan was the second prototype of the MC405CRM, the largest pedestrian type mini crane that Maeda have built to date. With a maximum lift capacity of just under four tonnes, the new crane takes over from the Unic 506 as the largest mini crane on the market.
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The new Maeda MC405CRM

With a 10.6 metre boom at five metres radius it lifts 1,600kg compared to or will take 500kgs out to 12 metres, compared to 1,300kgs and 400kgs respectively on the Unic. The new Maeda is also unusual in that it offers up to 300kgs of pick and carry capacity.

The new MC405 also features the longest main boom on this type of crane. The six section 16.4 metre full power boom, with pentagonal profile is a full metre longer than the nearest competitor.
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The new Maeda MC405CRM mini crane

The MC405 has an overall length of five metres, an overall width of 1.38 metres and a transport height of 1.98 metres. The all rubber tracks have a 2.1 metres length centre to centre.

Power comes from a Yanmar 3TNV88 engine with onboard AC power option, allowing the crane to use diesel power outside and clean electric power for when inside or close to buildings.

Production models of the MC405 will arrive in January, meanwhile the prototype can be seen at SAIE in Bologna later this month, and will then spend time in Germany, follwed by Sweden, before returning to Japan.

Vertikal Comment

The New Maeda looks to be a very strong performer at the top of the mini crane range. One assumes that it has been designed to go head to head with the Unic 506. If so the new crane works well, offering better lift capacities, a metre longer boom and slightly more compact dimensions (although overall length is marginally longer) with longer tracks.

The market for these mini cranes has grown substantially over the past few years as the two principle players in the Europe, Unic and Maeda, find an increasingly diverse range of new applications for them. In addition the increasing number of units available for rent makes it easier for potential users to source them for short term projects.