Tadano launched the new HK 4.050-1 as the follow-up to the successful HK 40 model. And the new crane manages to surpass its excellent predecessor in almost all disciplines. This is what convinced Franz Pichler, a truck-mounted crane rental company from Lower Austria, who secured one of the first models of the new generation.
Tadano launched the new HK 4.050-1 as the follow-up to the successful HK 40 model. And the new crane manages to surpass its excellent predecessor in almost all disciplines. This is what convinced Franz Pichler, a truck-mounted crane rental company from Lower Austria, who secured one of the first models of the new generation.
Taxi on four axles
The newly developed Tadano HK 4.050-1 delivers everything crane operators expect from a truck-mounted crane – and much more besides. The 4-axle crane provides even more load capacity, a wider range of convenient features and assistance functions, and – last but not least – excellent driving characteristics. Franz Pichler, the owner of the crane rental company of the same name, was one of the first to try out Tadano’s latest range of truck-mounted cranes.
Pichler ordered his HK with a 9-metre boom extension, 3.5-tonne hook block and radio remote control. For him, the advantages of the new generation are obvious: “The HK 4.050-1 is the perfect taxi crane. It is even more powerful than its predecessor and very economical thanks to the dual-engine concept.
Now that it also features an H-outrigger, the crane is the number-one choice on construction sites where space is becoming increasingly tight.”
Flexible and reliable
Since the H-outrigger allows different outrigger widths to be extended for each individual outrigger, the HK 4.050-1 can adapt flexibly to the respective on-site conditions. What’s more, it offers even greater convenience when it comes to the operation of the outrigger, as it can be vertically readjusted from the upper cab. This means it is no longer necessary to leave the cabin to re-level the crane, which also makes for a safer experience for the crane driver.
The HK 4.050-1 also features an impressive drive and engine concept: the two driven axles mean it benefits from even more traction – even in poor road conditions. And as for the steered rear axle, this makes the crane highly manoeuvrable so that even narrow access roads can be tackled with ease. The axles and working functions are driven by two engines. Having separate engines for the superstructure and carrier not only reduces fuel consumption but also optimises maintenance intervals.
Another feature that swung the decision for Franz Pichler: “Having one engine that drives the crane from A to B and another engine that drives the boom and the superstructure. This means that the crane can be operated particularly efficiently.”
No hanging around
For Franz Pichler, the HK 4.050-1 is a real endurance runner: a fast, compact and manoeuvrable crane that is powerful enough to handle typical day-to-day tasks. With a lifting capacity of 50 tonnes, the new generation benefits from 25 per cent more ‘power’ than its predecessor.
It was clear that Pichler wanted to try out his new piece of kit as soon as possible, so there was no hanging around once the crane had been picked up, as Pichler explains: “The first assignment was already waiting on the way back from Lauf to Kirchschlag, with concrete parts needing to be lifted and moved in the city of Wiener Neustadt.
This is the typical sort of project we will be carrying out regularly with this crane, and we were able to handle it quickly and accurately thanks to its enormous power reserves and the many practical advantages it offers.”
