The new Tadano GTC-2000 telescopic boom crawler crane made its concept debut at Bauma 2019. Now that Demag is part of the Tadano Group, the crane is being relaunched as the Tadano GTC-2000.
"Our goal is to become ‘One Tadano'. With the first telecrawler produced in Germany and branded by Tadano, this vision is now becoming a reality," explains Ingo Nöske, Director Product Management, Crawler Cranes. He added that this will strengthen cooperation between German and American colleagues in the Tadano Group in the future. The group can take advantage of synergies and the "best of both worlds" can flow into the development of new products - as is the case with the GTC-2000 telecrawler, which has the Demag IC-1 Plus control as well as the IC-1 Remote telematics system technology. "With the integration of the GTC-2000 into the Tadano brand, we're bringing the lone warrior into the family, so to speak," says Nöske.
The crane closes the gap between the 140 and 240-ton capacity classes. The Tadano GTC-2000 has an actual lifting capacity of over 170 tons and a maximum load moment of 590 meter-tonnes, which makes this an extremely versatile and flexible tool. It has a track width that can be adjusted as necessary in both symmetrical and asymmetrical configurations so that it can be used for applications in which space is at a premium, such as bridge construction projects. It is also perfect for doing construction work, where it is not only able to move and telescope components, but also luff down and retract the boom and then travel underneath roof structures to get to where it needs to be. In addition, the crane is also able to bring its strengths to bear as an assist crane, as well as when carrying out wind turbine pre-assembly work.
Since the load charts for its 196.9 ft-long main boom are efficient even when lifting on inclines of up to 4°, its use requires less topographical ground preparation on-site than a lattice boom crawler crane. For example, it can lift a full 37.5 tons at a radius of 39.4 feet when working on an incline of 4° with the main boom at a length of 98.5 feet.
With its main boom length of 196.9 ft, the GTC-2000 already features the longest reach in its class, yet it can be increased further if necessary. Main boom extensions with lengths of 16.4 ft, 36.1 ft, 55.8 ft, 75.5 ft that can be mechanically and hydraulically offset are available, meaning that a maximum system length of up to 272.4 ft is possible. The 16.5-foot extension can be folded onto the side of the main boom for transport to save space.
In addition to a large lifting capacity, the GTC-2000 provides nearly the same maneuverability and ease of operation as an excavator with its travel pedals. Moreover, the fact that the joysticks can be used to control the tracks complements the machine's convenient controls. This robust design, which features a powerful travel drive, provides the crane with a traction force of 326,000 lbf - the highest of its class. The crane's gradeability is 50 percent, while its maximum travel speed is 1.3 mph and its ground clearance is 16.54 inches.
Of particular note are the different track widths with three standard positions of 11.5, 15.6 and 19.7 feet, as well as the continuously variable track widths, which can also be used in an asymmetrical configuration. The tracks can be adjusted both when stopped and when traveling while the control system monitors the relevant parameters to ensure the crane remains within an allowable configuration. The machine is equipped with an intelligent control system based on the Demag control system IC-1 Plus. It automatically determines the permissible lifting capacity under consideration of a number of factors, including ground incline, slewing angle, and track adjustment.
The transport width and height of the base crane are 9.85 feet each - making the GTC-2000 an extraordinarily compact crane for its class. The heaviest transport unit weighs 51.2 tons. However, if necessary, this weight can be reduced to 46.3 tons by simply removing the extension beams used to adjust the track width. The two crawler units have a gross weight of approximately 20.4 tons each when equipped with 3.3-foot track shoes; the two central ballast units weigh 8.27 tons each; and the counterweights, including the base plate, weigh 49.6 tons. The maximum operating weight of the crane is just under 165 tons.
