Product Review: Jekko SPD360 Mini Crane

As the exclusive distributor of Jekko mini cranes in the United States, Fascan International announced in March that it had created a new company, Jekko USA, which will manage marketing and sales of the product in the U.S.

Rated at 3,960 pounds, the Jekko SPD 360C+ had the lowest base rating of the three mini cranes represented at the Showcase. Featuring a four-section pentagonal boom, the mini crane can lift 880 pounds at its maximum 25-foot reach. It can also be equipped with a manually telescopic jib that extends reach another 11 feet and offsets in four positions for up-and-over capability.

According to Bernie Faloney, president of Fascan International, the ability to access a confined space and reach up and over puts this minicrane in direct competition with much bigger, more expensive mobile cranes at a fraction of the cost. “In Baltimore, for example, much of the infrastructure was built in the early 1900s,” said Faloney. “And since then structures have been built up around many water treatment and sewer plants. To replace a pump, customers are considering renting a 300- or 500-ton mobile crane, not because the pump is heavy, butbecause they have to set up far away and reach down through the roof to get at the pump. Instead the mini-crane can easily gain access through a standard doorway, lift the lightweight pump and get out.”

Setup and operation

The SPD 360C+ can climb a 20° grade and delivers just over 6 psi ground pressure when driving. Both black tracks and non-marking white tracks are available. Once in place, the outriggers can be positioned at four radial settings and two leveling settings per leg. Regular pads deliver 109 psi, and standard auxiliary pads measuring 15"x15" reduce ground pressure to just 17 psi. For specific loadings per outriggers, users can contact the distributor for a more detailed report based on the specific job.

A full load moment indicator called the JEMMI (Jekko Man-Machine Interface), with integrated stability control, monitors the pressure on each outrigger. If outriggers are not set up properly or if the machine begins to enter an unstable condition, operation is halted. This system includes a readout on the radio-remote control that provides actual load on the hook and percentage of maximum capacity. A larger display located on the machine additionally indicates allowable work areas based on outrigger setup and provides the operator with the ability to set perimeter limitations.

Driving and outrigger controls are located together on the crane, while crane operation is powered by multi-function, proportional controls on the radio remote. “Functions can go full-speed or down to pinpoint accuracy,” said Faloney.

Electric power is standard to allow for quiet, clean operation for indoor applications. Fully charged, the batteries deliver 1.5 hours of continuous use. A standard smart charger converts electricity from a wall outlet to recharge the batteries while the unit is in operation. Gas, diesel, or LP engines are optional.

A variety of attachments, including a personnel basket, searcher hook, and glass manipulator, are manufactured by Ormet specifically for the Jekko brand.

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