Terex Demag Offers New Mobile Crane

Terex Demag's new six-axle AC 300/6 mobile crane has a 350-ton lifting capacity, and is the most powerful mobile crane of its class on the market, according to the company. Optimized for the largest area of operations possible and for easy-to-use and easy-to-transport attachments, the AC300/6 is an all-rounder for all operation circumstances. The series' equipment includes a Superlift, a 9-part modular assembly system for telescopic boom extension, a second hoist with diverse applications that can optionally be carried on the crane, and a fully automatic counterweight system.

The Zweibrucken, Germany-based crane manufacturer closes the gap between the Terex Demag AC250-1 and the AC350 with this new design, which will be offered in the North American market. The crane features a 209-foot main boom, a system length of 412 feet, and a Superlift for increased lifting capacity with large system lengths.

The AC 300/6 can be used in the 150-ton to 240-ton class, with a partial counterweight, as an alternative to medium and large five-axle mobile cranes. In the 220-ton to 350-ton range, it is the most powerful crane in its class, both regarding its main boom and its different extensions, according to the company. Even 450-ton jobs that are typically done with larger machines can be taken on with this crane. The AC300/6 reaches the performance figures of a 450-ton mobile crane with its large lifting capacity, with a telescoped boom length of approximately 196 feet, or with its impressive maximum system length of 412 feet. The Terex Demag AC 350 offers even larger lifting capacities on six axles. However, the AC 300/6 is advantageous because of its Superlift, its setup-optimized luffing jib, and the quick, fully automatic pickup of its counterweight.

The AC300/6 offers innovative features for transport. The following can be carried during road travel with a width of 9.8 feet and a height of more than 13 feet: a Superlift, a 65-foot telescopic folding jib, a counterweight of up to 20 tons, a three-sheave hook block, and the second hoist. Further necessary and optional accessories can be loaded on conventional trucks with a width within 8.3 feet.

Regardless of whether the AC300/6 works with the basic boom or with rigid or luffing extensions, it offers the longest system length of any six-axle mobile crane, the company said. A height of up to 377 feet can be achieved with the rigid extension, while a height all the way up to a maximum of 412 feet can be achieved with the luffing fly jib. Thanks to the patented “swan neck” luffing jib, which has the ability of offsetting into itself, 328 feet projecting edges won't constitute an obstacle. When working with the folding jib, the AC300/6 achieves a maximum system length of 275 feet for traveling operations.

Luffing jibs and rigid extensions can be adjusted precisely for the application at hand by means of a multitude of combinations. This is made possible by a multifunctional modular system principle that, as a standard, consists of nine parts that can be combined for a rigid extension of up to 167 feet or a luffing extension of up to 236 feet. Additionally, there is an optional two-part, 9.8-foot-long assembly jib with optional heavy duty head, which combined with the luffing jib allows for increased lifting capacities of up to 76 ton for short luffing jib lengths. During road travel, a 37-foot-long folding jib, with the ability of being extended up to 65 feet and manually offset by 20 and 40 degrees, can be carried.

By eliminating certain setup steps that were previously required, it was possible to considerably improve the luffing jib setup procedure for the AC300/6 for the first time. With this new procedure, an additional reeving winch is not necessary, and an auxiliary crane is now only necessary for luffing jib pre-assembly, but not for its installation.

Apart from luffing jib pre-assembly and installation onto the boom head, the remaining setup steps can be carried out alone by a skilled crane driver. This means that the assistants and machines necessary for luffing jib assembly can be called off at an early stage.

The idea of a second hoist with variable applications makes many operation choices possible, according to need and preference. Option one: simple luffing jib operation, including the pinned and securely-reeved luffing beam. Option two: 2-hook operation on all equipment (except the luffing jib). In this one, the second hoist is operated while installed in the rear (without the reeved luffing beam) and therefore can be carried on the machine during road travel.

The AC300/6 has the well-proven, fully automatic counterweight system like known from the AC250-1. The fully hydraulic setup procedure can be carried out manually or automatically from the crane cab, at the operator's option. The maximum counterweight is 128 tons. No hydraulic/electrical lines need to be connected manually. More than 60 tons can be transported within the vehicle width of 9.8 feet, and 20 tons can be transported during road travel.

With a total length of less than 54 feet, the AC 300/6 is the smallest 6-axle and most compact 350-ton mobile crane. Very small turn radii are achieved by means of its shortness and speed-dependent rear-axle steering. The crane has a front overhang of less than 6.5 feet.

The crane has variable outriggers with four standard outrigger bases: 27.9 feet, 23 feet, and 18 feet, as well as direct support at a width of 8.9 feet. This way, safe operation is possible even if not all the outriggers are fully extended. The compact, maximum outrigger base with a length of 28.5 feet and a width of 27.9 feet corresponds to the smaller axle class.

For more information, visit www.terex.com.

 

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