Crane Hotline is a crane business subsidiary of long established family owned company JA Evans and Co and operates a fleet of hire cranes for local industries around the Ipswich region in Queensland.

The new Tadano ATF65G-4 has been in service for only 1 month and has already undertaken work on almost every local infrastructure project site in Ipswich. While the initial preference of the customer was a 100 tonne crane, the Tadano All-Terrain design and lift capacity proved difficult to overlook. The new 65 tonne Tadano arrived with big expectations to fulfil with new owner Perry Evans already amazed at the capabilities of his new recruit.

“We were initially looking at a 100 tonne crane that I thought would cover our general lifting requirements from 50 tonne to 80 tonne loads,” said Perry Evans, Managing Director of Crane Hotline.

“However, when David ‘Chalky’ White from James Equipment came up and talked to us about the Tadano 65 tonne ATF, the lift chart capacity and manoeuvrability of the ATF caught our eye. The Tadano ATF can be used as a stand alone crane for 50 tonne lifts and has a comparable lift chart with most of the 80 tonne cranes on the market in its road going (taxi) configuration. We can cover all bases with just one crane.”

Crane Hotline is already familiar with the Tadano brand with a 50 tonne TG-500E hydraulic truck mounted crane already in service. The new Tadano ATF65G-4 also compliments a fleet of 8 Franna pick and carry cranes and is already proving a solid investment in the first month of service.

A significant difference between the new Tadano ATF crane and the intended 100 tonne competitor is the ability to operate with minimal counterbalance weights. To operate a 100 tonne crane, a separate semi-trailer also needs to be employed to carry the counterweights, therefore increasing time and cost to a project. A point not overlooked by Perry Evans.

“The time and money I will save by investing in the more versatile Tadano All-Terrain is significant. The Tadano stands alone without the need for huge counterweights and is nimble enough with the crab steering to manoeuvre in tight project sites. It’s as good as an 80 tonne Demag with little difference between the lift charts.”

“We now have the largest crane in Ipswich and can offer local infrastructure projects significant savings just by not having to hire large cranes from Brisbane. It is early days but we are very happy with the hours we have got back from the Tadano’s first month in service.

The highly anticipated range of Tadano All-Terrain cranes is already making an impact in Australia with the ATF 65G-4 able to compete well outside its class. Featuring a 5-stage 11m to 44m telescopic boom, 16m fly jib and spacious all-steel panoramic cab with full instrumentation, the ATF superstructure is powered by a state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz 4 cylinder, water cooled diesel engine.

Strength, versatility and power characterise the Tadano ATF carrier made from torsion resistant fine-grained steel, offering 4 axle steering and harnessing 290kW of power and 1850Nm of torque from a 6 cylinder Mercedes-Benz diesel. Standard equipment includes 4-point telescopic hydraulic outriggers, dual circuit compressed air brakes with ABS and hydro-pneumatic suspension with levelling adjustment.

“The feedback from our drivers is that the new ATF is a dream to drive and handle with an excellent cab layout,” said Perry Evans.

The only Tadano ATF 65G-4 crane currently in Australia is available for Hire at Crane Hotline, Ipswich.

Establishing a solid reputation over 15 years, James Equipment has a broad knowledge base of crane engineering and a large network of international suppliers to draw upon. Serving the crane industry with locations right across Australia, James Equipment has an excellent range of used cranes in stock from international manufacturers including Demag, Kato, Liebherr, and Kobelco.

For further information on this story contact:

For more information contact:

Perry Evans
Managing Director

Crane Hotline (JA Evans & Co.)
Ph: 07 3288 8399

or

David "Chalky" White
Sales Manager
James Equipment

Tel: 07 3363 6100
Email: info@jamesequipment.com.au
Web: www.jamesequipment.com.au