13.04.2022

Tadano is developing an electric RT

Tadano has announced that it is developing a new all-electric Rough Terrain that can drive around the jobsite and carry out all lifting operations using battery/mains electric rather than diesel power. Sadly, it has provided no details at all on the new machine.

The aim is both to eliminate on site emissions and reduce noise levels. The company is working with a number of industry suppliers and partners and hopes to launch the new machine in late 2023.
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Tadano has provided no details of the new crane

Tadano announced its ‘long term environmental targets’, last year, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions from its business activities by 25 percent and a 35 percent reduction from product use by 2030, leading to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
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The company has gathered all of its sustainable solutions under the brand ‘Tadano Green Solutions' (TGS). These include production changes and product related moves including the E-Pack remote electric power pack, which is due to be launched in Japan, and the move in Europe to reduce emissions by using hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) without further modification.
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The Tadano E-Pack will shortly be launched in Japan

Chief executive Toshiaki Ujiie said: “In the spirit of greater harmony, Tadano contributes to a better global environment as a part of the surrounding society. We have set aggressive goals for lowering both operational and product emissions, and we will partner with industry leading companies to attain those goals. In conjunction with previous product innovations to lower CO2 emissions, we are excited to introduce the first battery/electric rough terrain crane, which will be a key driver for our goal of 35 percent reduction in product CO2 emissions by 2030.”

Vertikal Comment

This is probably an inevitable development, however it will present some serious challenges and will be unlikely to be suited to all job sites, at least in the beginning. We imagine that the first unit will be at the smaller end of its product range. To be really effective it will need to replace as much of the hydraulic system as possible with electric motors, including the hoists, pump drive, and most critically the travel/driving system. Leaving the hydraulics to power the boom elevation and telescope.

To learn more on the practicality of all electric cranes the next Cranes & Access magazine will carry a four page on site review of electric crawler cranes in action. Vertikal Days will also have several electric crawler cranes on display.

Late 2023 will be with us sooner than we think.