02.05.2003

SED Winners

Nearly 200 participants braved the Vertikal Press’ Hiab/Vertikal Challenge at this year’s SED exhibition, but it was just three contenders that proved untouchable on each day of the competition’s three-day duration. Using Hiab’s CombiDrive 5000 radio remote control system, contest entrants were required to place a cylindrical pin attached to the hook of one of Hiab’s 15 tonne/metre class XS 144 HI-PRO knuckle booms into six holes in the ground at various locations. Operators were timed and the quickest one after each day declared the winner.

On day 1, it was Paul Maddison’s precision control and unbreakable concentration that earned him a sub-three minute completion time, followed by Richard Weiss on day two who managed to complete the task in around two minutes and fifty seconds. On day three, an early attempt from Kevin Findley set a very high target of two and a half minutes, which proved unbeatable by the close of the competition.

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The Vertkal Press' publisher, Tim Whiteman, presents Paul Maddison with a cheque for £100. Hiab's Ismo Leppanen (left) and SED's Jackie Hanford join in the presentation.

Hiab and the Vertikal Press would like to congratulate Paul, Kevin and Richard, who each earned themselves an engraved trophy, presented by SED organiser, Jackie Hanford, and a £100 cheque, presented by Tim Whiteman, Publisher of Cranes & Access and managing director of the Vertikal Press.

SED itself generated mixed feelings from this year’s exhibitors, varying from disappointment with the feeling that exhibitor numbers were down on previous years, through to complete satisfaction on the grounds that the show once again provided what shows like SED do best –a chance for the industry, visitor and exhibitor alike, to meet face-to-face. From a visitor’s point of view, new equipment was-a-plenty from the lifting industry’s manufacturers and dealers, although most of it from the access sector this time around. Cranes return next year.

There were several UK and European product debuts this year, such as the first ever Genie TZ-34/20 trailer mount, which was in transit between its birth place in Seattle in the US and Paris, where it will be on show at the upcoming Intermat event. The latest offering from Oil & Steel was its trailered Octopussy 1250 ‘spider’ type platform, which is now available through the company’s recently appointed UK distributor, The Platform Company, which will also provide, rental, training and technical service and backup for the full range of Oil & Steel products.

A brand new track mounted crane from Hinowa is the very first unit to be produced under the company’s recent agreement with Grove and sees a Grove unit built onto an undercarriage produced by Hinowa. The 5.5 metre crane lifts 8 tonnes at a 1 metre radius and 1.5 tonnes at a metre radius. The unit is on sale for around £27,500.

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Effer's 100 tonne/metre class 950 knuckle boom.

Effer rolled up with what it says is the biggest knuckle boom crane ever to be sold into the UK. The Effer 950 is in 100 tonne metre class, while the company says that it will be joined later in the year by a massive 145 tonne metre model. The latest addition to Hiab’s XS HiDuo range of knuckle booms gave visitors a chance to test out the company’s new Valve 80 control valve, which replaces the Valve 50 and is available as a hand operated or remote control version. The system is a modern, open centre valve, developed especially for Hiab knuckle booms. PM was also present with the new 4.5 tonne capacity PM 11022 knuckle boom, painted its new owners colours, KRM Building Suppliers. The unit is the first in the UK and only the 16th model ever built. Also new is the 12 Series, which is the sister line to the 11 series but available as a double link option.

UpRight’s new AB38 Bi-Energy boom attracted the crowds as expected ahead of Intermat, where the unit will be officially launched. The boom was joined, along with a selection from the company’s exhisting scissor lift, trailer mount and self propelled boom lines, by the new Snappy Junior light weight, mini work platform for the tool hire and DIY markets.

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Haulotte teased the SED crowds with one model from its new telehandler line.

The growing prominence of telehandlers in the UK market, and indeed the rest of Europe, has tempted entry into the market from the likes of Haulotte and Genie, which both had new ranges to show off. Manitou also had one of its own new machines on display, along with its new Maniaccess 120AETJ electric boom. Manitou president and director, Marcel-Claude Braud told Vertikal.net that the UK is a very important market for the company at the moment as it holding well, compared with Manitou’s native France which is slowing down, and that exhibitions like SED play a vital role in further breaking into the market. A further introduction to all three companies’ telehandler ranges will be on offer at the upcoming Intermat exhibition in Paris, where visitors will find a comprehensive display.

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Manitou president and director, Marcel-Claude Braud, (left) and marketing manager, Sebastian Braud, stand alongside the company's new 120 AETJ electric boom.

So, despite weather that would have been better suited to a scene from ‘twister’, the show once again reiterated its position as the UK’s premiere construction equipment exhibition, and let’s not forget that next year’s show sees the return of the crane industry’s big boys. SED 2004 takes place at the later dates of the 18, 19 and 20 May next year at its usual Fen Farm, Milton Keynes location.

A full review of this year’s SED show with more news from the lifting industry’s players will be available in the next issue of Cranes & Access.