1,000 Words: 2013 Image of the Week

John Deere 460E ADT Conquers Andes Mountains Altitudes

This past May, engineers from John Deere traveled to the Atacama Desert Region of Northern Chile to test the performance of the 460E Articulated Dump Truck at high altitude. The mountains of Chile are filled with active mining sites that need the hauling capacity of the 460E ADT. Engineers worked to ensure the truck would perform reliably at this extreme altitude as well as exceed customers’ expectations in the rugged mountains.

John Deere identified a Chilean mine site at high elevation that would provide a challenging work environment for the ADT. Once a site was chosen, the ADT was shipped from the U.S. to Iquique, Chile, on a cargo ship. When the truck arrived in port, it was transported to the mine site located approximately four hours from the coast, deep into the Andes Mountains.

The 460E ADT was introduced in North America with the John Deere 13.5-L engine, but the high altitude of Chile holds unique challenges. Preliminary testing took place in Colorado at 10,000 feet to better understand the potential challenges the extreme altitude of the Chilean mountains could present.

During the testing in Chile, the ADT did numerous performance and cold-start tests, and conquered a 16,000 foot mountain to prove its extreme capabilities. The team left Chile with a better understanding of the high altitude demands on equipment, as well as some product changes designed to help the 460E ADT excel in the demanding environments of South America.

June 17, 2013: Sky Platform Hire flies the flag with ‘Best of British’ livery

West Country-based Sky Platform Hire is showing its patriotic streak by investing in two new Ascendant 22 TJ telescopic work platform featuring Union Jack livery. With its small yet perfectly formed spec, the super-sturdy Ascendant 22 is something of a British Bulldog itself, with a compact, rigid boom design that makes it ideal for working on unsteady terrain. This is combined with an impressive 17 metre outreach, and 22 metre working height. Despite its impressive credentials, at just 7.5 tonnes, an HGV license is not required.

Steve Dean, managing director of Ascendant commented: “We are always happy to accommodate special requests for our customers, so when Sky Platform asked us to create this ‘Best of British’ vehicle for them we were more than happy to comply. The result is a piece of kit that really stands out, both visually and in terms of the spec sheet.”

Paul Hockey, of Sky Platforms Limited commented: “We’re very pleased with both the look and specification of the Ascendant 22. The Union Jack is enjoying something of a revival following the success of the 2012 Olympics and Queen’s Jubilee, so we thought it was the perfect time to invest in some kit that would really stand out from the crowd.”

June 3, 2013: Wacker Neuson Demo

Visitors watch demos at Wacker Neuson's stand at the recent Bauma trade fair (photograph provided by Messe München International)

March 18, 2013: A Tall Order for Terex Cranes

Membrey Transport and Crane Hire played a major role in the successful relocation of a rare Rothschild giraffe from the Melbourne Zoo in Victoria, Australia, to the Mogo Zoo on the southern coast of New South Wales, 800 kilometers away. For the job, they used a Terex AT-20 pick-and-carry crane. Because of the delicate nature of the cargo, Melbourne Zoo called in Membrey’s Transport and Crane Hire to transport Tanzi, the 10-year old, 4.8-meter-tall giraffe. The move, as part of the regional breeding program, would also reunite Tanzi with her sister Shani. 

"We have moved a variety of large and small exotic zoo animals for around 30 years,” said Craig Membrey of Membrey’s Transport.  “For this move, we were required to lift and transport the animal in a specially made giraffe crate and selected our Terex AT-20 as the best equipment for this task."

To minimize stress during the move, the Melbourne Zoo conducted more than two months of crate training to ensure Tanzi was relaxed and comfortable enough to travel in the crate. As well as the potential for emotional strain, transporting such a tall and heavy animal also presented a number of logistical challenges.

“Moving animals of this size requires detailed route planning, such as avoiding low bridges, while also ensuring minimum impact on the animal by completing the move in the shortest possible time," Craig said. 

February 2013: Michael Roth presents RER's IPA to Matt Fearon, President of Terex AWP

Up Aerial!

RER editor Michael Roth, left, presents Matt Fearon, president of Terex AWP, with the 2012 Innovative Product Award in the Lifts category. Terex AWP, popularly known as Genie, was honored for its GS-2646 AV scissorlift. Its key innovation is a powered extension deck option that provides an extra five feet of reach.

January 25, 2013: Terex® AC 1000 Proves its worth in Two Wind Turbine Errection Projects

Hannover/Paderborn, Germany, January, 2012 – On behalf of wind turbine manufacturer ENERCON, crane service provider Neeb-Schuch recently erected a total of four wind turbines in a windpark close to Hannover and a wind turbine in Benhausen, Paderborn, using a Terex® AC 1000.

Terex ® AC 1000 All Terrain Crane Installing Windmills at Hannover and Padeborn Windparks Video.

January 21, 2013: Riwal Poland Supports Street Art

Riwal Poland is working with the street art foundation Urban Forms in Lodz, Poland, providing young artists with aerial work platforms to create art in the urban space. With approval from the city council of Lodz, four art projects have been completed since the collaboration started. Read full story.

All Erection & Crane Rental of Pennsylvania Lifts Giant Rubber Duck in Pittsburgh

All Crane Rental of Pennsylvania, a member of the All Family of Companies, was on site recently on the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, for the first United States visit of artist Florentijn Hofman's globe-hopping giant rubber duck. The duck, which is custom built under Hofman's supervision for each city it visits, required the assistance of a Grove TMS9000 hydraulic lift to be set afloat. Read full story.