Raimondi Cranes is taking a transformative approach to heavy lifting technology with a new generation of luffing jib cranes, entirely different from it existing products.
The LR330, the flagship model of Raimondi’s new luffing range, has a maximum jib length of 60m and a maximum capacity of 18,000kg.
This is the first time that Raimondi has re-evaluated the luffing jib shape by replacing the previous square-oriented design with an equilateral triangular jib layout to improve its functionality. The design is structurally optimised for heavy lifting and allows for improved packaging and transportation, simplifies the construction phase, and reduces wind impact on the jib, thereby decreasing the out of service radius. The company views the new equilateral triangular jib design as a breakthrough in crane R&D.
Domenico Ciano, technical director, Raimondi Cranes, explains that the equilateral triangular jib design is a result of the company’s aim to achieve structural optimisation in heavy lifting machinery and how its envisions its luffing cranes meeting the emerging needs of its customers.
“Logistics was top of our minds when considering the triangular jib, as packing and transportation of a crane is no small feat. Secondly, wind is a huge concern for crane operators, and the triangular jib reduces gale impact, which in turn reduces the out of service radius. Both are very important factors for onsite operations and fluidity in workflow. In terms of installation, a triangular jib also simplifies the actual crane erection,” says Ciano.
Domenico Ciano, technical director, Raimondi Cranes.
At the maximum radius, the LR330 can lift 3,300kg in its ‘ultra-lift’ mode, and allows six different jib length configurations, ranging from 30m to 60m. The crane may be equipped with three different hoisting winches: a standard installed power of 80kW, the two falls configuration with the more powerful 110kW, and the four falls configuration with an installed power of 80kW. The rope capacities are 650m, 1,000m, and 980m, respectively, and all winches may be equipped with a secondary emergency brake.
In general, luffing cranes can be put to work across all types of jobsites, but Raimondi has specifically designed its new crane for high performance in urban cityscapes with high building densities and sites where many cranes work simultaneously in limited operating areas.
Ciano elaborates on customer needs and target markets for the LR330, pointing out that the ideal customers for the Raimondi LR330 are fleet rental companies and construction companies specialising in multi-storey residential and commercial buildings, or infrastructure works such as bridges, towers and power plants.
“This crane provides extremely high efficiency in terms of lifting capacity and the time required to complete each working cycle. An important aspect of the LR330 that will appeal to a multitude of companies is that it can remain, together with the jib and the loads, within the construction site boundaries ensuring the safety of the public while respecting local regulations and laws in terms of flyover rights. These cost and time saving facets alone makes the investment in the LR330 very attractive,” he says.
According to Ciano, The LR330’s ease of use will be most apparent to crane operators who will be able to control and operate the machine according to preferences.
“Crane operators can now choose between three different configurations, enabling a change in parameters related to the movement speeds and dynamics. This functionality allows the operators to align the crane closer to their specific needs. Furthermore, to reduce pressure on the operator and simultaneously increase the overall level of onsite safety, the safety control system’s sensors monitor all the crane’s movements and monitor the load. The crane also alerts the operator with alarms and direct intervention, making it both agile and intelligent. Working at height has also been factored in with the crane’s simplified installation and dismantling procedures,” says Ciano.
Raimondi’s engineering division took 12 months to complete the design of the LR330, including the conceptualisation of the new winches. In terms of design hours, to date, the company has invested more than 4500 hours for mechanical and control system designs.
“During this testing phase, the technical teams checked several different types of jib configurations with load and functionality tests as per our internal quality control procedures. Our engineers undertook a major task around the new control system executing both simulations and real-time testing in our yard at Raimondi’s headquarters in Legnano, Italy. Overall, the beta on-the-ground tests in our R&D field were active for just over six months,” says Ciano.
The LR330 is positioned to replace some existing models in Raimondi’s luffing range. Its launch follows the October 2017 launch of the MRT234 flattop tower crane aimed at increased productivity, safety, and a better user-interface.
Mauro Masetti, commercial director, Raimondi Cranes, confims that the company is gradually phasing out older products that are not in line with its modern value proposition.
“We are now presenting new products that meet client needs with today’s technology and original solution-based designs. Last year, we launched the MRT234 topless tower crane, and now we have presented the LR330 luffing jib crane. Both models represent distinctive innovations and the application of thousands of hours of onsite research,” says Masetti.
Raimondi estimates that the contribution of luffing jib cranes to the company’s total revenue will be approximately 15% in 2018. Masetti says the crane is competitively priced against other similer performing models.
“We have studied the existing tower and luffing cranes in the market, together with our place in the overall global marketplace. Both our commercial and technical divisions were involved while evaluating the pricing position of the LR330. We already have competitive pricing across our many models, and we are offering the LR330 in the same pricing segment of cranes that demonstrate similar performance levels,” says Masetti.
Ciano says the the LR330 is attracting interest from markets in Europe, North America, Far East and Middle East.
Mauro Masetti, commercial director, Raimondi Cranes.
The first two LR330s are scheduled for delivery in March directly to Raimondi’s official agent of England, Scotland and Wales, Bennetts Cranes Limited.
“We have received very strong confirmations for the LR330 from our partners. In the first month of private presell, our commercial division has received orders that were predicted for a 12-month selling period,” says Ciano.
