How to Work with an E-Crane

Working with an equilibrated crane is not obvious. On one hand there is the shape of the construction which makes you think of an enormous hydraulic excavator. On the other hand there is the aspect (size) of a crane. These different aspects are combined into a modern design which obtains the best of both worlds. Integrated into the E-Crane are two separate working modes; one for lift service and one for duty cycle service.

Compared to a hydraulic excavator, an equilibrated crane has an equal number of movements (stick, boom, swing, grab). However, because of the proportions of the machine, the masses are a multiple of those of an excavator. 

Notice

Large masses result into more important inertial forces, which have to be overcome during the acceleration and the deceleration of the different movements.
Bear this phenomenon in mind, adapt your way of  thinking and the way of operating your E-crane.

The 'E-Crane Operator'

Compared to an excavator, an E-Crane (duty-cycle machine) is heavier and less maneuverable. An excavator requires an operator who can easily control 3 movements more simultaneously. An E-Crane operator needs to proportionally control all movements because of the heavier loads and the more important forces of inertia involved.

Therefore an E-Crane is used optimally when the operator combines both modes.

This means that the E-Crane operator should be able to tackle the proportionality of the hydraulic system. This sensitive way of operating should control the crane using the fine proportionality of the hydraulic system and the simultaneous control of 3 and more functions.

This kind of operating mode results in a smooth working machine with very short cycle times.
 

Hints for the skilled operator

Hereafter we mention some tips which can help the skilled E-Crane operator:
 

• 1. Do always operate the swing movement as soon as possible and always try to combine it with another movement, especially the boom or the stick function.
  
  
• 2. React with foresight. This applies especially to the swing. Don't expect your crane to have immediately its maximum swing speed. By reacting with foresight we mean the same reaction you automatically have when, driving your car. As you are approaching a red traffic light, you slow down or shift into a lower gear before you reach the traffic light, don't you ?
  
  
• 3. Combine as many movements as possible. During the swing operation you can bring the boom and/or the stick into the right position to grab or unload.
  
  
• 4. Try to combine instead of working sequentially. This will increase your turnover capacity. It is also much better to use several functions at the same time at lower speed than to use only one function at the highest possible speed.
  
  
• 5. During the swing operation the grab rotator (if installed) can be used to bring the load into the correct position for unloading the grab.
  
  
• 6. Did you know that opening and closing of the grab takes as much as 20% of the total cycle time ? Closing the grab can be initiated without any problem at the end of the downward movement (grab positioning) of the main boom, while immediately afterwards you can already hoist again, in combination with the swing.

The E-Crane operator is the key figure. The operator and nobody else can make his equilibrated crane a success. The E-Crane is "operator friendly" and is being operated with great success by operators with various amounts of experience from hydraulic excavators, lattice boom cranes and other types of equipment.