Construction

The new marketplace was unveiled at bauma China (Image source: MYCRANE)

MYCRANE, a digital platform for online crane rental, has launched a new international marketplace

Already established in markets such as India and the Middle East – with more than 1,500 registered crane rental companies – MYCRANE users and other interested parties around the world are now able to buy and sell used and new lifting equipment. This will promote a shift from low volume and costly trades to cost-efficient sales transactions.

Lifting equipment on sale on the platform includes mobile, crawler, tower and specialist cranes in addition to aerial work platforms and other equipment.

“Just as we’ve made crane rental easy and accessible for all, we now want to democratize the equipment sales process, by supporting fast, global trading and providing access to a wide range of keenly-priced equipment,” remarked Andrei Geikalo, MYCRANE founder and CEO.

“The MYCRANE Marketplace is particularly valuable to individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), who will be empowered by the ability to source the right equipment at the right price – wherever they are, internationally. The goal is to streamline the buying process, increase transparency and choice, and create a robust trading platform for the benefit of the entire industry.”

MYCRANE has added that it is also able to offer logistics and transportation services, facilitating the sales process at customer sites anywhere in the world, as well as insurance and leasing to fund the purchase.

Genie has sought to improve quality and total cost of ownership. (Image source: Genie)

Genie, a leader in the aerials industry, has launched a new, future-focused design for its core slab scissor lift product line

The company has further improved the performance and lowered the total cost of ownership for Next-Generation Genie GST-1932, GS-2632, GS-3232, GS-2646, GS-3246, and GS-4046 scissor lifts. A noticeable change in the form of a curved linkage design results in reduced machine weight, allowing Genie to use right-sized components for lower replacement part cost.

“Genie’s Next-Generation Scissor Lifts are redefining the standard for slab scissor lifts and moving this classic MEWP category into the future,” remarked Christian Dube, senior global product manager. “Our priority when redesigning these lifts was to drive lower cost of ownership, improve serviceability, and enhance the user experience – all while delivering the quality that our customers and the industry expect from Genie.”

The company has also sought to eliminate rust and limit opportunity to damage through a number of design changes including a new chassis to mitigate stagnant water and reinforced steel in targeted locations to reduce damage.

“On their own, each individual update is an incremental improvement. But, when considered together as a system, and across the product line, the result is a family of machines that add value by reducing costs while improving performance and serviceability,” Dube added.

Overall, there are fewer serviceable components than with previous generations; of the components that remain, at least 70% have commonality across the product line. This simplifies machine fleet management and should increase uptime. According to Genie, fleet management is further improved by incorporating a consistent parts layout in easy-to-access locations; a win for service technicians who work on multiple models.

Operators are also set to benefit from a re-designed platform to improve productivity when working at height. On the popular GS-1932, standard fixed guard rails allow users to drive through most common doors without the need to pause and fold guardrails down. The platform is 20% larger, offering more room for two people to work comfortably indoors. Across the range, operators will notice other subtle details that enhance comfort at height.

Genie has also highlighted that the new Smart Link platform controller is completely redesigned to be 30% lighter than the previous version, complete with a more ergonomic design. Because it is modular, parts of the controller can be replaced without requiring replacement of the whole – another example of reducing parts replacement cost.

Designed for Niftylift’s entire HeightRider range, ClipOn activates as soon as the key switch is turned on.

Niftylift has unveiled ClipOn, a retrofittable safety device that offers access platform operators clear visual and audible cues to connect their harnesses before operating machinery.

Designed for Niftylift’s entire HeightRider range, ClipOn activates as soon as the key switch is turned on, alerting operators if they attempt to operate without securing their harness.

Red LED lights above connection points indicate an unfastened harness, and an alarm will sound if the operator tries to move the machine without proper attachment. Once the harness is secured, the LEDs turn green and the alarm ceases, ensuring a clear signal of safety compliance.

Reducing injuries

ClipOn’s visibility extends to ground teams with under-basket LEDs, signalling whether the operator is harnessed correctly, reinforcing safety protocols on-site.

The system integrates seamlessly into both new and existing Niftylift fleets and instals with ease using only three components—the control box, harness sensor, and light array. Its operation is intuitive, similar to seat belt alert systems in vehicles, making adoption straightforward for operators.

Effective safety protocols are essential, especially in high-risk sectors like working at height, where falls are a leading cause of workplace injuries.

Systems like ClipOn, with its simple yet powerful reminders, provide critical assurance for operators, managers, and site owners. ClipOn not only enhances safety but also simplifies inspection and compliance checks, offering a streamlined and unobtrusive safety solution that sets a new standard in access platform safety.

“Working at height inevitably involves risks, with falls being one of the most frequent causes of workplace injuries. That’s why ClipOn is crucial. Safety shouldn’t be complicated, and by ensuring every operator is securely harnessed before operating the machine, we’re making a simple but significant move towards eliminating the risk of falls from height,” said John Keely, managing director at Niftylift.

An updated H120 GC hammer. (Image source: Cat)

Caterpillar has updated several of its GC hammers, turning them into more durable and high-performance pieces of equipment

The versatile GC hammers are designed with large hammer tool diameters and deliver high-impact power in order to quickly break through tough materials encountered in a range of application such as road construction, trenching and demolition. The updated Cat H130 GC, H140 GC, H160 GC and H180 GC hammers feature powerful hydraulics and quick access to maintenance areas to increase productivity, improve uptime and reduce costs, according to Cat.

“Earlier this year, we updated the H110 GC and H120 GC models, and they have been well received by our customers,” explained Tom Munch, senior product consultant. “Expanding these feature upgrades to the H130 GC through H180 GC models gives customers a full range of durable and reliable hammer work tool solutions fully validated and matched to machines from the 10- to 55-ton class sizes.”

Durable, effective and easy to maintain

To increase production and efficiency at the jobsite, Cat has aimed to combine power with fast impact frequencies. The new hammers have large tool diameters from 155-185 mm and have high impact power.

Moreover, durability is ensured through the standard high-vibration adapter alongside power cells made of high-quality alloy steel enabling a two-stage heat treatment process. Hydraulic components are also shielded from damage by heavy-duty side places to boost reliability.

Besides durability, Cat has also taken pains to improve and simplify the way maintenance is performed on the equipment. With quick and easy access to maintenance areas already hallmarks throughout the GC hammer line, the new models now feature a slip-fit and 90-degree rotatable lower brushing for easy replacement in the field. These help to reduce service time and extend service life.

Daily tool inspection and grease points are accessible from ground level with the hammer mounted on the machine. According to Cat, this enhances safety and reduces the time for routine maintenance. Finally, reinforced connecting hardware and easy bolt tightening help to provide strong, durable joints to extend the hammer life.

Cat has also made headlines recently for introducing its new Dynamic Energy Transfer solution the can transfer energy to both diesel-electric and battery-electric large mining trucks while they are operating. Learn more in the recent issue of African Review available now.