Affordable Wireless Controls For BIGMAX Articulated Cranes

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Feb. 14, 2014 - PRLog -- Technocrane Inc., one of Canada’s major crane companies, now offers a reliable, versatile and affordable wireless remote control system suitable for small mono-boom and articulated cranes with low volume hydraulic systems.

New BIGMAX cranes from Technocrane’s stock can now be shipped with wireless controls. In addition, BIGMAX cranes http://www.bigmaxcranes.com currently in service with manual controls can now be economically retrofitted with wireless controls.

Wireless (radio) controls have been well accepted over the last 20 years on most large articulated cranes. However, most of the smaller mono-boom cranes (ie. less than 4 t/m) have been manually operated using the hydraulic control valve on the crane.

Wireless controls have been slow to be accepted for smaller cranes for several reasons:

   While inconvenient, an operator of a small crane can manage without remote controls. Small cranes have a shorter boom and therefore the load hook is usually less than 15 feet from the operator on the ground.
   Reliable FAC approved radio controls have been too costly to justify. In the past, adding wireless controls to a small crane meant increasing its cost by 50%. Whereas, low cost controls, of garage door opener quality for example, were not a reliable and safe option.
   The few cranes that required radio controls had to be purchased with the equipment already installed at the factory with lead times of 90 to 120 days from Europe.  Radio controls could not be easily retrofitted to cranes in stock.

Technocrane offers Hectronic wireless controls on all of their BIGMAX cranes.

Todd Slobogean, CEO of Technocrane says, “Hectronic has improved the design of their controls. Reliability is excellent and we have been able to purchase controls for a reasonable price for the first time. Also, we have modularized the design of BIGMAX cranes to allow us to add radio controls at our warehouse, rather than at the factory. This saves time and money which we can pass on to our customers.”

Wireless controls are available with 3 or 4 functions as direct replacements for the original control valve. The Hetronic hand held transmitter is available with 4 functions with or without additional PMW toggle switches for other non crane functions.

The electronic control valve is sectional and proportional. It includes man-sized emergency, manual over-ride levers to allow the crane to be operated manually in the event of an electrical problem, or if the transmitter is lost or broken. The wiring harness, which uses DIN connectors, is weather proofed for outdoor use.

Ann Svendsen, VP Marketing says, “We are geared up and ready to sell BIGMAX cranes with radio controls. Our staff can help with selecting and ordering the right crane model and we can often ship from stock within 24 hours – anywhere in North or South America.” For further information call Technocrane toll free at 1-877-531-8644 or visit their website at www.bigmaxcranes.com.