The new TP2000/FV1200 Minicrane is a unique track mounted mobile crane from Penny Hydraulics and Hinowa for loads up to 1200kg where safe handling is required but where conventional vehicle-mounted cranes cannot easily operate. Its rugged performance makes it an ideal solution for working off-road and over rough terrains including gravel, sand, mud and snow. The TP2000/FV1200 was jointly developed by the two companies to meet demand from customers for a cost effective and versatile solution to handle loads and comply with current health and safety regulations. It is aimed at customers in sectors including plant hire, construction, utility, stonemasonry and arboriculture.
The unit is based around a unique combination of the Hinowa TP2000 tracked chassis and the Penny Hydraulics FV1200 fully hydraulic crane. The TP2000 is a compact tracked chassis, powered by a Honda GX390 petrol engine, that can be used with a wide range of attachments. The addition of the Penny Hydraulics FV1200 provides a highly versatile load handling solution. This fully hydraulic crane, introduced for the commercial vehicle market in 2008, has a maximum lifting capacity of 1200kg at 1.5 metres, a generous 450kg when the boom is extended to 3.5 metres and 250kg at full 4.3 metre extension.
The operator stands on a platform at the rear of the unit where they have a clear view of the crane, load and working area. All of the levers and buttons required to drive the unit are mounted on a console on at the front of the platform within easy reach for safe and efficient handling. Crane movements including slew, boom raise and boom extension are powered hydraulically for controlled, precise and safe handling. This allows the FV1200 to handle a wide range of loads and also helps to ensure that there are no unexpected or sudden movements from the crane or load which is especially important when working on uneven ground. The crane can move over the ground while carrying its load.
The hydraulic slew and boom operation, combined with market leading safety systems including overload protection, is believed to be unique in the “one tonne†class of vehicle mounted crane. Full hydraulic control also means there is no need to approach the crane to set the extension or height of the boom manually. The addition of an optional hydraulic or electric winch enables the crane to raise and lower loads below ground level, for example to support utility maintenance and engineering tasks.
Robust design and rugged construction ensure the crane is reliable. The crane folds down to the king post when not in use for the best possible safety and protection from accidental damage during storage and transportation. Its integrated fully enclosed oil tank and motor pump unit provide easy access for servicing and also allow the unit to be demounted very easily so that the chassis can be used for other handling tasks using a range of attachments. The complete TP2000/FV1200 unit is 1740mm wide, 1925mm long and 2085mm high in the stowed position and weighs 1125kg which means it can be transported on most conventional plant trailers.
The TP2000/FV1200 complements the smaller HS400/V12 Minicrane introduced by Hinowa and Penny Hydraulics earlier in 2009. This compact track mounted battery powered mobile crane is designed for handling loads weighing up to 630kg in a range of indoor and outdoor applications.
Penny Hydraulics designs, manufactures and services lifting and load handling equipment for use in a wide range of applications. Products include the Swing Lift range of medium duty cranes for use on pick-ups, drop-sides and flat-beds and the Step Lift, Load Lift and Tail Lift lifting platform ranges for use on pick-ups, drop-sides and vans. The company also manufactures the Mezz Lift for handling loads between ground floor and mezzanines and specialist equipment for handling wheels, tyres and barrels in vehicles and at customers’ premises.