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Have the team at French industrial service provider Foselevlook at the Tadano AC 7.4501 and they will quickly tell you that it is a perfect match for their fleet: “We’re always taking on new challenges, especially when tackling big projects, so we really need the right crane for each work site. Our new AC 7.4501 puts us in an even better position when it comes to that,” explains Branch Manager Michael Mathieu, who picked up the crane together with workshop technician LoîcBernier in Zweibrücken. The AC 7.4501 was handed over by Tadano France Business Leader Jean-Marie Grossmann. More specifically, the AC 7.4501’s compact design, large lifting capacity, and long boom all played a crucial role in making a compelling case for Foselev. “On top of that, the extraordinary interplay between mechanical, electrical, and electronic components is something that Tadano really nailed with this crane. That’s why we’re very happy to have added a Tadano for this important fleet expansion,” Michael Mathieu underscores. In addition, the AC 7.4501 benefits from the merger between Tadano and Demag by having the best components of both worlds, so that his company is getting a real competitive advantage with the crane. In fact, these synergistic effects are one of the important factors that have led him to see the merger as a really positivething. And his technician, Loîc Bernier, backs him up: “The Tadano AC 7.4501 is an innovative crane that offers one-of-a-kind solutions such as the Surround View system. This camera system makes travelling safer and also makes it significantly easier to position the crane at work sites.” Thanks to the crane’s enormous versatility, Foselev will be using its AC 7.4501 to erect wind turbines and tower cranes, as well as for bridge construction and industrial projects.

A Scottish crane hirer has bought its biggest Liebherr machine as it continues to expand a range of equipment from the German manufacturer.   Stoddart Crane Hire bought its first new Liebherr – an LTM 1060-3.1 – in 2016 and has since added several others ranging from 40t to 90t. It now moves up several capacity categories with a new 230t LTM1230-5.1.   The five-axle newcomer was showcased on the Liebherr stand at the recent Vertikal Days exhibition before travelling north to Stoddart’s headquarters at Muir of Ord near Inverness.   Director Ewan Stoddart said: ‘We work all over the Highlands and Islands of Scotland in some remote and challenging locations. That is why we chose the LTM1230-5.1 as its long boom, powerful duties and excellent maneuverability allow us to go the extra mile for our customers.’   A family business established in 2004, Stoddart specializes in all-terrain mobile and crawler cranes supported by a fleet of heavy haulage tractor units, trailers and Hiab lorries.

GUAY specializes in operated and non-operated crane rentals throughout Quebec, and they have increased their rental fleet with the purchase of 19 Tadano Rough Terrain Cranes. GUAY has taken delivery of these world-renowned machines ranging from the 55-ton class up to 160-ton RTs.   Guillaume Gagnon, Executive Vice President of GUAY, describes their fleet additions, "We wanted to renew the RTs in our rental fleet and now have access to better technology, like the Smart Chart on the Tadano. Our decision was made on the reliability of the Tadano RTs. We work in remote area winter conditions, so we wanted to have a rough terrain that was reliable. Also, what we like is all the rough terrain models have the same operational pattern (lots of parts in common). So for our technicians and crane operators, they are easier to operate and to maintain -which increases our productivity for our customers."   Tadano America Regional Business Manager Justin Andrews adds, "We believe these Rough Terrain Cranes are a great fit for GUAY's fleet and their client's needs. We look forward to a long relationship between GUAY, Cropac and Tadano."

Electrician Ken Harrop went to a plant auction to buy a generator. He came back with a crane. And so began the story of a successful hire business that has just brought on board its second Liebherr 30-tonner.   The company, Warrington-based Ken Harrop Crane Hire Ltd, has built its reputation on having a personal touch its competitors can’t match and see the LTM 1030-2.1 model as the ideal machine to contribute to that uniqueness.   These days the business is headed by Ken’s son Jack and he opted for a fly jib, vario base and remote control for the latest crane, which will be employed on a variety of interesting lifting duties.   Harrop runs a number of all-terrain and truck-mounted cranes and operates throughout the north-west of England.   Jack Harrop, Director at Ken Harrop Crane Hire, commented: ‘Our first LTM 1030-2.1 has proven to be a very reliable machine. As the lightest crane that Liebherr produce it provides many benefits especially with the increasing emphasis on low outrigger loadings, hence we have opted for the same model again.

ABA Crane Hire has given flagship status to an LTM1160-5.2 model sporting a 62m main boom, fly jib, Variobase®️, Varioballast®️ and remote control. It carries 22.5t of counterweight in the UK and boasts 180t capacity.   The company already runs a range of Liebherrs of various capacities in its mixed fleet of city, mobile and all-terrain cranes up to 180t. It also operates aLiebherr MK 88 self erecting tower crane   Managing Director Adrian Baggott said: ‘We areexcited to add the LTM1160-5.2 to our fleet as ourflagship model. It’s 180t capacity made it the right choice for our customer base and our internal logistics strategy. The feedback we have received has already been very positive and we are looking forward to receiving even more products from Liebherr throughout this year’.   ABA Cranes was established in 1983 and, with over 40 years’ experience, is one of the leading crane hire company in the Midlands.

Choosing a Tadano CC 38.650-1 lattice boom crawler crane was a pretty easy decision for Scandinavian crane service provider Nordic Crane: “The CC 38.650-1 is an extremely well engineered and reliable crane that’s perfect for a huge range of jobs thanks to its incredible power and versatility. Whether you’re talking about industrial and infrastructure projects or erecting large wind turbines, it’s got us covered,” explains Managing Director Morton Heli-Hansen. And the crane proved him right in a roadbuilding project shortly after being handed over: Tasked with lifting two 54-meter-long, seven-meter-wide, 135-tonne road bridges in Lysaker, next to Oslo, the crane never faltered during the job: “We configured the CC 38.650-1 with a 60-meter SSL_2 and 39.5-meter Superlift mast configuration for this assignment. Meanwhile, the counterweight was 165 plus 50 tonnes, and there were 250 tonnes on the Superlift tray. This enabled the CC 38.650-1 to easily lift the loads with a gross weight of 147 tonnes at a radius of 42 meters and then slew them into place and accurately set them down at their intended position – exactly as we’d planned,” Morton Heli-Hansen reports.

A heavy lifting specialist has reached the halfway stage of its 2023 investment in Liebherr cranes.   Based in central Scotland, Forsyth of Denny runs a fleet of more than 30 cranes and is boosting its Liebherr holding this year with a deal for four machines. A pair of LTM 1150-5.3 models have already arrived and will be followed in the coming months by LTM 1090-4.2 and LTM 1300-6.3 machines.   The 300-tonne LTM 1300-6.3 is said to set a new world record for mobile cranes, able to carry a complete 90-metre telescopic boom on public roads with an axle load of 12 tonnes.   The newcomers join a fleet that already includes a selection of Liebherr's from 40-500t based across Forsyth’s three depots in Scotland and another in Northern Ireland.   Forsyth General Manager Mark Syme said: ‘The reliability and aftermarket support from Liebherr has really enabled us to grow and provide our customer base with the best level of service. We’re delighted with the recent arrival of the two LTM 1150-5.3s and excited to take delivery of the first LTM 1300-6.3 in Scotland, later this year’.

When asked why he opted for the new Tadano AC 4.080-1 all terrain crane, the owner of Johannesburg-based Marlboro Crane Hire, Oliver Dalais, is not at a loss for an answer. “What really clinched it for us was the outstanding reach of the crane’s 60-meter boom in combination with its amazingly compact design. That means we can use it in tight spaces, where it absolutely comes into its own with its unbeatable lifting capacity at steep boom positions,” he says, naming just some of the AC 4.080-1 unit’s key benefits for his business. The crane was handed over by Jared Terry, Sales Manager of MMS Mobile Cranes, which has been the official distributor for Tadano in the countries of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia,and Mozambique since mid-2022. “It was an honor and a pleasure to hand the new Tadano AC 4.080-1 over to our long-standing customer Marlboro Crane Hire,” he says. “Marlboro’s decision to order this crane is a vote of confidence in us and the Tadano brand. It augurs well for the future of our two companies in the South African market.” Marlboro ordered the Tadano AC 4.080-1 complete with Flex Base for the outriggers to be extended to any point within their range, IC-1 Remote, and an offsetable main boom extension. Marlboro managing director Kathleen Dias is also a huge Tadano fan, it seems. “For us, the crane’s comprehensive range of standard and optional equipment is further proof of Tadano’s ability to bring stunning, innovation-packed machines onto the market that completely and utterly meet the needs of customers,” she says. Oliver Dalais and Kathleen Dias are also extremely happy with the service they receive from Tadano. “The Tadano team always goes the extra mile for their customers, and they’re super-efficient, when it comes to service, you can’t ask for better than that,” they say. Marlboro Crane Hire will base the new AC 4.080-1 at its Johannesburg location and plans to use it for a wide range of customers and job sites. Given the crane’s immense versatility, that makes perfect sense.

Pete Smith Crane Rental & Rigging Corp is a newer mobile crane service in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. They recently purchased the first-ever Tadano AC 4.080-1 in Canada. This versatile and powerful all-terrain crane stood out because of its long boom, being a great taxi crane, outstanding roadability and fitting a myriad of applications around the province of Ontario.   Pete Smith, owner of the company and a crane operator, describes the exciting new addition to his fleet, “I bought this Tadano AC 4.080-1 because it has a 197-foot main boom and the Flex Base system that works with IC-1 Plus; it was a no-brainer. I can take this machine downtown Toronto into analleyway, I know before I even get out of the carrier cab (Drivers Seat) where the outriggers will be, and it has a fantastic chart with the 20,500lbs counterweight configuration (which is legally roadable in Ontario). As for the downtown core type work for roof top units and the HVAC mechanical side, I think this crane is going to prove handy in that market." Smith adds, "With the competitor's crane in this class of ATs, you either get 164 or 167 of main boom. The AC 4.080-1comes out with 197’, the same counterweight configuration and same roadability. It just made sense." Tadano America Regional Business Manager Justin Andrews adds, "I would like to congratulate Pete Smith with the purchase of not only the first AC 4.080-1 in Canada, but this isthe first brand new crane purchase for the company. It is veryi mpressive to see such a young company build their business and clientele so quickly. This unit perfectly fits the Ontario market and Pete Smith's fleet with the longest boom and ideal88-ton capacity."   Smith also appreciates the support from Tadano’s Canadian distributor Cropac, “I approached Cropac in 2020 to discuss purchasing a crane. With some other dealerships I'd walked into, it was you having to jump through some hoops. But withBill (Cropac President and Owner Bill Finkle), it was a face-to-face conversation, a handshake, and the deal was done. He got me into this industry, and I support Cropac 100%. This isa family-owned business, and he treats you like family."

“We wanted a solid two-axle crane that would be easy to operate for lightweight day-to-day work while remaining absolutely reliable – with those requirements, it’s really no surprise that we ended up deciding on the new Tadano AC 2.040-1,” report Weiland Managing Directors Sebastian and Volker Degenhardt, who picked up the new crane in Lauf together with crane operators Peter Schuster and Jürgen Steinhusen on a beautiful sunny day. As far as the crane experts from Lampertheim are concerned, the most compelling argument for the Tadano two-axle crane was its cost-effectiveness: “A crane like this is simply something you need to have in your portfolio. And since the AC 2.040-1 is significantly more cost-effective than a three-axle unit thanks to its two axles, total weight of 24 tonnes, and resulting lower wear, it was really the perfect choice,” explains Volker Degenhardt, who adds that the sturdy AC 2.040-1 is simply impossible to beat: “It can travel to work sites while comfortably within axle load limits, carry out its work with its incredibly simple telescoping system, and then move on to the next site,” he succinctly puts it. The team at Weiland also considered another crucial advantage behind the crane: the Tadano control system, which it shares with numerous other Tadano cranes in the Weiland fleet. “The combination between the IC1 Plus system and the Flex Base outrigger system, which makes it possible to extend the outriggers to any point within their range, ensures that the crane has excellent lifting capacities even with a low counterweight of only 1.1 tonnes,” Sebastian Degenhardt underscores. Together with a 35.2-meter-long main boom, this makes it an extraordinarily versatile machine. On top of this, both crane operators are quick to add that the AC 2.040-1 looks absolutely great, not to mention that it is characterized by the usual high Tadano quality and had a remarkably short lead time: It was ready for pickup a mere four months after the order was placed. In an era of supply chain bottlenecks, that is simply great service, Volker and Sebastian Degenhardt say before adding that they will be using their new AC 2.040-1 for their day-to-day work. More specifically, it will be going to three or four work sites a day in order to lift air conditioning units and ventilation systems, take care of lifts with pallets carrying building materials, and carry out steel structure assembly work. That will also include work sites where space is at a premium, as the crane’s compact dimensions make it perfect for that kind of work.

By Crane Hub Global | April 18, 2025 As global trade tensions escalate, the crane industry finds itself at the crossroads of international politics and industrial supply chains. With a growing patchwork of tariffs—particularly between the United States, China, and the European Union—manufacturers, rental companies, and end-users of cranes are navigating a complex and shifting economic landscape. The impact of these trade policies is already rippling through every corner of the industry. 📈 U.S. Tariffs Take Aim at Chinese Cranes - Affecting the Crane Industry The most headline-grabbing move came recently from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), which proposed tariffs of up to 100%  on Chinese-made ship-to-shore (STS) cranes . Additional duties ranging from 20% to 100%  on other cargo handling equipment, including tank containers and trailers, are also under review. A public hearing is slated for May 19 to evaluate the economic impact and national security implications of these tariffs. In parallel, the U.S. will begin imposing new port fees on Chinese-built ships  starting October 14, 2025. These fees—starting at $18 per net ton or $120 per container—could cost as much as $1.8 million  per vessel. These policies are part of a broader initiative to reduce American dependence on Chinese manufacturing, particularly in critical infrastructure sectors. 🧱 Building Pressure on Raw Materials The tariffs aren’t just targeting finished cranes. Core inputs like steel and aluminum —the backbone of crane construction—are also subject to heightened duties, directly increasing manufacturing costs. For OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), the added expense translates into higher sticker prices. For crane buyers and rental companies, that means tightened margins and delayed purchase decisions. 🔁 Supply Chain Realignment Manufacturers are being forced to rethink long-established supply chains. Components that once flowed freely from China are now being sourced elsewhere—often at higher costs or with longer lead times. As a result, project schedules and equipment delivery timelines are under increased stress. 🛠️ Refurbishment Rises in Popularity With new equipment becoming more expensive and lead times growing, refurbishment is gaining new appeal. Programs like Liebherr’s Transform , Manitowoc’s EnCORE , and similar initiatives are experiencing higher demand as crane owners opt to modernize existing fleets instead of investing in brand-new machines. 🌍 Global Response: EU and China React The European Union has indicated it will not sit idly by. While not targeting cranes directly, EU officials are exploring retaliatory tariffs  on U.S. goods in response to American steel and aluminum duties. Negotiations are underway, but tensions are high, and retaliatory action remains a real possibility. Meanwhile, China has already struck back , imposing tariffs of up to 84%  on a variety of U.S. products. This has hindered U.S. crane exports to Asia and created a more fragmented global equipment market. 📉 Economic Outlook and Trade Forecasts The World Trade Organization (WTO)  has revised its global merchandise trade forecast downward, now predicting a 0.2% decline in 2025 . The slowdown is directly tied to tariff uncertainty and constrained investment across industries—including construction and heavy equipment. China’s own economic outlook has also dimmed, with GDP growth forecasts cut to 4% , in part due to weakened exports and retaliatory tariffs. 🚧 Industry Implications Increased Equipment Costs : Buyers face higher prices across the board—from materials to full crane units. Project Delays : Longer procurement times and sourcing challenges may push project schedules. Investment Hesitation : Many companies are delaying fleet upgrades, waiting to see how trade policies evolve. Shift to Domestic & Non-Chinese Suppliers : Companies are restructuring sourcing to avoid tariff-heavy countries. 🔍 Looking Ahead As the global economy braces for more trade disruptions, the crane industry will need to remain agile. For manufacturers, it's a time to innovate supply strategies. For fleet owners, it's an opportunity to rethink lifecycle costs. And for end-users, navigating this tariff-fueled terrain will require careful planning and strategic sourcing. One thing is certain: cranes will keep lifting, but the costs—and the calculus behind them—are changing.

30 Second Takeaway US-based rental specialist Maxim Crane Works  has completed the acquisition of the tower crane assets  of Sims Crane & Equipment’s tower crane subsidiary . The transaction strengthens Maxim’s tower crane fleet , expands its product offering, and increases its market presence across Florida , where the majority of the acquired cranes are currently operating. Tower crane fleet acquisition  strengthens Maxim portfolio Maxim Crane Works  has acquired the tower crane fleet  operated by Sims Crane & Equipment’s tower crane division , marking a strategic expansion of Maxim’s capabilities in the tower crane rental market . The acquisition supports Maxim’s stated objectives to refresh its tower crane fleet , broaden available crane types, and enhance its position in key regional markets. Potain tower cranes  form core of acquired fleet The acquired fleet consists primarily of Potain tower cranes , including a mix of flat-top  and hammerhead  models commonly used on commercial and high-rise construction projects. Key models include: Potain MDT 389 L16 flat-top cranes  with 16-tonne capacity  and jib lengths of up to 75 metres Potain MD 559 hammerhead cranes  with 20-tonne capacity  and jib lengths of up to 80 metres Potain MDT 489 flat-top cranes  with 25-tonne capacity Most of the cranes are currently deployed across major Florida construction markets , including Tampa , Miami , Jacksonville , Orlando , and Tallahassee . Expanding tower crane market presence  in Florida The transaction significantly increases Maxim’s tower crane footprint  in Florida, a region with sustained demand for tower crane rental  driven by commercial, residential, and infrastructure development. By integrating the Sims tower crane assets, Maxim gains immediate access to cranes already operating in active markets, supporting continuity for customers and projects. Leadership comments on the transaction Paul McDonnell , Chief Executive Officer of Maxim Crane Works , said the acquisition aligns with the company’s long-term strategy. “This acquisition strengthens our commitment to delivering top-quality crane solutions  and further expands our capabilities in the tower crane market ,” McDonnell said. “We are thrilled to partner with Sims  to complete this acquisition.” Deborah Weber , Chief Executive Officer of Sims Crane & Equipment , said the sale allows Sims to sharpen its strategic focus. “This strategic decision allows us to focus our operations on applications that align closely with our mission and objectives,” Weber said. “By streamlining our operations, we aim to enhance our service offerings and better meet the needs of our customers.” About Maxim Crane Works Maxim Crane Works  is one of the largest providers of crane rental , lifting services , and heavy lift solutions  in North America. The company operates a broad fleet of mobile cranes , crawler cranes , and tower cranes , supporting construction, infrastructure, energy, and industrial projects across the United States. Website:   https://www.maximcrane.com About Sims Crane & Equipment Sims Crane & Equipment  is a Florida-based provider of crane rental and lifting services , supporting construction and industrial projects throughout the southeastern United States. The company operates a diversified fleet of lifting equipment and continues to focus on core crane rental applications following the tower crane fleet sale. Website:   https://www.simscrane.com Frequently Asked Questions What assets did Maxim acquire from Sims? Maxim acquired the tower crane fleet  operated by Sims Crane & Equipment’s tower crane subsidiary . What types of tower cranes were included? The fleet includes Potain flat-top and hammerhead tower cranes , with capacities ranging from 16 to 25 tonnes . Where are the cranes primarily operating? Most cranes are deployed in Florida , including Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tallahassee . Why did Sims sell its tower crane fleet? Sims stated the sale allows the company to focus on operations that align more closely with its strategic objectives. How does this affect Maxim’s tower crane business? The acquisition expands Maxim’s tower crane capacity , product range, and market presence.