Obsolescence can sometimes be a key driver in the quest for crane upgrades, as Gottwald company spokesperson Peter Klein explains.
For example, if either Gottwald or one of its registered sub-contractors decided to discontinue the manufacture of a certain component or part, it would therefore make sense for an operator to seriously consider undertaking a mid-life refurbishment, which would involve replacing out-of-date elements of the crane with a more modern equivalent.
The introduction of new environmental standards is another major driver behind equipment upgrades. On occasions, operators have requested a change of power pack on a crane to enable them to comply with new environmental regulations governing emissions.
Also operators are often interested in improved systems for greasing and bringing in better filter systems for oil, while noise reduction is another common upgrade achieved through better insulation and use of other materials. Better ergonomics, air conditioning and increased visibility are just a few ways to improve cab environment.A recent project with the Port Authority of Aruba included a request for Kalmar to refurbish and modernise the cab of an STS crane.
