Jan/Feb 2025

With the new AC 5.250L-2, Tadano is literally going one better: With its 79-meter-long main boom, this 5-axle machine is at the top of its class. And the maximum main boom extension of 30 meters is also best in class. Remarkably, all available main boom extensions from 5.8 to 30 meters are self-erecting. The available maximum system length of 109 meters makes the compact AC 5.250L-2 the ideal crane for urban applications, for example for lifting air conditioning units over ob

Condra is to manufacture a second overhead crane for Tongaat Hulett’s Maidstone sugar mill, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The order is for a 23-metre-span double girder electric overhead travelling crane with 25-ton main hoist and 8-ton auxiliary, to work in conjunction with the existing millhouse crane and a 10-ton Condra crane commissioned in the bagasse store in March 2024. Maidstone is one of four South African sugar mills operated by Tongaat Hulett, a leading agriculture

Digitalisation is transforming processes across industries and changing how businesses operate. Around the world, organisations are increasingly embracing digital tools and platforms to enhance efficiency and innovation - and the lifting industry is no exception. Leading this shift is Mycrane with its newly launched Marketplace solution. Lifting Africa finds out more about this game-changing development. As the world’s first global platform for online crane rental, Mycrane ha

Now, more than ever, businesses operating in the materials handling sector are expected to reduce their carbon footprints by adopting more environmentally-friendly practices, especially when it comes to energy consumption. Not only is this the right thing to do in a world where climate change continues to threaten livelihoods, it is necessary to ensure South Africa meets its legally binding commitment - under the Paris Climate Accords - to cut emissions from 442 million tonne

Bauma 2025 will host the world premiere of Bobcat’s new, groundbreaking 1-2 t mini excavators and the latest upgrade of the E88 mini excavator, the top-of-the-range model in Europe. Bobcat will also demonstrate how it is bringing its world-famous, cutting-edge technologies to the jobsite of the future. From the RogueX and RogueX2 autonomous loader concepts, the TL25.60e electric telehandler concept and electric machines such as the T7X and S7X compact loaders and the E10e and

The JLG® G5-18A telehandler has undergone a significant refresh. As part of the product changes, the model nomenclature has changed from G5-18A to 519. The new 519 telehandler delivers a range of enhancements to boost productivity, operator confidence, and serviceability on the job site. Improved load chart The 519’s load chart has been optimized, expanding the working zone at maximum lift capacity and forward reach. This allows operators to work more confidently when handlin

Hyundai Construction Equipment is introducing the HW250A MH, a dedicated materials handler for the recycling and waste handling industries. With a choice of booms and an elevating cab structure, the HW250MH combines productivity with fuel efficiency. High lift The HW250MH builds on the success of Hyundai’s popular wheeled excavator range. Weighing 26.1-tonnes, the machine comes as standard with front and rear outriggers, providing maximum stability when lifting. Equipped with

In the lifting and rigging industry, one of the most significant hazards is the dropping of equipment and components from height. Such incidents not only pose a serious risk to the safety of workers but also can result in costly damage and project delays. To tackle this issue, Green Pin has developed a catch shackle. Lifting Africa finds out more. The Catch Shackle, co-developed with the DROPS organisation, is one of those pieces of equipment that may seem innocuous at first

Wire ropes are hard-working components in many different applications, from mines to lifts, ports, construction sites, and drainage systems. Ron Byrnes, Senior Technical Sales Representative and Wire Rope Specialist at Lubrication Engineers (LE) South Africa, has over 30 years of experience working with wire ropes, including working directly on major Southern African mines and for a wire rope manufacturer. He says correct lubrication of wire ropes is “absolutely critical” bec

Steel wire ropes, renowned for their exceptional durability and strength, are indispensable in heavy-lifting industries such as construction, mining, and maritime. At the annual LEEASA conference, Donald Coward of Engineering Concepts provided valuable insights into optimising rope design and maintenance to extend their lifespan and reliability. Designed to transmit high tensile loads over large distances efficiently, steel wire ropes demonstrate engineering at its finest. Ho

Tadano, a global leader in the lifting equipment industry, will showcase its comprehensive line of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) at Bauma 2025, marking a significant milestone in its strategic expansion. The presentation follows the company’s successful acquisition of Nagano Industry Co., Ltd., a renowned self-propelled crawler boom lift manufacturer, in February 2024. “This expansion into mobile elevating work platforms represents a natural progression in our journ

Thank you to our partners, authorities, and the public. On the 7th and 8th of December, a major milestone was achieved in the construction of the new Lancaster Bridge along the N3 highway. The installation of 12 precast bridge beams, each spanning an impressive 33 meters and weighing 57 tonnes, was successfully completed under full highway closures. The operation, led by Bedrock Infrastructure, marked a significant step forward in the ongoing N3 upgrade project, an initiative

Konecranes has launched the new Konecranes D-series electric chain hoist, designed to meet the demands of industries that require high-performance lifting equipment. With its robust construction, advanced safety features and compact design, the Konecranes D-series is engineered to prioritize safety, boost productivity and deliver long-term reliability across a wide variety of industrial applications. Initially available in the EMEA region, with global availability and additio

RiConnect Inc.’s cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) offering includes Digital Product Passports (DPP), as industry adapts to the European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). RiConnect is dedicated to simplifying and digitalising the processes around compliance and traceability for equipment management. Having pioneered utilisation of radio frequency identification (RFID) chips, allowing end users of lifting and other equipment to keep up with p

True to the motto “Go for Solution P”, PALFINGER showcases its full portfolio of lifting solutions, services, and latest innovations at bauma 2025 in Munich. Leading the lineup is the PK 880 TEC loader crane, making its world premiere at the event. In addition, visitors can look forward to two world premieres within the TEC range of aerial work platforms, as well as another one in the FL range of truck-mounted forklifts. With these and many other product and service highlight

A cutting-edge rescue simulation centre at the University of Johannesburg is set to transform emergency response training in South Africa. Designed specifically to meet the complex demands of modern rescue scenarios, this facility provides unparalleled training opportunities for emergency personnel. The centre’s development, however, would not have been possible without the advanced lifting solutions incorporated on-site, enabling realistic and rigorous training that mirrors

In April, the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) will implement updated Continuing Professional Development (CPD) regulations, which were officially published in the Government Gazette at the end of 2024. These updates are crucial for professionals in the engineering sector. Industry stakeholders are strongly advised to familiarise themselves with the changes. Lifting Africa finds out more. The updated CPD regulations are designed to enhance the ongoing development of

2025 is in full swing and we thank all members who have already renewed their annual memberships and who are in good standing. If you have not received your annual invoice, please check your spam folders or check your contact details with our admin department who will also gladly resend any required documents to you. We have already by the end of January 2025 increased our membership take on compared to previous years. The LEEASA board has been busy behind the scenes gearing

The imminent end of hard stamping means much more than avoiding damage to product, says Andy Charlesworth and Richard Oldknow, of YOKE Industrial Corp. We all know what hard stamping is: a type of punch that, when struck, creates an indentation on the surface of the product that can be read or understood by the item’s user. It is about as far from state-of-the-art as you can get, and in an industry embracing the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockcha