The Baden Davis Crane Connection recently delivered a new Kobelco CKS1350 lattice boom crawler to Gunnedah-based GBP Cranes and Heavy Haulage. GBP’s Managing Director Dan Hawkins provides background to the purchase and elaborates on recent developments for the business.
Dan is the third generation to work in the family business. He joined after leaving school.
“The business was initially started by my Grandfather, John Gibson with my Father Bruce Hawkins, Stuart Grosser and another business partner joining as the business progressed,” said Dan.
“I learnt about the business from the ground up, as an apprentice in the engineering shop working on the maintenance of the cranes. I progressed through to operating the cranes and then eventually moved into management roles.”
The addition of the new Kobelco is a key element of GBP’s commitment to renewing the fleet, ensuring clients are receiving the very latest technology when it comes to their craneage requirements.
“We have continually renewed our fleet of Liebherr all terrains and pick and carry cranes,” said Dan. “With our connection and long-term relationship with Anthony Davis and Ben Baden at the Baden Davis Crane Connection and National Distributor TRT, we decided to explore the opportunity of bringing a new Kobelco into the fleet.
“We’ve had crawlers in the fleet before and this purchase is for a specific long-term project for a client.”
Image: GBP Cranes and Heavy Haulage
The Kobelco CKS1350 features a maximum lifting capacity of 150 tonne at 4.4 metres and 36t at 12m with luffing jib. There are several other configurations available including maximum luffing boom length of 47.9m, maximum long boom length of 82.3m, maximum fixed jib combination 61m +30.5m and maximum luffing jib combination 47.9 + 32m and 44.8m +53.3m.
The upper structure is torsion-free precision-machined with all components located clearly and in service friendly positions. The Hino P11C engine provides plenty of power with low noise level. The boom hoisting system is powered by a hydraulic motor through a planetary reducer. A spring-set hydraulically-released multiple-disc brake is mounted on the boom hoist motor and operated through a counter-balance valve.
The lower structure features independent hydraulic propel drives built into each crawler side frame. Each drive consists of a hydraulic motor propelling a driving tumbler through a planetary gear box. Hydraulic motor and gear box are built into the crawler side frame within the shoe width. Crawler brakes are spring-set, with hydraulically released parking brakes built into each propel drive. The steering mechanism features a hydraulic propel system which provides both skid steering (driving one track only) and counter-rotating steering (driving each track in opposite directions). Track rollers are sealed for maintenance-free operation.
The cab and controls are totally enclosed within a full vision cab with safety glass, fully adjustable, high-backed seat with a headrest and armrests, and intermittent wiper and window washer (skylight and front window).
Dan discusses how the relationship with The Baden Davis Crane Connection dates back many years.
“We’ve had a very long business relationship with Anthony and Ben from The Crane Connection, and this dates back to when Gerhard Baden was the Liebherr distributor. Over the years we have bought multiple cranes from Anthony through the various dealerships he was working for at the time. The last crawler we purchased was from Anthony when he was working for the Grove and Manitowoc dealership.
“There were a number of reasons for purchasing the Kobelco and these included price, availability and the support we receive from The Baden Davis Crane Connection and TRT, the national distributor for Kobelco.
“Availability was a key factor because our client brought the project to us with relatively short notice. We know from Anthony that the service and product support from TRT has proven to be excellent over a long period,” said Dan.
“Anthony is always available via phone or email if and when additional support is required. His knowledge of the Kobelco brand would be among the most extensive in the country. He has a long history and association with Kobelco, and he knows the product inside and out. It’s great to be able to call him, even out of hours, if there are niggly issues, and most times he can walk us through the problem and provide a resolution.
“With this knowledge and TRT’s commitment to service, support, and parts availability the Kobelco package is very hard to pass on. When you factor in the performance of the Kobelco, operator acceptance, transportability, and lifting charts you can see why we decided to invest in the brand,” said Dan.