Japanese material handling company Tadano has introduced its 100-ton GR-1000XLL EVOLT electric crane to the North American market. Designed to handle rough terrain and unfinished job sites, this all-wheel drive crane features four-wheel steering and boasts a maximum lifting height of over 224 feet (approximately 70 meters) and a maximum arc radius exceeding 190 feet (58 meters).
Dean Barley, president and CEO of Tadano America, expressed confidence in the product’s potential, stating, “We are very confident in the investment we’ve made in this crane. This crane has been tested and retested. We wanted to make sure that the first fully electric rough terrain (RT) crane in North America meets all the requirements of the market.”
The GR-1000XLL EVOLT is powered by six lithium-ion batteries that provide a total of 226 kWh, allowing for five hours of continuous operation and a driving range of up to 12.5 miles.
If stationary, operators can achieve up to seven hours of continuous operation before requiring a charge. The crane can be connected to a standard CCS1 DC fast charging port at up to 150 kW, enabling full battery charging in under two hours, or overnight on an 80 A 220/240 V Level 2 charger.
Being fully electric, the EVOLT is designed for quiet operation, making it suitable for nighttime work in urban areas and other sensitive environments. Additionally, its lack of exhaust emissions allows for indoor usage in spaces such as hangars and stadiums where diesel emissions could pose health risks.
Tadano claims that the new electric crane can help construction crews secure projects that would otherwise be unavailable due to environmental concerns.
The company estimates that the EVOLT will reduce annual operating costs by approximately 35% compared to its diesel-powered counterpart, factoring in fuel, electricity, maintenance, and downtime costs based on an estimated 1,200 engine hours per year.
