Manitowoc Cranes, one of the world's largest providers of lifting equipment for the construction industry, said it has launched Grove RT880E, the first crane in the Middle East to be fitted with Samson’s K-100 synthetic hoist.

The synthetic rope, designed specifically for mobile cranes, is the result of a joint development between Samson, a leading synthetic rope manufacturer and Manitowoc.

Made from a combination of high-performance synthetic fibres, K-100 is 80 per cent lighter than wire rope and boasts a torque-neutral construction that eliminates load spin and cabling, said a statement from Manitowoc Cranes.

The new hoist material also makes for easy handling, reeving and installation as it reduces kinking, bird caging and damage from other types of spooling issues. Additionally, because it does not require lubing with heavy grease, it is environmentally friendly, it added.

Yannick Richaud, director for Manitowoc Cranes in the UAE, said the installation of K-100 will be a value-added option for Grove users in the Middle East.

"K-100 will generate plenty of interest here in Qatar and the surrounding region, stated Manitowoc Cranes.

“Crane enthusiasts in the Middle East will see the numerous benefits of this innovation. Additionally, customers, especially those in the oil and gas industries, will feel confident investing in a product that has been tested by a reputable and well-known company such as Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC),” he added.

The hoist rope was fitted earlier this year in Qatar to the Grove RT880E at a three-day event which included machine testing and hands-on training for the installation, handling, and inspection of  K-100.

Samson and Manitowoc employees attended the event along with the operator of the RT880E, which is owned by CCC, the largest construction company in the Middle East. After initial training, the fitting of K-100 to the RT880E crane takes approximately two hours.

Besides carrying out an extensive research and testing to ensure the longevity and viability of the synthetic hoist rope, Manitowoc and Samson also measured the effects of ultraviolet (UV) light over a period of one year, said the company statement.

During this time, Samson’s research and development team collaborated with a worldwide leader in polymer coating additives to enhance UV protection on K-100.

The results showed that it maintained 90 per cent of new rope strength following exposure in the sunlight. Tests were conducted at Samson labs where more than 7 km of rope was tested, it stated.

“Samson is very excited about the new opportunities that will be presented to us now that K-100 is available throughout the Middle East,” says Dennis Sherman, technical sales director in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) at Samson.

“This synthetic rope will have a significant impact on the lifting industry in the region and we feel it is a true game changer for crane customers,” he explained.  

"K-100 was launched in the US market at Conexpo in 2014. Since then, the revolutionary crane rope has generated plenty of interest across the globe and continues to enter new markets," he added.-TradeArabia News Service