A new crane for Jekko’s SPX range

Buiding on the success of the SPX532 and SPX1280, Jekko has launched the 5t capacity SPX650 minicrane with a maximum height of 23.5m with the jib.

SPX650 has new stabilisation and hydraulic systems, a new hydraulic jib and runner jib (with plug-and-play attachment), a lithium battery power supply and a radio remote control. Other notable features include the ability to work with either a hook or a winch, extendable tracks, the availability of pick-and-carry mode and the telemetry system J-Connect.

“The idea behind the new SPX650 comes from the market needs,” – explains Alberto Franceschini, Jekko’s export sales manager. “Our customers were looking for a medium sized minicrane, with a boom length over 20m and a very good lifting capacity. Operators were asking for a crane that can work both indoors and outdoors and that was suitable for many job sites such as: glazing, curtain wall installation, steel erection and industrial maintenance. So, we analysed both what the competition was offering and our own range, and the result is SPX650.”

SPX650 has a 100% electronically-operated supply system with PVG 16 proportional bank valves by Danfoss, the same as used on SPX532 and SPX1280 and, which allow smooth and accurate crane movements and the possibility of working simultaneously with four functions.

Marco Zava, Jekko’s R&D director says, “The heart of the hydraulic system is a load sensing piston pump, driven by our own power management control: this can guarantee the operator all the crane’s power, speed and control he needs, with the minimum consumption required.”

From the bigger SPX1280, SPX650 inherits the new stabilisation system, entirely and directly controlled by radio remote control. The crane is equipped with X-pattern outriggers with double extension (by cylinder and chains) to reduce the minimum stability area footprint to 2.9 x 2.9 m; the maximum area is 4.5 x 4.5m. Stabilisers also feature hydraulic rotation from 0 to 72deg and a double regulation position of their height, for the maximum flexibility while operating in confined areas. The system considers several factors in order to determine the possible working conditions: depending on the opening angle and extension of the stabilisers, the software can define in real time the maximum safe working load at a specific point, with five total stability levels.

SPX650 has a custom designed 48 V lithium battery pack with a capacity of 400 Ah, which powers a 16kW, three-phase electrical engine. Because of the 220V single-phase charger on board the machine it is possible to work under charge; an external 400V three-phase charger is also available as option. Lithium battery supply requires no maintenance and batteries can last for the crane’s whole life. Moreover, it allows unchanged and constant performance even in case of intense use with heavy loads, not to mention the possibility of operating indoor without any kind of emission.

Franceschini says, “This testifies to Jekko’s attention towards the environmental issues.” In order to satisfy all market requirements, from next year SPX650 can also be configured with a diesel engine paired with three-phase electric motor.

The crane features a new 1.2t hydraulic jib with three extensions – one hydraulic and two  by chain –  to achieve a maximum reachable height of 23.5m and a new 2t runner jib, useful in glass installation. The jib can be stored in three ways, as in SPX532: at rest on the column, on the ground or under the main boom. Rest position under the main boom means significant reduction in jib installation and disassembly times. The jib can also work with a negative angle up to 15deg for a greater versatility.

The radio remote control, which is the same as used on the SPX532 and SPX1280, features LCD display and software developed by Jekko. Using selectors that link to intuitive screens it allows all crane functions to be directly activated or deactivated.

SPX650 was designed to enter a market segment, which is currently not covered, the one of 5t maximum lifting capacity cranes, bridging the gap between the SPX532 and SPX1280. The model can be used for a variety of applications such as: glazing works, residential construction, civil engineering, industrial maintenance, maritime industry work, aviation and oil and chemical industries.

Franceschini says, “We believe that SPX650 will meet the needs of our customers thanks to all the cutting edge technical solutions it implements, combined with many important features such as versatility, high performance and compact size at the same time, a small stabilisation area, ease of use and last but not least the lithium battery power supply.

“Moreover, the standardisation of hydraulic, electronic and software components, which fit SPX532 and SPX180 models too, will make after sales service definitely easier. The first units of SPX650 will be available starting from the end of 2020 and, for all of the aforementioned reasons we have high sales expectations.”