With the closing down of its Kalmar heavy cranes business, Cargotec is reliant on Kalmar reach stackers and ECHs for any rail terminal business. It can now add rail infrastructure to that list with the launch of Hiab’s dedicated rail loader crane series.

The new RAIL series is designed to comply with complex railway regulations and demanding requirements, offering customers a range of equipment to maintain the railway infrastructure network. A model from the range (a HIAB iX.122 RAIL) will be exhibited at IAA in Hannover, Germany later this month.

The new range will help railway infrastructure companies with all lifting jobs from service maintenance, all the way to heavy lifting recovery operations, and provide rail wagon makers with a much greater choice of cranes. The cranes’ SPACEevo control system combines the highest level of safety with precise and rapid movements, even for the most delicate operations, says Hiab.

“Using our experience of on-road load handling, we can now offer the same reliability, advanced features and safety that our truck mounted loader cranes are famous for to the railway industry,” said Marcel Boxem, Director, Global Product Management, Loader Cranes Heavy & Super Heavy, Hiab. “Our new, extensive offering provides railway customers with a greater choice and the possibility to select the best solution for them.”

The models range from smaller units designed for track maintenance and repair like mowing, utility and grab, all the way up to upcoming future super heavy models for the heaviest lifting challenges:

• HIAB iX.122 RAIL 
• HIAB iX.142 RAIL
• HIAB iX.162 RAIL
• HIAB iX.192 RAIL
• HIAB iX.232 RAIL
• HIAB iX.262 RAIL
• HIAB iX.302 RAIL
• HIAB iX.2758 RAIL

The railway cranes can be compliant with the following standards, subject to customer demands: EN15476, EN14033, EN 50128 and EN 13849. Options such as earth bonding, adjacent track and height limitations are just a few customisation features available. 

• Hiab has also launched the iQ.958 HiPro heavy loader crane with SPACEevo. This is a 90 tonne/metre heavy range crane.