Rounding up the latest remote-control technology

As the heavy lifting industry continues to put jobsite safety under the microscope, the usage of remote-control technology is certainly pushing technology in the right direction. Not only does the implementation of remote controls improve safety and increase visibility, but it also has a direct impact on efficiency, with the push of a button.

ACT rounds up a variety of remote-control solutions hitting the market.

With its new design, the linus 6 radio remote control is now equipped with the latest HBC radio technology and includes numerous new features.

Updated remote

As a major part of HBC-radiomatic’s innovation strategy, the company continuously works on updating their well-known classic products with the latest state-of-the-art technologies and features to perfectly meet customers’ requirements. An example of this is the renovated version of HBC’s linus 6 radio remote control. With its new design, this remote is now equipped with the latest HBC radio technology and includes numerous innovative features, the company said.

The transmitter is available with HBC’s cutting-edge frequency management technologies, and it is the perfect choice for areas with many radio users or environments with frequently changing radio spectrum demands, HBC said. The radiomatic iLOG electronic key enables the quick activation of a spare transmitter if the original transmitter is damaged. This means service without expensive downtime. The Merlin Transmitter User Card protects the control against unauthorized use.

The D10 Drop Test Release Hook is a 10-ton load drop hook designed to facilitate safe and controlled load release from a distance. With the remote control, users can drop loads into the air without the need for manual intervention, climbing, or the use of ropes or cables.

In addition, this card supports user-defined management of unlock or lock machine functions for each operator. During difficult maneuvers, the micro/orthogonal drive feature can protect the operator from dangers due to excessive crane/machine speed or unintended movements in the wrong direction.

Release hook

Elebia Autohooks, a pioneer in lifting technology, has unveiled its latest innovation, the D10 Drop Test Release Hook. This groundbreaking release marks a significant advancement in load testing equipment, offering unparalleled safety and efficiency in load handling applications, the company said. The D10 Drop Test Release Hook is a 10-ton load drop hook designed to facilitate safe and controlled load release from a distance. With the simple press of a button on the remote control, users can effortlessly drop loads into the air without the need for manual intervention, climbing or the use of ropes or cables. This automated quick drop system streamlines workflows and ensures the safety of personnel and equipment.

Key features of the D10 Drop Test Release Hook include remote-controlled operation for safe and efficient load release; no manual intervention required, eliminating the need for climbing or using ropes/cables; and high-brightness LED status indicator for clear visual feedback on hook status. It is equipped with a high-capacity battery for extended productivity and dual remote control setup for enhanced security and error mitigation.

Roborigger devices enable remote rotation and positioning of loads regardless of wind conditions (up to 20 mph), eliminating the need for tag lines and personnel near the landing zone.

Remote rotation

A new, highly innovative class of “smart” load orientation devices and cantilever beams have hit the market for crane operations, providing safer, faster and more cost-effective handling of suspended loads. By implementing these new load orientation devices, crane operators can reduce the risk of accidents utilizing personnel detection systems that alert individuals within the danger zone, promoting a secure work environment, thus increasing the efficiency of the crane by 15 percent, and maximizing up-time.

One such device stems from the masterminds at Roborigger, founded in Perth, Australia in 2019, is a remote-controlled robotic load orientation device that incorporates gyroscopic rotation technology, integrated load cells, Wi-Fi capabilities, and IoT applications. Roborigger devices enable remote rotation and positioning of loads regardless of wind conditions (up to 20 mph), eliminating the need for tag lines and personnel near the landing zone.

Roborigger offers a robust lifting capacity of 5 to 50 tons and a host of user-friendly features that enhance convenience and productivity. Units feature two preset orientation settings that simplify repetitive operations, a wireless remote with an impressive range of 100 meters minimum, a resilient battery life of 12 plus hours, and onboard charging capabilities.

They also have Wi-Fi capabilities and IoT applications that collect and transmit lift data in real-time to a cloud based IoT customer platform. This allows users to track, analyze and monitor the load being lifted, the location, the date, the time, the weight and the performance of the crane. Users can also access high-resolution images and video streaming capabilities of the lift, enabling remote supervision and verification.

Battery hoist

Columbus McKinnon Corporation, a designer and manufacturer of intelligent motion solutions, products and technologies for material handling, and Milwaukee Tool, a manufacturer of innovative solutions to the professional construction trades, unveiled a joint development of a first-of-its-kind battery hoist.

The BatteryStar hoist keeps the operator out of the load path with a wireless remote that can control the hoist from up to 60 feet away.

Combining Columbus McKinnon’s hoist design with Milwaukee Tool’s lithium-ion battery and brushless motor technology, the BatteryStar hoist provides the lifting strength and speed of an electric chain hoist and the portability of a manual hoist without the need for time-consuming manual operation or access to a power source.

“Providing customers with a state-of-the-art solution for their mobile lifting needs, the BatteryStar represents the next step in hoisting innovation, creating a new category of lifting technology,” said Mario Ramos, senior vice president, product development and marketing for Columbus McKinnon.

Not only does the hoist reduce operator effort and fatigue with the elimination of manual effort, but it also keeps the operator out of the load path with a wireless remote that can control the hoist from up to 60 feet away. In addition, the remote features built-in intelligence that alerts the operator when the hoist is over capacity, or the battery has less than 25 percent charge so the battery can be replaced proactively.

It also indicates if hoist inspection is due when used in conjunction with Milwaukee Tool’s ONE-KEY app. Other features of the hoist include a patent-pending mechanical brake for added safety as well as true variable speed for precise lifting and improved efficiency.

The BatteryStar hoist has a 1-metric-ton lifting capacity with 20 feet of lift as standard and lifting speeds of 8 feet per minute. The hoist will be available for sale from Columbus McKinnon beginning in the summer of 2024.

Compact solution

NBB’s Nano series belly box radio remote controls are ideally suited for both indoor and outdoor applications. The Nano series comes in three sizes including NBB’s new offering, the Nano-media.

With NBB’s Surface Mount Technology (SMJ), users can quickly and easily replace single-axis and dual-axis joysticks in the field.

Nano-media is the latest innovation in NBB’s Nano product portfolio and sets new standards in terms of ease of use and flexibility, the company said. The Nano-media combines the compactness of the Nano-minor with the technical diversity of the Nano-magna.

When developing the Nano-media, NBB set the goal of producing a compact and lightweight transmitter that still offers space for as many operating elements as possible. With NBB’s patented Surface Mount Joystick (SMJ) technology, users can quickly and easily replace single-axis and dual-axis joysticks in the field. The housing remains sealed thus eliminating potential contamination or water ingress issues. Replacing an SMJ joystick without factory assistance means the customer’s system is ready for use in just a few simple steps.

The Nano-media offers an array of operation and feedback capabilities in a compact, ergonomic package. Some of the features include up to six single-axis or 3 dual-axis joysticks, up to two three-axis joystick and SMJ field replaceable joysticks. The Nano-media also features multiple toggle switches, push buttons and potentiometers, optional customer programmable 4.3-inch color TFT video display, optional Radiokey technology for quick configuration of spares and optional CANbus cable backup.

The Nano-media can be used in a wide range of applications including mobile cranes, aerial work platforms, lifting equipment, cable winches, stone crushers & screening machines, agricultural, landscaping, mines & mining, firefighting, concrete pumps and many more.

Jobsite safety

In the world of heavy machinery, precision and safety are paramount; remote controls play a crucial role in achieving both and further increase efficiency. Operating equipment via a remote solution causes less fatigue than traditional manual operation and further enables operators to move more freely within the work area; gaining the best viewpoint of the work being performed, this helps to create a safer work environment.

Tele Radio’s TEQ line, comprised of light weight durable “Belly Box” style transmitters, were specially developed for mobile and industrial hydraulic applications.

Tele Radio’s TEQ line, comprised of light weight durable “Belly Box” style transmitters that were specially developed for mobile and industrial hydraulic applications, are ideally suited to control cranes, SPMTs and other rigging and specialized transport machines. Transmitters are available in standard configurations but can also be customized to meet operator’s specific requirements, both in ergonomics and function lay-out. We provide paddles, joysticks, push buttons, switches, potentiometers, just to name a few of our features.

Receivers are available with relay, analog, and PWM outputs. Fieldbuses like CANopen, J1939, ProfiNet and Modbus RTU are available to interface with vast varieties of machine applications. These fieldbus systems are widely used in industrial automation to enable real-time communication between controllers, and sensors/actuators. These systems typically involve the exchange of limited amounts of data (tens of bytes or less) for cyclic data exchange and acyclic data handling.

Moreover, the full duplex capability of the TEQ line offers the ability of a communication link to support simultaneous transmission and reception over the same frequency spectrum. In other words, both sending and receiving data can occur concurrently without the need for time or frequency partitioning. This technology enhances capacity and throughput in wireless networks by allowing bidirectional communication in real time. Monitoring difficult-to-reach instruments, displaying work piece positioning, indicating weight, speed or any other information on the transmitter full color screen makes work safer and more responsive for the operator.