The new HS400/V12 Minicrane from Hinowa and Penny Hydraulics is a unique compact track mounted battery powered mobile crane designed for handling small items of plant and equipment and other loads weighing up to 630kg in a variety of construction, maintenance and service applications.

It is ideal for off-road and rough-terrain applications where safe load handling is required but where conventional vehicle-mounted cranes cannot easily operate. It can also be used indoors. The HS400/V12 was jointly developed by the two companies to meet demand from customers for a cost effective and versatile solution to handle loads and comply with current health and safety regulations.

“We believe there is a market among utilities, construction companies, civil engineers, machinery installers engineers, monumental stonemasons and local authorities, all of whom have specific handling requirements that involve off-road operations,” says Richard Hunt, Managing Director of Hinowa. “The cost of the machine, which we believe is the lowest in Europe, should make it viable for hire companies to add to their fleets at highly competitive rates.”

The unit is a unique combination of the Hinowa HS400 electric chassis unit and the Penny Hydraulics V12 crane. The HS400 is a compact tracked chassis unit designed for use with a wide range of attachments. Its compact dimensions and low centre of gravity make it an ideal platform for equipment including cranes. Battery power ensures the unit can be used indoors and in confined spaces without risk of fumes affecting users or contamination to loads. A powerful electric motor provides up to 4.75kW of power to the chassis and attachments. Track mounting ensures the HS400 can operate across all types of indoor and outdoor terrain with low vibration.

The Penny Hydraulics V12 is a fully hydraulic crane that is widely used by customers who need to handle items on and off light commercial vehicles. Mounted on the HS400 chassis the V12 has a maximum working load of up to 630kg which means it can lift a wide range of items. An optional electric winch provides added versatility by enabling items to be handled below ground level, to support utility engineering applications for example.

During normal operations the HS400/V12 is driven into position and its outriggers deployed to create a stable and level platform for safe static lifting. The three-section crane boom can be extended to any length up to the maximum of 2900mm while fully controlled 90o slew ensures loads can be handled to any position within the operating envelope. Maximum working load at full boom extension is 240kg. Hydraulic activation of boom lift, lower, extension and slew ensure smooth, precise and consistent load handling for the best possible efficiency and safety.

The V12 incorporates three unique safety features as standard: a load limiting device prevents the crane from operating beyond its safe working load in any configuration; load limit indicator provides an immediate visual warning when the safe working load is exceeded; the remote umbilical control ensures operators stand clear of the working area during lifting operations. An integrated and fully enclosed oil tank and motor pump unit are protected from accidental damage but remain within easy access for servicing.

The crane folds down to the king post when not in use. The complete HS400/V12 unit is just 790mm wide and 1844mm high in the stowed position which means it is small enough to fit through a standard doorway and can be transported inside high-roof vans or on conventional plant trailers. The crane can be demounted easily so that the HS400 can operate as a compact rough terrain lift truck or with other attachments.

“Our design innovation and load handling expertise combined with the market knowledge at Hinowa has enabled us to work together to develop a practical solution based on two popular and successful products to meet demand for a highly cost-effective and high performance mobile crane,” says Richard Short, Sales Director at Penny Hydraulics.

Penny Hydraulics designs, manufactures and services lifting and load handling equipment for use in a wide range of applications. Products include the Swing Lift range of medium duty cranes for use on pick-ups, drop-sides and flat-beds and the Step Lift, Load Lift and Tail Lift lifting platform ranges for use on pick-ups, drop-sides and vans. The company also manufactures the Mezz Lift for handling loads between ground floor and mezzanines and specialist equipment for handling wheels, tyres and barrels in vehicles and at customers’ premises. Penny Hydraulics is a privately owned family business based in Clowne, Derbyshire.