Sources: WolffKran International AG, Zug, Switzerland; CP staff
Tower crane manufacturer Wolffkran arrived at bauma 2025, April 7-13 in Munich, with a remote control device programmed to shift operator focus from crane to load movement. The Wolff Intuitive Control technology eases concrete bucket, rebar, precast concrete or steel member, or other tower crane load handling.
Traditional wireless control devices, Wolffkran officials note, have called for crane operators to manually translate the desired overall load movement into individual commands for each crane axis; control trolley, jib, and hoisting movement separately; and, convert their own viewpoint into the crane’s coordinate system. While standing at the front of the jib and facing the crane, for example, an operator who wants to shift the load to the left has to move the remote control to the right—an operation often requiring significant experience and concentration.
The Wolff Intuitive Control takes over such complex coordinate transformation automatically, Wolffkran contends, allowing the operator to move the load directly in the desired direction. Hence, no more simultaneous coordination of slewing, trolley movement and hoisting, plus relief from the mental effort of translating crane rotations into actual load movements. The control device uses a Cartesian movement system, enabling intuitive load control: Move the control element forward, and the load moves forward. The same applies to all other directions. Users will find much more precise and effortless fine positioning of loads, even in poor visibility conditions.
The Wolff Intuitive Control is operated via an ergonomic wireless remote device that can be comfortably worn on the hip or back with a strap—providing maximum freedom of movement on the construction site. The Wolff Cam display can be integrated into the control unit, ensuring the crane operator always has an optimal view of the load. The control package is available as an option for new Wolff cranes or retrofit on the manufacturer’s existing models. Wolffkran Inc. offices in New Jersey, Texas and California, along with independent crane service partners, represent the Wolff brand in North America. — www.wolffkran.com