Fitted with an Allison 3000 Series fully automatic transmission, Hamilton’s Tidd Ross Todd’s (TRT) innovative TIDD PC25 pivot steer mobile crane was designed and developed to provide safe handling and superior performance up to 80 km/h on highways, while also providing safe, slow-speed manoeuvring on work sites.

 

According to David Wright, marketing manager for TRT, Allison’s fully automatic transmission was the best choice for the PC25 because it is the gold standard in the crane industry and offers the best and safest features for difficult jobs.

 

“We looked at other brands of transmissions, but not for very long,” said Wright. “Allison was clearly the best choice, not only because of better on-highway and slow-speed performance, but also because of its compatibility with our Mercedes/Detroit Diesel power plants.”

 

Design and development of the TIDD PC25 started at TRT’s Hamilton headquarters in early 2008, and the first prototypes were built in 2012 before full-scale manufacture began in September 2013. 

 

To date, the company has produced 26 PC25s, with all but three being exported to Australia for use in a range of operations, including construction and mining.

 

“We really set out to make the safest and best performing compact pivot steer cranes on the market, and Allison transmission enabled us to do that,” said Wright. 

“We had to ensure that operators had absolute accuracy when positioning the vehicle on work sites where room to manoeuvre is often at a premium.”

 

The crane’s cabin layout is operator-friendly, complete with push button Allison automatic transmission controls as well as a large glass windshield allowing for excellent visibility. 

 

With the shortest forward projection of any similar crane and a cab-forward design, the PC25 allows for fewer blind spots and increased safety. The telescoping boom can lift up to 22 tonnes and the front suspension can be locked to provide the stability necessary to safely move its loads without outrigger arms.

 

“Time is money, and it is no different for crane operators,” said Wright. “They need to transport between jobs at a reasonable and safe speed, and the Allison Automatic ensures that the PC25 travels efficiently at a governed speed of 80 km/h on the highway.”