Kramer loads up to meet demand

German firm Kramer Allrad has recently opened a new manufacturing facility in Pfullendorf to boost its telehander and wheeled loader portolio. Dean Stiles reports


Kramer Allrad, a subsidiary of German waste handling plant manufacturer Wacker Neuson, has launched two new compact telehandlers and upgraded its 80-Series wheeled loader range. The products, announced earlier this year at the German construction exhibition Bauma, have applications for handling waste and recycling materials and are now in production at Kramer’s recently opened factory in Pfullendorf.

“Recycling and waste handling is a dedicated market sector that we are focussing on and we now have an extremely attractive model range for these users,” says Ian Moverley, UK area sales manager for Kramer Allrad. The new 80-Series loaders are full specification models compared to the basic specification 50-Series range aimed at the price-conscious hire market. The 80-Series range comprises six machines from the 380 to the 780 and includes a telescoping boom model, the 680T.

The two new telehandlers – the 1245 and 2506 – are compact models to add to the existing 3307, 4507 and 4009 machines. The 1245 mini-handler can lift up to 1.2-tonnes and has a maximum lifting height of 4.5m, but measures just 2.92m long and 1.56m wide. The 2506 is also narrow at 1.94m, but offers lifting heights of 5.75m and a maximum payload of 2.5tonnes.

Kramer Allrad is pursuing an essentially new concept with the 1245 mini-telehandler, now the smallest member of the Kramer Allrad telehandler range. “We have created a new market for micro telehandlers,” says Moverley. “We are looking at recycling operations where access and space is often an issue and where this new machine will replace skid-steer loaders.”

Powerful and compact

The 1245 is designed like a traditional telescopic loader with lateral engine, all-wheel steering, and centrally located boom arm. But, until now, no manufacturer has constructed such a powerful telehandler with such compact dimensions. It is exceptionally manoeuvrable with four-wheel steering and 20kph maximum speed. Power comes from a three-cylinder 1.3 litre Yanmar engine providing 30hp driving through a hydrostatic drive. The fully enclosed cab has an internal width of 620mm that makes for a compact but tolerably comfortable working environment.

Kramer’s 2506 telehandler continues the expansion of the company’s range into lower weight categories. The 2506 is Kramer’s first machine in the popular 2×2-meter class with overall height and width under 2m to suit cramped sheds and tight yards – typical of many recycling operations. The 2506 is 1.94m wide with maximum lift height of 5.75 m and 2.5-tonne payload. This compact machine gives Kramer for the first time a 5m lift height telehandler, slotting below the company’s existing 7m lift height 3307 and 4507 models.

The driveline has a 2.3-litre, 68hp Deutz engine, which has exhaust gas recirculation to meet Stage3a emissions regulations, and hydrostatic transmission as used on all Kramer plant. A 100% differential lock to improve traction in difficult conditions is a standard fitment. The standard machine comes with four-wheel steer only but this is the typical mode of operation for most applications. However, front axle steering and crab-steer are available as options if needed.

The cab can be specified with steering column adjustment, air suspension seat and air-conditioning. Inside there is a new joystick with illuminated controls to help the driver at night, and a button to control a third hydraulic function for attachments at the front of the stick. Hydrostatic transmission options provide 20kph and 30kph top speeds. The transmission is a new electronically controlled unit from Sauer Danfoss, which replaces the hydraulically controlled Rexroth unit used in some of the company’s other machines.

Electronic control gives the Kramer the ability to tailor the power curve to the type of work the machine undertakes and eliminates variables such as oil temperature or viscosity, says Moverley. Hydraulic power comes from an 85 litres/min high-pressure (400bar) open-centre system. The high pressures provide more efficient operation.

Revving up with new engines

In addition to launching the new telehandlers, Kramer has updated its 80-Series range of compact wheeled loaders with new engines as well as improved hydraulic and transmission performance. All models get the latest 3.6-litre Deutz Stage 3a engines, either 61 or 79hp, to power the rigid chassis, four-wheel steer loaders.

Kramer’s new 80-Series range spans the compact wheel loader market from 0.3m2 to 2.5m2 bucket capacity with six new machines from the 380 to the 780. The range includes a tele wheel loader, the 680T that has a bucket capacity up to 1.6m2 lifting 2.6-tonnes to 4.45m. The 80-Series allows operators to specify various options to tailor the machine to their specific requirements.

All the machines starting with the 380 can be fitted with Ecospeed hydrostatic high-speed drive. This allows the machine speed to be adjusted continuously up to a top speed of 40kph. Options include supplementary Power Flow hydraulics for attachments such as sweeper brushes that have high power loads. The hydraulic quick-hitch allows for a range of attachments including pallet forks, buckets, grab buckets, lightweight material bucket, high-lift and side-swing buckets.

Four wheel steering provides manoeuvrability with options to switch to front-axle drive, two wheel steering or crab steering. The 2 x 35 degree steer angle (2×38 degree on the smaller models, the 1245 and 2506) provides the best turning circle for vehicles in this class, Moverley says.

The electronically controlled power-sensing hydrostatic transmission offers 23% more tractive force for the same horsepower and 10% better tear out, says Moverley. Tearout out force is 41.9Kn on the 780 model. The greater efficiency means that smaller power units can achieve the same performance and deliver better fuel economy – typically 15% better depending on operation, he says.

The machines have self-locking differentials with 100% locking on the largest two in the range, the 680 and 780. Inside the cab, a new multi-function joystick includes controls for the loader, transmission, 3rd hydraulic control circuit and the steering mode selection. Other options on the 80-Series include air-conditioning, heated outside mirrors and heated seat.

Dean Stiles is a freelance journalist

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