The Indian material handling equipment industry is expected to expand at a CAGR of 9 per cent through to 2030 on the back of the rollout of infrastructure projects and real-estate development. Lifting solutions play a key role in all these construction activities. But in these highly competitive times, there is a need to use the most economical solutions to protect bottom lines. Some experts share their preferred options: Crawler cranes New or less than five-year-old crawler-mounted cranes above 150 mt capacity (150 mt, 250 mt and 500 mt) from Chinese manufacturers are delivering the most value for money in terms of capital and running costs, says Sahajveer Anand, Managing Director, GT Nova Equipments, a player in the crane rentals space. “Chinese crane manufacturers such as Sany, XCMG and Zoomlion are offering crawler-mounted cranes at very competitive, even cut-throat prices,” he continues. “These machines cost roughly half of their Japanese (Kobelco) and German (Demag/Liebherr) counterparts but deliver the same return on investment. What helps is that Chinese brands have tied up with all the leading banks for very attractive finance terms, which reduces the debt EMI burden on the buyer, a big incentive to invest. So, we buy via imports as well as directly from the OEM in India. For us, a lower capital investment means we can offer the crane or lifting solution to clients at a lower rate.” Anand explains that he qualified his preference to models that are up to five years old because new cranes are covered by a company warranty and, thereafter, need very minimal maintenance for at least five to six years. Also, their daily consumables and spare parts for servicing are readily available, which shortens the breakdown period and enhances the revenue generation for both the crane owners and rental clients. Other running expenses such as staff salaries, insurance, transportation and consumables are broadly similar across the board. He expects this value gap to continue for at least the next four to five years as the Government accelerates spending on capital goods and infrastructure projects. “We recently took delivery of multiple units of the Sany SCC7500A 750-t crawler crane, to further strengthen our fleet catering to the wind energy sector,” says Manish Pandey, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Sanghvi Movers, a leading crane rental company catering to core sectors such as power, petrochemicals, cement and steel. “Sourcing from Chinese OEMs can meet stringent timelines and cost requirements, both essential to provide value in a competitive market. We work closely with OEMs like Sany to ensure that their cranes are built to the highest standards of quality and safety, by providing feedback for product improvement.” Sanghi Movers has its own dedicated team of experienced technicians who regularly maintain and service cranes and ensure reliability. “So, after-sales service isn’t our top priority,” he shares. “Safety is a top priority for us. We are an ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certified company. We also prioritise diversity so we source crawler cranes (70 mt to 1,600 mt) and truck-mounted cranes (20 mt to 350 mt) from diverse reputable OEMs across the globe, including those from the US, Germany, Japan and China, to ensure equipment that is cost-effective for the Indian market and meets international quality and safety standards.” “Our Kobelco CKE2500, a 250-mt crawler crane, may be slightly pricier than recent Chinese manufacturers in the same class, but a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis based on key criteria clearly shows that Japanese machines offer the best durability in the industry,” says Karan Gandhi, Executive Director, Express Equipment Rental & Logistics, a provider of heavy lifting solutions. “When choosing a crane, we consider not only the initial cost but also factors like reliability, versatility, maintenance ease, overall cost-efficiency, fuel-efficiency, safety features, spare parts availability and after-sales service. After handling numerous critical tasks, this specific machine has proven to offer the most value for money for us.” “Kobelco, Hitachi and KATO like many other Japanese crane brands are recognised for advanced lifting capabilities and top-notch build quality, ensuring consistent peak performance over time, leading to increased customer satisfaction and repeat business for rental companies like us,” he adds. Tower cranes “We opted for a Zoomlion model when we needed a 64-t tower crane that could lift 15 t at an 80-m radius, a capacity that hadn’t been used in India previously,” says Pramod B Joshi, Additional General Manager (P&M Head, All India), Ahluwalia Contracts India. “We considered Potain, Comansa, Liebherr and Terex models (for that and a 25-t tower crane) but the capital cost of a European model would have been more. The running cost and maintenance of a tower crane are minimal; that did not impact our decision.” “Zoomlion was able to deliver the cranes quickly (we needed them for the construction of railway stations) and with negotiable payment terms,” he adds. “Price plus quick delivery is why Zoomlion has captured about a third of India’s high-capacity tower crane market.” Coming to low-capacity tower cranes, “We use ACE tower cranes with 5-mt capacity across our projects,” says Shraddha Kedia-Agarwal, Director, Transcon Developers. “This choice is driven by the crane’s exceptional reliability, versatility and cost-efficiency. ACE tower cranes are engineered to provide superior lifting capabilities, which are crucial in handling heavy materials onsite. The 5-mt capacity model stands out for its robust design and minimal maintenance requirements, making it a financially sound investment. Its operational efficiency ensures that our project timelines are met without compromising on safety or quality, ultimately leading to reduced overall costs.” “Zoomlion’s equipment, particularly their tower cranes, has proven to be a reliable asset on our sites,” says Jitesh Nair, Senior Vice President (Operations), Prescon Group. “We use models engineered for durability, efficiency and cost-effectiveness, with advanced safety features, superior lifting capacities and energy-efficient operations, significantly reducing long-term operational costs. The capital investment in Zoomlion equipment is justified by their low maintenance requirements and extended lifecycle, making them a prudent choice for any large-scale construction project.” “For 6-t to 10-t tower cranes, we prefer ACE products because of their favourable cost and excellent service,” says Joshi. “ACE has a large number of trained technicians that it deputes to sites immediately in the eventuality of a breakdown, unlike other brands that take time (even two to three days) to send their technicians. Potain models also perform well but cost more than other Indian and Chinese brands.” Forklifts, hoists, platforms “In forklifts, we prefer the Toyota 8-Series electric model, which has a high-capacity electric motor, advanced hydraulic system and ergonomic design, or the Hyundai 15B-7 electric model with an energy-efficient motor, robust mast and operator-friendly controls,” says Padam Sharma, CEO, Amigo Connect, a provider of lifting solutions and cranes on rent. “Both these are cost-efficient to operate and have minimal maintenance needs.” “We have a fleet of 100 forklifts, all from Toyota,” says Gandhi. “Japanese equipment is renowned for its sturdy engineering and innovative technologies, exceptional performance and durability. Our Japanese equipment has consistently delivered in terms of performance and service since the beginning.” Harrington’s CX003 electric chain hoist stands out for its compact design, high-speed lifting and durable chain, and is affordable, reliable and easy to install, says Sharma. “Coffing’s ECS Electric chain hoist combines high-capacity lifting, advanced controls and a rugged design, and is cost-effective, high on performance and low on maintenance.” “For the vertical transportation of both personnel and materials, we have opted for GJJ passenger hoists with 2-mt capacity,” says Kedia. “These hoists are durable and safe, both critical in high-rise construction. Their advanced technology ensures smooth and reliable operations even under demanding conditions. Energy-efficient mechanisms and minimal wear and tear contribute significantly to lowering the running costs. Their ease of installation and minimal downtime further enhance their value proposition, and allow us to maintain an efficient workflow onsite.” Spartan’s vertical transportation solutions, particularly their hoists, are robust and reliable, opines Nair. “They are responsive to service requests and the availability of spare parts further enhances their value proposition. Also, their commitment to innovation and customer service makes them a viable option for projects where quick turnarounds and operational support are crucial.” Zoomlion’s aerial work platforms are commendable, providing excellent manoeuvre-ability and stability, which are critical for high-rise construction, he continues. “They are versatile and adaptable and cater to a variety of construction needs while ensuring safety and efficiency at height. These features translate into lower running costs, as they require minimal downtime and maintenance.” Other cranes Sharma recommends the Terex RT 100US 90-t rough terrain crane (200,000 LBS) for its high-capacity boom, compact design, advanced control system, versatility, durability and low maintenance costs. “Liebherr’s LTM 1050-3.1 50-t mobile crane has a long boom, high lifting capacity and advanced safety features, and is high on performance and reliable with a long service life,” he adds. While tips are always useful, Sharma points out that the best value-for-money machine depends on your specific application, usage patterns and local market conditions. So, consult a lifting equipment expert and conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis before making a purchase decision.