Event Review
CONEXPO-CON / AGG 2026
American market. The trailer supports an axle load of 99,000 pounds and a variable width from 10 to 17 feet, extendable to 22 feet, providing enhanced flexibility for transporting oversized loads. The system includes the new E-PowerPack, rated at 250 kilowatts, and a revised operating concept that combines a modern remote control, ultra-bright LED display and integrated inclinometer for improved precision and operator control.
The PST / SL-E is designed for rapid deployment in specialized applications, supporting short- and long-load configurations with maximum accuracy. Its combination of high output, adaptable width and advanced controls allows operators to manage heavy or high-profile cargo with efficiency and safety. Goldhofer rounded out its show lineup with models such as the THP / DC heavy-duty module and the STZ-H 6 semi low loader.
Bigfoot Construction
Bigfoot Construction Equipment had several products on display. Among the highlights was a new red outrigger pad, not currently available on the market, developed for cranes rated at 50 tons or less, operating on grade A soil or better conditions.
The company also displayed adjustable leveling pads designed to help stability on uneven terrain. The pads rotate to balance the load and are available in multiple sizes.
Additional products on display included chain caddies offered in three sizes and a fiveton adjustable spreader bar. Bigfoot said its spreader bars are designed for overhead lifting applications and can be used to distribute loads safely and evenly. The bars are part of a larger line of lifting beams and spreaders ranging from 1 / 4 ton to 20 tons in capacity and from three feet to 40 feet in length, with the five-ton adjustable model among the most commonly used.
Bigfoot also introduced a rope and cordage line that includes rope, twine and cable-pulling and measuring solutions used for installation, layout and materialhandling tasks.
DICA
DICA had its new lineup of engineered ground protection mats on display at this year’ s event, including the Ranger HD, Defender MD and Titan systems. Designed to provide stable, uniform surfaces for offroad equipment, the mats are intended for temporary access roads, work platforms and load distribution, offering an alternative to commonly used materials such as plywood.
Ranger HD is the lightest option, suited for equipment such as skid steers and telehandlers. It is designed for applications including tree care and concrete pumping, with performance based on ground conditions and equipment weight.
Defender MD fills the gap between lightweight and heavy-duty mats, offering increased stiffness without additional weight. The mats are designed to overlap and interlock, creating a more uniform surface that reduces gaps and improves stability for equipment operating in softer conditions.
Titan is intended for larger equipment and more demanding environments. Its solid core design allows it to flex with the terrain while maintaining load distribution, supporting use in softer ground conditions.
All three mat systems are manufactured from virgin resin and feature a gray, UV-resistant color to reduce heat absorption, limit thermal expansion and improve durability. The material also resists rot, helping maintain consistent performance over time.
Michelin
Michelin highlighted its next‐generation crane tire technology with the expanded X‐CRANE 2 lineup, designed for mobile and all‐terrain cranes used both on‐ and off‐road. Building on more than a decade of development and industry collaboration, the new X‐CRANE 2 combines a construction‐grade casing with a truck‐inspired tread pattern to offer higher load capacity and improved operational performance compared with previous Michelin crane tires.
The tires feature updated load and speed indexes, which allows each tire to carry approximately 1,764 pounds more at highway speeds compared to earlier designs, translating to roughly 0.66 tons of additional load capacity per axle. The tire is also about 5 % lighter than its predecessor, the X‐CRANE +, helping reduce rolling resistance. The company reports that this lower resistance leads to more than a 13 % reduction in fuel consumption in typical operating distances.
According to the company, the X‐CRANE 2 has been endorsed on a broad range of machines in both European and American markets, including models from Liebherr, Grove, Tadano and Link‐Belt.
Nelson Manufacturing
Nelson Manufacturing Company showcased several updates at the event this year, with particular emphasis on the all-new West Coast Crane boom dolly. Designed for the California market, the dolly features optimized axle spacing and a trailing rear axle, reducing the turning radius for improved maneuverability. The updated model includes an airbag boom tower support system, allowing controlled movement of the tower to streamline boom connect and disconnect operations safely and efficiently.
Alongside the crane boom dolly, Nelson displayed the updated BLXLT line of boom launch trailers. The showcased 2 + 2 configuration supports heavier axle loads for specific regional requirements and retains standard features such as a self-contained hydraulic power unit, hydraulic leveling legs, modular boom supports, boom side shift and
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April 2026 • www. cranehotline. com