Event Review
wireless remote controls. Counterbalance lift cylinders, check valves and manual backup controls remain standard.
The company also displayed a 50-ton hydraulic bi-fold ramp trailer with five axles optimized for use in Michigan, including a hydraulic winch on the gooseneck, air lift axles and expanded metal decking in customer-specified locations. At the show, Nelson included a tri-axle CBC-30S crane boom dolly with a floating boom tower, outrigger pad holders and customized storage boxes.
OverWatch
The OverWatch Precision Targeting Optics – Apex system is a crane alignment tool designed to improve control during lifts by providing a real-time reference at the boom tip. The system helps operators and riggers detect and correct load drift when it starts, rather than after movement has occurred, by using a proprietary reticle that represents the boom tip’ s center of gravity and an auxiliary line for rapid alignment.
The system integrates a 30x high-definition optical camera with stabilized viewing of the lift area, under-hook personnel and boom tip, alongside video and audio recording for operational review, training and documentation.
OverWatch features a fully wireless architecture, drawing less than 20 watts from existing boom-light circuits, and can be deployed to different cranes in under 10 minutes using a patented boom-clamp mounting system. It is compatible with multiple crane styles, including lattice and jib configurations, and supports short- and long-boom setups, with extended-reach options available.
PALFINGER
In addition to the display of the PK 580 and PK 1050 TEC knuckle-boom cranes, PALFINGER also had the new VR2 training simulator ready for play tests by booth visitors. The training simulator combines risk-free repetition with authentic
operating scenarios and realistic crane physics to create a safe, risk-free environment for training operators.
The simulator offers a portable setup and an authentic PALCOM P7 remote for operation. The remote, with original PALFINGER-style controls, provides familiarity through levers and joysticks used in real situations. The headset is wireless, allowing users freedom of movement without being tethered to a console or computer, and features the latest in virtual reality technology with clear visuals and realistic depth perception. The program has various scenarios, attachments and loads through structured lectures and task-based exercises. The simulator also provides step-by-step instructions with clear, on-screen text.
A1A Software
A1A Software showcased updates and new tools designed to support crane, rigging and heavy equipment operations. Central to the display was the fully integrated A1A product suite, which combines applications for lift planning, rigging design and site visualization.
The suite features 3D Lift Plan, the company’ s established software for simulating complex lifts and coordinating equipment placement across mobile, tablet and desktop devices. Supporting tools demonstrated at the booth included SketchPad, for capturing jobsite layouts and crane positioning in the field, and Jobsite Designer, which allows detailed visualization using satellite imagery, CAD imports and custom shapes. Rigging
Designer simplifies the creation of complex rigging configurations through a drag-anddrop interface.
A1A also debuted 3D Lift Vision, a virtual crane simulator that converts lift plans into immersive simulations. Attendees could experience the tool firsthand using the VR lift simulation chair, providing an interactive way to evaluate lifts and support training.
The company offered a first look at iFleetTrax, a next-generation operational platform evolving from iCraneTrax. iFleetTrax is designed to manage customer relationships, quoting, invoicing, dispatch scheduling, job calendar and fleet performance reporting, with telematics support for enhanced equipment visibility.
CM Labs
CM Labs has expanded its Intellia Workforce training system, a workforce development solution that standardizes, manages and scales simulation-based operator training, to include new tracked excavator, CDL and crane simulations. The system adds new capabilities, including Intellia Trainee, a web-based curriculum for self-directed learning without simulator time, a voice-activated AI assistant and a leaderboard feature to encourage collaboration and competition.
The training system now has crawler crane, dual lift, luffing tower crane, flat top tower crane and rough terrain crane simulations.
The expanded Intellia Workforce system integrates hardware, curriculum and management tools into a single platform and enables one instructor to oversee multiple trainees at once. Simulations can include team-based exercises, such as coordinating lifts with multiple machines and crews, while providing real-time monitoring of operator performance via tablet and drone views.
The curriculum has also grown to include web-based modules and more than 1,000 expert videos. Plug-and-play controls make it
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April 2026 • www. cranehotline. com