CONEXPO-CON / AGG 2026 easier to switch between different equipment types on the same hardware, and mobile simulator units allow on-site training.
ITI
Industrial Training International( ITI) showcased its VR Crane Simulator, a virtual reality system designed to train operators on a wide range of cranes in a fully immersive, low-risk environment. The simulator supports heavy lift, crawler, rough terrain, lattice boom, tower, carry deck and boom truck cranes, allowing trainees to practice complex lifts without taking equipment out of service.
Recent updates to the system include a ten-ton overhead crane, expanded and more complex training scenarios and integration with a Magnetek XLTX bellybox transmitter developed with Columbus McKinnon Corporation. Multiple hardware options, including portable desktop setups and motion-based platforms, give organizations flexibility in how and where operators train. The simulator also features built-in reporting, customizable learning paths and more than 1,200 training and assessment scenarios, enabling instructors to standardize training and track progress across teams and locations.
The simulator was also named a finalist for the CONEXPO / CON-AGG Next Level Awards in the Technology category, recognizing its role in advancing construction training.
Kito Crosby
Kito Crosby has expanded its Easy- Loc collar pin system lineup, introducing updates intended to improve safety and speed during shackle connections. The Easy-Loc design requires pressure on both sides of the collar to release the pin, helping prevent accidental openings during lifting operations. According to the company, the system reduces pin removal time by about
90 % compared with traditional bolt, nut and cotter pin assemblies.
Originally introduced for larger shackles, the Easy-Loc system is now being extended to smaller sizes, expanding availability from 75-ton shackles down to 25-ton models. Retrofit kits are also planned, allowing users to upgrade existing shackles with the collar pin system.
The updated design includes a lanyard hole that allows the pin to be secured with a safety cable, helping prevent dropped objects during work at height. The pin can also be drilled for additional securing methods where stricter drop-prevention requirements apply.
WIKA Mobile Control
WIKA highlighted updates to its crane and mobile machine technology, including the new UpFlex system designed to replace iFLEX2 and iFLEX5 units. The system allows operators to upgrade approximately 13,000 cranes without recalibration, eliminating the need for service technician visits. It works across Grove rough-terrain and truck cranes and connects directly to the crane’ s CAN-BUS via onboard Ethernet for plug-andplay installation.
WIKA also showcased APEX wireless technology, including the SAI stand-alone indicator, which supports anti-two block switches and wind speed sensors and provides sensor status through a graphical display. The Apex TRS30-W3 gateway allows multiple wireless sensors to be connected with a long transmission range.
The company displayed sensors and
components, including load cells, angle sensors, encoders and draw wires for boom angle, chassis tilt, slewing, outrigger position and load measurement. The gSENS LWG next-generation cable reels were also highlighted.
WIKA introduced the cSCALE compact mobile controller with Linux system, CoDeSys runtime, ARM Cortex-A7 processor, 140 megabytes RAM, 235 megabytes flash storage and SuperCAP UPS module. Electronic operating panels EOP 311 and 313 were also displayed.
Xtellio
Xtellio showcased its expanded industrial telematics platform, integrating ruggedized wireless Xenses sensors with wired Pro- Xentral devices to provide real-time operational data across fleets, machines and jobsites. Data from heavy equipment can be captured, transmitted to the cloud and directed through open APIs to give customers control of their information.
The system extends telematics beyond traditional heavy machinery, offering live diagnostics, GPS tracking and operational insights for auxiliary jobsite assets. Combined with Xense sensors, it can capture data including fuel levels and ambient conditions, supporting equipment management, compliance and efficiency. A notable addition is the Pro-Xentral – Heat IQ, a wired device for monitoring industrial heaters.
Xtellio emphasized scalability, allowing deployment across wired and wireless equipment. The modular design enables operators to monitor equipment and tools from a single interface. CEO Tom Valbak said the approach prioritizes customer data ownership, enabling custom dashboards, AI integration and more efficient operations.
The platform can unify telematics across mixed fleets, allowing contractors and rental companies to track usage, reduce downtime and gain insights without relying solely on engine-monitoring systems.
www. cranehotline. com • April 2026 19