Global crane technology leader Konecranes has retooled its heavy winch design, incorporating the best features of its Uniton and Smarton models into the new M-series winch. Konecranes next-generation heavy-duty winch offers improved hook approaches and flange mounted motors for positive motor to gearcase alignment that reduces component wear. M-series’ updated trolley layout improves safety while better facilitating inspections and maintenance with the use of convenient and safe trolley walkways. These design features, combined with Konecranes purpose-built, crane-duty Core of Lifting components have resulted in a winch that can easily be configured to fulfill the needs of various production processes. The M-series winch is available in capacities up to 70 metric tons, and CMAA ratings from D through F for service in a broad range of process duty applications. It features Konecranes own Core of Lifting motors, carburized and ground gearboxes, hardened wheels and control systems that are designed and manufactured to work together seamlessly as an integrated whole. One standout innovation for the M-series is the relocation of the hoist brake. It is now situated directly on the gear case, a significant safety step forward from previous designs that attached it to the motor. In that configuration, if a motor shaft cracked the brake would not function. M-series is built with Konecranes own Core of Lifting crane-specific motors designed for continuous reversing of direction and higher thermal loads. Motors have an extended speed range at two times (200%) the nominal speed at 20% of rated capacity or less for greater productivity. Another standout efficiency improvement is the more compact, motorized hook block that fits in smaller spaces. The reeving system includes a highly accurate load cell on an equalizing beam with the ability to detect and display the load as a weigh system with the addition of a weight scoreboard to +/- 5% of rated capacity. Two independent wire ropes with fixed ends retard hook block twisting throughout the lifting path on all applications, and the swinging upper block sheaves allow side-pulling as much as 10 degrees. Standard features that Konecranes customers have come to expect are still here. The high gear quality in the industry (AGMA 11) and hardened wheels (45-55 HRC or 419-552 Brinell) are standard, along with Konecranes moment-isolation drum suspension that maintains alignment of the hoist drum pinion to drum gear and shaft for longer life. In addition to these features, an extensive list of Safe Features and user interfaces such as Remote Operating Station(ROS) are available to increase productivity and safety of use. Over Speed and Over Load Protection are standard, along with Shock Load Prevention and upper and lower slow down and stop limits for the hoist bridge and trolley motions. Other Safe Features that can be added include Hook Centering, Snag Prevention and Sway Control. Obviously, there is a lot to know about the new M-series, so it is beneficial that all of the crane’s operations are automatically monitored and archived by KonecranesTRUCONNECT® Remote Monitoring, which collects key data points for crane maintenance planning and extended equipment life. TRUCONNECT is closely integrated to the yourKONECRANES® cloud-based customer portal, which conveniently brings crane condition and maintenance information online or delivers it to managers via alerts.