PRESS RELEASE
January 2006

KOBELCO CRANES AT INTERMAT 2006

KOBELCO CRANES EUROPE Ltd. is pleased to announce its participation at INTERMAT 2006 International Trade Fair to be held in Paris, France from 24th up to 29th April 2006.

KOBELCO has over 75 years of experience as a manufacturer of construction equipment (since 1930) providing equipment and services with true added value to relations and customers all over the world. KOBELCO cranes excel in Performance, Operating comfort, Low cost maintenance and Reliability.

KOBELCO is proud to exhibit at INTERMAT and to invite all relations and customers interested in KOBELCO crane products to come and see the new models on KOBELCO crane stand E6 B 070 open air exhibition area.

For this year's exhibition, KOBELCO is presenting an impressive line of Crawler Cranes, including recently launched new model CKE2500-2, CKE600 and BME800HD, with at least 4 cranes on display, namely:

• CKE2500-2, the successor of the world's best-selling 250 tonner the CKE2500 with over 220 units sold in 5 years time it clearly is the most preferred 250 tonner worldwide and the reference point in the industry.
• BME800HD, the 80 tonne Heavy-Duty Foundation Crawler Crane
• CKE600, the impressive 60 tonne Multi-purpose Crawler Crane
• CKE1350, another KOBELCO bestseller and by many considered to be the best Multi-purpose Crawler Crane in the 135 tonne class.

In addition to unrivalled performance, reliability, versatility and durability all these cranes offer excellent lifting duties along with excellent facilities for easy transportation and fast assembly.

KOBELCO's drive and determination to build the best, most efficient and reliable cranes and the effect of KOBELCO's direct sales, marketing and product support efforts in Europe and indirect sales through a network of independent KOBELCO crane dealers in other parts of the world are clearly reflected in the impressive increase in sales volume and turnover of KOBELCO cranes worldwide. KOBELCO has maintained its number 1 position as crawler crane Market Leader with an estimated market share of 35-38% worldwide. The cranes on show at INTERMAT are a clear example of the success the company is having in Europe as they have been sold to the following companies:

Thanks to innovative engineering the KOBELCO brand name is the best guarantee for end-users worldwide for a long productive and trouble-free working life even in the remotest places and harshest working conditions.

The CKE600, BME800HD, CKE1350 and CKE2500-2 are the ideal combination of heavy-duty performance, economical operation and tough durability with excellent duty charts. Main features of these fully loaded models are:

• Great operating comfort
  At KOBELCO we know that operator comfort is directly related to performance. KOBELCO cranes are famous for unrivalled smoothness while performing multi-function crane operations from an in 7-ways adjustable luxurious seat, providing the ideal balance between comfort and ergonomics. Full free upper and lower view. The beamless roof construction of the front window provides unobstructed upward field of view. Optional tilt-cab, up to 30 degrees, further enhances operating comfort.
• New powerful, fuel efficient and more environment friendly Stage 3 engine
  Powerful, fuel efficient, quite running Hino water-cooled power plant with direct fuel injection, intercooler and turbo-charger provides all the needed lifting, swinging and travelling power.
  Engine power has been increased by 5% as the 235kW engine in all models has been replaced by the new 247kW engine in compliance with Stage 3 (EUR 3) American and European Emission regulations compulsory since January 1^st 2006.
  Engine speed, hydraulic flow and pressure demands are coordinated by the computer-controlled Engine Speed Sensing (ESS) system, reducing speed changes in simultaneous operations to give smoother, more efficient performance.
• Doubled lifting performance of Auxiliary Sheave
  Lifting performance of the aux. sheave of the CKE1350 and CKE2500-2 has been increased by 100% from 13.5 tonnes to 27.0 tonnes by using 2-line reeving, instead of 1-line reeving.
• Easy, efficient transport and fast assembly / disassembly
  Crawler side frames and lower boom remain on the CKE600 and BME800HD during transport when the crane with a transport weight of 40 tonne (CKE600) and 44 tonne (BME800HD) can travel itself on a trailer.
  Lower boom, translifters and 35 tonne hook block remain on the CKE1350 during transportation. When the crane with a transport weight of 42 tonne arrives at the jobsite. On the trailer, this crane is ready to lift itself clear from the trailer and to continue with complete self-assembly of crawlers, boom, jib and counterweight, without the need for an assistance crane.
  The fast counterweight self-assembly system of the CKE600 and BME800HD enables quick assembly of the machine, and after stacking up its own counterweight the CKE1350 and CKE2500-2 assemble the rear counterweight, by hydraulically lifting it immediately into position.
• Inching speed for precise control
  Inching control reduces the machine's hydraulic functions to 1/3 of normal speed, excluding for swing, for excellent precision in manoeuvrability.
• Powerful winches with oil-cooled multi-disc brakes
  KOBELCO's main and auxiliary full hydraulic winches are first in its class with extremely powerful max. line-pull and max. line speed to handle the toughest jobs. While the oil-cooled wet-type, multi-disc braking system provides safe, quiet and dependable control with minimal maintenance. With the introduction of this innovative, multi-disc braking system on the BM700HD in 1998 KOBELCO is the first and for many years the only Japanese crane manufacturer to have successfully developed and implemented this system in its cranes with an excellent track record.

• Free fall
  Optional free fall system on main and auxiliary winch of CKE600, CKE1350 and CKE2500-2. Free fall is standard on the BME800HD.

KOBELCO is renowned for smart engineering increasing versatility and flexibility and also for engineered technology and therefore you will find productivity-boosting technical advances everywhere you look: from our advanced winch system to our self-diagnostic multi-display monitor.

At KOBELCO we know our dedication to designing the highest quality systems provides our customers with the competitive edge and top performance all the way.