“Combining a construction and recycling crane with a hookloader on a single truck offers huge potential for our customers. With our combined solution, we are making significant technological advancements and are creating a completely new workspace for operators – all aimed at delivering a powerful multitool. The first crane of the GENERATION 3 Urban Range with the HT 18 TEC hookloader will set a new standard in efficiency, flexibility, and reliability,” says Andreas Hille, SVP Global Product Line Management and R&D at PALFINGER. “At bauma, we’re looking forward to receiving feedback from our customers and refining this new solution – as a next step towards bringing it to market.”

Combined Solution: TZU++ TEC and telescopic hookloader
The TZU++ TEC crane from the GENERATION 3 Urban Range presented at bauma is specifically designed as a front-mounted crane, making it the perfect match for telescopic hookloaders like the HT 18 TEC. This combination will offer exceptional flexibility in handling construction machinery, gravel, soil, and shrub cuttings, ensuring fast and precise loading and unloading. As a true multitool, the recycling crane will even replace excavators or wheel loaders, optimizing operations in tight urban job sites. Meanwhile, the hookloader’s adaptability allows for the transport of various container types, increasing overall efficiency.

By integrating the PALFINGER EPSILON TZU++ TEC crane and the PALFINGER HT 18 TEC hookloader on a single truck, this all-in-one vehicle significantly reduces fuel consumption, labor costs, maintenance needs, ultimately maximizing productivity and minimizing downtime.

GENERATION 3 Urban Range: New standards in flexibility and performance
Cranes working in inner-city areas must be compact and capable of fast loading and unloading – whether handling bark mulch, emptying glass containers, or supporting construction sites. This is why PALFINGER EPSILON designed the Urban Range with two different arm systems offering reaches between 9.2 and 10.2 meters. The cranes lift between 12 and 23 metric tons, ensuring high versatility. Internal hose routing in the slewing mechanism and stabilizers increases the crane’s space efficiency. The multitool functionality allows for flexible material handling, with the new clamshell grab capable of lifting up to 6 tons.

Operator comfort and full control through smart solutions
The hallmark of the Urban Range is the PALTRONIC 180 crane control system combined with intelligent TEC software. Full sensor integration and the PALTRONIC 180 boost lifting capacity by up to 70 percent in steep boom positions. The electric TEC control system offers added flexibility and includes safety systems for stability and overload protection. With SMART CONTROL for intuitive crane tip operation, crane handling is easier than ever – also shortening and simplifying operator training time. Efficiency is further enhanced by the High Power Lifting System (HPLS+) lifting power boost and end-stop damping.

While developing the Urban Range, PALFINGER EPSILON focused on operator needs, resulting in significant ergonomic improvements. The high stand with joystick controls offers wide and secure access with no need for foot pedals. A unique leaning surface allows operators to rest their feet during extended operations, providing greater comfort.

Depending on the task, operators can choose between the high stand or the P6 radio remote control. To ensure safety, only one control mode can be active at a time.

HT 18 TEC: Precision for recycling applications
The HT 18 TEC hookloader features a telescopic hook, ideal for recycling tasks that require flexible container handling. The telescopic arm ensures precise positioning, improving efficiency during loading and unloading. Providing a lifting capacity of up to 18 metric tons, it has been created for heavy and demanding tasks. To optimize the configuration for its hookloaders, PALFINGER now offers packages of options aligned to the main current challenges: performance, comfort and e-trucks.

HP 20 A TEC: Extra power for heavy-duty tasks
Also showcased at bauma, the HP 20 A TEC hookloader is built for agricultural and construction applications requiring high robustness and lifting power. Its maximum capacity is 20 metric tons and it handles 4.25 to 6.0-meter containers. The POWER system handles even the heaviest loads with ease, while the SDS180 valve bank adds even more hydraulic capability. PALFINGER POWER hookloaders now benefit from the implementation of the new TEC configuration, opening access to the latest options developed to ease the daily job of operators, owners and service departments.

V Drive and TEC for Hookloaders: Full control and maximum performance
Both HT 18 TEC and HP 20 A TEC are equipped with V Drive – PALFINGER’s new cab control system. Fully customizable to the application, V Drive allows for intuitive control directly from the cab.

For the first time, PALFINGER also introduces memory position functionality for TEC hookloaders. Pre-set hook height stop and soft-landing technology ensure smooth, safe operations and protect the truck, hookloader, container, and ground. The hook height can easily be reset via a long press on the V Drive button, and the user-friendly interface simplifies handling.

The TEC series also offers a modular bolted design, making part replacement and upgrades simple – boosting the solution’s uptime. Also, central greasing improves maintenance efficiency, and the CANbus communication between unit and truck optimizes energy consumption by always ensuring ideal engine speed.

Availability
At bauma, the GENERATION 3 Urban Range is presented as a future innovation, with market availability planned for a later stage. The HT 18 TEC is already available in EMEA markets as of March 2025. The HP 20 A TEC is also already available in EMEA markets.

PALFINGER at bauma 2025
The latest innovative products and solutions are being showcased at PALFINGER’s main booth (FN.720/12). The aerial work platforms are exhibited at FS.1203/4.