Australian Crane and Machinery (ACM) is a business based in Campbellfield, Melbourne, and helmed by third generation crane and machinery expert Ben Potter.
ACM was formed in 2004 and has been the Kobelco dealer since its inception, as well as a major importer and exporter of cranes and machinery. However, it was Potter’s experience working with travel towers and elevated working platforms (EWPs) that spurred him to commence sales of truck mounted EWPs. Frustrated with the limited suitable products available for his customers, Potter commenced manufacture of ACM’s own range of truck mounted EWPs in 2009.
Today, ACM manufactures and sells both industrial and insulated truck mounted EWPs from 20m to 56m working height. ACM also has a highly successful range of road-rail vehicles for rail and overhead line maintenance works. All machines are manufactured, assembled, programmed, tested and commissioned in ACM’s Melbourne premises.
ACM towers have many features which give them an operational advantage over their competitors. Firstly, the ACM control system has been designed in-house, from the ground up, by a team of electronic and mechatronic engineers. Key reasons why operators and fleet owners love the ACM control system include the remote access service and data-logging, which allows 24/7 remote diagnostics and calibration, thus keeping the machine working with less downtime or having to leave the site for troubleshooting. This offers a big saving in terms of time and money, especially when the ‘problem’ can be as banal as an emergency stop button left in.
The ACM machine is also known for its smooth operation; it gives operators full control of movement speed, and absolute peace of mind. All support is based in Melbourne, thus negating the wait for parts or technical support to arrive from overseas. The system is fully compliant with EN280 and AS1418.10, and is designed for IP67 compliance, meaning it can withstand the harshest working conditions including the extremes of Australian temperatures, dust and rain.
The drive system is also a much-loved feature that keeps operators moving. Australia is a rugged country and ACM’s machines love to get off-road. ACM machines up to 41m are mounted on a 4×4 Mercedes-Benz chassis. These machines get to heights in places where its competitors just can’t go. Working on a muddy football pitch replacing signage? No problems. Transmission tower erection on a hill in the middle of the bush? Sure thing.
ACM’s hugely popular ACM400 is making way for the ACM410, a 41m tower with design improvements including a side mounted fly jib for reduced drive height, and revised outriggers for reduced maintenance and a more compact working footprint.
The ACM560, a 56m tower which is currently in initial production, will also have an insulated option for live line work. Programming upgrades for all future machines will also include dynamic range charts, which are calculated on 100mm outrigger increments, giving the best possible reach for the given working area.
ACM’s road-rail units are also increasing in popularity, with production of our proprietary high-rail system increasing year on year. This system can be retrofitted to existing travel towers, opening up a new market for their owners. Another recent success includes the ACM200, a 20m tower mounted on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. This compact machine has found a niche working in tight areas in the city on utilities and building maintenance (it also fits through the drive-through at lunchtime).
After so many years in the former P&H crane factory at Campbellfield, ACM is looking forward to increasing production in the new year following its move into its new purpose-built facility at Derrimut, in Melbourne’s west. Visitors are welcome to come and see what innovation is on display in the showroom, and might even get a chance take a demo machine for a test drive.