Tutt Bryant Continues Investment In Innovation
17 April 2025
Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift recently took delivery of a new TIDD PC28-3G. It’s the first of the 3G models and the fourth TIDD PC28 in the fleet, with more on order. Wayne Morris, Tutt Bryant Group’s Northern Territory State Manager, discusses the TIDD pick and carry.
“In April of last year, TRT invited me to visit their factory in Hamilton, New Zealand which was seriously impressive. During the visit, TRT told us about the new TIDD PC28-3G and over two days we were able to put the crane through its paces. When we got back, an order was placed with Crane Connection for one unit which was delivered just before Christmas. A second order has been placed which should be delivered in June. This will be the fifth TIDD pick and carry in our fleet,” said Wayne.
Wayne goes on to discuss Tutt Bryant’s experience with the TIDD pick and carry.
“When we consider investing in new assets, we always consult with the team, especially our operators, and their feedback relating to the TIDD has always been positive. The overall drive experience is a lot better and more comfortable compared to other pick and carry brands, and they say the TIDD’s safety features are more advanced,” said Wayne.
Like most businesses, Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift is examining ways to reduce carbon footprints, as are its customers. Wayne said this makes the TIDD PC28-3G a popular choice for work sites.
“As a business we are focused on reducing our carbon footprint wherever we can. We moved into Grove cranes a few years ago, and we have four of them now operating on AdBlue (a diesel exhaust fluid that reduces emisions from diesel engines). All the new Grove Cranes run one engine instead of two, so that helps emissions as well. As a business we want to be seen to be doing the right thing by the environment and the purchase of the PC28-3G is part of this focus,” said Wayne.
TRT has constructed the TIDD PC28-3G using the highest quality components, prioritising safety and performance throughout its design. Class-leading features include the Euro 6 Cummins engine, the highest emission control diesel engine available with significantly more horsepower. Additional features ensure the TIDD PC28-3G is superior in safety, emissions control, capability, comfort, and value.
Neil Webb, General Manager at TRT Australia, discusses the features and benefits of the new TIDD PC28-3G and what sets TRT apart from the competition.
“The new TIDD PC28-3G is equipped with the Cummins ISB6.7 Euro 6 on-road engine, a strategic choice as Euro 6 is set to become the new Australian Design Rule (ADR) standard by November 2025,” said Neil.
“We opted for the Cummins engine due to its extensive after-sales service and support network across Australia.
This upgrade from our previous standard Mercedes package brings an additional 34 units of horsepower, making a significant difference in operational performance.
“Obviously Slew Safe is a key safety feature and has featured in our cranes from the beginning. Developed and patented by TRT, Slew Safe serves as a significant standard for safety and is specifically designed to assist operators in preventing rollovers. A preventative tool, it alerts the operator when they are slewing in an unsafe direction, prompting them to slew back towards safety. This ensures a clear understanding of the operator’s role in maintaining safety standards. The feedback from our customers on the PC28-3G, especially from Tier One builders, has been fantastic.” The new TIDD PC28-3G also features the TRT patented Traction Air System.
“The Traction Air System is currently operating in approximately 10 countries around the world as a CTI (central tyre inflation) system. It was initially designed for logging equipment, and we moved it into our TIDD pick and carry crane. It’s an option but we see more and more safety requirements from sites, and from customers, which means it is almost a standard option that’s ticked by our customers.
“The Traction Air System provides a management system for tyre pressure. It allows the tyre pressure to increase or deflate to ensure optimal pressure of 130 PSI is maintained. It’s a great safety feature for the crane. Because the tyres are always at the correct pressure you also get better usage and less wear and tear. During lifting, the tyres are maintained at optimal pressure, ensuring that each lift is performed safely,” said Neil.
TRT has long prioritised advanced braking systems, starting with ABS brakes in our original TIDD PC25 models. While ABS has only recently become a requirement for ADR compliance, our commitment goes beyond meeting standards—we integrate these systems because ensuring the safety of our products is our highest priority.”
When TRT began redesigning to comply with the new ADR emission standards it assessed areas for improvement and focused on the exhaust brake system, switching to a Retarder. While very similar to the technology used in a lot of heavy equipment, such as large all terrains, the Allison transmission with Retarder puts TRT ahead of the competition, said Neil.
“It’s essentially an additional safety feature for our crane. Our customers recognise that TRT doesn’t just aim to meet standards; we consistently exceed them and continue to innovate. We are highly customer-focused, incorporating their feedback into our product designs,” said Neil.
Traction Air manages tyre pressure to the standard 130psi on all four front and rear tyres, creating a stable lift platform and improving crane safety. Incorrect tyre pressure, overinflation or punctured tyres can put operators at risk. Constant tyre pressure monitoring with Traction Air allows operators to lift safely, and correctly every time.
From a simple to use touch screen in the cab, instant leak and puncture alarms notify the operator of a change, reducing the risk of serious incidents.
There is no need for manual tyre pressure checks on start-up, increasing valuable uptime. No matter the surface temperature, even on bitumen, tyres on TIDD PC28-3G will remain at 130psi. Based on more than 25 years of product innovation and exclusive to TIDD PC28-3G, Traction Air has a three year/500,000km warranty.
“Traction Air is an excellent safety feature, especially when the crane is running around gas plants, they absolutely love it. It makes life so much easier for our guys with the computer maintaining the tyre pressure. There’s no need to get out and check the pressure with a tyre gauge, it’s a great safety feature and very helpful for the guys,” said Wayne. Consider moving this paragraph to under where Wayne first introduces Traction Air.
Wayne goes on to discuss Tutt Bryant’s relationship with Anthony Davis and The Crane Connection and his impressions of TRT.
“Over the years we have developed a fantastic relationship with Anthony and The Crane Connection, and we’ve moved to them to buy all our parts for the TIDDs. We had a small issue with one of the TIDDs and Anthony and his team’s approach to rectify the situation was second to none. They are very focused on customer relationships and operate on traditional business values and do what they say they are going to do.
“The TRT guys in New Zealand were fantastic. It was an absolute eye-opener to visit the factory and watch the machines being made from scratch through to the finished product. TRT employs over 300 people in the factory and the manufacturing technology is state of the art. I learned a lot about steel and now realise, ‘Steel is not just steel’.
“I was really interested to talk to one of their manufacturing engineers about how grades of steel vary. Some steels are rolled one way and others rolled another, some are easier to bend and that’s why certain steels are used on different parts of the crane. The steel used in the powered boom is a lot different to the steel used in the chassis for example,” said Wayne.
“TRT is a family-owned business, and the people are very welcoming. Everyone we spoke to was well informed and passionate about what they do. It’s a massive facility manufacturing two TIDDs a month, which is impressive when you consider they are hand built. They are also manufacturing their specialised trailers and crane pads, and they are selling and servicing the Grove brand. It’s a very impressive set up indeed.”